Toms River Native Serves With U.S. Navy Helicopter Squadron

By Alyssa Riccardi

TOMS RIVER – Petty Officer 2nd Class

Christopher Ashenfelder, a native of Toms River, is serving with Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 37, operating out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Their mission is to conduct sea control operations in open-ocean and coastal environments, which includes hunting for submarines, searching for surface targets over the horizon and conducting search and rescue operations.

Ashenfelder graduated from Toms River North High School in 2018 joined the Navy five years ago.

“I joined the Navy because I always loved helicopters and felt I needed to do a job that can help others while serving my country,” said Ashenfelder.

“The lesson from Toms River that I have kept with me throughout my Navy career is to look out for not just my friends and family, but anyone who needs help along the way,” he added.

Ashenfelder serves with the helicopter squadron that fl ies the U.S. Navy’s MH60R Seahawk helicopters. The MH-60R is a “twin-engine helicopter used for anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, drug interdiction, anti-ship warfare, cargo lift, and special operations.”

“The United States Navy is vital to national defense because we maintain freedom of navigation for the entire world,” Ashenfelder said

“My proudest moment was a rescue in March of 2021. We flew 26 miles off the northwest point of Oahu at night. I was lowered into the water and saved a fisherman whose boat had capsized,” he added.

Ashenfelder said he is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“Serving in the Navy means I have to sacrifice elements of my life that others don’t have to so our citizens can be free,” Ashenfelder said. “I would like to thank my wife, Lauren, for supporting my career and taking care of my family while I’m away.”

Running Towards Better Vision

Exercising regularly is one of the best things we can do for our health. It increases our metabolism, helps our blood flow, and keeps our muscles strong. What can it do for our vision? Several studies over the last decade have shown that consistent physical activity can help prevent eye-related diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts. Since those conditions are usually a byproduct of high blood pressure and high cholesterol, it makes sense that exercise would keep them in check. This is especially true with glaucoma as it is a result of excessive pressure on the eyes. Some research has shown that exercise can also help prolong eye health by delaying age-related vision loss.

Physical activity can also help people with diabetes keep it under control. That reduces the risk of complications, including diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of vision loss among working age adults. To schedule an eye exam, please call SIGHTMD NEW JERSEY SUSSKIND & ALMALLAH EYE ASSOCIATES at 732-349-5622.

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P.S. Good cardio exercise increases the blood flow to the retina and optic nerve, keeping eyes healthy and vision strong.

NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE AUTHORITY PROPOSED OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS, MILEPOST 80 TO 83, GARDEN STATE PARKWAY

Njdep Cafra Individual Permit Application Notice Of Public Comment Period

Take notice that the public comment period for New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) File Number 1500-22-0002.2 will begin with publication in the DEP Bulletin on August 16, 2023. e public comment period will continue for thirty (30) calendar days and will end on September 14, 2023. A brief description of the proposed project follows: e New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) is proposing to improve Garden State Parkway (GSP) from approximately Milepost 80.2 to 84.1 (including Interchange 80, 81, and 82/82A) by improving GSP geometrics to meet current NJTA design standards where feasible. Other proposed improvements include continuous auxiliary lanes to better accommodate queuing and weaves; Collector-Distributor (C-D) roads (service roads) to physically separate local ramp traffic from the GSP through traffic; safety and operational improvements of GSP interchanges, ramps and adjoining State and local roadway networks. Additionally, improvements at Interchange 80 will include adding a new southbound entrance ramp to the GSP and northbound exit ramp to the local roadway network. e improvements will include reconstruction to approximately seven (7) bridges and several culvert pipes throughout the project area. Ancillary improvements will include replacement of guide rail, lighting, drainage system upgrades and overhead signing. Utility and NJTA Fiber Optic (ETC) relocations will be required at locations where proposed improvements conflict with these existing systems.

Any comments on the application referenced above must be submitted to the Department at the address below within 30 calendar days after the start of the comment period (August 16, 2023):

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Land Resource Protection

P.O. Box 420, Code 501-02A

Trenton, New Jersey 08625

Attn: Toms River Township/South Toms River Borough/Berkeley Township Supervisors