HRT - Hormone Replacement Therapy in Hopatcong, NJ

Water testing in Lake Hopatcong last week revealed the highest concentration of harmful algae blooms this year, but local officials said they hoped to avoid a repeat of the prolonged shutdowns the lake has endured in recent summers.

The state Department of Environmental Protection posted results Wednesday that confirmed the presence of HABs in Crescent Cove, triggering an algae "advisory." The sample, taken Friday, was the first this season on any part of the lake to exceed the less severe "watch" threshold.

The state issues an advisory when samples show cyanobacteria, the type of algae in the blooms, at a concentration of at least 80,000 cells per milliliter. The Crescent Cove sample was more than twice that level, according to an interactive map on the DEP website, with 171,500 cells per milliliter.

The DEP recommends closing public beaches in an area under an algae advisory and warns the public to refrain from swimming, water-skiing and other "primary contact recreation" at the site. Drinking water or eating fish caught in the area are also discouraged, and the state advises people to be take caution when taking part in "secondary contact activities" such as fishing, boating and canoeing.

Cyanobacteria, if ingested, can cause numerous symptoms in humans, such as headaches, sore throat, abdominal pain, nausea, a dry cough, diarrhea and blistering around the mouth. A rash can occur when the skin comes in direct contact with the harmful algae.

Animals exposed to cyanobacteria can experience lethargy, stumbling and loss of appetite.

The Crescent Cove Beach Club announced on Facebook on Thursday that the beach will remain open to members, as it received confirmation from the Sussex County Health Department that the algae bloom does not affect the swim area. Colleen Lyons, administrator of the Lake Hopatcong Commission, said Wednesday that the sample was taken in the middle of the cove and not near the beach.

The state does not have the resources to test in Crescent Cove each day because of the many locations it oversees, Lyons said. Instead, it will use data collected from volunteers as well as monitoring buoys and flyovers to observe cyanobacteria levels and will collect additional samples if conditions change.

Marty Kane, chair of the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, said last week that officials were keeping an eye on Crescent Cove after noticing a green tinge to the water. The recent heat wave has contributed to the presence of algae blooms, as cyanobacteria is more likely to grow in water that is still, warm and highly concentrated with nutrients.

"Mother Nature is not cooperating," Kane said Friday. "This [sun] day after day is just what harmful algae blooms like."

Recent heavy rains likely washed more nutrients, mostly from lawn fertilizers and animal waste, into the lake.

According to the DEP, four Lake Hopatcong test locations have been under an algae watch at some point since the start of spring. Water samples that prompted watches were collected near the River Styx Road bridge on April 14 and June 24, in Woodport Bay and Byram Bay on May 17, and the Hopatcong State Park beach on June 24.

Under a watch, people are urged to use caution when swimming or boating on the lake and to avoid drinking water or consuming local fish.

So far this year, the lake has not shown any HAB levels that rise to the "warning" tier of DEP alerts, which would require the closure of beaches and may necessitate a shutdown of secondary contact activities including boating.

Lake Hopatcong is among several New Jersey lakes struck in recent years by the proliferation of harmful algae blooms.

Local officials were forced to close beaches for much of the summer in 2019 when testing showed higher concentrations of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae. Testing discovered more toxic algae the following year, and while the beaches were not shut down as long, the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted tourism and the local economy.

In the past three years, lake organizations and local towns have implemented projects to reduce the blooms. Air diffusers were deployed at three beaches to increase oxygen levels in the water, which discourages the growth of cyanobacteria. Municipalities have also adopted phosphorous-controlling technologies and stormwater infrastructure upgrades to remove the chemicals that fuel algae growth.

Lyons, the Lake Hopatcong Commission administrator, said water quality data shows a "trend in the right direction," as phosphorus levels are lower than they were in 2019. However, she added, the upgrades take time to make an impact and will not completely eliminate the presence of HABs.

"All these things that we're doing, they're not immediate solutions," she said.

The commission represents the four municipalities surrounding the lake: Hopatcong, Jefferson, Roxbury and Mount Arlington.

Lyons and Kane chalked up Wednesday's test result to the recent mix of sun and heavy storms in the area. The conditions may take a few more days to subside, as the forecast shows temperatures in the 90s through the end of the week.

"The conditions are there to support a HAB," Lyons said. "Hopefully once this week happens, we'll be in much better shape."

The afternoon storms could come as early as noon, with some of the storms set to produce fierce winds. Here's the latest.

