Category: Independent News
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Mayor unearths two churches’ hidden pasts
Scharfenberger’s findings run from historic to spooky BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN – Christians go to church. Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger goes under them. Scharfenberger He finds things one might not expect, a perfectly good dead cat, for instance, a 17thcentury witch’s caldron, bullets and whiskey bottles – lots and lots of whiskey bottles.…
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Committee unanimously approves pay-to-play ban
Measure to become effective following the fall campaigns BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN – The township has become the latest local municipality to adopt an anti pay-to-play ordinance, and officials say in some respects it’s among the strongest in the state. One of the main provisions of the ordinance is a limitation on “wheeling”…
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Middletown ships a ton of supplies to soldiers in Iraq
MIDDLETOWN – One ton of supplies is on the way to Middletown’s adopted soldiers in Iraq, thanks to an outpouring of support from the community. Middletown families, civic organizations, Boy and Girl Scout troops, schools and local businesses generously donated everything from snacks to personal hygiene items to Nerf footballs and video games. New Jersey…
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Judge denies attempt to halt turf project
BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN – A state Superior Court judge denied a request by the firm IC Improvements to stop construction on the turf field project at High School North. IC Improvements, based in Parsippany, was one of the losers in earlier rounds of competitive bidding for the right to install the new…
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From the Vault
Before flexing his muscle in Holmdel’s politics, Committeeman Terence Wall tried his luck in the sports entertainment arena. In this photo, Wall promoted his qualification to compete in the TV show “American Gladiators.” According to Wall, he was a finalist to appear on the show, but never made it to television. The exact date of…
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Underage busts continue at venue
Local legislator wants arts center to run more family-friendly events BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer In light of the recent ban on alcohol in all PNC Bank Arts center parking lots, state Sen. Joseph Kyrillos (R-Monmouth/ Middlesex) has called on a Senate committee to review operations at the 17,500-seat venue in an effort to make…
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Truck co. co-owner admits paying off public officials
NEWARK – – A co-owner of International Trucks of Central Jersey, located in Hillside and Howell, pleaded guilty Aug. 22 to bribing several local public officials. Matthew Appolonia, 43, of Berkeley Heights, admitted providing corrupt payments and benefits to various officials from approximately 1997 through 2005 to facilitate the purchase of trucks from his company…
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Car wash to benefit brain-damaged toddler
BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer KEYPORT – An upcoming car wash is geared to offset the medical bills of a Keansburg boy suffering from brain damage after nearly drowning in June. On Sept. 15 and 16, the staff of Brite Futures Day Care, Keyport, will devote their weekend to scrubbing bumpers and waxing fenders.…
