JERSEY SHORE -- Britain's Prince Harry did what most people would do on a sunny, spring day in Seaside Heights—take in the ocean views, then play some boardwalk games. Harry came to Seaside Heights with Gov. Chris Christie Tuesday morning after the two toured destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy in Mantoloking. The pair drove south on Route 35 and entered the boardwalk at Grant Avenue where crowds of people were waiting for their arrival. "Prince Harry, we love you," shouted one small girl who was holding a welcome sign. Standing next to her was an Elvis Presley impersonator, hoping to …

  Editor's Note: This information was originally published on the Summit School District's website. The Summit Public School District continues its efforts to reclaim expenses as a result of Superstorm Sandy. In the wake of the third major storm to hit Summit in the past two years, the Business Office worked diligently to compile detailed documentation to reclaim unanticipated emergency management expenses associated with the storm.While the district's immediate priority was to secure property and ensure safety for students, staff and visitors, Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School played a …

Gov. Chris Christie, in a joint statment with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, applauded the "critical" Sandy aid approval by the House of Representatives Friday, but said the $9.7 billion outlay is merely a "down payment." "While we are pleased with this progress, today was just a down payment and it is now time to go even further and pass the final and more complete, clean disaster aid bill," they said. The U.S. House of Representatives approved a measure Friday afternoon allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to borrow $9.7 billion to pay insurance claims made by victims of …

After the U.S. House of Representatives did not take action on appropriating aid to states impacted by Hurricane Sandy on Tuesday night, including New Jersey, Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick, Conference Leader Dave Rible and Republican Whip Scott Rumana sent a letter to congressional leaders in Washington D.C. today inviting them to visit New Jersey and the communities that were impacted by the storm. In their letter to House Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Bramnick, Rible and Rumana wrote:  “We are disappointed that the House of Representatives failed to take …

Officials from states hardest hit by Superstorm Sandy blasted Congressional Republicans on Wednesday for not passing a bill that would fund $60 billion toward recovery efforts. In a release, Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg said the move denies aid to "families, communities and businesses that were devastated by one of the worst storms to ever hit the United States. “Denying emergency aid to Superstorm Sandy victims is a new low for House Republicans,” Lautenberg said. Lautenberg said Congress should put partisan politics aside, as it does for other disaster recovery efforts, and "extend a …

As The Salvation Army continues to provide long term recovery forHurricane Sandy survivors, volunteers are needed to assist with relief efforts.The newest Salvation Army volunteer opportunities include receiving intake anddistribution of goods to clients at its emergency assistance center in Hazlet, supporting its call center in Union and sorting at its Hillside and Trenton warehouses.“People out there still need assistance, and The Salvation Army is doing all it can to reach those in need, but we still need the help of the army behind the Army, our fantastic volunteers,” said a member of The…

The following is a press release sent by the County of Union. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents and small business owners that they may still be eligible for help recovering from the effects of Superstorm Sandy. “If you are still dealing with storm-related damages, I encourage you to contact the agencies that are offering these resources and find out if you are eligible,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “Both FEMA and our partners in the business community are here to lend a helping hand.” For qualified small businesses, the nonprofit Union County …

It's been one month since "the perfect storm" tore through new Jersey, toppling trees, pulling down power lines, damaging homes and causing widespread power outages that lasted for days, and in some cases, weeks. Over the course of the last 30 days since Superstorm Sandy devastated the Jersey Shore and many areas inland, New Jerseyans have showed their strength and unity, vowing to rebuild and joining together to help each other through local and statewide initiatives. The following is a compilation of images and videos from Union County and the Jersey Shore, depicting the aftermath, the …

Supermodel Heidi Klum is lending her efforts to affected victims and families of Superstorm Sandy by distributing supplies, food, and water in the afternoon on Sunday, Dec. 2 at the American Red Cross Nassau Chapter in Mineola, NY, in partnership with the American Red Cross, AOL, and Patch. After, Klum will go to Lindenhurst, NY, for the tree lighting with Mayor Thomas Brennan. Klum's efforts are a reminder that these communities still need help rebuilding. Here's how you can help: Donate to the American Red Cross, Long Island Cares, or Island Harvest. And, you can help rebuild communities …

