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Melanie, NJ Folk Singer, Woodstock Performer, Dies At 76
Melanie, a folk singer-songwriter whose music took her from the Jersey Shore to international success in the 70's, has died at 76 years old.
Melanie Safka died on Tuesday, Jan. 23, according to a Facebook post by her family. A cause of death was not given. The Long Branch native was born on Monday, Feb. 3, 1947, her IMDb page said.
Her children called her a powerful performer and loving parent.
"She was one of the most talented, strong, and passionate women of the era and every word she wrote, every note she sang reflected that," Leilah, Jeordie, and Beau Jarred said.
"Our world is …
'Devastating Sight:' House Fire Leaves Monmouth County Family Needing Help
A Howell Township family is pleading for help after their home was badly damaged in a fire.
Andrea Flores set up a GoFundMe page for her family after their house caught fire at around 6:20 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 21. More than $7,900 had been raised from at least 188 donations as of Wednesday, Jan. 24.
Flores said the flames destroyed the kitchen, dining area, and part of the living room. While the rest of the house wasn't burned, everything inside was damaged by smoke, including all of the family's clothing.
Flores also wrote that her parents, brother, sister, and two dogs are staying w…
Point Pleasant HS Grad Tyler 'Skipper' Rusinko Dies, 30
Tyler Rusinko of Point Pleasant died on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 30 years old, according to his obituary on the O'Brien Funeral Home website.
Rusinko was born on Sunday, Mar. 21, 1993, in Manalapan and moved to Point Pleasant with his parents Paul and Dawn in 1998, his obit reads.
As a child, Rusinko loved karate, collecting Pokemon cards and coins, watching SpongeBob SquarePants, and playing video games on his Game Boy.
He graduated from Point Pleasant High School and was nicknamed "Skipper," and went on to graduate from a police academy in Colorado in 2016. From there, Rusinko went…
