Category: Independent News

  • Police: Man assaulted K-9

    BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer BY DAN NEWMANStaff Writer HOLMDEL — Township police arrested a man over the weekend for possession of crack cocaine and aggravated assault on a police officer and K-9, among other charges. Jason Specchio, 27, of Grant Place, Middletown, was observed just after midnight on Saturday driving a vehicle into a…

  • Local pastor travels to Indonesia to aid refugees

    Phipps says tensions rising between country BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer Joyce Antila Phipps MIDDLETOWN — Joyce Antila Phipps really cares about her clients. Enough to fly all the way to Indonesia. The immigration attorney and pastor of Old First Church, Middletown, traveled to the small town of Tomohon…

  • Keyport council hears complaints on speeding

    BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer KEYPORT — Speeding has become an issue along Broad, Greensgrove, Maple and First streets. At the Oct. 19 Borough Council meeting, Mayor John Merla said he visited these areas and noted “cars barreling up First Street. This is something I witnessed, so it’s not…

  • Four seek open seats on Holmdel committee

    Incumbents Wall and DiMaso face Democrats Donovan and Orbach BY MICHELLE ROSENBERG Staff Writer BY MICHELLE ROSENBERGStaff Writer Elise Donovan HOLMDEL — Raising taxes, respecting seniors and preserving open space are just a handful of the issues surrounding Holmdel township this election season. Four candidates are running for two three-year terms on the Township Committee.…

  • Families celebrate the return of loved ones

    Aberdeen BY MICHELLE ROSENBERG Staff Writer BY MICHELLE ROSENBERGStaff Writer Angel Rivera poses with his wife, Yamely, and their children, Roberto, 13, and Angelica, 8, at a party thrown at the Aberdeen VFW in honor of his arrival home after serving 14 months in Iraq. Two local soldiers recently gave their loved ones a reason…

  • Local veterans recall WWII battle of Leyte

    KAREN E. BOWES Professor David J. Ulbrich (l-r), Indiana, Douglas Foulks, Keansburg, and Paul J. Frisco, Middletown, were the speakers at Brookdale’s Center for WWII Studies and Conflict Resolution Oct. 21. 60th anniversary of battle commemorated at Brookdale last week BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — The Battle of Leyte was WWII’s largest…

  • Artist sees beauty in all things

    FARRAH MAFFAI staff Titled “A Head Above the Rest,” the graphic above by Florence Bramley Hill stands at the entrance of the African veldt at the Memphis Zoo. At right is a panel Hill designed for the Bergen County Zoo to depict the story of the tamarin monkeys, which are almost extinct in Brazil. Career…

  • Police distribute free safety locks for guns

    BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer BY DAN NEWMANStaff Writer HAZLET — In an era when children’s safety is a major concern, the Hazlet Township Police Department is doing its part to help the community. The National Shooting Sports Foundation, located in Newtown, Conn., has partnered with the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police…

  • Traditional costumes are big sellers this year

    Local merchants say witches, zombies and monsters are selling well BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer MIDDLETOWN — Halloween is creeping up on us and everyone wants to know, what are you going as? At Party Fair on Route 35 in Middletown, zombies and witches are the big sellers. “The…