Category: Independent News

  • Streetscape to brighten boro

    By josh davidsonStaff Writer By josh davidson Staff Writer MATAWAN — Efforts to preserve and revitalize the borough’s historic character in the downtown district are continuing through the new streetscape program. The process began in October and is expected to be completed in March, weather permitting, Councilwoman Debra Buragina said. "It moved pretty quickly; fortunately,…

  • Armed robbery suspect nabbed in California

    By maura dowginStaff Writer By maura dowgin Staff Writer KEYPORT — A Keyport man facing local armed robbery charges was arrested in California. James Rosario Jr., Keyport, was arrested at the St. Vincent’s Homeless Shelter in San Diego on Jan. 10 by the San Diego police, said Keyport Police Lt. Thomas Mitchell. "I received the…

  • Rush-hour traffic means big biz for specialty store

    By josh davidsonStaff Writer By josh davidson Staff Writer FARRAH MAFFAI Steve Barnett (l) and Todd Berman, owners of Apparel Zone on Main Street in Matawan, stand inside their store which screenprints T-shirts and does embroidery work for clients that include local sports teams, religious organizations and schools. MATAWAN — The rush-hour commuter traffic on…

  • Financial problems bring ferry service to full stop

    By maura dowginStaff Writer By maura dowgin Staff Writer KEYPORT — Lighthouse Fast Ferry has not given up on providing commuter ferry service to the Bayshore area, despite having two area ferry service providers looking into taking over its local business and two of its subsidiary companies filing for bankruptcy. The two Lighthouse companies that…

  • Master plan may end hopes for town center

    By elaine van develdeStaff Writer By elaine van develde Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — While two different plans for a town center sit at the Zoning and Planning boards, a new master plan is on the horizon which could boot both plans out to make way for an active adult community instead. The revised master plan,…

  • Shoppers flock to boro’s chicken-throwing contest

    By maura dowginStaff Writer By maura dowgin Staff Writer KEYPORT — It was poultry in motion. The borough’s Business Alliance went to the birds this past weekend when the group asked the public to wing frozen chickens down the side of the street. All weekend there was a lane set up along West Front Street…

  • Cleared cop faces internal investigation

    Township named as defendant in suit lodged by alleged victims By elaine van develdeStaff Writer Cleared cop faces internal investigation By elaine van develde Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — Being cleared weeks ago of criminal rape charges lodged by two separate women is not enough to put police officer Christian Cofone back on the beat or…

  • Ocean dumping legislation would reduce contaminants

    By elaine van develdeStaff Writer By elaine van develde Staff Writer It’s no secret that some local environmentalists think the ocean has been dumped on a bit too much. As the familiar fight against ocean dumping rages on, two legislators are taking another step to put a legal stop to it. Congressmen Frank Pallone (D-6)…

  • Town sets goals for 2003

    By maura dowginStaff Writer By maura dowgin Staff Writer HOLMDEL — Along with a new year and a new mayor comes new goals. Mayor Larry Fink said he is happy with the acquisition of the Nike site, which is soon to become Veterans Memorial Park; however, the township’s desire for acquiring open space has not…