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It probably started in your lower back. Weeks ago, maybe months ago - possibly from lifting something the wrong way, possibly after a long drive, possibly from no obvious trigger at all. You iced it, took some ibuprofen, waited it out. The back pain got better.
And then the pain showed up somewhere new.
Shooting down your glute. Into your hamstring. Burning through your calf. Sometimes all the way to your foot. It flares when you sit at your desk for more than fifteen minutes. It wakes you up when you roll over at night. Bending to put on your shoes has become a genuine ordeal.
That's sciatica. And if you're dealing with it right now, you already know two things: it's miserable, and it doesn't resolve on its own the way regular back pain does.
At NJ Sports Spine and Wellness in Middletown, NJ, sciatica is one of the most common reasons patients walk through our door. It's also one of the conditions we're best positioned to treat. Our combination of DRX9000 spinal decompression, chiropractic care, physical therapy, and advanced therapeutic modalities - all under one roof - gives us a wider set of tools than most practices have. For the overwhelming majority of patients, we can resolve sciatica without surgery, without injections, and without long-term pain medication.
Let's talk about what's actually causing your pain and what we can do about it.
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in your body. It starts as a bundle of five nerve roots in your lower spine, exits through small openings between the vertebrae, merges in your pelvis, and runs down the back of each leg all the way to your foot. When any of those nerve roots - or the sciatic nerve itself further down - gets compressed, irritated, or inflamed, the signal it carries gets disrupted. The result is the very specific pattern of symptoms we call sciatica: pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that radiates from the lower back into the buttock and down the leg.
Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis. The real question is: what's compressing or irritating the nerve in the first place? Because the answer determines what actually works to fix it.
One of the reasons sciatica doesn't respond to generic treatment is that "sciatica" covers several very different underlying problems.
The most common cause. When the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes out against the fibrous outer layer - or breaks through it entirely - it can press directly against a nerve root. That compression, combined with the chemical irritation from the disc material itself, creates classic shooting leg pain.
A narrowing of the spinal canal or the small openings where nerves exit the spine. Common in patients over 50. Usually causes leg pain that's worse with standing or walking and eases when you sit down or lean forward on a shopping cart.
Age-related wearing of the spinal discs reduces cushioning between vertebrae and can lead to nerve compression over time.
One vertebra has shifted forward relative to the one below it, narrowing the space where a nerve exits.
The small joints at the back of the spine become inflamed or develop bone spurs that encroach on nearby nerves.
The sciatic nerve passes under (and in some people, through) the piriformis muscle deep in the buttock. When that muscle is tight, spasming, or inflamed, it can compress the nerve - creating sciatica symptoms that have nothing to do with your spine. This one gets missed a lot, and the treatment is completely different from disc-related sciatica.
Weight distribution changes and hormonal ligament laxity during pregnancy can put new pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Our Middletown, NJ team evaluates for all of these, because treating a disc herniation like it's piriformis syndrome (or vice versa) is how patients end up stuck in treatment that isn't working.
Sciatica has a signature pattern, but it shows up differently in different patients. Common symptoms:
If your symptoms appear on both sides at once, or you're experiencing loss of bladder or bowel control, saddle-area numbness, or rapidly progressing leg weakness - that's a red flag. Those symptoms can indicate cauda equina syndrome or another urgent spinal issue, and you should go to an emergency room, not a clinic.
A lot of patients have been through a standard treatment cycle before they walk into our Middletown, NJ office. Rest, anti-inflammatories, maybe a round of muscle relaxants. Physical therapy somewhere that treated the back generically. Maybe an epidural injection that helped for a few weeks, then wore off. By the time they get to us, they're frustrated, skeptical, and often being nudged toward surgery.
Here's why that cycle is common. Epidural steroid injections reduce inflammation around the nerve, which can provide real short-term relief - but they don't address the mechanical compression that's causing the inflammation in the first place. When the steroid wears off, the compression is still there. Generic physical therapy helps some patients and frustrates others because it doesn't distinguish between a compressed disc that needs decompression and a piriformis issue that needs completely different work.
