Category: Independent News

  • New Year’s Day Beach Walk

    Left: The American Littoral Society continued an annual tradition by sponsoring a New Year’s Day Beach Walk to the tip of Sandy Hook. Tim Dillingham (center), executive director, leads the walk, which has been dedicated to Dery Bennett, the society’s former director who inaugurated the walk in the 1970s. Bottom left: Dressed for the occasion…

  • IN THE ARTS

    ‘Four Women/Insight Out’ “Striped Tux” by Cynthia Yurcisin The Middletown Arts Center (MAC) is hosting “Four Women/InsightOut,” an art exhibition of recent paintings showcasing the talent and vision of four friends: Rosalie Bennett, Nina Douglas, Jacquelyn Kirczow-Smith and CynthiaYurcisin. The artists have shown their work extensively and have received recognition including awards, grants and acceptance…

  • Developer at center of Marlboro scandal dies

    A nthony Spalliero, a businessman and developer who was at the center of a municipal corruption scandal in Marlboro almost 10 years ago, has died. Spalliero, 68, ofHolmdel, died onDec. 19 at JFKMedical Center in Edison. At the time of his death, Spallierowas serving one year of home confinement for making bribe payments to then-Marlboro…

  • Photo

    ERIC SUCAR staff A thick blanket of snow deposited by the blizzard two days earlier draws children and adults to the sledding hill at Holmdel Park on a sunny afternoon on Dec. 28. More photos on page 11 and at gmnews.com.

  • Libraries evolve, expand services and programs

    Librarians cite recession, Internet, changing communities BY JACQUELINE HLAVENKA & ANDREW DAVISON Staff Writers James Pirozzi, posing with his sister Dylan, became the one-millionth patron to check out a book in 2010, “Thomas-saurus Rex,” at the Middletown Township Public Library on Dec. 23. The role of local libraries in Eastern Monmouth County is evolving to…

  • Independent’s top news stories of 2010

    Bayshore groups, freeholders oppose wind turbine Bayshore environmental group Hazlet Area Quality of Life Alliance, the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders and several Bayshore towns are opposing plans to construct an industrial wind turbine on the Bayshore Regional Sewerage Authority’s 24- acre wastewater management plant in Union Beach. The turbine received conditional approval from…

  • Second Baptist Church celebrates 120 years of faith

    BY JACQUELINE HLAVENKA Staff Writer MATAWAN— The Christmas season at the Second Baptist Church in the borough was filled with a little extra joy this year. The church, located at 45 Orchard St., celebrated its 120th anniversary in the neighborhood on Dec. 12, marking a milestone of faith, hope and community spirit right in the…

  • Changes would alter landscape of housing in N.

    Senate bill S-1, which was initially scheduled for a vote before the end of the year, would abolish the state Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) and supplant the current housing regulations with a series of new guidelines to provide low- and moderate-income housing, is currently being discussed by members of the Assembly and Senate. S-1…

  • Guild hosts holiday show

    The Guild of Creative Art in Shrewsbury is hosting an all-member holiday exhibit that will run through Jan. 5. “Attitude” by Nanci France-Vaz The exhibit showcases artwork by many local artists who work with various mediums and who celebrate the holidays with them. Pictured are “Attitude,” an oil painting by national award-winning artist Nanci France-Vaz…