NEW JERSEY - After a foggy, cool morning, temperatures are slated to rise in the Garden State, bringing with it the possibility of afternoon thunderstorms in some areas.

The afternoon storms could come as early as noon, with some of the storms set to produce gusty winds, the National Weather Service said. The highest chance of thunderstorms will be at the northwestern corner of the state by Wantage, where thunderstorm-force wind, lightning, hail and even a tornado are possible.

"There is a 20 to 40 percent chance of thunderstorms this afternoon and evening," the National Weather Service Mount Holly station said Thursday. "As we have seen often in this recent pattern, storms should be isolated, so not everyone will see rain today. Gusty winds will be possible with the storms today."

As of Thursday morning, Sussex County is under a hazardous weather outlook from the National Weather Service.

"Scattered severe thunderstorms are possible," the agency wrote.

While only some areas are poised to see thunderstorms, the entire state will heat up to temperatures in the lower 80s to lower 90s, according to AccuWeather.

Temperatures are expected to cool to around 72 degrees Thursday night, with Friday's temperatures to hover around the low-90s. A chance of thunderstorms is also expected in Friday afternoon after 2 p.m., AccuWeather said.

Here's the latest forecast, per the National Weather Service:

Thursday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Patchy fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 91.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Friday: A chance of showers after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.

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Strutting down the staircase and up to the microphone, a vision of black leather and blood-red knee-highs, Lzzy Hale unleashed a volcanic scream — the sort of supernatural howl that might crack the asphalt, force unsuspecting parking lot attendants to their knees and send traffic careening off the Garden State Parkway.

“I’m back from the dead!” Hale erupted Thursday night, announcing all at once the night’s titanic opening track, the name of Halestorm’s incendiary latest album released in May, and the feeling so many of us have had returning to the concert experience after months (if not years) of pandemic silence.

“We’re all here celebrating the triumphant return on live music, the closest thing to magic on this Earth,” Hale, 38, said to the PNC Bank Arts Center crowd, who witnessed the hard-rock heavyweights from Pennsylvania make a bit of personal history at the Holmdel amphitheater.

“We’ve been opening this stage for years and years,” Hale said, referencing the relentlessly touring four-piece’s previous sets with Alice Cooper, Evanescence and others. “And finally we are the headliner.”

Hale said this with relief, though it’s hard to believe a band as successful as Halestorm — Grammy Award winners and easily one of the most visible hard-rock acts of the last decade — didn’t reach this platform sooner. And as Hale has been vocal about the lack of female representation in the genre, the band ensured this tour will include only female-fronted acts, with The Pretty Reckless, The Warning and Lilith Czar opening.

After nearly three years off the road, Halestorm made up for lost time on this summer tour date, plowing through a throttling 90-minute set packed with new tunes plus a handful of the rock radio-dominant singles that got them here.

For Halestorm’s latest single, a bloody-knuckle banger called “Wicked Ways,” Hale’s shift between monstrous screams and crystalline clean vocals was peerlessly crisp and potent. Without feigned incredulity, I genuinely do not understand how she sings the way she does — not only with yells but sky-scraping, full-body wails that rival any pop diva — and survives a single show, let alone an entire tour. It’s like how Michael Phelps swims; yes, there is training, but so much of it is sheer born ability, things that cannot be taught — a veritable superpower.

As much of the new album is about female identity, mental health and navigating this wild world in the most bad-ass ways possible, Hale snarled “If you want crazy, I’ll give you psycho” on “Psycho Crazy” and “You better suck it up, you’re never gonna shut me up” on the Black Sabbath-esque “Bombshell” — both songs were high-octane forces.

The crowd of about 7,000 (the lawn wasn’t sold for this show) was attentive as Hale slowed it down, plinking a worn baby grand piano for the soaring fan-favorite ballad “Break In” (2012), plus the torn-from-headlines newbie “Terrible Things” — “I see a sickness and a world at it’s knees,” Hale crooned — and “Raise Your Horns,” which sounded an awful lot like Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man.”

But of course, the audience spanning three generations of rock fans were most engaged for the hits: 2012′s transcendent “Love Bites (So Do I),” hooked them early. The anthemic “I Miss The Misery,” lifted them with an extended solo from guitarist Joe Hottinger and a bluesy acapella finish. And their 2009 voyeuristic breakthrough “I Get Off,” finished the set (before the encore) as Hale carried around a fan’s bra thrown onto the stage, Hale’s name written on it.

Throughout the set, the band was thrilling, grinning and plenty heavy, but ultimately very gracious: “It’s been a long road together, it’s been a beautiful one,” Hale said. “You guys, you’ve saved my life more than once.”

