The Gazette of Really Small News

A flowery niche on the Asbury Park side of Wesley Lake, with a view of the lake and Ocean Grove, recalls the Victorian origins of both locales.

Paris might have got rid of the heaps of "love locks" that rendered the Pont des Arts unrecognizable two years ago, but a dozen padlocks affixed by lovers as a token of their connection are undisturbed on the Heck Street footbridge over Wesley Lake between Asbury Park and Ocean Grove.

Algae samples collected yesterday after a sensor detected elevated amounts of chlorophyll in coastal waters showed no bloom concentration and no toxic source, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) said today. Algal blooms can deplete the oxygen in the water, killing marine life or forcing it to move to another area, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Ocean Service. Meanwhile, beach and water conditions seen during today's flight were good, the NJDEP said on its Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program website. Surveillance flights cover the coast from Raritan Bay to Little Egg inlet six days a week, according to the NJDEP.

Vendors who would like to participate in Neptune Township's Neptune Day this September may download applications from the township's website, neptunetownship.org. The link is at the bottom of the Neptune Day graphic. Neptune Day is Saturday, Sept. 16, from noon to 4 p.m. in the municipal building parking lot, 25 Neptune Blvd.  Rain date is Sunday, Sept. 17. The event will feature food, games, children's activities, music, a petting zoo, local organizations, nonprofits and businesses, and pony rides. Sponsors are Brookdale Community College, Two River Community Bank, Imperial Healthcare, Oliver Brothers Realtors, FM 107.1, and State Farm, Mansa Nicome ChFc.

The state Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring is analyzing ocean water samples to identify the source of chlorophyll in water along the coast, state environmental officials said yesterday. Chlorophyll, a pigment found in plants, was detected by sensors during a routine surveillance flight over the coast, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) said Monday on the website of its Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program. High levels of chlorophyll in water signify an algal bloom. The graphic posted on the NJDEP's Chlorophyll Remote Sensing page shows levels on June 12 were greater than 50 ug/L (micrograms per liter), which is the highest reading on a scale in which the lowest reading is 0 to 3 ug/L. Masses of dead, decaying algae can deplete oxygen in the water, causing marine life to die or leave the affected area, according to the National Ocean Service, which is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Meanwhile, beach and water cond...

Ocean Grove's north beach boardwalk might have looked cool at daybreak, but the National Weather Service (NWS) is calling for a high today of 90 and a heat index in the upper 90s. Thunderstorms this evening should usher in temperatures more characteristic of spring than July. The NWS's seven-day forecast includes highs of 73 tomorrow, 69 on Thursday, and 67 on Friday. The heat picks up again in time for the weekend, with a high of 75 on Saturday.

Neptune Township seeks a full-time jailer for the police department. The spot is 40 hours per week. Working on holidays is required. Salary is $36,500. The jailer will be under the supervision of the chief of police or other designee. Duties include jail security; mandatory cell block inspections;  supervising detainees; bringing detainees to court as necessary; searching detainees; processing and releasing; taking fingerprints and photographs; providing meals and telephone calls; maintaining prisoner logs and other forms. Candidates must have a high school diploma or GED and a valid New Jersey driver license, and pass a background check that includes criminal history and fingerprints. Candidates must also pass physical and psychological examinations and a drug test. Experience as a new Jersey law enforcement officer, SLEO II (NJ PTC certification),  or SLEO II (NJ PTC certification) is required. Candidates should submit a resume and qualifications in writing no later th...