Week in News: Jersey Shore Mostly Ready for Memorial Day

Which Long Branch Beach Access Points Will Be Open Memorial Day Weekend?

Long Branch - The city has been working hard over the last few weeks to open as many access points as possible after Hurricane Sandy destroyed them and the city's boardwalk south of Pier Village. The boardwalk will not be repaired this summer, but could be rebuilt in time for the 2014 summer season, officials have said.

The city's beaches are open on weekends starting Memorial Day up until the third weekend in June, when they will be open daily. The beach season closes on Labor Day.

Find a list of access points on Long Branch Patch.

Gov. Christie Kicks off Summer Season

Gov. Chris Christie visited Point Pleasant and other beach areas and businesses - including Long Beach Island - this weekend, to officially kick off the summer and announce "We're Open."

The idea is to kick off Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer, by reminding the public that the Jersey Shore is open for business and to come and visit.

Visitors will find they can now stroll on the Point Beach boardwalk from end to end, now that the sections ripped by Superstorm Sandy have been repaired or replaced.

Read more about Christie's visit and Point Pleasant's progress on Point Pleasant Patch.

Cocker Spaniel Abuse Suspects Arraigned in Packed Courtroom

Brick - The Brick couple accused of animal cruelty after claiming they found a dog in a garbage bag by the side of the road will face a maximum of six months in jail if convicted, a judge said Monday afternoon.

The couple dropped the dog off at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in Tinton Falls in March.

Read more on Long Branch Patch.

Home Buyouts in Flood Zones to Begin

Jersey Shore - Buyouts of properties in flood prone areas are expected to begin within a matter of weeks, beginning in Middlesex County and working south into the summer months, as residents and their respective town officials make the difficult decision to abandon entire neighborhoods for good.

Read more on Rumson Patch.

Sandy Hook Coast Guard Base Still Recovering After Hurricane

Sandy Hook - Despite the unprecedented destruction caused to the 165-year-old Sandy Hook Coast Guard Base brought on by Superstorm Sandy in October, there are no plans to close or relocate the base and it is fully operational, even though it is still recovering from the damage caused by the storm.

“The base was able to perform all Coast Guard operations within five days of the storm’s passage,” U.S. Coast Guard Sector New York spokesman Charles W. Rowe said. “ … The recovery is ongoing.”

Read more on Middletown Patch.

Volunteers Help Ready Union Beach Memorial for New School Year

Union Beach - In the foyer near the entrance at Union Beach Memorial School, a piece of paper stapled to a cork board recognizes the students of the month for September 2012, all the way from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade. 

The school didn't make it through the next month. 

Read more on Holmdel Patch.

PHOTOS: Scenes from the 2013 Monmouth University Graduation

Long Branch - Monmouth University held its 2013 commencement ceremony on Wednesday and photographer Jim Reme was there capture some moments of special day.

See more on Long Branch Patch.