Effective sciatica treatment has to do two things: identify the specific source of the nerve compression and address it mechanically. That's what our approach is built around.
For disc-related sciatica, the DRX9000 is one of the most effective non-surgical tools available. It uses precisely calibrated, computer-controlled traction to gently separate the vertebrae, creating negative pressure within the disc. That negative pressure can help retract disc material away from compressed nerve roots and improve circulation to the disc itself, supporting healing. The treatment is comfortable, drug-free, and has strong clinical evidence behind it for herniated discs and lumbar radiculopathy - which is why it's our primary treatment for most disc-related sciatica cases.
Not generic back exercises. Our physical therapists identify whether your sciatica responds better to flexion-based or extension-based movement (disc patients and stenosis patients often need opposite approaches), rebuild core and hip stability, and retrain the movement patterns that put recurring strain on your lower back. This is the piece that keeps sciatica from returning after the acute symptoms resolve.
Specific, targeted spinal adjustments restore proper motion to segments that have become restricted and are contributing to nerve compression. For many patients, chiropractic is the piece that relieves acute symptoms fastest.
Therapeutic laser reduces inflammation around irritated nerve roots and soft tissue, supports cellular repair, and can significantly reduce pain. We often use it alongside spinal decompression to accelerate relief during the early phase of treatment.
For piriformis-related sciatica, and for the muscular tightness that almost always accompanies disc issues, hands-on work - including instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilization and cupping - releases restrictions that are contributing to compression.
A meaningful evidence base exists for acupuncture in sciatica, particularly for patients who haven't responded well to other approaches or who are looking for additional pain modulation alongside their primary treatment.
When needed, our pain management team can provide targeted interventions to help control acute pain while the mechanical treatment takes effect. The goal is always to get you moving out of the pain cycle, not to build dependence on medications or injections.
What you do in the 23 hours a day you're not in our office matters more than the one hour you are. We'll give you specific guidance on posture, work setup, sleep position, and which movements to avoid or embrace - based on your specific type of sciatica.
For a small subset of patients, surgery genuinely is the right answer. Progressive neurological weakness, cauda equina syndrome, or severe sciatica that hasn't responded to a thorough course of conservative care are legitimate surgical indications. In those cases, we coordinate with spine surgeons who use minimally invasive techniques - smaller incisions, less tissue disruption, and lower infection risk than traditional open procedures.
The honest reality: most sciatica patients do not need surgery. Most studies and clinical guidelines now recommend conservative treatment as first-line for disc-related sciatica, with surgery reserved for cases that fail to respond or involve significant neurological compromise. Before any surgical conversation, we want to know that spinal decompression, chiropractic, targeted PT, and laser therapy have all been genuinely attempted.
The word "spine" is in our name. Sciatica and disc-related conditions are a core focus of what we do, not a side service. Our team sees these cases every day and has built a specific, multi-tool approach around them.
Not every practice has it. The DRX9000 is one of the most evidence-supported non-surgical options for herniated discs and lumbar radiculopathy, and having it in-house means we can start treatment the day you come in.
Nobody dealing with sciatica wants to be told to wait three weeks for an opening. We offer same-day appointments whenever the schedule allows.
Sciatica responds best when multiple approaches work together. Our chiropractors, physical therapists, pain management specialists, acupuncturists, and podiatrist work in the same building, on the same chart, toward the same plan. If your sciatica is disc-related but has a piriformis component on top of it (a very common combination), we can address both at once without sending you to a second practice.
We track progress, adjust what isn't working, and don't keep you coming back indefinitely. The goal is to get you back to sitting through dinner, sleeping through the night, and doing the things you've been avoiding - then to stop seeing you except for the occasional check-in.
Your first sciatica evaluation at our Middletown, NJ office is thorough. We'll ask when it started, what makes it better or worse, how it's affecting your daily life, and what you've already tried. Then we'll do a comprehensive physical and neurological exam - testing reflexes, sensation, strength, and range of motion, and running specific orthopedic tests to help identify whether your sciatica is disc-related, stenosis-related, piriformis-related, or something else. If imaging would clarify the picture, we have X-ray on-site.
