Category: Independent News

  • Race, ride and party into 2016

    TOP PICK iPlay America rings in the New Year with a blast during the Fifth annual New Year’s Eve Bash from 7:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31. iPlay America’s New Year’s Eve Party pass includes unlimited rides and attractions, a $10 game card, party favors, spectacular prizes and giveaways throughout the evening, a confetti cannon,…

  • Holmdel home damaged in fire

    HOLMDEL—A Tuesday morning fire broke out in a home in Holmdel just weeks before the homeowners were set to move in. The Holmdel Police Department responded to an unoccupied home on Hop Brook Lane just after 2 a.m. on Dec. 22. The home was newly constructed and was approximately two weeks away from being occupied…

  • Grocery stores expand services

    By KAYLA J. MARSH Staff Writer Grocery stores are offering more than food shopping such as this gingerbread cookie decorating class held at Whole Foods Market in Marlboro on Dec. 17. STAFF PHOTGRAPHER ERIC SUCAR Area grocery stores are slowly changing the way they cater to their customers by providing more services and programs to…

  • Cancer care center rising in Middletown

    By KAYLA J. MARSH Staff Writer Residents of Monmouth County will soon have easier access to cutting-edge cancer care, treatments and medicines when Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center opens a new 304,000-square-foot outpatient treatment facility in Middletown in December 2016. “Construction at the site is currently underway,” said Richard Barakat, deputy physician-in-chief for MSK…

  • Package theft a concern

    By JENNIFER ORTIZ and KENNY WALTER Staff Writers STAFF PHOTGRAPHER ERIC SUCAR The theft of packages delivered to doorsteps is becoming a bigger problem as more and more people shop online for their Christmas gifts. Woodbridge Police Capt. Roy Hoppock said package theft has become a growing issue, and there are very few ways to…

  • Middletown fire quickly brought under control

    By KAYLA J. MARSH Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — The cause of a house fire that broke out in the North Middletown section of the township is currently under investigation by the Middletown Township Fire Prevention office, according to authorities. At approximately 11:41 a.m. Dec. 19, the Middletown Township Fire Department was dispatched to a call…

  • Youths may enter poster contest

    New Jersey’s soil conservation districts are now accepting entries in a poster contest designed to raise awareness of natural resources and related issues among young people. The theme for this year’s poster is “We All Need Trees,” according to a press release. Students may compete in the following categories: Grades 2-3, Grades 4-6, Grades 7-9…

  • Soaring above the competition

    STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER ERIC SUCAR Brookdale Community College’s Mason Jones (23) puts up a shot over the outstretched arm of Ocean County College defender Jared Rankins during the Jersey Blues’ Dec. 10 home game at Collins Arena in Lincroft. Brookdale won the contest, 71-69.

  • Decline in horseshoe crabs concerns Bayshore council

    By MICHAEL NUNES Staff Writer This year has seen a sharp decrease in horseshoe crabs monitored at five area beaches, according to Joseph Reynolds of the Bayshore Regional Watershed Council. “We found out that the horseshoe crab population is declining, and primarily female crabs are declining,” said Reynolds, who is the co-chair of the council.…