Category: Independent News

Staff Writer By elaine van develde MIDDLETOWN — In what was deemed an after-hours electrical blaze by fire and police officials, a Route 35 hair salon was gutted, while neighboring stores suffered smoke damage. Although all the stores were temporarily closed immediately following the fire, owners reported that they would open as soon as conditions…

Staff Writer By alison granito Development on track around Ab-Mat station Aberdeen, Matawan seek proposals for RR station project Aberdeen and Matawan officials have taken another major step toward the long-awaited revitalization of the area around the Aberdeen-Matawan train station. After more than a year of talking about what potential developers’ visions to redevelop the…

Toni Rinella and Jennifer Taylor Perry, co-chairwomen of the Middletown Township Cultural and Arts Council, share a laugh looking at fund-raising "Duckoration 2002" ducks that will be displayed at the All Aboard the Arts II festival from 2-5 p.m. Sunday at the future Middletown Cultural and Arts Center building on Church Street.

Staff Writer By elaine van develde Hazlet may limit phone use in cars Law would restrict using hand-held cell phone while driving You can drive and talk at the same time as long as you keep your hands on the wheel. That’s the township officials’ take on cell phone talking and driving. In line with…

Staff Writer By Alison Granito Council wary of Marlboro Airport development plan Officials fear worsening of regional traffic woes ABERDEEN — Township officials expressed their dismay over the possibility of another large-scale development in neighboring Marlboro at last week’s Township Council workshop meeting. Municipal officials cited traffic concerns and congestion on regional roadways as the…

Staff Writer By darlene diebold HOLMDEL — The May 20 court date between Mayor Art Davey and Committeeman Terence Wall was postponed to June 18 at 1:30 p.m. in Hazlet Municipal Court. Davey has charged Wall with improper behavior, disorderly conduct and disrupting a public meeting, and Wall has filed counter charges of improper behavior…

Staff Writer By darlene diebold HOLMDEL — With the withdrawal last week of Rocco F. Pascucci, the June 4 GOP primary has narrowed to three candidates for two slots on the November ballot. In an interview, Pascucci, 52, 24 Yellowbrook Road, said that he withdrew from the race because of time restraints. "It just seemed…

Staff Writer By ELAINE VAN DEVELDE Amicable deal expected on failed Hazlet budget HAZLET — With the rejection at the polls of a proposed $37 million schools budget come inevitable cuts. On the cusp of those cuts, officials on either side expect an amicable agreement to be struck with as minimal a cost to students…

Staff Writer By Alison Granito Mat-Ab councils, board to meet on school budget Parents petition towns on behalf of full-day kindergarten ABERDEEN — The Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School Board will meet in conjunction with the Matawan Borough Council and the Aberdeen Township Council tomorrow to hear how much the councils want to cut from the school…