Category: Independent News

  • Democrats look to have presence on committee

    BY JOSH DAVIDSONStaff Writer BY JOSH DAVIDSON Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — Democrats are looking to break up the Republican stronghold on the Township Committee in November. Mayor Joan Smith, one of the two incumbent candidates from the all-Republican committee, will not seek re-election this year. Smith, 62, announced April 9 that she will not seek…

  • Five candidates in race for two council seats

    BY MARC CAVELLAStaff Writer BY MARC CAVELLA Staff Writer MATAWAN — Five candidates are vying for two seats on the Matawan Borough Council in this year’s election. Incumbent councilman Paul Buccellato, 5 Essie Drive, said he wants to continue with the current council and administration and see the municipal projects that are under way in…

  • Candidates to battle for committee seats

    BY VINCE ECHAVARIAStaff Writer Candidates to battle for committee seats BY VINCE ECHAVARIA Staff Writer HOLMDEL — Four candidates will compete for two open seats on the Township Committee in the November election. Republican incumbents Terence Wall and Serena DiMaso will try to keep their seats against Democratic candidates Steven Orbach and Elise Donovan. Wall,…

  • Lectures, conferences slated at Brookdale

    The student life and activities and the humanities division at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft section of Middletown, will begin its visiting writers and lecture series April 22 at 7 p.m. with former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins. The program is free to current Brookdale students, staff and faculty with ID, and $5 to the public.…

  • Bus and ambulance collide on Route 36

    BY VINCE ECHAVARIAStaff Writer BY VINCE ECHAVARIA Staff Writer VINCE ECHAVARIA The sign at the Woroco service station, Route 36 and Laurel Avenue, Hazlet, was demolished after an accident between a bus and an ambulance on April 13. HAZLET — A bus driver remains hospitalized in fair condition after an ambulance and an Academy bus…

  • Woman gets probation for giving minors alcohol

    BY JOSH DAVIDSONStaff Writer BY JOSH DAVIDSON Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — A township woman pleaded guilty in a case involving providing alcohol to minors and received a reduced sentence. Susan Rapoza, 40, 372 Main St., Port Monmouth, pleaded guilty April 5 in township municipal court to two counts of providing alcohol to minors. Rapoza was…

  • County action expected on deer hunting proposal

    Recommendation calls for nine county parksto be part of program BY MARK ROSMANStaff Writer Recommendation calls for nine county parks to be part of program BY MARK ROSMAN Staff Writer Hunters and animal rights activists are awaiting a decision from the Monmouth County Board of Recreation Commissioners as to whether deer hunting will be allowed…

  • Committee appoints new recreation director

    BY VINCE ECHAVARIAStaff WriterHOLMDEL BY VINCE ECHAVARIA Staff Writer HOLMDEL — The Township Committee will have the help of a new recreation director to oversee municipal recreational programs and facilities starting May 3. The committee voted 4-0 at its April 12 meeting to appoint Debbra Ann Voorhees, Toms River, to the new position. Mayor Larry…

  • Strathmore school playground set ablaze

    BY MARC CAVELLAStaff Writer BY MARC CAVELLA Staff Writer The playground was found on fire at the Strathmore Elementary School in Aberdeen on April 10. ABERDEEN — One of the three playgrounds at Strathmore Elementary School was set on fire last week. Aberdeen police were called to the school a little after 11 p.m. on…