Category: Independent News

  • Mat-Aberdeen district adopts academy plan

    Biomedical, performing arts, biz programs to begin in 2009-10 BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer The Board of Education unanimously approved a concept plan to implement learning academies at Matawan Regional High School for the 2009-2010 school year at the Dec. 15 meeting. “I am excited [that the board approved the concept] and I think…

  • The story of Christmas

    PHOTOS BY FRANK GALIPO Above: Meghan Hansen, of Holmdel, wears a Dr. Seuss-inspired costume as she portrays one of the Three Wise Men in Holmdel Community Church’s Christmas pageant on Dec. 14. Right: The roles of Joseph and Mary were played by (l-r) Kyle Sach, of Little Silver, and Emma Dodi, of Lincroft.

  • Middletown balks, but passes housing plan

    Three tracts would be sites for mandated affordable units BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer Working in tandem, the Middletown Township Committee and Planning Board have formulated a 10- year plan for providing affordable housing that meets state mandates. The township’s amended master plan housing element and fair share plan was approved on Dec. 11, but…

  • Students win in robotics competition

    Patrick Schroll (l), Red Bank Middle School, and Tyler Barron, St. James School, prepare for the robotics competition. RUMSON — Students in a local science enrichment program won the Teamwork Award at the First Lego League Robotics Competition at Rowan University on Dec. 6. The students from Red Bank Middle School, St. James School in…

  • Final seconds

    Clockwise from top: Spectators anxiously watch the action during the final seconds of a game at the third annual Student-Faculty Charity Basketball Game played Dec. 9 at the Matawan-Aberdeen Middle School gym in Cliffwood. The crowd celebrates a gamewinning shot during the closing seconds of the final game of the charity tourney hosted by the…

  • NOTES

    Harmony Cub Scout Pack 242 of Middletown has been hard at work over the past month collecting donations to benefit local food pantries. Stationed in front of local supermarkets, the Scouts accepted food and monetary donations. According to their calculations, Harmony Pack 242, Twinlights District of Monmouth/ Ocean Council of Boy Scouts, donated 2,325 items…

  • Residents heckle tax administrator

    Despite protests, tax reval in Aberdeen will proceed BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer ABERDEEN — Residents turned out in large numbers, overflowing into the hallways of town hall at a special public meeting held Dec. 10 to discuss the revaluation and reassessment process by which local taxes are determined. In the standing-room-only council chambers,…

  • Brookdale command center responds to outage

    BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — As soon as power went out on Dec. 9, the staff at Brookdale Community College went into action. Stephen Nacco, executive director of marketing at Brookdale, said the school community was fast to act to ensure the safety of students. “We have an emergency plan for school closings,…

  • Courtroom renovation would improve energy efficiency

    Architectural plans call for elimination of sloped ceiling BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer HOLMDEL — Problems with lighting and acoustics would be addressed in a $79,000 renovation of the municipal courtroom. Anthony Iovino of Arcari and Iovino Architects, Edgewater, presented a proposed concept for the courtroom to the Township Committee at the Dec. 11…