Category: Independent News

  • Blood drives slated in local area during August

    Central Jersey Blood Center, Shrewsbury, has announced the following local blood drives: • Aug. 5 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at St. Benedict’s Roman Catholic Church, 165 Bethany Road, Holmdel. Free T-shirts for each donor. • Aug. 8 from 3-8 p.m. at Keyport First Aid Squad, 1927 Atlantic Ave. Free T-shirt for each donor. •…

  • In this club, it’s hip to be square

    Middletown Ramblers promote Western-style dances in the Shore area BY LAUREN PIRO Correspondent BY LAUREN PIROCorrespondent MIDDLETOWN – In the midst of suburbia, barely out of sight from the lights, sights and modernity of New York City, it appears as though Western-style square dancing still has a home. Croydon Hall Senior Center, the stomping ground…

  • Young musicians get their ACTS together at benefit

    BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer BY DAN NEWMANStaff Writer PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Above, Mike Terpak, 12, Union Beach, rocks out on guitar as he performs “Rock ‘n’ Roll, Part 2” during the second annual Absolute Community Talent Show at St. John’s Church, Hazlet, July 22. Left, Holmdel’s Max Phillips, 9, performs “Clocks” at…

  • Photo

    ERIC SUCAR staff Eleven-year-old Jackson Lawrence, of Matawan, gets behind the wheel of a 1985 Chevrolet El Camino truck during Aberdeen’s Doo-Wop Night, held Thursday as part of the town’s 150th’s birthday celebration.

  • Merla will face sentencing Oct. 23

    Eight corruption probe targets to learn fates over 3-day span BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer John Merla Two and a half years after being arrested in an undercover FBI sting, former Keyport Mayor John Merla has been issued a sentencing date of Oct. 23. On Thursday, the United States…

  • Monmouth County Fair returns for its 33rd year

    FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP – Fairgoers are busy getting ready for the Monmouth County Fair’s opening night, tonight at 5 p.m. at the East Freehold Park showgrounds, Kozloski Road, between Route 33 and Route 537. The county fair remains a tradition, with this year marking its 33rd year of providing family fun. With the Monmouth County 4-H…

  • Musicians to play acoustic show for autism July 27

    HOLMDEL – Art for Autism will present an acoustic concert of three of the bands featured on the Art for Autism CD, a compilation of Jersey bands that donated their time and music to help raise awareness and funds for adults with autism. The concert will take place at the Barnes & Noble store on…

  • Council members spar over expired grant offer

    BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer MATAWAN – Democrats and Republicans are blaming each other over a lost opportunity to collect an $85,000 grant for a long-abandoned project. At the July 17 Borough Council meeting, resident Agnes Falk criticized Democratic Councilman Joseph “Bud” Mullaney for allegations he recently made in…

  • Paper street renamed for longtime councilman

    BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer MATAWAN – The borough renamed a paper street after the late former Councilman Joseph Penniplede on July 10. Known affectionately as “Joe P,” the former councilman, fireman, policeman and fire commissioner is being honored with the street. Penniplede, who died in December 2004 at…