Category: Independent News

  • Judge orders township and police union to arbitration

    BY VINCE ECHAVARIAStaff Writer BY VINCE ECHAVARIA Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — The township will have to settle a dispute over health benefits for retired police officers, through a different means than expected, after a state Superior Court judge ruled in favor of arbitration. Superior Court Judge Alexander Lehrer ordered June 18 the township to go…

  • Program rewards kids who wear bike helmets

    BY DAN NEWMANStaff Writer BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer HAZLET — Helmet-wearing kids on bicycles may be rewarded with more than safety this summer. As part of the township police department’s Helmet Program, police officers will be issuing coupons, donated by local merchants throughout the summer to children who wear helmets while riding their bikes,…

  • Governor signs new DWI legislation

    BY BRYAN SABELLAStaff Writer Governor signs new DWI legislation BY BRYAN SABELLA Staff Writer TRENTON — A new state law aims to crack down on repeat drunken drivers. A bill co-sponsored by Assemblymen Upendra Chivikula (D-Somerset) and Peter J. Barnes Jr. (D-Middlesex) to prevent repeat drunken-driving offenders from getting off with lesser punishments was signed…

  • Monmouth County Fair opens tonight in Freehold

    BY DICKMETZGARStaff Writer Monmouth County Fair opens tonight in Freehold BY DICKMETZGAR Staff Writer There will be a bit of space-age flavor included in the festivities at this year’s Monmouth County Fair, which opens today at the East Freehold Park Showgrounds on Kozloski Road, Freehold Township. All sorts of flying machines and attractions will be…

  • More parking is planned at ferry terminal

    BY VINCE ECHAVARIAStaff Writer BY VINCE ECHAVARIA Staff Writer FREEHOLD — Parking at the Bayshore Ferry Terminal in Middletown will be expanded after the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders approves the project. The freeholders are expected to formally approve the plan and authorize bids for the project at tomorrow’s meeting in Allentown, Freeholder Thomas…

  • Hilling brings lawsuit against borough for job

    Fired administrator moves to gethis job back BY MICHELLE ROSENBERGStaff Writer Fired administrator moves to get his job back BY MICHELLE ROSENBERG Staff Writer MATAWAN — Former Municipal Administrator Bruce Hilling filed a lawsuit against the borough last week, demanding his job back. Attorney Larry Loigman, Middletown, filed the suit and an injunction motion July…

  • Broderick in as Hazlet’s new top cop

    BY DAN NEWMANStaff Writer BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer HAZLET — After serving the Hazlet Township Police Department for more than 30 years, James Broderick has finally made it to the top spot. Broderick was sworn in as the new police chief July 6, a position he attained after the retirement of Police Chief Francis…

  • Brookdale and Rutgers confirm plans for Hook

    NPS required schoolsto go throughdeveloper for space BY GLORIASTRAVELLIStaff Writer NPS required schools to go through developer for space BY GLORIASTRAVELLI Staff Writer Officials at Rutgers University and Brookdale Community College (BCC) confirmed this week the institutions intend to be tenants of the Sandy Hook Partners’ development at Fort Hancock on Sandy Hook. The institutions…

  • Township puts limits on parking on some streets

    BY MICHELLE ROSENBERGStaff Writer BY MICHELLE ROSENBERG Staff Writer ABERDEEN — Parking on some township streets will be more difficult for commuters. The Township Council approved an ordinance limiting parking on numerous side streets July 6. The council voted 4-0 to limit parking to two hours between 6-10 a.m. Monday through Friday on both sides…