Category: Independent News

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    CHRIS KELLY staff George Scharff of Keansburg croons a few holiday tunes with his little helpers, Devin Connelly, 5, of Pennsylvania, and Alycia Fitzgerald, also 5, of Hazlet at Breakfast with Santa held at the Cullen Center, Hazlet, Dec. 13.

  • Council OKs LOSAP for first aid volunteers

    BY JOSH DAVIDSONStaff Writer Council OKs LOSAP for first aid volunteers BY JOSH DAVIDSON Staff Writer MATAWAN — The Borough Council approved a measure allowing its first aid volunteers to participate in the Length of Service Awards Programs (LOSAP) with the borough’s fire department. Borough voters passed a referendum for LOSAP for the borough’s fire…

  • Old Bridge plan gets OK to use Marlboro entrance

    Kara Homes will build age-restricted homeson Birch Hill property BY LARRY RAMERStaff Writer Kara Homes will build age-restricted homes on Birch Hill property BY LARRY RAMER Staff Writer A proposal to build a 253-home age-restricted community on the former site of the Birch Hill Nite Club in Old Bridge has passed another hurdle in the…

  • Park bulkhead set for demolition

    BY VINCE ECHAVARIAStaff Writer BY VINCE ECHAVARIA Staff Writer KEYPORT — The deteriorating bulkhead at Benjamin Terry Park has been authorized for demolition as soon as possible, according to Mayor John Merla. Erosion has caused so much damage to the bulkhead that it is unsafe, Merla said. "The fact that it’s causing holes and eroding…

  • Keeping the pot boiling for more than a century

    BY SANDI CARPELLOStaff Writer BY SANDI CARPELLO Staff Writer RED BANK — For Salvation Army veteran Tammy Briggs, bell ringing is an art form. "It’s all the wrist," said Briggs, who manned the Salvation Army’s Christmas kettle at the Middletown Stop and Shop during last Saturday’s snowstorm. "You use your wrist because you’re standing outside…

  • Two Holmdel officers promoted

    BY VINCE ECHAVARIAStaff Writer Two Holmdel officers promoted BY VINCE ECHAVARIA Staff Writer HOLMDEL — Two members of the township’s Police Department were recently promoted. Detective James Smythe, 43, of Middletown, was promoted to the rank of sergeant and Sgt. Donald Hughes, 51, of Tinton Falls, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. The Township Committee approved…

  • Bias crime defendant last to be sentenced

    BY ELAINE VAN DEVELDEStaff Writer Bias crime defendant last to be sentenced BY ELAINE VAN DEVELDE Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — One boy has yet to be sentenced out of five teens implicated in a July North Middletown bias crime spree. A Dec. 12 appearance before state Superior Court Judge Eugene Iadanza was adjourned until Dec.…

  • Soldier on leave tells tales of life in Baghdad

    Woodbridgeresident servesas MP in Iraq BY COLLEEN LUTOLFStaff Writer Woodbridge resident serves as MP in Iraq BY COLLEEN LUTOLF Staff Writer Pfc. Yvonne Alers, 20, of Woodbridge, poses with Iraqi children near a police station in West Baghdad. The boy on the far right was shot and killed soon after this photo was taken. Like…

  • Area man faces 29 burglary and theft charges

    BY ELAINE VAN DEVELDEStaff Writer BY ELAINE VAN DEVELDE Staff Writer Burglary suspect James Sutton MIDDLETOWN — After being arrested for shoplifting, a Union Beach man was charged 29 times in connection with 10 Bayshore area burglaries. James Sutton, 37, 1 Belleview Ave., Keansburg, was arrested and charged with shoplifting and burglary after he was…