From there, we explain what we think is going on in plain English and walk you through your treatment options. You'll leave knowing what the plan is, what it involves, and roughly how long it should take to feel real improvement.
If you've been dealing with sciatica for weeks or months - and nothing you've tried has actually resolved it - let's take a look. For the vast majority of patients, we can get sciatica resolved without surgery, without long-term medication, and without waiting it out indefinitely.
Call our Middletown, NJ office at (908) 866-7246 to schedule. Same-day appointments available.
It depends on the cause and how long it's been going on. Acute disc-related sciatica caught early often responds to spinal decompression, chiropractic, and targeted PT within a few weeks. Chronic cases with long-standing disc involvement typically need a longer treatment arc. Most patients feel meaningful improvement in the first few weeks, even when full resolution takes longer. Your provider will give you a more specific timeline after your evaluation.
No. Most patients describe it as a gentle stretching sensation, and many find it genuinely relaxing. You lie on a specialized, computer-controlled table while it applies precise, calibrated traction. Sessions typically run 20â30 minutes, and most patients are comfortable throughout.
Not always. A thorough physical exam and targeted orthopedic testing can identify the cause of most sciatica cases. If imaging is needed - to distinguish between possible causes, rule out a serious issue, or confirm a surgical indication - we'll let you know. We don't order imaging reflexively, because it often doesn't change the treatment plan for conservative care.
In most cases, yes. Current clinical guidelines recommend conservative treatment as the first line for disc-related sciatica, with surgery reserved for cases that don't respond or involve progressive neurological weakness. Many patients who've been told they need surgery find that spinal decompression, chiropractic care, and proper physical therapy resolve their symptoms without it. If you've been told surgery is your only option, a second opinion is almost always worth getting.
A lot of conditions mimic sciatica - hip issues, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, piriformis syndrome, and certain nerve entrapments lower in the leg can all produce similar patterns. Getting the right diagnosis is the first step. If what you thought was sciatica hasn't responded to standard treatment, there's a good chance the original diagnosis was incomplete. We'll work out exactly what's driving your pain before recommending any treatment.
A gym called Iron Revolution plans to open in the former Big Lots store at Town Brook Commons in Middletown, located at 754 Rt. 35.This is the shopping center where the Middletown Stop & Shop and Kohl’s are located. There's also an Orangetheory and Power Core Studio in that shopping complex.Iron Fitness started with their first location on Rt. 9 in Howell, and their Middletown location will be their second. Their Middletown gym will be much larger than their existing Howell site, although they have plans to expand the...
A gym called Iron Revolution plans to open in the former Big Lots store at Town Brook Commons in Middletown, located at 754 Rt. 35.
This is the shopping center where the Middletown Stop & Shop and Kohl’s are located. There's also an Orangetheory and Power Core Studio in that shopping complex.
Iron Fitness started with their first location on Rt. 9 in Howell, and their Middletown location will be their second. Their Middletown gym will be much larger than their existing Howell site, although they have plans to expand their Howell gym.
An employee at the Howell Iron Fitness said they have no set date for when they will open in Middletown, only that they're "hoping to open by the end of the year."
They're aiming to open in Middletown in the fourth quarter of 2026, according to Iron Revolution's Instagram account.
Iron Revolution will open a 28,045-square-foot gym inside the former Big Lots, which has sat empty for almost two years now. Big Lots went bankrupt in 2024, and all their stores closed that year.
Membership at Iron Revolution is $89.99/month if you sign up for a year-long membership, $99.99/month if you pay monthly and they also have $20 daily guest passes and $70 weekly guest passes, according to the Iron Revolution website.
“We are incredibly proud and excited to bring our second Iron Revolution location to Middletown, NJ,” Raymond Fennell, the gym’s owner, told the Real Estate NJ news site. “Iron Revolution of Middletown will be a world-class 28,045-square-foot fitness destination featuring top-of-the-line equipment, an unmatched training environment and premium recovery amenities designed to create an exceptional experience for our members. Our goal is not simply to open another gym, but to have a positive impact on people’s lives and create a facility that our members are proud to be a part of for years to come.”
