Category: Independent News

  • Woman charged with giving alcohol to teens

    Two boys treatedat hospitalfor alcohol poisoning BY ELAINE VAN DEVELDEStaff Writer Two boys treated at hospital for alcohol poisoning BY ELAINE VAN DEVELDE Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — Two cases of teen alcohol poisoning led to the Dec. 22 arrest of a Port Monmouth mother, who faces multiple charges in connection with supplying alcohol to the…

  • Area family charged in $18M scandal

    BY VINCE ECHAVARIAStaff Writer A Holmdel family that seemed to set an example for living the good life has been charged with allegedly taking $18 million from the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority to pay for their extravagance. Alexander J. Figliolia, 59, a plumbing contractor; his wife, Janet, 53; and his son, Alexander Jr., 30, were…

  • Area on high alert for holiday terrorism

    Officials lookingto preventpossible attack Officials looking to prevent possible attack As the nation was pushed back into high alert mode for terrorism, local law enforcement officials said the aim is to prevent a terrorist threat from coming to fruition rather than do damage control. "In a nutshell, we received secret information from the federal Office…

  • Residents offer input about recreation in master plan

    HOLMDEL — In light of several public comments on the recreational element of the township’s new master plan, the Planning Board agreed to extend the matter to a later date. At the board’s 101st meeting with the master plan on its agenda, a public hearing was scheduled to allow residents to voice their feelings about…

  • Redistricting may be in store for Mat-Ab

    BY JOSH DAVIDSONStaff Writer BY JOSH DAVIDSON Staff Writer MATAWAN — The Board of Education and district administration will meet with parents next month to present details of a plan which parents fear will include the redistricting of elementary school students. The board announced its dates to meet with parents about its elementary school reorganization…

  • Sewerage authority issue tabled until 2004

    BY ELAINE VAN DEVELDEStaff Writer BY ELAINE VAN DEVELDE Staff Writer HAZLET — They’re starting all over again. The Township Committee scrapped disbanding the Hazlet Township Sewerage Authority this year after nearly half a year of grappling with the issue of dissolving the independently run authority. The committee unanimously voted at its Dec. 16 meeting…

  • Water and sewer rate increase introduced

    BY VINCE ECHAVARIAStaff Writer BY VINCE ECHAVARIA Staff Writer KEYPORT— Mayor John Merla broke a deadlocked 3-to-3 Borough Council vote to introduce an ordinance that will raise the municipal water and sewer rates 25 percent. Councilmen Gerard Green, Brian Stalter and John Doyle all voted for the measure at the Dec. 16 council meeting, while…

  • Alleged sex offender does not appeal firing

    BY ELAINE VAN DEVELDEStaff Writer BY ELAINE VAN DEVELDE Staff Writer HAZLET — After being arrested and charged with sexual assault and fired from his job as band director at Hazlet Township’s Raritan High School, Gregory Stauffer has not appealed the district’s decision to terminate him. "There have been no hints of an appeal," Superintendent…

  • Town center lawsuits being heard separately

    BY ELAINE VAN DEVELDEStaff Writer BY ELAINE VAN DEVELDE Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — On the heels of a state Superior Court judge’s order for no action to be taken surrounding the proposed town center until its myriad lawsuits are settled, one of five unsettled court complaints was heard on Dec. 15 with no decision rendered.…