Category: Independent News

  • Police officers graduate

    The Monmouth County Police Academy, Freehold Township, graduated 26 new police officers recently, many of whom will now go on to serve as full-time patrolmen. The graduating class, five of whom paid their own way through the academy and do not have promises of employment, trained for nearly 750 hours over the course of 20…

  • Six Mid’town police officers sworn in

    BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — After six new police officers took their ceremonial oaths on Aug. 4., Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger gave the floor to a man he referred to as the “happiest man in the whole room” — Police Chief Robert Oches. “I just want to thank the mayor, the Township Committee and…

  • Salvation Army gives kids a taste of summer

    BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer Children in the Salvation Army Red Bank Corps summer program along with corps members and volunteers enjoyed a fun day July 24 that included games and cool treats from an ice cream truck. RED BANK — An ice cream truck, potato sack races and some good old-fashioned fun proved…

  • An American in China

    With the 2008 Olympic Games taking place in Beijing, China, the Middletown Township Public Library is presenting programs with an Olympic spirit, including an exhibit of photographs of China. “An American in China, Etc.” will run through Aug. 29 at the library, located at 55 New Monmouth Road. The exhibit showcases 53 images photographer Arthur…

  • IN THE ARTS

    Compiled by Gloria Stravelli Designed by Eileen Russell Gerber The third annual Dorothy Parker Day will be observed in Long Branch on Saturday, Aug. 16. The event is presented by the Long Branch Arts Council and the Long Branch Historical Association, in collaboration with The Long Branch Free Public Library, the West End Merchants Association…

  • Fireman’s Fair

    Above: Edna Ruscio (l), Rumson, and Joyce Repoli, Tinton Falls, enjoy a chat in the Navesink Hook & Ladder firehouse among the firemen’s uniforms and bric-a-brac being sold by the ladies auxiliary at the 120th annual Navesink Fireman’s Fair on Aug. 7. Below: Zac Steiner, Leonardo, goes airbound to pin Matthew Greene, Belford. According to…

  • Husband sentenced for wife’s murder

    HOLMDEL — George Calleia, 46, of Holmdel, was sentenced on Aug. 8 to a 50-year state prison term for the murder of his wife, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. Calleia must serve 85 percent of the sentence, or approximately 42.5 years, before he becomes eligible for release on parole, according to a press…

  • Photo

    SCOTT FRIEDMAN The Navesink Cannonball was one of the attractions at Navesink Hook & Ladder Company’s 120th Annual Fireman’s Fair, which began as a peach and ice cream festival in 1886. The fair was held Aug. 7-9 at the firehouse grounds in the Navesink section of Middletown. More photos page 23.

  • Man sentenced in Keyport home invasion

    FREEHOLD — Choyce Schwartz, 35, of Long Branch, was sentenced Aug. 8 to a 6.5-year state prison term for the first-degree crime of armed robbery, according to a press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. This term is subject to the No Early Release Act, which requires that Schwartz serve 85 percent of his…