Man Pleads Guilty To Starting Forest Fires

By Chris Lundy

MANCHESTER – The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office announced that a Manchester resident pled guilty to setting fi res in Little Egg Harbor, Manchester, and Lakewood.

Gregory Fullman, Jr., 33, pled guilty to three counts of Aggravated Arson. At the time of his sentencing on May 19, 2023, he faces 12 years in prison. He must also make restitution to the fi re companies that responded.

The investigation looked at fi res set in wooded areas between May 2021 and January 2022.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledged the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Meghan O’Neill who handled the case on behalf of the State, as well as the Ocean

County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Narcotics Strike Force, High Tech Crime Unit, Economic Crime Unit, Little Egg Harbor Police, Manchester Police, Lakewood Police, Ocean County Sheriff ’s Office Crime Scene Investigations Unit, Sheriff ’s Field Services Unit, Sheriff ’s Administrative Unit, Sheriff ’s K-9 Unit, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, Ocean County Vehicle Services Department, New Jersey State Forest Fire Service, New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Sciences, New Jersey State Police Regional Operations Intelligence Center, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Monmouth County Fire Marshal’s Office, Wall Township Police Department, and City of Bridgeton Fire Department Bureau of Fire Prevention K-9 Unit.

Although the publication date of this newspaper is April 1st, this is NOT an April Fools Joke. Ok, well, maybe a little. Recently, there were a series of controlled burns in Ocean County performed by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. Dave Lansing was able to snap this great shot on Route 37 in Toms River. It gave us all quite a chuckle in the newsroom. Want to see your photos in this space? Email them to photos@ jerseyshoreonline.com and you may win a prize!

21st Annual Step Up For The Arc Walk

LAKEWOOD – The Arc, Ocean County Chapter will host the 21st Annual Step Up for The Arc Walk on May 13 at ShoreTown Ballpark, home of the Jersey Shore BlueClaws from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to benefit individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Step Up for The Arc is an inclusive community event to raise awareness and acceptance for people with disabilities. The day will kick-off at 10 a.m. with registration, inclusive games, arts and crafts, live performances and refreshments. Around 11 a.m. the one-mile walk celebration will commence followed by the after-party at 12 p.m.

This year’s 21st Annual Walk hopes to raise $75,000 for The Arc, Ocean County Chapter’s programs and services providing housing, employment, job training, transportation, recreation, family support, and clinical support services to 1,000 individuals with disabilities. This event is free to attend and participants are encouraged to register online to fundraise $50 for this year’s commemorative Step Up for The Arc t-shirt. Register and donate online at arcocean.org or mail your donation to: The Arc, Ocean County Chapter – WALK, 393 Mantoloking Road, Brick NJ 08723. For more event details, call 732-978-1414.