Category: Independent News

  • Families of 9/11 victims seeking more answers

    By vincent todaroStaff Writer Families of 9/11 victims seeking more answers By vincent todaro Staff Writer A group of area residents who lost loved ones in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks are hoping a new commission proposed by Congress will shed light on any intelligence failures that led to the day’s events. U.S. Congressman Rush…

  • Unannounced picketers surprise school officials

    By josh davidsonStaff Writer By josh davidson Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — Administrators faced yet another setback Monday morning to completing the $78.4 million referendum project of upgrading the district’s secondary schools. In a surprise move, construction workers walked off the job and picketed at some of the district’s 17 schools Monday to protest not being…

  • Shark art swims into area to raise money for home

    By josh davidsonStaff Writer By josh davidson Staff Writer Matawan — A local art group is looking for a home to house works of shark art it expects to collect in upcoming months. The Mid-State Arts Resource Team (mART) exhibit called "Shark Tank," with 21 small shark sculptures, got its start in June 2001. The…

  • Open space tax may go up 1 cent in November

    By darlene dieboldStaff Writer By darlene diebold Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — The purchase of open space is still a very hot issue in the township. The Township Committee decided at its Aug. 6 workshop meeting to put a public question on November’s ballot to raise the township’s open space tax by one cent. A committee…

  • Officials: Harassment lawsuit has no merit

    Middletown employee By darlene dieboldStaff Writer Officials: Harassment lawsuit has no merit By darlene diebold Staff Writer Middletown officials are challenging the validity of claims made against a number of township employees and members of the Township Committee by Dawn Bennett, a municipal employee. "Based on my review of this matter, there is no legal…

  • Voters may decide open space question

    By darlene dieboldStaff Writer Voters may decide open space question By darlene diebold Staff Writer KEYPORT — For the first time ever in the borough, an open space question may be on November’s ballot. The public may have the opportunity to decide whether the borough should impose an open space tax in order to revitalize…

  • Photo

    FARRAH MAFFAI John Gowdy, an award-winning sand sculptor, and Bill Cichone carve the final stage of their NYC tribute at the Memoria Project three-day sand sculpture tribute to Sept. 11 on the North Beach at Sandy Hook. Their tribute included an American flag and two hands praying.

  • Park system organizes autumn New England trips

    The Monmouth County Park System will offer "The Berkshires and the Boston Pops" Aug. 25-27 from 8 a.m. until approximately 7:30 p.m. Cost is $540 (single), $430 (double), $400 (triple), and $380 (quadruple). The trip will feature a guided tour of the Berkshires; lodging in Williamstown; Hancock Shaker Village; the Sterling and Francine Clark Art…

  • Middletown schools unfinished as new academic year approaches

    Many upgrades expected to becompleted by year end By josh davidsonStaff Writer Many upgrades expected to be completed by year end By josh davidson Staff Writer Six years after Middletown residents passed a $78.4 million referendum to renovate the district’s middle and high schools, construction work continues at all five buildings. While the renovation work…