Category: Independent News

  • Azzolina: Mayor attacks my family

    Former legislator says he is target of Scharfenberger BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer Former state Sen. Joseph Azzolina said he originally came to the Dec. 17 Middletown Township Committee meeting to complain about leaf collection, not to sound off at Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger. Joseph Azzolina But after Scharfenberger’s statements about fellow Committeeman Patrick Short, Azzolina…

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    Pauline and Howard Drake, of Cliffwood, listen as jazz band trombonist Steve Johnson plays during a “Mid-Twentieth Century Christmas Celebration” held Dec. 15 at the Thomas Warne Museum in Old Bridge. DANIEL HULSHIZER staff

  • Bunyon assumes seat on Matawan council

    Lost election bid; named to seat vacated by Mullaney BY LORI ANNE OLIWA Correspondent The last meeting of the year for the Matawan Borough Council was a changing of the guard. Democratic appointee Robert Bunyon was sworn in to office at the Dec. 18 meeting, and before the night was over, the council had to…

  • Bridging the gap between the haves and have-nots

    Church outreach brings food, clothing and comfort to homeless BY LINDA DeNICOLA Correspondent Robert Frost, in one of his poems, said, “Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.” (Above) Michael Bruno and Adam Miracle, both of Holmdel, sort clothing in the pews at the Holmdel…

  • Sometimes real life is like a reality show

    Quick action by police officers saves infant’s life BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN – When Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger was told the story of how speedy police action had saved a child, he could not believe the episode happened in real life. “When I first heard this story, it was something that could only happen…

  • Charity and love prevail at Keyport food pantry

    Ministerium helps families, seniors in northern Bayshore BY LORI ANNE OLIWA Correspondent LORI ANNE OLIWA Volunteers staff the Keyport Ministerium Food Pantry, which distributed gifts to 198 children this holiday season, in addition to providing families and seniors with food for holiday meals. KEYPORT – About 20 steps from the sidewalk at 10 E. Front…

  • DEP acts to ensure public access to shore

    Written comments will be accepted until Feb. 15 BY MELISSA KARSH Staff Writer Before coastal communities can seek shore protection or Green Acres funds from the state, they will have to comply with new public access rules for waterways as part of a Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) proposal released Dec. 17. Along with the…

  • A cool couple

    One of the many holiday light displays along the trail of the Holiday Light Spectacular at the PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, Dec. 20. ERIC SUCAR staff

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    The Holiday Light Spectacular at the PNC Bank Arts in Holmdel includes this Christmas tree. ERIC SUCAR staff