Before Halestorm, New York’s The Pretty Reckless jammed hard for an hour, led by the magnetic Taylor Momsen, the “Gossip Girl” actress-turned-hard-rock veteran and a force of nature in her own right.

Prowling the stage with unlimited swagger, Momsen, 29, led the early crowd — almost all of whom were sure to arrive on time to catch what was nearly a co-headlining bill — in singalongs to crunchy hits “Heaven Knows” and “Take Me Down,” a combination of heavy blues, southern rock and post-grunge. For “I’m Going to Hell,” Momsen had the audience singing the song title in playful call-and-response before guitarist Ben Phillips unloaded an extended solo. Momsen head-banged her blonde locks in time.

The band was sure to note all their albums (minus 2021′s sharp “Death By Rock’ N’ Roll”) were recorded in New Jersey, in Elmwood Park, Hoboken and Lake Hopatcong.

But even as Hale and Momsen were unstoppable, I trust I’ll remember this night in Central Jersey as my (and many in the unsuspecting crowd’s) introduction to The Warning, a trio of sisters from Mexico, who absolutely blew minds early in the night. I watched jaws physically drop as the group led by guitarist Daniela Villareal, 22, exploded with shred-happy skills and that hungry energy only a band on their first major U.S. tour can possess.

The young women gained some fame in 2014, when their cover of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” recorded when they were ages 14 (Daniela), 12 (drummer Paulina) and 9 (bassist Alejandra), earned a response from Metallica themselves. The notoriety led to an appearance on “Ellen.”

But now they’re all grown up, released a pounding new album called “Error” in June, and Metallica even included them on a compilation the metal icons dropped last year. To watch them win over the PNC audience, with Daniela howling on the new single “Choke,” was a special moment — I’d go see them again tonight if I could.

Halestorm’s setlist

July 28, 2022 — PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, N.J.

Encore:

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Dip them in ketchup, drown them in gravy, cover them in parmesan cheese and truffle oil – but no matter how you eat them, make sure you get some fries on National French Fry Day!

There are a multitude of places around the state to get some freshly cut, straight-from-the-fryer appetizers. Diners, bowling alleys (think zesty curly fries), sports stadiums and boardwalks all sell these salty, crunchy potatoes that are perfect for even the youngest of snackers.

Here are some places in New Jersey where you can celebrate on July 13. McDonald’s and Wendy’s are offering free fries, too!

Bin 14 1314 Washington St., Hoboken Choose from hand-cut pecorino or Old Bay fries, or try their hand-cut truffle fries with romano and black pepper.

Burger 25 199 Route 37 East, Toms River To accompany a selection of 25 burgers and sandwiches on the menu, there are so many types of fries. Boardwalk fries are seasoned and served with housemade garlic ranch. Disco boardwalk fries have cheese, gravy and housemade shredded pot roast. Philly fries are topped with cheesesteak, sauteed onions and cheese. Old Bay crab fries have Old Bay seasoning on top, plus garlic ranch dressing. Loaded monster fries are a double order of fries topped with cheese, sour cream and bacon. Nashville Hot Fries are boardwalk fries topped with coleslaw, Nashville hot chicken, Come Back Sauce and pickles. Or, try double boardwalk cheese, gravy boardwalk, buffalo, cheese or sweet potato fries.

Chickie’s & Pete’s Multiple locations Pete’s signature fries are tossed in a secret blend of spices and served with two sides of famous, one-of-a-kind white creamy cheese sauce.

Curley’s Fries Morey’s Piers, Wildwood Curley’s has been a boardwalk staple since 1974. Stop by either location to find out why visitors wait in line for the world-famous fries and lemonade shakeups.

Grand Lux Cafe Garden State Plaza, Paramus Your mouth starts to water when you think of pot roast cheese fries: french fries topped with chunks of tender pot roast smothered with gravy and a cheddar cheese sauce.

The Jefferson Diner 5 Bowling Green Parkway, Lake Hopatcong Try the pizza fries with melted mozzarella and marinara, chili cheddar fries topped with chili and cheddar cheese, disco fries topped with mozzarella and brown gravy, regular diner fries, criss-cut waffle fries or sweet potato fries.

Jersey Freeze 120 Manalapan Ave., Freehold Although Bruce Springsteen loves this spot for the ice cream, crinkle cut, waffle, cheese and sweet potato fries (with maple marshmallow dipping sauce) are all popular on the menu inside the restaurant. The SOB is a combination of fries and onion rings.

