Author: Greater Media

  • Community grows with the help of master gardeners

    By CHRISTINE BARCIA Staff Writer Matt Milburn, left, and Michele Bakacs work in the butterfly garden at Davidsons Mill Pond Park, South Brunswick, April 22. FRANK WOJCIECHOWSKI School gardens are in high demand, as they cultivate more than fruits and vegetables. Bringing lessons in science, the environment and the community out of the classroom, these…

  • Middletown school budget calls for tax hike

    By KAYLA J. MARSH Staff Writer In a split vote, the Middletown Board of Education adopted a $164.3 million budget that carries a 2 percent increase in the tax levy. Board members adopted the budget by a 5-4 vote with little comment at an April 28 meeting. Only one dissenting board member, Joan Minnuies, spoke,…

  • ‘American Idol’ contestant has happy homecoming

    By JEREMY GROSSMAN Staff Writer Attendees from New Jersey and beyond came out to support “American Idol” contestant Jax as she made her grand return home to East Brunswick for a parade and performance that was featured on the May 6 episode. Los Angeles might appear to have everything, but for “American Idol” hopeful Jax,…

  • Middletown schools take steps to promote sustainability

    By KAYLA J. MARSH Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — The Middletown Township Public School District’s 17 schools will participate in initiatives that will contribute to a more sustainable and healthy environment. The board will work with the superintendent, district administrators, staff, parents and students alike to implement sustainable, energy-smart, eco-friendly and cost-effective initiatives to make the…

  • Holmdel adopts $21.9M tab carrying small tax increase

    By ADAM C. UZIALKO Staff Writer HOLMDEL — The township’s $21.9 million budget will include a tax increase despite a 2-cent drop in the tax rate. The owner of a home valued at the township average of $656,969 will pay roughly $2,299 in municipal taxes under the Township Committee’s unanimously adopted budget. This represents a…

  • Tax levy to rise less than 1 percent in Middletown

    By KAYLA J. MARSH Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — Township Committee members have unanimously adopted a $69.4 million municipal budget for 2015 that will raise taxes for residents this year by less than 1 percent. At a special meeting on April 30, Mayor Stephanie C. Murray said the proposed 0.97 percent tax levy increase is the…

  • Photo

    GERARD TRABALKA Roosevelt Park in Edison provides a picturesque setting for an afternoon stroll.

  • Gov. Chris Christie must make full payment to pension fund

    YOUR TURN CASEY BARILKA GUEST COLUMN The people of New Jersey need to come to grips with a reality that will soon have a tremendous impact on the state’s economy. That reality is that if the current funding of the Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) remains the same, the fund will be insolvent in…

  • Dr. Oz is a competent, caring physician

    Recently, certain doctors have accused Dr. (Mehmet) Oz of “quackery.” Dr. Oz responded on his television show to the criticism. I did not need Dr. Oz’s television response to put the lie to the baseless attack on one of the world’s great heart surgeons. Dr. Oz repaired my mitral valve in a complex operation. A…