Category: Independent News

  • Keyport makes it easier to live where you work

    Boro partners with state on work-force housing program BY TOM SHORTELL Staff Writer The borough of Keyport is introducing a state home-mortgage incentive program designed to encourage local workers to move into town. Marge Della Vecchia speaks during a press conference for Live Where You Work. Mayor Robert Bergen and officials with the New Jersey…

  • Residents protest Avaya rezoning

    Committee approves ordinance to provide affordable housing BY TOM SHORTELL Staff Writer The Middletown Township Committee voted unanimously to approve an ordinance that rezoned commercial properties for affordable housing despite outrage expressed by Lincroft residents at the July 20 meeting. Under the ordinance, the township is converting three commercial properties, including the 65-acre Avaya site,…

  • NOTES

    Audience members brought blankets and lawn chairs to watch a performance of “MacBeth” by the Brookdale Shakespeare Ensemble under the stars on July 16. Navesink Hook & Ladder Fire Company No. 1 will host its 121st annual Fireman’s Fair 6-11 p.m. Aug. 6-8 at the firehouse 141 Monmouth Ave., Navesink section of Middletown. The fair…

  • Plant Corps restores coastal habitat at Hook

    Program protects plant life natural to local environment BY TOM SHORTELL Staff Writer For the past month, a team of five people has climbed through poison ivy, shrubs and tick-infested woods, cutting down at least 300 trees along the northern reaches of Sandy Hook. Lucas Kelly, an intern with the Student Conservation Association, spends his…

  • Mid’twn budget defers pension payments

    Cost-cutting measures aim to offset $3.6M drop in revenues BY TOM SHORTELL Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — The Township Committee approved an amended 2009 municipal budget on July 20 that calls for measures including a 5.8 percent hike in the tax levy and deferral of public pension fund payments. The $61.5 million budget, passed at Monday’smeeting,…

  • Council OKs liquor licenses over objections

    BY TOM SHORTELL Staff Writer KEYPORT — The Borough Council approved the renewal of two challenged liquor licenses July 14. The council voted to renew the liquor licenses at the Bulkhead Bar & Grille and Lucky27, both on West Front Street, after more than an hour and a half of hearings at a council meeting.…

  • Photo

    CHRIS KELLY staff Hazlet’s Nicholas Schmidt, 5, swings on a ride at the 35th annual Monmouth County Fair at the East Freehold Showgrounds on July 24.

  • Auxiliary Police looking for a few good men and women

    MIDDLETOWN — The Middletown Auxiliary Police are looking for a few good volunteers to contribute to Middletown’s standing as one of New Jersey’s safest communities. Beginning in August, the auxiliary will launch a major recruitment drive and will be present at the Middletown Marketplace, held every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the…

  • Vital lessons

    Clockwise from top left: Members of the Keyport Fire Department listen during a briefing before beginning a high-rise fire training exercise at the Middlesex Fire Academy, Sayreville, on July 21. Keyport firefighters prepare for and then participate in various training exercises.