Category: Independent News

  • Author recounts years on the run from Nazis

    Holocaust survivor meets with classes at Matawan Regional High BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer BY TOM CAIAZZAStaff Writer SCOTT PILLING staff Fred Spiegel recounts his boyhood spent in Nazi concentration camps to Matawan High School Honors and Advanced Placement History classes on April 4. Spiegel’s book, “Once the Acacias Bloomed: Memories of a Childhood Lost,”…

  • Charles (Merla) in charge at liquor license hearing

    Mayor’s brother requests OK to serve alcohol on Uptown Bar & Grille deck BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer Above is the deck at the Uptown Bar & Grille, as viewed from the back door of the Broad Street establishment. The deck was built by Joseph Merla, manager of the…

  • With a nod to Freneau, boro revives newsletter

    BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer BY TOM CAIAZZAStaff Writer MATAWAN – MaryRose Malley is getting into the news business. The borough resident and wife of new Councilman William Malley is looking to resurrect the long-defunct borough newsletter. Malley plans on providing a free, quarterly newsletter for residents portraying positives in the town and keeping people…

  • Merla: ‘I’m running’

    Indicted mayor bucks criticism, seeks re-election BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer John Merla Keyport’s mayor isn’t letting a little thing like an eight-count federal indictment get in his way. John Merla is seeking re-election. “So, what’s your first question?” Merla asked playfully Thursday. “Do I need a psychologist?” Asked…

  • Photo

    SCOTT PILLING staff Three-year-old Luke Platzke enjoys the beautiful weather by playing on his scooter at Thompson Park, Middletown, on Saturday.

  • If budget fails, field will proceed

    Critics say Mat-Ab plan puts athletics ahead of academics BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer BY TOM CAIAZZAStaff Writer The Matawan-Aberdeen Board of Education sent its $59 million budget to the voting booths with a binding $1.4 million capital outlay contract for athletic improvements in tow. In a special budget meeting held March 27, the board…

  • America’s pastime, when it was needed most

    Brookdale professor examines baseball’s impact during WW II BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer BY DAN NEWMANStaff Writer PHOTOSBYCHRIS KELLY staff Above, Brookdale Community College Associate Professor and sports historian Larry Hartzell, speaks during his lecture on baseball and its impact on World War II last week at the school. At right, a poster promotes Hartzell’s…

  • Burry named to serve on Ft. Monmouth authority

    FREEHOLD – Monmouth County Freeholder Lillian G. Burry will represent Monmouth County on the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Planning Authority. The Board of Freeholders appointed her to the post, citing her experience with Naval Weapons Station Earle, Colts Neck, when it was targeted for closure. “Serving on the Colts Neck Township Committee, Lillian Burry has…

  • Holmdel grieves over loss of student, 17

    Three teens were riding in vehicle that collided with tree BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer BY TOM CAIAZZAStaff Writer HOLMDEL – Students and members of the community gathered Friday to console one another, offer hope for the recovery of a friend and remember the life of another. On the night of March 28, three Holmdel…