Author: Claire Reed, Managing Editor
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Spotswood’s Ciaccio focused on improving as baseball player
By Jimmy Allinder Matthew Ciaccio is 6 feet 7 inches tall and might grow a little more. But the former Spotswood High School basketball player decided his frame is better suited for pitching a baseball. Ciaccio, a Milltown native, was a starter for the 2014 Chargers, and it was thought the junior would be a…
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Middletown North looks to continue building football program
By Wayne Witkowski When Steve Bush took over Middletown High School North’s football team as head coach four years ago, he took a gamble starting freshmen Don Glenn at quarterback and Dwight Wilkerson at wide receiver and in the defensive secondary. It paid off, as they became part of the building blocks for a program…
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Jaguars preparing for soccer season with tough scrimmage schedule
By Wayne Witkowski Jackson Memorial High School girls soccer coach Drew Gibson realizes that the next few weeks are pivotal to the team’s success. “We started off 1-3 last season. We did not have the best scrimmages and came out slow last season and the past few seasons,” Gibson said. “This year, our scrimmages are…
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Jackson’s Lavan ready for final season with Hawks
By Wayne Witkowski Sydney Lavan of Jackson wants to take care of some unfinished business in her final season as goalie for Monmouth University’s women’s soccer team. The former Jackson Memorial High School star saw her season last fall end earlier than expected when eventual champion Siena College knocked the No. 1-seeded Hawks out of…
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Hernandez wins silver medal at Olympics
Old Bridge’s Laurie Hernandez won the silver medal on the balance beam at the women’s gymnastics competition in the Summer Olympics on Monday, Aug. 15. It was the second medal of the games for the 16-year-old. Earlier she won the gold medal in the team competition as part of the United States’ victorious squad. Joining…
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Sports shorts
The Mansfield University Fall Prospect Clinic is designed for high school student-athletes who are looking to play college and/or professional baseball. The focus of this clinic will be on skill development. In addition to Mansfield head coach Harry Hillson, his coaching staff and players, there will be coaches from other local colleges as well as…
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Patel succeeds Major on council in Woodbridge
By KATHY CHANG Staff Writer WOODBRIDGE — The Township Council has appointed Verbhadra N. Patel to fill long-time Ward 4 Councilman James Major’s seat until Nov. 8. An emotional Major announced that he was stepping down from the council effective immediately at the council’s meeting on Aug. 9. He said he has accepted a position at the Middlesex County…
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Freehold Township officials rezone Route 9 parcel
By Matthew Sockol Staff Writer FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP – Members of the Township Committee, saying they want to avoid potential litigation with developers, have changed the type of uses that will be permitted on a 14.6-acre parcel on Route 9 north. Residents who live near that property expressed concern that the action will have a negative…
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Red Bank’s Madigan excited to start collegiate career at Bucknell
By Warren Rappleyea Following a stellar career at Red Bank Catholic (RBC) High School, Evan Madigan is preparing to play collegiate baseball at Bucknell University. Madigan chose Bucknell following his junior season. The coaches there had been following his progress with the New Jersey 9ers travel team, where he played for three summers traveling to…
