Author: Claire Reed, Managing Editor

  • Adopt-a-Family program brings holiday cheer to dozens of families in South River

    Adopt-a-Family program brings holiday cheer to dozens of families in South River

    By VASHTI HARRIS Staff Writer SOUTH RIVER – This holiday season, the South River High School Adopt-A-Family Program Club is asking residents to give back to those in their own backyards. The club is requesting donations to help create a positive and memorable holiday by supplying gifts, clothing, toys, necessities, food or monetary donations for less fortunate families…

  • Howell’s Servidio achieves goal of being state gymnastics champion

    Howell’s Servidio achieves goal of being state gymnastics champion

    By Wayne Witkowski Monica Servidio had a goal of being a state champion during her high school career for Howell High School just as she had been a few years ago in the floor exercise and balance beam for her Action Gymnastics team out of Millstone. She came close two years ago with a second-place…

  • Ravens counting on experience in return to the ice

    Ravens counting on experience in return to the ice

    By Wayne Witkowski The Ravens, a co-op ice hockey team consisting of players from Robbinsville High School and Allentown High Schools going back to the 2011-12 season, is shooting for a strong upswing from last season’s 12-9-3 campaign with a solid nucleus of returning players. The team opens its season Nov. 26 at Jersey Shore…

  • Places To Be

    Places To Be

    The NJSIAA football sectional playoffs will take a holiday break to enjoy Thanksgiving. So before the state sectional playoff champions are determined during the weekend of Dec. 2-4, traditional Turkey Day matchups will be the featured items on the menu. High school football and turkeys are a common thread each November, and here are some…

  • Residents reject board inquiry to increase teaching staff in South River

    Residents reject board inquiry to increase teaching staff in South River

    By VASHTI HARRIS Staff Writer SOUTH RIVER – South River Public Schools will not be adding to their teaching staff due to the borough’s rejection of a tax levy ballot question, which requested to expand the school district’s teaching staff. On the Nov. 8 ballot, South River proposed a permanent ballot question asking for $480,000 to employ 6.5…

  • U.S. Army officer finds new purpose in life after being blinded in Iraq

    U.S. Army officer finds new purpose in life after being blinded in Iraq

    By KATHY CHANG Staff Writer OLD BRIDGE — United States Army Major Scott Smiley, who is the first blind active duty officer in military history, shared that losing his eyesight was a journey of forgiveness, acceptance and learning his purpose in life. That journey began when his world went black on April 6, 2005, by a suicide car…

  • Millstone Township schools to host December concerts

    Millstone Township schools to host December concerts

    By Matthew Sockol Staff Writer MILLSTONE – Two concerts that are open to the public will be held in the Millstone Township K-8 School District during December. At 7 p.m. Dec. 13, pupils from the Millstone Township Elementary School will present a winter concert in the Millstone Performing Arts Center at the Millstone Township Middle…

  • Senior dogs find a loving home at Marty’s Place

    Senior dogs find a loving home at Marty’s Place

    By Michael Benavides Staff Writer An aging dog who came into the life of Doreen Jakubcak in 2009 became the inspiration for a special place in westernmost Monmouth County. Jakubcak is the founder and executive director of Marty’s Place, an 8,000-square-foot building on a 25-acre property in Upper Freehold Township. Marty’s Place opened in October…

  • Families feel complete during National Adoption Day ceremony

    Families feel complete during National Adoption Day ceremony

    By KATHY CHANG Staff Writer NEW BRUNSWICK — The words “judgment for adoption granted” spoken by Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Deborah J. Venezia never sounded so sweet. Venezia, who presides over the Family Division in New Brunswick, spoke those words 18 times on Nov. 15 as the county celebrated its ninth annual adoption ceremony,…