Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Where To Pick Pumpkins Near Toms River This Fall — And How To Carve Them

Spotted on the Toms River calendar: Sour Dough Making Class at the Mathis House

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Wednesday October 7th Patch AM
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Hey hey Toms River! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Plan your perfect pumpkin-picking day trip near Toms River
  • Coast Guard seeks input after deadly Barnegat Bay crashes
  • Fifth arrest in deadly Toms River Wawa shooting: what we know

Also on today's calendar: Sour Dough Making Class at the Mathis House and 15 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call a paper airplane that can't fly? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 69 and low of 52 degrees.
  • Thursday: Sunshine and pleasantly warm, temps: high: 79, low: 50.
  • Friday: Sunny and pleasant, with a high of 72 and low of 48 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Where To Pick Pumpkins Near Toms River This Fall — And How To Carve Them (patch.com) — Families in Toms River have a wide range of nearby farms and markets where they can pick their own pumpkins and enjoy fall activities like hayrides and corn mazes. The guide highlights multiple pumpkin patches within an easy drive of town and offers practical, step-by-step tips for carving a sturdy, eye-catching jack-o'-lantern at home. Residents can use it to plan local outings and decorate their porches for Halloween.
   

2. Safety Survey Of Barnegat Bay Navigation Being Conducted By Coast Guard (patch.com) — Boaters in and around Toms River are being asked to weigh in on a Coast Guard safety survey of Barnegat Inlet and Oyster Creek Channel after several deadly crashes on Barnegat Bay this summer. One recent case involved a boater returning to a Toms River lagoon home after allegedly striking a channel marker, underscoring local concerns about navigation aids and intoxicated operation. Residents can submit comments online through mid-January 2027.
   

3. Fifth Person Charged In Toms River Wawa Murder Case Surrenders To Police (lakewoodalerts.com) — Investigators say a fifth person has now surrendered in the fatal shooting of Toms River resident Bruce Gress outside the Wawa at Route 37 and Garfield Avenue, a case that has shaken the township. Prosecutors have charged Douglas Cobb of Toms River with murder and four others, including the latest Brick Township suspect, with hindering his capture as the investigation continues.
   

4. Toms River Neighbor Sues Over Zoning Approval for Expanded Synagogue (shorebeat.com) — A neighbor is asking an Ocean County judge to overturn Toms River's zoning approval for a major expansion of an Orthodox synagogue on Old Freehold Road, arguing it violates local land-use rules. She says the project lacks proper buffers, has excessive signage, and too little parking for the enlarged building, raising concerns about preserving the surrounding residential character.
   

5. Elite Sports PT Shore Conference Boys Soccer Scoreboard: Tuesday, October 6 (shoresportsinsider.com) — Toms River East, South, and North boys soccer teams all hit the field today in Shore Conference Tournament group play, with home matches scheduled at South and North this evening. Local fans can catch East at Lacey at 3:30 p.m., Manalapan at Toms River South at 6 p.m., and Colts Neck at Toms River North at 6:30 p.m., plus many other Shore matchups.
   

📸 Around Toms River

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Utilize County Connection Services at the Jackson Library —Dan Fitzgerald Read on Patch
  • Portraits of the Jersey Shore Author Gregory Andrus to Present at the Upper Shores Library —Dan Fitzgerald Read on Patch
  • Groove to Authentic Louisiana Zydeco Tunes at the Toms River Library —Dan Fitzgerald Read on Patch
  • Oceanaires to Perform on Flannel Shirt Night! —Peter Fenzel Read on Patch
  • It's Monday morning....
    enjoy! (TAP IT) 10/05/26. Stay away from that "missing" donut! (Nextdoor Holiday Heights)
  • Ladies, we can't be too careful these days!
    After interviewing several guys as possible handymen, I felt really uncomfortable and decided to hire Donna, a handywoman who knows how to do… (Nextdoor Holiday City Berkley)
  • Hot Topic posted a job opening for Part-Time Assistant Manager - Level 1 in Toms River. Apply here.
  • Staples, Inc. posted a job opening for Retail Sales Supervisor in Toms River. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Toms River here.

Ok Toms River! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "What do you call a paper airplane that can't fly?" — Stationary (Thank you David H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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