MIDDLETOWN, NJ -- The Middletown South football team will open its 2026 season on Thursday, Aug. 27 at Cherokee High School.Coach Marc Tomo's team went 4-7 last year and will have to replace Class of 2026 quarterback Luca Donofrio after he threw for 12 touchdown passes last season.Senior Jack Schneider will take the reins at quarterback after playing minimal snaps last season behind Donofrio.Sign Up for FREE Middletown NewsletterGet local news you can trust in your inbox.Senior Justin Rosat...
MIDDLETOWN, NJ -- The Middletown South football team will open its 2026 season on Thursday, Aug. 27 at Cherokee High School.
Coach Marc Tomo's team went 4-7 last year and will have to replace Class of 2026 quarterback Luca Donofrio after he threw for 12 touchdown passes last season.
Senior Jack Schneider will take the reins at quarterback after playing minimal snaps last season behind Donofrio.
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Senior Justin Rosato returns as the Eagles’ starting running back for the third consecutive season in the power spread offense after rushing for 926 yards and nine TDs on his way to Second Team All-Shore honors in 2025. The Eagles are also expecting junior Connor Leon to contribute in the backfield.
Senior Owen Maguire returns as a three-year starter at wideout after catching 30 passes for 396 yards and two touchdowns last season, earning Second Team All-Class A North honors. Senior Luke Picariello also returns as a starter after catching five passes for 47 yards in 2025.
Senior Anthony Bennett (6-2, 225) returns at tight end after catching three passes for 47 yards last season, when he served primarily as a blocker.
The Eagles return two starters along the offensive line in senior tackle Brendan Roudi (6-5, 295) and senior guard Marcus Rayson (6-2, 250). Junior Ryan Menditto (6-0, 220) and sophomore Will Renschler (6-6, 225) will fill the opposite guard and tackle positions, while sophomore Ryan Rosato (5-10, 230) could be the new starting center.
The Eagles return seven starters on defense, including senior Beckett White (6-1, 220) a lineman who made four sacks in 2025, earning Second Team All-Class A North honors.
Bennett returns at outside linebacker after totaling 26 tackles and four sacks last season, when he was Second Team All-Class A North. Junior Shawn Menditto will start at the opposite outside linebacker position. Leon will play inside linebacker, accompanied by senior Ryan Kraft.
Four starters return in the Middletown South secondary: Seniors Mike Mullane, Ryan Cerminaro and Rosato each enter their third season as starters, while senior Ryan McCarthy also returns after starting last season.
MIDDLETOWN SOUTH 2026 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
8/27 at Cherokee9/4 at Rumson-Fair Haven9/10 Freehold Township9/18 Shore9/26 at Manasquan10/2 Holmdel10/16 at Marlboro10/23 at Matawan11/26 Middletown North
Thank you for reading TAPinto Middletown. Don't miss your daily news, sign up free today Have a news tip or story idea, text Jeanne Wall at 732.492.2500. This publication has thousands of local readers every day and is a fantastic way to provide unique marketing opportunities for your business or organization. Text Jeanne Wall 732.492.2500 for more information or email Interested in franchising TAPinto in Monmouth County? Text or email Jeanne Wall. Have a great day!
Jeanne Wall, Owner/Publisher of , , Delivering Daily Community News for Monmouth County, while providing unique Marketing, Branding, PR and Community Relations for local businesses and organizations.
originally published: 08/24/2026(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The MAC Players at the will hold auditions for Gypsy on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. Callbacks will be on Thursday, September 3rd from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. All roles are available.Regarded by many theatre professionals as the finest musical ever created, Gypsy is the ultimate tale of an ambitious stage mother fighting for her daughters’ success – while secretly yearning for her own. Set all across America in the 1920s and 30s...
originally published: 08/24/2026
(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The MAC Players at the will hold auditions for Gypsy on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. Callbacks will be on Thursday, September 3rd from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. All roles are available.
