Category: Independent News

  • Merla brother pleads to money-laundering charge

    Federal complaint says family’s two bars were used in scheme BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer FILE PHOTO On Feb. 22, 2005, Joseph “JoJo” Merla, at left in the backward baseball cap, escorts older brother John Merla to his car in Newark after John Merla was charged with accepting bribes and other acts of corruption.…

  • Residents praise plans to dredge Shadow Lake

    Officials say lake quality has suffered from algae growth, silt accumulation BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN – Over 60 residents of Shadow Lake Village gathered at town hall Thursday to hear about plans to “fix” areas of the lake that borders the community. Township Administrator Robert Czech held a public meeting with the township…

  • Mayoral hopefuls differ on day laborer ID issue

    Aufseeser says Buccellato proposal would invite lawsuits, be ineffective BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer Mayor Mary Aufseeser MATAWAN – Mayor Mary Aufseeser has come out against a proposal to offer voluntary background checks on day laborers, contending the issue of illegal immigration is not for Matawan to solve. Two weeks ago, Councilman Paul Buccellato,…

  • Police press homicide charges for DWI crash

    BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN – An off-duty state trooper was charged on Friday with one count of second-degree vehicular homicide stemming from a fatal motor vehicle collision on Route 35 north on Sept. 14. Christopher M. Brozyna, 28, of Hazlet, reportedly crashed his car into a vehicle driven by Ernesto Stamaria, 55, of…

  • Hook advocates will appeal court rejection

    District Court says developer’s lease stands BY LIZ SHEEHAN Correspondent Save Sandy Hook will appeal a U.S. District Court decision that rejected the group’s complaint that a developer’s lease for historic buildings at Fort Hancock is “arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion or not otherwise in accordance with law.” The grassroots organization formed to block…

  • Boro seeks NJT’s OK to relocate day laborers

    Council wants attorney general’s opinion on registration proposal BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer “… I really don’t think it’s the municipality’s job to go out and document people… ” – William Malley Councilman MATAWAN – Plans to move day laborers from in front of the 7-Eleven to an unused portion of the train station…

  • Keyport looking for a few good developers

    Boro to accept requests for qualifications for Aeromarine site BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer FILE PHOTO The Aeromarine property, located on the Raritan Bay in Keyport, the subject of several lawsuits and the focus of redevelopment plans in the borough. KEYPORT – Anyone interested in developing Aeromarine? On Sept. 18 the borough authorized an…

  • A brush with Keyport

    ANDREW MILLER staff Keyport Fest, held Saturday along West Front Street, allowed 3-year old Zachary Bennett, Jersey City, to enjoy painting with his grandmother, Diane Brinkley, Keyport.

  • Matawan Day returns Sunday

    MATAWAN – Food, rides, music and games will be the order of the day Sunday afternoon during the 17th annual Matawan Day, to be held at Terhune Park on Main Street. While The Touch of Dance Troop, Matawan, taps the pavement on nearby Broad Street, and the voices of the Second Baptist Church Choir, Matawan,…