Category: Independent News

  • Class helps immigrants bridge cultural divides

    ‘Urgent’ need cited for volunteers to help with English program BY TAMMY MCKILLIP Correspondent BY TAMMY MCKILLIPCorrespondent PHOTOSBYTAMMY MCKILLIP Members of the Keyport immigrant community receive free English tutoring from Monmouth County Literacy volunteers and the Keyport Cultural Harmony Program. KEYPORT – While ordinances in many townships are being drafted to crack down on an…

  • MCAC Juried Art Show winners

    “Remission Depression” by Karen Starrett Belfer More than 400 entries from a broad spectrum of local, regional and national artists were received for the 28th Annual Monmouth County Arts Council (MCAC) Juried Art Show & Sale. Ninety-one works in a variety of mediums including paintings, works on paper, 3-D works, mixed-media and photography, were culled…

  • Merla’s name will stay on plaque at boro hall

    John Merla KEYPORT – Councilman George Walling’s suggestion to remove former Mayor Merla’s name from the plaque outside borough hall was ultimately rejected last week. On Feb. 6, Walling confirmed that it would cost approximately $2,000 to remove and replace the 2004 plaque that bears the name of Merla, who pleaded guilty last month to…

  • Council funds pier inspection

    KEYPORT – About $20,000 is needed to inspect the new municipal pier, according to Borough Administrator Peter Valesi. Valesi, who also serves as the borough’s director of engineering, asked the council for the extra funding on Feb. 6. Back in 2004, the cost of the pier was set at $850,000 with the state contributing $340,750.…

  • Holy spirits: Merlas convert church to pub

    Seek council’s blessing to serve alcohol at business, to be called Trinity BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer KEYPORT – From God’s house to steakhouse, a former church has been transformed into an eclectic downtown eatery. Trinity, 84 Broad St., is scheduled to open for business in the next four…

  • Stamp honors Fitzgerald in Black History Month

    MIDDLETOWN – To help mark Black History Month, which is celebrated in February, Monmouth County Freeholder Lillian G. Burry participated in a stamp dedication ceremony held recently at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, to welcome the late Ella Fitzgerald into the United States Postal Service’s Black Heritage Stamp Series. “Using her gift of song, her purity…

  • From the Vault

    This photo of Lillian Burry appeared in a 1974 issue of the Daily Register. In the 1970s, Burry was the first woman elected to the Matawan Borough Council. Over three decades later in 2005, Burry, now a resident of Colts Neck, became a member of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

  • Trio of siblings excited about roles in BCC play

    MIDDLETOWN – Three siblings who have been cast in Brookdale Community College’s first African-American production said they feel privileged to be a part of history. Brookdale’s Performing Arts Center (PAC) will pay tribute to February as Black History Month with the powerful drama of a young black man wrongly accused and placed on death row.…

  • Celebrating the Year of the Pig

    Teachers explain the stories/customs behind Chinese New Year BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer BY KATHY CHANGStaff Writer As the second new moon arrives, the Chinese get ready to welcome a new year. Chinese New Year is one of the biggest holidays for the Asian population in the Central Jersey area, and its celebration has become…