Category: Independent News

  • And what do you want?

    CHRIS KELLY staff Corey Pitts, 3, Matawan, talks with Santa Claus about the upcoming holidays during a visit to the Matawan Borough Hall on Dec. 2.

  • Counselor urges parents to stay ahead of curve

    BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer BY DAN NEWMANStaff Writer HAZLET – More than 30 percent of unplanned pregnancies occur while those involved are under the influence of alcohol and other drugs. On average, 1.5 million people ages 12-17 need treatment for an alcohol problem. Half of all people who die in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes…

  • County honors residents, groups for volunteer service

    WEST LONG BRANCH – Thirteen residents and eight groups earned Volunteer Recognition awards for their work through Monmouth County’s Division of Social Services. The Division of Social Services, of the county’s Department of Human Services, administers five volunteer programs: Home Friends, which provides one-to-one companionship to the elderly or disabled who are homebound; Reassuring Calling,…

  • Holmdel adds a 2nd fire company

    Some veteran firefighters unhappy with new ordinance BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer Holmdel’s sole volunteer fire company is getting a boost in manpower, whether it likes it or not. On Thursday, the Township Committee voted unanimously to allow a second all-volunteer fire company to officially join ranks with Holmdel’s…

  • Photo

    JEFF GRANIT staff Middletown South head coach Steve Antonucci is hoisted off the ground by Brian King after the Eagles won their fourth straight sectional title on Sunday at Rutgers Stadium in Piscataway. For more, see Sports, page 40.

  • Pearl Harbor memories remain vivid to veterans

    Brookdale event looks back at Japanese attack 65 years later BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer Above: Kevin Olson, Pemberton, Dave DiLapo, Trenton, and Chris Lepore, Wall, members of the 102nd Cavalry Group WWII Re-enactors Association, attended the Pearl Harbor Day ceremony at Brookdale Community College on Friday evening. MIDDLETOWN…

  • Biker gang members indicted for kidnapping

    Prosecutor: Pagans assaulted rival group member at Keyport bar BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer KEYPORT – Five members of the Pagan motorcycle gang have been indicted for kidnapping a 37-year-old man from the Bulkhead Bar & Grill, the establishment owned and operated by the family of Mayor John Merla.…

  • Holmdel family leads blanket drive for needy

    BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer BY DAN NEWMANStaff Writer HOLMDEL – What started out as a simple community service project for three siblings has turned into an entire town trying to help the needy during the holiday season. Maria, Thomas and Brian Colella of Holmdel have organized a blanket drive with the help of Holiday…

  • ‘Tis the season

    Above, members of the Perna Dance Center’s 2006 Holiday Troupe march in the Hazlet Holiday Parade on Saturday, where Santa Claus also greeted parade-goers of all ages. Perna Dance Center members perform their “Frosty and His Hoppin’ Snowmen” routine (r), and “Christmas Chaos” routine (below) at Raritan High School as part of the holiday parade.…