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 …

  Amre Griffin, a Fanwood resident and owner of rienú interior design company was featured on an episode of George to the Rescue on NBC where she designed a home for a family who's home suffered damaged during Sandy.  Griffin provided a little bit of flair to the living room and dining room in the home of Joe and Janet Misiur and their two daughters, while still keeping the feel of their New Jersey neighborhood, she said in the episode. The Misiur’s purchased the Sayreville home in 2001 as a brand new construction, during Sandy a nearby river traveled through the woods and into the basement …

  During the Manager’s Report at the Feb. 19 Scotch Plains Council Meeting, the ongoing cleanup from Sandy was discussed by Township Manager Henry Underhill, who stated that originally the township borrowed $800,000 but that they probably tacked on another $200,000. According to Underhill, the township originally borrowed the $800,000 with money set aside for grinding, but are now probably near $1 million due to salaries from the police and fire department. Also, Underhill stated that he hasn’t seen the numbers from the police and fire departments as of yet, but he said he was sure the …

Editor's Note: The following is a press release from FEMA While New Jersey survivors of Hurricane Sandy have until March 1 to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster assistance, more than $780 million in disaster assistance has been approved to speed recovery. FEMA has approved more than $300 million in housing assistance for more than 52,000 people. Housing assistance includes temporary rental assistance and grants to repair and replace storm-damaged primary residences. More than $42 million has been approved to help survivors replace hurricane-damaged personal …

There may not be many out-of-state utility crews on local roads these days but support for those still suffering in the wake of Super Storm Sandy continues to arrive from other parts of the country. Recently, a Wisconsin law enforcement organization sent a sizable donation to help four Union County Sheriff’s Officers whose homes were severely damaged by the devastating storm. Through the Badger State Sheriffs’ Association’s “Sheriffs Adopting Sheriffs” program, each officer received a check for more than $9,000 for home repairs and other needs related to Sandy. “Rarely have I seen such 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 …

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 …

  The following information was provided by the Township of Scotch Plains.The following update regarding FEMA relief efforts in Union County has been provided from Union County First Alert:The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center will open in Linden on Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Gregorio Center at 330 Helen Street. The center will subsequently remain open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.        The Disaster Recovery Center is to support residents of Union County who suffered damage from the Megastorm Sandy. Any survivor from the 21 counties…

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 …

Two and half weeks after Sandy hit Scotch Plains, the Mayor and Council held their first public conference and business meetings where they discussed the storm's impact and what it means for the township.Mayor Mary DePaola announced at the 7 p.m. Conference Meeting and the 8 p.m. Business Meeting that the council will hold a Town Hall Meeting for the public with representatives from PSE&G within the next 2-3 weeks to discuss Sandy.The 7 p.m. conference meeting began with the manager's discussion items, the first being a "Super Storm Sandy Update." In the update, Township Manager Henry …

The folowing information was provided by the Fanwood Police DepartmentFederal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Community Relations representatives will be going door-to-door in the Borough of Fanwood on Tuesday, November 20, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  All representatives will be wearing blue FEMA jackets and carrying or wearing Identification badges. Also on November 20, 2012, a group of FEMA Corp members will be assisting the FEMA representatives. The FEMA Corps members will be wearing bright royal blue jackets that say FEMA CORPS on the back. This group will also be displaying their …

The following information was provided by the Fanwood Newcomers' Club.Fanwood Newcomers' Club held a Sandy Relief Drive to help families in New Jersey and New York who were affected by the storm.  Many items were generously donated by members and friends of the club including winter coats, clothes, cleaning supplies, food, water, baby products, and pet food.  A car full of items including coats and supplies from Newcomers' was delivered to a family of five in Brick, NJ.  Three more vans full of items were distributed to community donation sites in New Jersey and Staten Island.  The Club would…

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 …

The following information was provided by the Borough of Fanwood.While we endured power outages that lasted 12 days in some cases, we are fortunate in Fanwood that all our homes are still standing, though a number sustained damage caused by falling trees. There is still evidence of the many downed trees and wires around the Borough. Our Department of Public Works continues to clear brush, branches and leaves. Story and photosWhat Do You Do Now? Apply for disaster assistance. Start the process here. FEMA has a disaster center at the Chisholm School Community Center on Springfield Avenue in …

During the height of Sandy's wrath on Monday evening, Scotch Plains Police Officer, Joseph Citarella was making his usual patrol of the township when things turned dangerous after he assited a resident back inside her home. As high winds and rain had already started to hit Scotch Plains, the officer received a call for a downed tree and power lines on Hoe Avenue. Citarella made his way to the scene to tape off the dangerous areas surrounding the live wires and downed trees. Citarella then went back to his vehicle to use it to block off residents from attempting to make their way onto the …