Regarded by many theatre professionals as the finest musical ever created, Gypsy is the ultimate tale of an ambitious stage mother fighting for her daughters’ success – while secretly yearning for her own. Set all across America in the 1920s and 30s, when vaudeville was dying and burlesque was born, Arthur Laurents’ landmark show explores the world of two-bit show business with brass, humor, heart and sophistication.
Gypsy features a Book by Arthur Laurents; Music by Jule Styne; and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It was suggested by the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee.
The production will take place across two weeks from October 16-25, 2026. The Production Team includes Director KATHY CONNOLLY, Musical Director NICK JUPINKA, andChoreographer SAMANTHA AMARAL.
Rehearsals will start on or around September 8: Mon, Tue, Thur and Sat Evenings
AUDITION INFORMATION - Please prepare 32 bars of a song in the style of the show. An accompanist will be provided or please bring tracks for your selection. Callbacks will take place on Sep 3. Dance auditions will be at the Callbacks.
PLEASE EMAIL auditionmac@gmail.com FOR AN AUDITION TIME and with any questions.We will accept self tape submissions. However, you must be available for Callbacks.
LOCATION: Middletown Arts Center (36 Church Street, Middletown, New Jersey).
ROLES: All Roles Available
MAMA ROSE 30-50, Vocal Range (Mezzo Soprano with strong belt): Overbearing. Charismatic. Powerful. Strong. Suffocating. Aggressive. Domineering. Pushy. Ambitious. Loving. Longing. Survivor. Brassy. Stage Mother. Driven.
LOUISE 18+, Vocal Range (Mezzo-Soprano): Initially shy and introverted, she ultimately becomes a star. She is a quiet, intelligent young woman who has none of her younger sister June’s natural ability to put on a show. When she is thrust into a burlesque show by her mother, she transforms into a legendary stripper.
JUNE 18+ Vocal Range (Mezzo Soprano with a high belt): Although she is in her mid-teens, Dainty June is a gifted and willful young woman, who ultimately refuses to continue perpetuating the “baby doll” persona she has carried with her since she was a young girl. Strong Dancer.
HERBIE 40-50, Vocal Range(Baritone): Candy salesman and Rose’s manager. Has a heart of gold, but also has the power to defend the people he loves.
TULSA 18+, Vocal Range (Baritone): An ambitious, charismatic dreamer. Tulsa is a born performer, who has the presence and talent to command the stage by himself. Strong, athletic dancer (especially Tap).
YOUNG LOUISE 12-15, Vocal Range (Mezzo-Soprano): Young Louise struggles with the family’s focus on show business, as she is awkward and painfully shy. Possesses a hidden strength that is often overshadowed by the presence of her extroverted younger sister. A strong singer and dancer.
BABY JUNE 12-15, Vocal Range (Mezzo Soprano): Savvy and outgoing, Baby June is the perfect child star, eager and extroverted. Has a strong, bright voice and the ability to carry solo singing. Strong dance skills, including a background in ballet and gymnastics.
TESSIE TURA 20-50, Vocal Range(Mezzo Soprano): A professional stripper whose “gimmick” is being a ballerina. Ballet skills optional.
MAZEPPA 20-50, Vocal Range (Mezzo Soprano): She is a brash and ballsy burlesque performer whose “gimmick” is that she plays the trumpet while she strips. Trumpet player optional.
ELECTRA 20-50, Vocal Range (Mezzo Soprano): She is a burlesque performer whose gimmick is that her costume is covered in light bulbs.
UNCLE JOCKO 20-40, (Non-Singing): Vaudeville master of ceremonies at a weekly kiddee talent show. Hates stage mothers.
AGNES 18-25, Vocal Range (Mezzo-Soprano): Agnes is a member of Madame Rose’s Toreadorables and one of the girls who Rose recruits to be in the act she threw together for Louise. Agnes is thrilled at the prospect of being an actress. A young, comedic character who sings and moves well.
POP 50-70: Pop is Mama Rose’s father, who never believed that his daughter or her girls would amount to anything. He is a pragmatist, religious and unforgiving. While this is a non-singing role the actor will likely sing in the ensemble and double with additional ensemble roles.
