Category: Independent News

  • Twp. Committee calls for $1M school budget cut

    Administrators agree to wage freeze, pay into health benefits BY JACQUELINE HLAVENKA Staff Writer The Holmdel Township Committee unanimously passed a resolution to reduce the $56 million 2010-11 school budget by $1,011,695 at a special meeting May 18. Voters rejected the district’s proposed $48,192,066 tax levy by a 1,433-1,809 vote April 20. After the budget…

  • 180 seeking victim advocacy volunteers

    The private nonprofit organization 180 Turning Lives Around, which is dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual violence, will be conducting a training course this fall for confidential sexual violence advocate (CSVA) volunteers. Applications are currently being accepted, and interviews will begin shortly. Confidential sexual violence advocates with 180’s Sexual Violence Program are civilians who…

  • Family Fun Day,

    Cathy Noonan, Atlantic Highlands, and Linda Arlen, Eatontown, give directions to a visitor to Family Fun Day, which included environmental and historical programs held at Fort Hancock on Sandy Hook on May 23. CHRIS KELLY

  • Watershed council to host beach seining survey

    KEYPORT — Members of the Bayshore Regional Watershed Council will conduct the first-ever Summer Seining Survey at four sites along Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay on Saturday, May 29, The public is invited to come out to watch and help monitor water quality. Seining team members will be citizen scientists. A 30-foot seine net…

  • Keyport festival

    Left: Teens participate in the IHOP pancake-eating contest at the official opening of Waterfront Park in Keyport on May 22. Below: Jelly Bean the Clown makes balloon creations for her young audience.

  • BCC Big Band summer concert lineup

    MIDDLETOWN — The Brookdale Big Band will swing into the summer season, with concerts slated at venues throughout the county. The Monmouth County Fair will host the band on July 25 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at an afternoon concert. The Aug. 27 evening concert at Franklin Lakes Park, West Long Branch, will start…

  • State Fair to open June 17 at Meadowlands Fairgrounds

    State Fair Meadowlands will return, bigger and better than ever, to East Rutherford this summer, with 19 days full of action-packed fun for all ages. New Jersey’s largest, annual familyfriendly event will run daily June 17 – July 5. This year’s fair will feature four new shows – Piccadilly Circus, with daring acrobats, hilarious clowns…

  • Highlands painter exhibits at SCAN

    Paintings by local artist Norma Wokas will be on display June 1 through July 30 at the SCAN Adult Education Center in Eatontown. “Boat House” Wokas is a member of the Guild of Creative Art, the Art Alliance and the Art Society of Monmouth County and has studied art at the Guild of Creative Art…

  • NOTES AROUND TOWN

    Michael Acquafredda of Matawan earned the rank of Eagle Scout in Troop 66, Matawan, May 19 at an Eagle Court of Honor ceremony at Sterling Gardens in Matawan. He also received the Bronze Palm, an award that hasn’t been given in 22 years. Mayor Paul Buccellato presented Michael with a proclamation from the office of…