Afternoon Tea with K Britt: Jersey Waters, Neighborhood Warnings & Young Minds on the Rise
- Karen Brittingham-Edmond
- 12 hours ago
- 6 min read
August 12, 2026
Variety News
“In Concern of the Negro” – A Foreword by Echo News TV LLC
In every era, Black folks have needed a place where the truth could sit down, cross its legs, and speak plainly. That is the purpose of Afternoon Tea With KBritt: a gathering of stories that remind us how the world moves around us — sometimes gently, sometimes violently, sometimes with a splash of saltwater or a spark of creativity.
We bring these reports not to overwhelm you, but to keep our community informed, prepared, and intellectually nourished. The Negro in America has always lived at the intersection of vigilance and imagination. We must know what’s happening in our neighborhoods, our beaches, our schools, and even our video‑game studios.
So take this foreword as both caution and invitation. Don’t stop here — read every story. Sip slowly, think deeply, and laugh where you can. The Echo is committed to telling the truth with dignity, humor, and a little gospel‑flavored grit.
Stranded Kayaker Rescued in Red Bank
By Echo News TV LLC, referencing reporting by Sara Winick, Patch Staff
Red Bank, NJ - Kayaking has become one of the Jersey Shore’s favorite summer pastimes — a peaceful glide across the water that feels like therapy, cardio, and a little bit of bragging rights all rolled into one. But even the most seasoned paddler can get caught slipping when the tides decide to humble you. Over the weekend, Red Bank firefighters rescued a kayaker stranded off Locust Avenue after low tide turned the shoreline into a mud‑trap.
Deputy Chiefs Brett MacDonald and Scott Calabrese, along with the Marine Unit, responded swiftly. With help from Steve and Chris Remaley of Red Bank Marina, they engineered a tethered kayak bridge — a clever, community‑minded solution that feels like something only Jersey ingenuity could produce. The kayaker’s identity remains private, but the rescue reminds us that nature is beautiful, unpredictable, and not impressed by your summer playlist.
As kayaking grows across New Jersey — with 193 launch points statewide — safety becomes essential.
The Paddling Hub reminds us to plan around tides, check weather forecasts, carry sun protection, and arrive early to avoid parking chaos. And please, beloved: hydrate. The sun does not care about your weekend plans.
To learn more, click the original Patch link. Stranded Kayaker Rescued By Red Bank Firefighters | Red Bank, NJ Patch
Gunshots Fired in Keansburg Saturday Night
By Echo News TV LLC, referencing reporting by Carly Baldwin, Patch Staff
Keansburg, NJ - Keansburg residents were shaken late Saturday night when gunshots rang out near Carr and Center avenues. According to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, multiple bullets struck a vehicle and the Applejack 2 sports bar — while patrons were inside. By grace alone, no injuries were reported.
Authorities continue investigating, and no arrests have been made. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Chris Figaro (Keansburg PD) or Detective Matthew Delgado (Monmouth County Prosecutor). Community safety is a collective responsibility.
To learn more, click the original Patch link. Gunshots Fired In Keansburg Saturday Night | Middletown, NJ Patch
Drowning at Sandy Hook – A Community Mourns
By Echo News TV LLC, referencing reporting by Carly Baldwin, Patch Staff
Sandy Hook, NJ - A tragic drowning occurred Sunday off Beach C at Sandy Hook, according to the National Park Service. Lifeguards, park rangers, EMTs, and Sea Bright Fire Rescue responded quickly to 911 calls, but despite their efforts, the individual later died at a local hospital. Their identity has not been released.
On a side note: Drownings really hit home in Black communities, where there’s a long history of not having the same access to swimming lessons and water safety education. Even if we don’t know who the victim is, it still feels heavy because it’s a reminder that water needs to be respected and we need to be prepared and aware around it.
As investigations continue, we hold space for the family affected and encourage all beachgoers to remain vigilant. The ocean is beautiful, but it is also powerful, and it does not negotiate.
