Category: Independent News
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Photo
JEFF GRANIT staff Middletown High School South’s Marching Band plays prior to the start of the Central Jersey Group III football championship game against Freehold Borough High School at Rutgers Stadium on Dec. 6. Middletown South was defeated 21-14.
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Holiday Express spreads cheer, warms hearts
The holidays are an extremely lonely time for the homeless, the hungry, the mentally ill, the physically disabled and all those who are less fortunate. That is why Holiday Express, a nonprofit organization comprising more than 600 volunteers, 90 of whom are musicians, packs up a bus and throws 50 free holiday parties in 31…
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Mid’town looks to ease impact of reassessment
Concern that assessments don’t reflect current market BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer The Middletown Township Committee has been fielding complaints about the new property assessments sent out over the past few weeks and is taking steps to help residents deal with property tax increases. Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger called on township Tax Assessor Charles Heck on…
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Chief offers safe driving checklist for winter
MIDDLETOWN — Chief of Police Robert Oches reminds residents to check vehicles to be sure they are ready for winter driving. Oches advises motorists to: make sure brakes are balanced and pull equally on all wheels to avoid skids; replace windshield wiper blades and add antifreeze solution to the washer; have the battery tested to…
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High school model for a new world
DOE: Students must be prepared to compete globally BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer Jay Doolan The way Middletown high school students are being taught is changing, and, according to the New Jersey Department of Education, personalized learning and virtual classes are part of the new educational structure. Jay Doolan, assistant commissioner of education with the…
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Crackdown on drunken driving in effect thru Jan. 2
MIDDLETOWN — The township Police Department has been awarded a $5,000 DWI enforcement grant from the New Jersey Division of Highway Safety. The purpose of the grant is to target drivers who operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol above the acceptable limits set by law. Middletown police will be part of a proactive…
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Mater Dei tops holiday hunger challenge
School tallies almost 6,000 pounds to feed the hungry BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer COURTESY OF MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL Mater Dei High School students Matt Mandile (l-r) and Kevin Quinn, Associate Principal Steve Sciarappa and students Conor Moore and Robert Poss deliver the school’s holiday food donation to the FoodBank. When it comes to…
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SJV adapts to keep competitive edge
Strategic plan includes restructuring, campus upgrades BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer HOLMDEL — St. John Vianney High School is adopting strategies to keep tuition affordable by taking steps to contain costs and generate new revenues. School officials say strategies include administrative restructuring, making cost-effective upgrades and expanding athletic facilities. “We implemented a strategic plan…
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Ordinance would require contractor apprenticeships
Three council members abstain due to union affiliations BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer MATAWAN — An ordinance that would require contractors hired by the borough to have served apprenticeships was introduced at the Dec. 2 Borough Council meeting by an unusual vote of three affirmatives and three abstentions. Earlier this week, the outcome of…
