Category: Independent News

  • GM Newspapers staff spreads ‘Greater Good’ at animal shelter

    Volunteers roll up their sleeves at Sayreville Pet Adoption Center BYAMY ROSEN Staff Writer Clockwise from above: Kyle, a Shih Tzu, gets all dolled up for his new owners during the Greater Media Newspapers’ Day of Greater Good at the Sayreville Pet Adoption Center Feb. 17. GMN controller Kathy McBain (center), an experienced groomer, gets…

  • Hazlet looks at raising swim club rates

    Twp. anticipates $1.3M deficit between revenues and operating costs BY JACQUELINE HLAVENKA Staff Writer HAZLET — The Township Committee is considering raising annual seasonal rates across the board for the Hazlet Swim and Tennis Club in an effort to make the facility more self-sustaining, officials said on Feb. 22. Though no plan has been set…

  • Treasures of the Jersey Shore

    Allaire State Park is Wall’s treasure The Allaire Chapel at the Historic Village at Allaire Nestled away in the woods on Atlantic Avenue (Route 524) in Wall Township is Allaire State Park, home to the Historic Village at Allaire. The park is one of the major attractions in Wall Township, a gateway town to the…

  • Twp., library talks continue on transfer of surplus funds

    Funds sought to help close $4M twp. budget gap BY ANDREW DAVISON Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — With negotiations underway regarding the possible transfer of a portion of the Middletown Public Library’s surplus to the township, both sides report amicable progress. “I could fairly categorize it as with goodwill on both sides,” Library Director Susan O’Neal…

  • Tree to be planted in memory of David Blumenthal

    BY JACQUELINE HLAVENKA Staff Writer David Blumenthal HOLMDEL — In memory of Holmdel High School graduate David Blumenthal, the township Board of Education on Feb. 23 accepted the donation of a Vermont sugar maple tree from the Holmdel Shade Tree Committee to be planted in his honor. After the tree arrives, it is expected to…

  • ‘Evil Clown’ part of Food Circus heritage

    MIDDLETOWN — Food Circus Super Markets celebrated its 55th anniversary Jan. 18 with a public gathering at the company’s iconic trademark clown located on Route 35 in Middletown. The Food Circus name was born with the grand opening of a new grocery store in Middletown on Jan. 18, 1956. With the advent of the company…

  • Boro combines depts. to achieve savings

    One supervisor will oversee three areas BY JACQUELINE HLAVENKA Staff Writer MATAWAN — The Borough Council unanimously approved an ordinance on Feb. 15 to consolidate its public works, water and sewer departments into one unit . The move to merge the three municipal departments will generate a cost savings of approximately $90,000 due to the…

  • Aberdeen OKs amended townhouse plan

    Project to include 115 condos with 37 affordable units BY JACQUELINE HLAVENKA Staff Writer ABERDEEN — The township Planning Board gave the green light to a new townhouse development on the northwest side of County Road in Cliffwood on Feb. 16, a plan that drastically reduces the original number of affordable housing units proposed for…

  • ‘Edward E. Jankowski: Art and Influences’

    Exhibit at Monmouth University throughMarch 11 BY ANDREW DAVISON Staff Writer “Bye Bye Billy One” by Edward Jankowski WEST LONG BRANCH — Monmouth University Professor Edward Jankowski’s hands-on approach to creating and teaching shines in his current show, “Art and Influences.” His first one-person show, by choice, since 1990 exhibits a selection of work from…