To learn more, click the original Patch link. Drowning At Sandy Hook Sunday | Middletown, NJ Patch
Shark Caught at Popular Jersey Shore Spot – Latest NJ Sighting
By Echo News TV LLC, referencing reporting by NJ.com
New Jersey’s coastline has always been full of surprises, but a recent shark sighting — and capture — at a popular Jersey Shore location has stirred fresh conversation. According to NJ.com, the shark measured an impressive length and added to a growing list of summer sightings along the coast.
For most Monmouth County beachgoers, who already juggle sunscreen, hydration, and the eternal question of “Who’s watching the kids?”, the idea of a shark joining the beach party is… well, unwelcome. But marine experts emphasize that shark activity often reflects healthy ecosystems, not imminent danger. Most sharks are uninterested in humans; they’re just out here living their aquatic lives.
Still, the sighting underscores the importance of awareness, posted advisories, and respecting wildlife. The ocean is not a theme park — it’s a living system with rules, rhythms, and residents who were here long before we arrived with our beach chairs and Bluetooth speakers.
To learn more, click the original NJ.com link.
Major Pharmacy Chain Updates Closure Plan – NJ Impact
By Echo News TV LLC, referencing reporting by Patch Staff
Pharmacy closures continue to ripple across New Jersey, affecting seniors, families, and anyone who relies on consistent access to medication. According to Patch reporting, a major pharmacy chain has updated its closure plan, with several New Jersey locations facing shutdowns.
For Black communities, pharmacy access is not just convenience — it’s survival. Medication deserts worsen chronic conditions, increase travel burdens, and deepen health inequities. When pharmacies close, it is often the most vulnerable residents who feel the impact first and hardest.
Echo News TV LLC urges readers to stay informed, check alternative pharmacy locations, and advocate for equitable healthcare access. Closures may be corporate decisions, but their consequences are deeply human.
Middletown High School South Graduate
Creates His Own Video Game
By Echo News TV LLC, referencing reporting by Carly Baldwin, Patch Staff
Middletown NJ - Creativity is alive and well in Middletown thanks to Benjamin Adams, a 20‑year‑old Champlain College student who grew up in Middletown and graduated from Middletown High School South. Adams and his roommates built their own video game — MAGE — now available on Steam.
Adams speaks passionately about the human experience behind game creation, noting that AI cannot replicate the nuance, imagination, or emotional intelligence required to build meaningful art. His perspective resonates deeply with intellectuals who have long insisted that our stories, humor, and cultural rhythms as human beings cannot be automated.
FunRug Studios — the student‑run company behind MAGE — has already seen over 600 downloads. The game features wizard battles, spell‑casting, and multiplayer fun. Adams and his team are now developing a new game involving fish characters and large group play. Their journey is a reminder that innovation thrives where curiosity meets community.
To learn more, click the original Patch link. Middletown High School South Graduate Wrote His Own Video Game, Now Playable Online | Middletown, NJ Patch
Walgreens Announces Two More NJ Closures
Amid Financial Turnaround Efforts
By Echo News TV LLC, referencing reporting by Alexis Tarrazi, Patch Staff
Walgreens — a familiar stop for prescriptions, late‑night cough syrup, and that one aisle of seasonal décor nobody asked for but everybody browses — is closing two more New Jersey locations as part of its three‑year financial turnaround plan. According to reporting by Alexis Tarrazi, the Dumont store at 406 E Madison Ave. will close on Sept. 3, and the Bogota store at 33 River Road will close on Aug. 6.
For many Black families, pharmacies are more than retail spaces — they are lifelines. They are where aunties pick up blood pressure medication, where grandmothers get their diabetes supplies, and where parents grab last‑minute school snacks because life be life‑ing. So when a pharmacy shutters, the impact ripples through households, neighborhoods, and the fragile ecosystem of community health.
Walgreens states that prescriptions will automatically transfer to nearby locations — Teaneck for Bogota customers and Bergenfield for Dumont customers — and that affected patients will receive 90 days of free prescription delivery. While the gesture is helpful, it does not erase the reality that closures often hit working‑class and minority communities hardest. Access to medication should never depend on corporate restructuring, yet here we are, navigating another reminder that healthcare in America is a maze with moving walls.
To learn more, click the original Patch link. Major Pharmacy Updates Closure Plan: See NJ Impacts | Across New Jersey, NJ Patch
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