MIDDLETOWN, NJ – Residents in the Port Monmouth and Belford sections of Middletown should be aware of a mosquito control operation scheduled for the early morning hours of Thursday, Aug. 27, after mosquitoes collected locally tested positive for West Nile virus.The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners announced that the Monmouth County Office of Mosquito Control will conduct a community-wide adult mosquito control treatment between 4 and 6 a.m. on Aug. 27, weather permitting.The treatment area in...
MIDDLETOWN, NJ – Residents in the Port Monmouth and Belford sections of Middletown should be aware of a mosquito control operation scheduled for the early morning hours of Thursday, Aug. 27, after mosquitoes collected locally tested positive for West Nile virus.
The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners announced that the Monmouth County Office of Mosquito Control will conduct a community-wide adult mosquito control treatment between 4 and 6 a.m. on Aug. 27, weather permitting.
The treatment area includes residential streets east of Wilson Avenue, north of the Henry Hudson Trail and west of Ware Creek.
The operation is part of the county's proactive ongoing mosquito surveillance and response program, which monitors mosquito populations and tests mosquito samples for mosquito-borne viruses. When infected mosquitoes are identified, targeted adult mosquito control operations may be conducted to reduce the number of mosquitoes capable of transmitting disease.
West Nile virus is the most commonly reported mosquito-borne disease in New Jersey. It is primarily maintained in a cycle involving mosquitoes and birds, but infected mosquitoes can transmit the virus to people and other animals when they bite.
The timing of the Middletown treatment is significant because late summer is the period when West Nile virus activity is generally at its highest. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that most West Nile virus infections occur during the summer and fall, with transmission particularly concentrated from July through September.
Importantly, finding West Nile virus in mosquitoes does not mean that everyone in the treatment area has been exposed to the virus or that residents will become ill. Rather, positive mosquito samples provide public health officials with evidence of virus activity in the local mosquito population and help guide mosquito-control decisions.
Most people infected with West Nile virus do not develop symptoms. About one in five infected people develop a febrile illness that can include fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. A much smaller percentage develop serious illness affecting the nervous system.
During Thursday's operation, mosquito-control personnel will apply Duet, a mosquito-control product, using Ultra Low Volume (ULV) sprayers mounted in the bed of a pickup truck.
ULV mosquito control involves dispersing a very small amount of product in fine droplets designed to target adult mosquitoes. The county uses this type of treatment as one component of an integrated mosquito-management program.
The county's mosquito-control program also addresses mosquitoes before they become adults. Its website notes that inspectors can identify mosquito breeding areas and that the county treats certain standing-water habitats with larvicides. For example, the county treats some stormwater catch basins with Bti, a larvicide designed to target mosquito larvae.
Residents can also request an inspection of their property. County mosquito-control inspectors can look for standing water and mosquito larvae and, when appropriate, treat the habitat or work with residents to eliminate the source.
Residents who would like to request an inspection can contact the Monmouth County Office of Mosquito Control at 732-542-3630.
The county's mosquito-control schedule and maps page provides information about scheduled operations, treatment areas and mosquito-control resources.
While countywide mosquito-control operations are an important part of the response, health officials emphasize that residents can play a significant role by eliminating places where mosquitoes can reproduce.
Mosquitoes can lay eggs in relatively small amounts of standing water. Residents should regularly check their properties for containers or objects capable of holding water, including buckets, flowerpot saucers, children's toys, clogged gutters, discarded containers and other outdoor items.
New Jersey health and environmental officials have urged residents to eliminate standing water around their homes and seek assistance from their county mosquito-control agency when mosquito problems persist.
“Monmouth County is taking proactive measures to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses by continuously monitoring mosquito populations and using targeted treatments,” said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. “Residents can also request an inspection of their property to identify standing water where mosquito larvae may be present. If larvae are found, our inspectors will treat the water or work to eliminate the source. To schedule an inspection, please call the Office of Mosquito Control at 732-542-3630.”
Commissioner Susan M. Kiley, liaison to the Department of Health and Human Services, noted that West Nile virus activity typically increases from mid-summer into early fall.