Jilly’s French Fry Factory 1034 Boardwalk, Ocean City These fresh-cut french fries are crispy and golden brown on the outside, soft on the inside, made to order and served piping hot. While you’re there, try other fried deliciousness such as deep-fried Oreos, deep-fried candy bars and the classic funnel cake.

Keris Potato Farm & Fry Co. Robbinsville The Keris Family is well-known for its Christmas tree farm, but also sells their fresh cut fries at local farmers markets and events.

Kimchi Smoke 301 Center Ave., Westwood You can order plain fries or Kajun fries, or be daring and try BBQ fries with pork and cheese and scallions, or Cholander fries with pork, kimchi, cheese and scallions.

Manalapan Diner 48 Route 9, Manalapan Try the French Fry Board, which comes with a medley of curly, french, waffle and sweet potato fries. Dipping sauces include ranch, BBQ, chipotle mayo and honey mustard.

McDonald’s Multiple locations McDonald’s will give away free orders of large fries on July 13, no purchase necessary. However, the free fries can only be ordered through the McDonald’s app, and customers must be members of the chain’s loyalty program. Also, enjoy free medium fries with any $1 minimum Mobile Order & Pay purchase, only in the app, on Fridays through the end of the year.

Mooyah Multiple locations The hand-cut Idaho potato French fries are gluten-free, though be aware of possible cross contamination during the frying process. There are also sweet potato fries and housemade potato chips available. Try a side of the green chile queso. Options come in personal, shareable or family size–we know which size we would choose. Just sayin.

Taters Fries 652 Boardwalk, Ocean City If you can look past the homemade empanadas on the menu, there is an entire section devoted to fries: small fries, medium fries, large fries, Old Bay fries, small curly fries, large curly fries, sweet potato fries … and a side of Monterrey Jack cheese.

Tick Tock Diner 281 Allenwood Road at Route 3 West, Clifton The disco fries with brown gravy and mozzarella served up here are known throughout the state.

Wendy’s Multiple locations During Fry Week, the chain is offering free fries with specific purchases that will change each day this week. Wendy’s recently reformulated fries are only free if ordered through its app and customers have to be part of the brand’s digital loyalty program.

White Rose Hamburgers Highland Park Mix it up at this beloved spot with cheese fries, chili cheese fries or even bacon cheese fries.

Windmill Hot Dogs Multiple locations Aside from frankfurters, Windmill is also known for its award-winning fries. When you know, you know.

Christy Brennan has had many a memorable game in her four-year varsity career in the Hopatcong High School girls basketball program, but she started grabbing attention on that court many years earlier.

Her sister, Kelcey Russo, who played at Hopatcong through 2011, can still see Christy watching her big sister’s varsity games, dreaming of one day playing on the big stage.

“She used to stand on the sideline, dribbling her little basketball,” said Kelcey, now a varsity assistant coach. “At halftime of the varsity games my senior year, she was out there doing full-court layups. She was 8, but she was something special. She just loved the game. She was so funny.”

Opponents have hardly enjoyed watching her the past four seasons, because Christy has matured into a senior point guard who this past weekend topped the 2,000-point mark for her varsity career.

Brennan scored 41 points in he team’s 79-74 overtime loss to South Hunterdon last Saturday to reach the milestone, making her just the third player, boy or girl, in school history to hit the lofty plateau.

She joined school scoring leader Matt Tobin and his father Dennis, who had held the school’s scoring record until being topped by his son.

It was a bittersweet week for Brennan, though, who went on to score 24 more points Tuesday. That gave her 2,039 for her career, but that total will not change because the most recent game was also her last, a 48-40 loss to Waldwick in the opening round of the NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 1, Group 1 playoffs.

Brennan also broke the school’s girls career scoring record this season, topping the standard of 1,688 set by Jamie Douglas, Hopatcong’s varsity head coach.

Brennan said the scoring marks and milestones helped her push herself throughout her career.

“It all means a lot,” she said. “I don’t know where I would be if all of this never happened. Going after the records and everything just kind of molded you to be a better player.”

She plans to continue her career in college, though she has not decided on her destination. For now, she will just take a moment to enjoy the experiences of her high school career.

“My team, my family, my AAU coaches. Every coach I’ve had,” Brennan said. “They’ve all pushed me to do the best I can and have supported me through all of it.”

The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now and be among the first to get all the boys and girls sports you care about, straight to your inbox each weekday. To add your name, click here.

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