Stephanie Faughnan

New Jersey

Freelance Journalist at Jersey Shore Online

News Reporter and Columnist at Freelance

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Articles

Rent Leveling Ordinance Gets Temporary Lifeline

1 week ago | jerseyshoreonline.com | Stephanie Faughnan

BARNEGAT – For residents of Brighton at Barnegat and Pinewood Estates, the Barnegat Township Committee’s decision to extend its rent leveling ordinance through December 31, 2025, brought a sense of temporary relief – but also deep uncertainty. The two communities have over 600 residents, many of whom are seniors on fixed incomes. “We’re basically trapped,” said one Pinewood Estates resident who asked not to be named. “We own the homes, but if rents skyrocket, our only choice is to pay or leave.
Preserving Lacey’s Past: Inside The Museum That Tells The Story

1 week ago | jerseyshoreonline.com | Stephanie Faughnan

LACEY – If you’re heading down Route 9 in Forked River, you might drive right past one of Lacey Township’s greatest treasures without even realizing it. But tucked inside an old schoolhouse built in 1860, the Lacey Historical Society Museum holds more than artifacts – it holds the soul of the town. The building itself – restored in 1996 – is one of the few remaining historical structures in Lacey.
Barnegat Digs Deep With Seed Swap And Community Garden

1 week ago | jerseyshoreonline.com | Stephanie Faughnan

BARNEGAT – Two local initiatives are cultivating a greener community as interest in gardening continues to blossom throughout the township. The annual Seed Swap and the thriving Barnegat Community Garden provide residents of all ages with the essential tools, diverse seeds, and the spark of inspiration needed to get their hands dirty and nurture their food sources.
Seniors Learn About Tax Relief Changes

2 weeks ago | jerseyshoreonline.com | Stephanie Faughnan

STAFFORD – With so many people packed into a senior tax relief seminar that an overflow room had to be opened, it was clear that interest – and confusion – surrounds New Jersey’s new property tax relief programs. Christina Quinones, Stakeholder Liaison for the New Jersey Division of Taxation, addressed the crowd during the Stafford DCA Conference on Seniors.
Ocean County Rally Shines Light On Homeless & Controversy Over Church Property

2 weeks ago | jerseyshoreonline.com | Stephanie Faughnan

TOMS RIVER – More than 200 people gathered outside the Ocean County Library’s Toms River branch for “A Voice for the Voiceless” – a rally calling attention to the struggles of the local unhoused population and the people working tirelessly to support them. The setting was no coincidence. The library has recently become a flashpoint in the town’s increasingly heated debate over homelessness. Mayor Dan Rodrick has publicly criticized the JBJ Soul Kitchen pop-up inside the library.
Lacey Board Approves Budget

3 weeks ago | jerseyshoreonline.com | Stephanie Faughnan

LACEY – Homeowners in Lacey will most likely see a 7.57 percent increase in their school taxes provided the county superintendent gives their seal of approval to the local school board. School officials say this difficult decision to raise taxes was necessary to keep local control of the school district, despite significant cuts to staff and student services.
Ocean County Survivor Turns Cancer Battle Into Advocacy

3 weeks ago | jerseyshoreonline.com | Stephanie Faughnan

BRICK – Sixteen years ago, Melani Vincelli walked into a doctor’s office wondering if she had an ulcer. Today, she’s approaching her 65th birthday as a cancer survivor -with a mission to give others hope – especially those battling the same disease that nearly claimed her life. At 49, Melani was working in sales juggling a hectic lifestyle and constant stress. She began noticing symptoms: feeling full quickly, eating less, and rapid weight loss – 30 pounds in no time.
Dramatic Wildfire Rescue Highlights Power Of Teamwork

3 weeks ago | jerseyshoreonline.com | Stephanie Faughnan

SOUTHERN OCEAN COUNTY – As the Jones Road wildfire raged through the heart of the Pine Barrens on April 22, a Waretown man found himself trapped in the woods. But thanks to a team of first responders, he made it out alive. The responders didn’t just know the land – they used quick thinking and precise teamwork to save a life amidst the chaos. The man had ventured deep into the woods on a solo spiritual retreat.
Ocean County Wildfire Renews Call For Disaster Preparedness

1 month ago | jerseyshoreonline.com | Stephanie Faughnan

OCEAN COUNTY – The massive wildfire burning deep in southern Ocean County offered some reminders for local residents. Life at the Jersey Shore isn’t just about sun and sand – it’s also about preparing for the real danger of forest fires. The Jones Road Wildfire, first spotted at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22, from the Cedar Bridge Fire Tower, scorched 15,300 acres in the Forked River Mountains Wilderness Area.
12-Year Sentence Offered To Teacher In Sex Abuse Case

1 month ago | jerseyshoreonline.com | Stephanie Faughnan

FREEHOLD – The defense attorney for Allison Havemann-Niedrach, the former Freehold Intermediate School teacher indicted on multiple charges of sexual abuse involving a teenage student, stated this week that he is considering a motion to dismiss the indictment based on his client’s diminished capacity. Freehold attorney Thomas Huth, representing Havemann-Niedrach, further advised Superior Court Judge Jill Grace O’Malley that he is awaiting transcripts from the Grand Jury Indictment hearing.