Category: Independent News

  • Environmentalists applaud new EPA rule for dumping

    By elaine van develdeStaff Writer By elaine van develde Staff Writer When it comes to ocean dumping, local environmentalists said they’ve finally made an important step forward in the fight to keep contaminated muck off the ocean floor. Still, they’re asking for reassurance through state and federal legislators. Last week, the federal Environmental Protection Agency…

  • Gas leak causes house explosion

    By elaine van develdeStaff Writer By elaine van develde Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — The damage is already done, but the source of a residential gas leak resulting in an explosion last week has been found. Police determined the cause of the gas leak that triggered an explosion at the Cedar Avenue home of 51-year-old Rosemary…

  • Rev. Reginald Jackson honored by Keyport

    By maura dowginStaff Writer By maura dowgin Staff Writer KEYPORT— The Rev. Reginald T. Jackson visited Keyport Feb. 25 to receive the Black History Month award from the Borough Council. State Sen. Joseph Kyrillos, R-13, issued a proclamation for Jackson, who has been an influential leader in New Jersey and around the country. Jackson, a…

  • Matawan police settle contract with borough

    By josh davidsonStaff Writer By josh davidson Staff Writer MATAWAN — About one month after police representatives voiced disapproval to the council over working more than 13 months without a contract, the issue has been resolved. The council voted at its March 4 meeting to approve the Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local No. 179 contract. "It’s…

  • Planning/Zoning Board split taken off the table

    By maura dowginStaff Writer By maura dowgin Staff Writer KEYPORT — The borough will not be splitting its Unified Planning Board into two separate boards. The Borough Council passed an ordinance on Jan. 21 that would have separated the board into two, but the governing body later found out that the measure must be approved…

  • Explosion from gas leak levels house, rocks area

    MIDDLETOWN — Rosemary Morrison learned firsthand that it takes only a spark to set off a natural gas explosion. The 51-year-old resident of 28 Cedar Ave. arrived home from work at about 6:55 p.m., just in time to smell a heavy odor of gas permeating her home. Without thinking of possible repercussions, Morrison picked up…

  • Borough introduces $6.4 million budget

    By maura dowginStaff Writer Borough introduces $6.4 million budget By maura dowgin Staff Writer KEYPORT— The Borough Council approved the introduction of a tentative $6.4 million budget by a 5-1 vote. The budget calls for a 3.2 cent tax rate increase per $100 of assessed property valuation The rate increase means that for a property…

  • Master plan could affect Springsteen drummer

    McClees Creek areastudy calls for largerlot sizes By elaine van develdeStaff Writer McClees Creek area study calls for larger lot sizes By elaine van develde Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — The new township master plan may end up affecting one famous musician’s plans for subdivision. The musician, Bruce Springsteen’s E-Street Band drummer Max Weinberg, owns property…

  • Man, 19, walking home from work is killed on Route 36

    By elaine van develdeStaff Writer By elaine van develde Staff Writer HAZLET — A typical workday ended in tragedy for a young Union Beach man last week. The life of Pathmark employee Christopher Hoben, 19, of Jersey Avenue, Union Beach, was abruptly cut short two days shy of his 20th birthday when he walked across…