Category: Independent News

  • Mat-Ab District considers Race to the Top grant

    Teachers’ union opposes federal reform initiative BY JACQUELINE HLAVENKA The board will vote on Jan. 25 whether to join other districts applying for funding through the State of New Jersey. Funding from the federal government will be awarded to state education departments, which will distribute the grants to local districts. The $4.35 billion grant fund,…

  • Cinderella’s Closet hosts Prom Fashion Showcase

    HOLMDEL — Cinderella’s Closet of Monmouth County will host its third annual Prom Fashion Showcase from 7-10 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 29, at PNC Reception Center in Holmdel. Fashions will be provided by Diane and Company of Freehold, Men’s Wearhouse, Tuxedo Court, Manalapan. The fashion show will feature models from local high schools, including Christian…

  • YMCAs recognize teens who won’t tolerate intolerance

    Students, pastor stress making a positive impact on surroundings BY TOM SHORTELL Staff Writer The YMCAs of Monmouth County recognized the two winning students of its annual scholarship award at the 21st annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Breakfast Memorial on Jan. 18 TOM SHORTELL Reem Alsalman (l) and Jennifer Cecileone, juniors at Monmouth Regional…

  • Thorne Middle School honors namesake’s memory

    Memorial wall commemorates Medal of Honor winner BY TOM SHORTELL Staff Writer In December 1945, a local farm boy died in a hail of bullets while fighting the German war machine near a small village in Belgium. Edith Nowles speaks to students at Thorne Middle Schoo, Middletown, about her brother, Horace “Buddy” Thorne, at an…

  • Holmdel embarks on ambitious new year

    On mayor’s agenda: shared services, Lucent reuse BY JACQUELINE HLAVENKA Staff Writer HOLMDEL — The Township Committee outlined plans for preserving open space, lowering property taxes and finalizing a plan for the 2 million-square-foot Bell Labs building at its annual reorganization meeting Jan. 4. Lt. Gov.-elect Kim Guadagno (r) swears in Mayor Serena DiMaso (center)…

  • Bone marrow drive to aid Middletown teen Jan. 23

    The Ashley Lauren Foundation “Hope & Help For Children with Cancer” is hosting a bone marrow screening and blood donation drive Jan. 23. The drive is seeking matches for people battling cancer, including Evan Sullivano, a Middletown 17-year-old diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia. Screening takes only a few minutes and is done via…

  • Matawan pledges fiscal conservatism in 2010

    Boro to share services with Aberdeen, Keyport BY JACQUELINE HLAVENKA Staff Writer Reforming property taxes, cutting costs and sharing interlocal services are among the 2010 goals for the Matawan Borough Council. During his annual mayoral address at the borough’s reorganization meeting on Jan. 1, Mayor Paul Buccellato announced that 2010 would not be easier —…

  • Bolte defends council seat in runoff election

    Incumbent holds 52-vote lead over Burlew at polls’ close By Tom Shortell After a prolonged, rough-and-tumble campaign, Democrat Christian Bolte defeated Republican challenger Ed Burlew in Keyport’s runoff Borough Council election Jan. 12. The polls closed with Bolte holding a 52-vote lead with 15 provisional ballots to be counted, said Hedra Siskel, Monmouth County superintendent…

  • Scharfenberger returns to mayor’s seat in Middletown

    Lt. Gov.-elect Guadagno swears in Fiore, Massell as well BY TOM SHORTELL Staff Writer Gerard Scharfenberger is sworn in as mayor of Middletown by Lt. Gov.-elect Kim Guadagno at the township’s reorganization meeting Jan. 3. MIDDLETOWN — The Township Committee appointed a familiar face to the mayor’s seat while welcoming a new member at the…