Category: Independent News

  • Matawan will use state aid to cut taxes

    Boro receives $105K in extraordinary aid BY JACQUELINE HLAVENKA Staff Writer The Borough of Matawan will use $105,000 in extraordinary aid from the state toward property tax relief for residents, officials said last week. The borough was notified by the N.J. Department of Community Affairs (DCA) that it would receive $105,000 in aid on Aug.…

  • Merla trades politics for pizza

    Ex-mayor hopes new restaurant serves as a fresh start BY TOM SHORTELL Staff Writer John Merla shows off one of his pizza pies at the new restaurant Johnny Tomatoes in downtown Keyport. KEYPORT — The controversial former mayor officially became a free man last week, and soon a sign emblazoned with his nickname will stand…

  • Farmers market

    ERIC SUCAR staff Lindsey Richards of Hauser Hill Farms in Old Bridge organizes some peaches at the farmers market held along West Front Street in downtown Keyport on Aug. 6. Keyport will distribute $30 of Monmouth County farmers market food vouchers to borough seniors. Lauren Ludwig, Pittstown, reaches for a carton of plums during the…

  • Clearwater Festival

    The Hudson River Sloop Singers have been singing together for more than three decades and reunite annually to perform at the 34th Annual Clearwater Festival Saturday, Aug. 15.

  • Drunken-driving crackdown to begin on Aug. 21

    Law enforcement officials from the Aberdeen and Holmdel township police departments will be cracking down on drunk drivers as part of the summer 2009 Over the Limit, Under Arrest campaign. Beginning Aug. 21 and running through Sept. 7, local and state law enforcement officials will conduct saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints, looking for motorists who…

  • Surfside Food Drive begins at local beach clubs

    Local charity Move for Hunger will launch its inaugural Surfside Food Drive this Labor Day, Sept. 7, to benefit the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties in Neptune. Members of participating beach clubs from Sandy Hook to Spring Lake will donate unopened, nonperishable food items to be distributed to food-insecure families across our community. “More…

  • NOTES

    The Middletown Ramblers will hold a barn square dance 7:30-10 p.m. Aug. 21 at the Croydon Hall Senior Center, 900 Leonardville Road, Leonardo section of Middletown. Couples and singles are welcome, and children must be accompanied by a parent. The donation is $3 for adults; there is no charge for children younger than age 18.…

  • Roller derby bout to support Monmouth County SPCA

    Two local teams from the Jersey Shore Roller Girls will battle it out Saturday, Aug. 22, in Asbury Park Convention Hall. The bout is also a collection point for the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, where fans can drop off items such as pet food, toys and supplies from 5…

  • Photo

    Tom Lauda, Middletown, shucks an ear of farm-fresh corn as Pat Lauda looks on Aug. 15 at the opening of the Middletown farmers market held each Saturday at the Middletown Train Station.