Community Grieves After 6-Year-Old Toms River Boy, Shot By 4-Year-Old, Dies

Brandon Holt of Toms River died after being shot in the head in the McCormick Drive yard of the 4-year-old, according to Toms River police.

Family, friends and local officials continued to grieve Wednesday after a 6-year-old Toms River boy - shot in the head by a 4-year-old - died. "It's true, it's true," a source close to the family said Tuesday, a day after Brandon Holt was shot in the McCormick Drive yard of the 4-year-old. Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy said the matter is under investigation, and any possible criminal action could be subject to an investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office. Read the latest about the incident in Toms River Patch, which will have updates and breaking news regarding the case. Al Della Fave, spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, cited a possible conflict between the 4-year-old's family and Ocean County …

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Hurricane Sandy

OceanFirst Gives to Point Beach, Toms River and Monmouth United Way

Foundation awards six grants to organizations in Sandy-battered communities

OceanFirst Foundation’s Relief and Recovery Grant Program is awarding six new grants totaling $93,000 to organizations in Point Pleasant Beach, Toms River and Monmouth County. The recipients are: Ocean Fire Co. #1, Point Pleasant Beach; Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey, Toms River; Children’s Home Society, Toms River; Homes for All, Toms River; O.C.E.A.N., Inc., Toms River and United Way of Monmouth County, Farmingdale. "The foundation's grant program assists the efforts of nonprofit organizations in the New Jersey shore market area that are helping local families and individuals affected by Hurricane Sandy," says a prepared statement issued by the foundation. The amount awarded to each of the organizations and details about their …

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Annual Saint Barbara's Greek Festival in Toms River This Weekend

Saint Barbara's Fall Greek Festival expected to draw thousands over weekend

Whether or not you know your souvlaki from your moussaka, you needn't be Greek to come down to Saint Barbara's Church Annual Fall Greek Festival, Sept. 21-23, in Toms River. In fact, according to Gus Kakavas, the Promotions Chairman for Saint Barbara's Church, the majority of attendees are not of Greek heritage. The annual fall festival also continues to grow, he said. "As you know, the Greek community is only a small part of the attendees at the Greek Festival. Our first Saint Barbara Greek Festival was held in September of 1973 — 39 years ago," he said in an email.   With nearly four decades of Greek Festivals at the church, over the years the event has expanded the number of attendees it draws to its expanding offerings of food, …

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