Category: Independent News

  • Hazlet park to get new trails

    Open space grant will blaze trails at Natco Lake Park BYMIKE DAVIS Staff Writer HAZLET — Township officials are expecting to begin turning Natco Lake into a fully functioning park within the next year. The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders awarded the township a $200,000 Open Space Grant on Dec. 9, which the township…

  • With voices raised

    Students from the Matawan High School Vocal Ensemble sing holiday favorites at the First Presbyterian Church of Matawan on Dec. 18. SCOTT FRIEDMAN

  • Residents concerned about autonomy of library board

    Twp. Committee votes to add two trustees to Mid’town Public Library BYMIKE DAVIS Staff Writer Members of the public expressed their hope that the past doesn’t have a future at the Middletown Township Public Library (MTPL). At its Dec. 19 meeting, the Middletown Township Committee unanimously voted to add two new trustees to the library…

  • Holmdel festival committees seek volunteers

    HOLMDEL— Volunteers are needed to help organize and present the two festivals that will be held this year at Bayonet Farm. In spring, the Earth Day Festival celebrates the day with live animals and music, a petting zoo, educational family shows and extensive displays, children’s crafts, pet adoptions and guided tours of the historic Harding…

  • Sew good for the holidays

    Titania Tomic, a 1940s re-enactor from Wisconsin, explains sewing of the period to Karen and Ray Croot, of Hillsborough, during the Holiday Celebration at Historic House in Sandy Hook on Dec. 18. SCOTT FRIEDMAN

  • Planners continue hearing Four Ponds application

    BYMIKE DAVIS Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — More than six months after it began hearing testimony, the township Planning Board continued discussions about the proposed Four Ponds housing development at its Dec. 7 meeting. Township Planner Jason Greenspan raised concerns about the use of the site’s recreational trails, which would remain with the proposed development. “It’s…

  • County upgrades traffic lights

    BY KENNYWALTER Staff Writer Monmouth County officials are hopeful that a countywide traffic signal upgrade project will help traffic on county roads run more efficiently. County Engineer Joseph Ettore explained the scope of the project in an interview last week. “The base of the project is to modernize antiquated traffic signals throughout Monmouth County,” he…

  • Future of racing in doubt at Monmouth Park

    Legislature must approve 2012 season by Dec. 20 BY KENNYWALTER Staff Writer The fate of the 2012 racing season at Monmouth Park was in doubt this week after an investor dropped out of an agreement to take over operation of the Oceanport racetrack. Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-12th District) confirmed Monday that businessman Morris Bailey walked…

  • Middletown Elks honor emergency responders

    MIDDLETOWN — Four of the township’s emergency responders were recognized by Middletown Elks 2179 for outstanding community service at the 2011 Middletown Elks First Responder Appreciation Dinner. Middletown OEM Coordinator Charles W. Rogers III was named Middletown Elks Emergency Management Coordinator of the Year. The Elks credited his “actions during Hurricane Irene, exemplary work ethic,…