“West Nile virus activity typically peaks from mid-July through September,” Kiley said. “Residents can protect themselves by using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeve shirts and long pants when outdoors. They can also help prevent mosquitoes from breeding by regularly emptying containers and other items on their property that collect standing water.”
The CDC recommends using an EPA-registered insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors, and taking steps to keep mosquitoes outside by using intact screens on windows and doors or air conditioning. Limiting exposure during periods when mosquitoes are most active can also reduce the chance of being bitten.
Residents should also remember that mosquito activity does not end when the county's treatment operation is completed. The county describes mid-August and September as peak periods for West Nile virus activity and continues mosquito surveillance throughout the season.
New Jersey's Department of Health maintains statewide surveillance of mosquito-borne diseases and mosquito testing, with weekly 2026 reports tracking West Nile virus and other vector-borne pathogens detected throughout the state.
For residents of Port Monmouth and Belford, Thursday morning's operation is a targeted public-health response to confirmed West Nile virus activity in locally collected mosquitoes. Residents can further reduce risk by eliminating standing water, using appropriate insect repellent and taking precautions when spending time outdoors during mosquito season.
Thank you for reading TAPinto Middletown. Don't miss your daily news, sign up free today Have a news tip or story idea, text Jeanne Wall at 732.492.2500. This publication has thousands of local readers every day and is a fantastic way to provide unique marketing opportunities for your business or organization. Text Jeanne Wall 732.492.2500 for more information or email Interested in franchising TAPinto in Monmouth County? Text or email Jeanne Wall. Have a great day!
Jeanne Wall, Owner/Publisher of , , Delivering Daily Community News for Monmouth County, while providing unique Marketing, Branding, PR and Community Relations for local businesses and organizations.
Your local access point to Raritan Bay is offering an increasing number of community events:Updated Fri, Aug 28, 2026 at 8:58 pm ET(Shutterstock)(NJ DEP)MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Leonardo State Marina is starting to offer more and more community events:This Saturday, they are leading a guided kayak trip out into Raritan Bay (slots are already filled up). But so much more is planned:Pirate Day - Saturday, September 19 Happy International Talk Like a Pirate Day, maytees! Join the crew of the Leonardo St...
Updated Fri, Aug 28, 2026 at 8:58 pm ET
(Shutterstock)
(NJ DEP)
MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Leonardo State Marina is starting to offer more and more community events:
This Saturday, they are leading a guided kayak trip out into Raritan Bay (slots are already filled up). But so much more is planned:
Pirate Day - Saturday, September 19 Happy International Talk Like a Pirate Day, maytees! Join the crew of the Leonardo State Marina Nature Center as we embark on a day filled with Pirate crafts, treasure hunts, and fun pirate stories! Free and fun for all ages Crafts inside all day Treasure Hunt at 12:30 pm for kids of all ages Pirates work in rain or shine!
In late September, they will offer seashell jewelry-making classes for kids and adults alike:
Seashell Jewelry Class, 10 a.m. Sept. 26
Learn how to make cute jewelry pieces from some of your favorite beach shells!
All Ages Class: 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.All Ages Class: 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.Adult-only Class: 2-3 p.m.
$5 per person; pay on day of program (Cash preferred).Must register in advance: https://www.signupgenius.com/.../70A0548ACAF2AA0FC1...Supplies providedParent/Guardian presence required for under 16 years old
Held at the Leonardo State Marina Nature Center: 105 Concord Ave, Leonardo, NJ 07737
The Nature Center (Office of Nature and Interpretive Programming) is the small building inland from the Marina Office. You may park in the large center lot across Concord Ave. Please do not park on grass in front of the marina office or nature center. Questions or concerns? Reach out to NJ DEP naturalist saylor.whiteman@dep.nj.gov
Get ready to get spooky, because the annual Halloween Festival at Leonardo State Marina is returning on Saturday, October 17 from 12pm-4pm! Free family fun will include a kid’s costume contest, a pet costume contest, prizes, games, crafts, goodies, and more! Want to help out at this event? Reach out to saylor.whiteman@dep.nj.gov for more information.
Follow Leonardo State Marina on Facebook for all their events.