Dozens of residents met with Mayor Ellen Dickson and key city officials in Council Chambers on Tuesday night to discuss the effects of Superstorm Sandy and ways to handle future storms. Many residents expressed their thoughts and concerns with JCP&L throughout the informal gathering, which Dickson dubbed as a “power issues” town hall meeting. Numerous community members cited JCP&L’s lack of communication, disorganization and outdated infrastructure as key reasons why residents had to suffer through lengthy power outages in the city after Sandy, and following Irene and the October Snowstorm in…

Local officials described in dramatic detail the work of rescue and rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy, as state senators listened to how the Jersey Shore is grappling with widespread devastation and how to improve for the future. “This is flooding, devastation, I’d never have imagined in my lifetime,” said Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy, one of the first panelists detailing specific anecdotes and financial spending in response to Hurricane Sandy. The panelists were called by the state Senate Budget Committee, held in Toms River Monday. It was the first of several meetings aiming …

First Lady Mary Pat Christie, Chair of the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund, proudly announced today that a number of celebrities, business and community leaders with deep Jersey roots will join a growing Advisory Board of the non-profit charity launched just over two weeks ago to assist in the long-term recovery effort following the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. In addition to New Jersey natives Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi, the Advisory Board will also welcome the efforts of Live with Kelly and Michael co-host Kelly Ripa, nationally syndicated talk show host Dr. Mehmet Oz, …

Jersey threw a rocking party and everyone was invited—except Sandy. On Sunday, a crowd of over 400 turned up for Unite 2 Revive, a benefit concert held at Jersey’s Sports bar & Grill in Neptune. The event raised $5,800 for the Jersey Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross to help with their Sandy disaster relief efforts, according to Unite 2 Revive publicist Deirdre Anne Lopian. “It has been an extremely stressful two weeks. Everybody is affected by the storm in one way shape or form. Why not come out, have a good time, listen to the music, dance to the bands. And at the same time, you’re …

At the concrete barricades that seal off Ortley Beach, Bay Head and Seaside Heights from everything else, fully-armed police officers peek through dimly lit cars, looking for any trouble they can find.The clouds that hover over them never seem to leave, covering what's left of the shining sun, long before it's ever supposed to set. Each officer is bundled in burly black jackets, pointing flashlights in each passing car before turning them away. Wearing knitted hats that nearly wrap around their eyes and ears, these officers are mere shadows with badges, figurines with no faces that stop …

NJ TRANSIT continues to adjust and refine its emergency trans-Hudson transportation plan to most efficiently match the available bus, rail and ferry resources with the needs of state citizens. NJ TRANSIT will expand the free emergency shuttle bus/ferry service and shuttle bus to rail service to improve the Trans-Hudson commute for the agency’s Gladstone Branch customers along the Morris & Essex Lines.  Starting Monday, November 19, new bus shuttle-to-ferry service and bus shuttle-to-train service will operate from selected stations along the Gladstone Branch of the Morris & Essex Lines to …

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, many lessons have been learned.   First, we know that the city's Code Red Alert System is an invaluable tool for communicating with residents and businesses.  The warnings issued prior to the storm accurately predicted the storm's severity and the eventual problems that were experienced.  After the storm, updates were sent via text message, e-mail and voice message notifying people on the status of integral city services, school closings and power outages.   Second, city workers led by our Mayor and city administration did an excellent job in planning for …

There was advice and a little scolding at the Nov. 12 meeting of the Summit Common Council. Here's a look at what many of the residents had to say about Sandy.

Tonight's council meeting will have one major focus, according to council members and Mayor Ellen Dickson: power restoration problems. Expect a full house when the meeting kicks off at 7:30p.m. Residents will have a chance to address the 2-week power outage, as well as efforts to deal with Hurricane Sandy and its immediate  aftermath. "We're devoting at least the first 1 1/2 hours to a presentation by Chris Cotter, our Office of Emergency Management Coordinator," said Common Council President Rich Madden, who was recently elected to another term in an uncontested election. "There will also be…

New Jersey has entered a new normal, Gov. Chris Christie said Monday. With the recovery effort largely concluded, the focus of state and federal agencies will turn toward rebuilding the parts of New Jersey devastated by Hurricane Sandy, he noted during an appearance at the newly established Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Joint Field Office at the former Avaya building in Lincroft. “We’ve returned to a sense of normalcy, that’s why I have the fleece off,” Christie said, joking about his signature accessory at a series of press conferences and appearances across the state. “It’s …