Category: Independent News

  • Keyport tree lighting dedicated to 7-year-old

    Jason Graves was killed in an Oct. 16 ATV accident BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer Jason Graves KEYPORT — His smile was legendary. “This is a fairy-tale story,” said his grandmother, Debbie Rekoon, “with a tragic ending.” Seven-year-old Jason Graves accomplished something that not many adults are able to:…

  • State sues carpet store on behalf of consumers

    Some $125K in claims made against chain by 112 customers so far BY SHERRY CONOHAN Staff Writer BY SHERRY CONOHANStaff Writer CHRIS KELLY staff Linda and Ernest Branch sit in the empty living room of their new West Long Branch home. The couple put down a deposit for carpeting that was never installed by the…

  • On Campus

    Midshipman Lindsay Elgart, Middletown, was recently selected to serve as the Regimental Honor Board vice chairman of education at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, N.Y. She will be responsible for educating the plebes on the honor code during indoctrination, educating the regiment throughout the year on honor, working with plebe honor representatives to…

  • Los Lonely Boys to play Brookdale benefit show

    MIDDLETOWN — Los Lonely Boys, Alex Band and the Calling will perform Saturday night at Brookdale in an effort to raise funds for breast cancer victims. Proceeds from the show will go toward the Christina S. Walsh Breast Cancer Foundation, named for a New Jersey woman who lost her battle to breast cancer in August…

  • Leonardville Rd. work expected to take 30 days

    The Board of Chosen Freeholders was scheduled to award a contract last night to correct drainage problems on County Route 516 and Leonardville Road, near Chester Parkway, in Middletown Township. The contract was to be awarded to the lowest bidder, A. Montone Construction Inc., of Homdel, in the amount of $69,712, according to a press…

  • In the Service

    Philip H. D’Afflisio recently joined the U.S. Army under the Delayed Entry Program, which gives individuals the opportunity to delay entering active duty for up to one year. The enlistment gives the new soldier the option to learn a new skill, travel and become eligible to receive as much as $50,000 toward college. After completion…

  • On the double

    JIM CALLAHAN Cadets from Naval Weapons Station Earle joined Middletown’s Veterans Day parade Sunday.

  • Keyport townhouse variance approved

    The number of units allowed in Kara plan undetermined BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer Kara is coming to Keyport.The Unified Planning Board voted 6-1 on Thursday night to allow Kara Homes to build a residential complex on a vacant lot on the corner of Beers and West Front streets.…

  • Matawan Avenue Middle School back to full days

    Matawan Avenue held split sessions due to Labor Day fire BY MICHELLE ROSENBERG Staff Writer BY MICHELLE ROSENBERGStaff Writer Matawan Avenue Middle School students re-turned to full school days last week, after a month of split sessions due to a Labor Day fire. Students returned to full-time class schedules Oct. 25. “We did have a…