Category: Independent News

  • Photo

    CHRIS KELLY staff Former Brookdale Community College student Kevin Smith receives an honorary degree as part of the Brookdale Community College commencement ceremonies at the Lincroft campus on May 20. More photos, page 55.

  • A haven for families with ailing newborns

    Michael’s Feat dedicates family resource center at Monmouth Medical BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer BY CHRISTINE VARNOStaff Writer LONG BRANCH – In keeping with its mission to help families with seriously ill newborns, the nonprofit Michael’s Feat has created a space with the comforts of home at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Monmouth…

  • After 104 years, local maintains joie de vivre

    BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer CHRIS KELLY staff Birthday boy Roger Larre, Middletown, greets party guests at his 104th birthday party Friday at the Aberdeen Senior Health Center, Route 34, Aberdeen. ABERDEEN – Want to live to 104? Be like Roger Larre and have 36 girlfriends. The French-born Middletown…

  • June 3 event to help fund scholarship in Wines’ name

    BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer BY KATHY BARATTAStaff Writer MANALAPAN – When Carlee Wines was killed by a hit-and-run driver on the University of Connecticut campus in Storrs earlier this year, the Manalapan resident left behind family and friends who are determined to make sure her memory is honored. They are determined to remind people…

  • Mobile home residents oppose changes to rents

    Hazlet ordinance will allow park owners to charge new tenants more BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer BY DAN NEWMANStaff Writer Bridget Antonucci HAZLET – Thanks to a vote along party lines, owners of the township’s mobile parks are now able to charge market-value rents for lots when new tenants come in to live. The change…

  • Reviving the lost art of good manners

    Teaching etiquette in an age of e-mails and texting BY KATHY HALL Correspondent BY KATHY HALLCorrespondent Laurajane Wikoff, founder of the Etiquette School of the Northeast, demonstrates proper use of a napkin. At left, Sammy Haigh practices his napkin technique under Wikoff’s watchful eye. For etiquette expert Laurajane Wikoff, good manners are more than knowing…

  • Former political allies to face off in GOP primary

    DiMaso challenged by two-time running mate Wall and Allocco BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer (Left) Jerry Allocco and Terence Wall HOLMDEL – Fellow Republicans Mayor Serena DiMaso and Committeeman Terence Wall will not run together in the June 5 primary, forcing a three-way race for the chance to run…

  • Chief returns to civilian life after 29-year career

    BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer KAREN E. BOWES Retired Keyport Police Chief Theodore Gajewski shows off the latest additions to his police badge tattoo, at home on Thursday afternoon. KEYPORT – Police Chief Theodore “Ted” Gajewski never wanted to be a cop. If you ask him, his whole career…

  • Officer hopes to build waterfront amphitheater

    Going ahead with plan would require removing gazebo at Keyport park BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer ERIC SUCAR staff If Capt. Thomas Mitchell gets his way, the Mini Park on West Front Street will be transformed into a multitiered amphitheater, eliminating the need for a gazebo. KEYPORT – Plans…