Category: Independent News

  • Area men lead feds on 26-mile car chase down GSP

    BY JOSH DAVIDSONStaff Writer BY JOSH DAVIDSON Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — A car chase that originated in Newark and ended in Middletown put two area men in police custody Thursday. Township police arrested and charged William Ryan, 61, of Cliffwood Beach, and Francis Shornock, 37, of North Middletown, with eluding a police officer, aggravated assault…

  • Council cuts $100,000 from school budget

    BY VINCE ECHAVARIAStaff Writer BY VINCE ECHAVARIA Staff Writer KEYPORT— The Borough Council approved a resolution to cut $100,000 from the defeated school budget, lowering the proposed 13.9-cent tax hike by about 3 cents. The council voted 6-0 May 18 to approve the measure to reduce the $7.6 million tax levy by $100,000. The Board…

  • Councils OK $500,000 cut to school budget

    BY MARC CAVELLAStaff Writer BY MARC CAVELLA Staff Writer MATAWAN — The Aberdeen and Matawan municipal councils agreed to cut $500,000 from this year’s defeated school budget. The councils approved the revised budget of $50.1 million at separate meetings May 18. The budget will now go to the school board for final approval at a…

  • Cohen expected to retire from school district

    BY JOSH DAVIDSONStaff Writer BY JOSH DAVIDSON Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — The school district is expected to lose its second assistant superintendent since early May. The Board of Education was scheduled to vote to accept the retirement of Marilyn Cohen, assistant superintendent for pupil services, last night. The retirement will be effective Sept. 1, 2004.…

  • BCC remembers, honors D-Day vets

    BY JOSH DAVIDSONStaff Writer BY JOSH DAVIDSON Staff Writer Soldiers were on hand to honor veterans of World War II at the 60th Anniversary Commemoration of D-Day. MIDDLETOWN — The Center for World War II Studies and Conflict Resolution at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, paid tribute to local World War II veterans for their bravery…

  • Police go to schools to fight substance abuse

    BY JOSH DAVIDSONStaff Writer BY JOSH DAVIDSON Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — Police and school officials in the township are working together proactively to make students and parents aware of the dangers of drugs and alcohol use. Township police Patrolmen James Roese and Joseph Glynn have presented the "Rude Awakening" program to schools in and out…

  • Change in base-closing bill should favor fort

    R&D facilities less likely to be targeted for closure under proposed rule BY SHERRY CONOHANStaff Writer BY SHERRY CONOHAN Staff Writer FORT MONMOUTH — In a move that should improve Fort Monmouth’s position in the upcoming round of the base realignment and closure (BRAC) proceedings in 2005, the House of Representatives has added a research…

  • Laborers take issue to Township Committee

    BY JOSH DAVIDSONStaff Writer BY JOSH DAVIDSON Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — A union organization asked the Township Committee to keep an eye on whether or not workers at the construction site of the New Monmouth Road library are being paid fairly. Members of the Eastern Region Organizing Fund, Monroe, which is part of the state…

  • Famed musicians unite for local music program

    BY MARC CAVELLAStaff Writer BY MARC CAVELLA Staff Writer ABERDEEN — Several world-famous jazz musicians will participate next week in a benefit concert in an effort to raise money for the Matawan Regional High School’s music program. The concert, which will be held at the high school on May 27 at 8 p.m., will feature performances by…