Category: Independent News

  • Bridge closing, detour make ‘no-win situation’

    Heavy traffic, blind turns are sticking pointsfor Lakeside residents By darlene dieboldStaff Writer Heavy traffic, blind turns are sticking points for Lakeside residents By darlene diebold Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — The impending reconstruction of the Locust Avenue bridge has local officials looking for ways to alleviate traffic volume and speed concerns in the area. At…

  • Mets pitcher donates $10K to help local children

    By darlene dieboldStaff Writer By darlene diebold Staff Writer The Amanda’s Easel art therapy program is branching out to Ocean County, thanks to some big league generosity. New York Mets pitching ace Al Leiter donated $10,000 to the program and has pledged another $10,000. "I’m now supporting and committing the money to bring these great…

  • Noise ordinance under review

    By josh davidsonStaff Writer By josh davidson Staff Writer ABERDEEN — A 29-year-old township noise ordinance is set to be revamped. Township Council members hope to solve area noise problems by updating the old ordinance which has been on the books for three decades. Council members went over the focus of updating the current noise…

  • 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…

  • Woman wants her name cleared of political plot

    By elaine van develdeStaff Writer By elaine van develde Staff Writer HOLMDEL — Yes, Larry Fink, there is a Jen Bernstein. She’s a Hazlet resident, and she’s not happy that someone used her name recently to spread a taped message maligning someone she doesn’t even know — Holmdel Committeeman Larry Fink, the only Democrat on…

  • Employee files suit against township, other employees

    By darlene dieboldStaff Writer By darlene diebold Staff Writer Rosa Garcia MIDDLETOWN — A township employee filed a lawsuit against the Township Committee, Clerk Rosa Garcia, Administrator Robert Czech, and the state. The charges, filed July 11 in Superior Court in Freehold, include harassment of a potential whistle blower for wrongful termination, conspiracy, and intentional…

  • $36.8 school referendum to be decided next month

    By josh davidsonStaff Writer $36.8 school referendum to be decided next month By josh davidson Staff Writer ABERDEEN — Repairs and improvement to local schools are a priority, according to local officials. Residents will vote next month whether to move forward on two proposals totaling $36.8 million, for school repairs and renovations in the Matawan-Aberdeen…