UPDATE!Monday Briefs From WOBM News

News from Ocean & Monmouth counties and around New Jersey.

TOMS RIVER – Ocean County College officials fire back at allegations by the New Jersey Education Association against their president. NJEA field rep Chris Berzinsky last week called for Dr. Jon Larson’s resignation, claiming that he offered preferential bid position to contracting companies that donated to the non-profit OCC Foundation. Today, Board Chairman Stephen Leone demanded a retraction and apology to accusations he calls unacceptable. The Board is prepared to go to court if necessary.

TRENTON - What’s the growth potential for offshore wind energy in New Jersey, and what are possible stumbling blocks? State Assembly members on the Utilities Committee are taking expert opinions today. The US Energy Department is planning to pump $180million into offshore projects in the next six years.

BRIGANTINE – A woman’s plunge to death from her fourth-floor condo here is under investigation. Atlantic County Prosecutor Ted Housel says no foul play is apparent in the death of Deborah Schwartz, 55, at the Brigantine Beach Club Sunday morning. The autopsy report lists multiple injuries as the cause of death, but the manner of death is being withheld pending results from additional tests.

MANCHESTER – A township public works staffer is recovering after being hit by a pickup truck this morning. Police say Thomas Reistad, 65, was hit as Frank Pease, 43, of Lakehurst, pulled his truck toward the gas pumps at the Whiting WaWa around 5:45 AM. Reistad was treated for knee and elbow injuries at Community Medical Center in Toms River. No charges have been lodged against Pease, but the incident is still under investigation.

MANCHESTER – An 87-year-old Manchester man remains hospitalized after a Sunday-evening car crash on Route 70. Police say Vincent Moscaritola wasn’t belted in as he steered his Nissan into oncoming traffic, aiming to turn left onto Route 571. His car collided with a Subaru driven by Walter Goldenbaum, 68,  of Manchester, who declined treatment.

NEWARK - The week got off to a slow start for NJ Transit commuters this morning as only one track was available in the rail tunnel under the Hudson River. A late-running Amtrak work crew is to blame; at one point delays were up to 30 minutes on all trains into New York. Delays subsided after 8AM.

TOMS RIVER - A two-year-old boy from Pine Beach is pulled from the water of an indoor swimming pool at the YMCA of Toms River. The boy became distressed just after 4:30 on Saturday afternoon. When police arrived, the child was breathing on his own thanks to lifeguards. He was taken to Community Medical Center. No word on his condition.

OCEAN (MONMOUTH) - It won’t be just any old town hall meeting in Ocean Township tomorrow. Governor Chris Christie will be in attendance at the Community Gym on West Park Ave. Doors open at 2PM. Seating is first come first serve and open to the public. The meeting starts at 3PM

TOMS RIVER - Two Ocean County towns plan to hold public meetings tonight on their ward-redistricting plans. Toms River meets at 6. Berkeley Township meets at 7. Both take place at Toms River Town Hall on Washington Street.

TOMS RIVER - A Toms River teen is arrested after police saw him damaging township soccer fields with a Jeep. Chief Mike Mastronardy says the 17-year-old was driving circles on the fields near Castle Park on Saturday night. The boy was charged with criminal mischief and released to the custody of his parents.