Category: Independent News

  • Aberdeen man turns dream into reality

    By josh davidsonStaff Writer By josh davidson Staff Writer CHRIS KELLY Robbie Bryan, Aberdeen, shown here at Best Buy in Manalapan, wrote, produced and starred in The Stand-In with Kelly Ripa of Live, With Regis and Kelly. ABERDEEN — Matawan Regional High School graduate Robbie Bryan’s "art imitating life" independent film is now being sold…

  • Aberdeen won’t see mu­nicipal tax rate increase

    By josh davidsonStaff Writer By josh davidson Staff Writer ABERDEEN — Township residents are expected to see no municipal tax rate increase for the third straight year. The council held a public hearing for its proposed $12.2 million budget March 18. The previous year’s budget was $11.7 million. "I think it’s a great budget. With…

  • Drivers using hand-held cell phones face fines

    By elaine van develdeStaff Writer Drivers using hand-held cell phones face fines By elaine van develde Staff Writer HAZLET — Warning time is over. Now it’s ticket time for those who, after 10 months’ notice, are still driving in the township with one hand on the wheel and the other on a cell phone. While…

  • Little one hits it big on Broadway tonight

    By elaine van develdeStaff Writer By elaine van develde Staff Writer CHRIS KELLY Joey Caravigilio, 11, of Hazlet, who just got off tour playing Chip the Cup in Beauty and the Beast is debuting on Broadway tonight. HAZLET — If you were thinking of giving your regards to Broadway, you may want to send them…

  • Waterfront condos may be on the horizon

    By maura dowginStaff Writer Waterfront condos may be on the horizon By maura dowgin Staff Writer KEYPORT— A proposed zoning amendment would allow residential and commercial buildings to be constructed near the waterfront. "This ordinance, as it presently stands, would allow mixed use and condos to be built in commercial zones," said Mayor John Merla.…

  • County vo-tech tuition hike put off for one year

    School districts avert additional out-of-pocket costs By maura dowginStaff Writer By maura dowgin Staff Writer School districts have been spared the cost of a tuition hike for the Monmouth County Vocational School District for this year. "The county Board of Chosen Freeholders has agreed to provide additional funding to the vocational schools to cover the…

  • Officials move to increase LOSAP payout

    By elaine van develdeStaff Writer By elaine van develde Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — Saying thank-you and offering incentive to serve double-duty is what officials are looking to do by raising the rewards offered by the township’s Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) for emergency service volunteers. An ordinance was introduced at the March 17 Township…

  • Jewish-Irish event will show support for troops

    There will be a "Support for Our Troops Rally" held during the seventh "Jewish-Irish Friendship Breakfast" of the Manalapan-Marlboro Post 972 Jewish War Veterans. The purpose of the breakfast is "to build bridges of friendship and understanding with all American ethnic communities." The light breakfast will be held at 9:30 a.m. March 23 in the…

  • Vo-tech school district looks for tuition hike

    School districts face paying $1,500 for each part-time vocational student By mary dempseyStaff Writer By mary dempsey Staff Writer County school districts have been put on notice that the Monmouth County Vocational School District may impose a new tuition hike that may raise individual district tax rates. Brian D. McAndrew, superintendent of schools for the…