Category: Independent News

  • Fink questions whether twp. jobs were bought

    BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer BY TOM CAIAZZAStaff Writer HOLMDEL — Committeeman Larry Fink raised concerns about the process of professional appointments at Thursday night’s Township Committee meeting, the first since reorganization on Jan. 2. Fink said that the current pay-to-play ordinance, which limits professional groups from donating more than $250 per candidate per race…

  • Middletown CERT adds 14

    MIDDLETOWN — Another 14 residents have stepped up to help family and neighbors during big and small emergencies by joining Middletown’s Community Response Team (CERT). They are the fifth set of residents to complete a 20-hour CERT training class offered by the township’s Office of Emergency Management. A graduation ceremony was held during last week’s…

  • Smooth sailing

    CHRIS KELLY staff Middletown’s Dale Barney steers his boat along the Navesink River as he competes in the “Perma Frost” regatta at the Monmouth Boat Club, Red Bank, on Jan. 22.

  • 15-acre tract acquired as open space

    BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer BY TOM CAIAZZAStaff Writer ABERDEEN — The township acquired a 15-acre piece of land along Whale Creek to be preserved as open space, according to Township Manager Stuart Brown. The property, along Lakeshore Drive in Cliffwood Beach, was previously the subject of litigation between the township and J.V. Homebuilders Corp.,…

  • Spotlight Players debut ‘Jake’s Women’ Feb. 3

    BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer BY TOM CAIAZZAStaff Writer MATAWAN — Jake has women on the brain. Literally. The main character in “Jake’s Women,” a comedy by Neil Simon, is tormented by the women in his life. To make matters worse, they are all in his head. The Spotlight Players will present “Jake’s Women” at…

  • The dream is alive

    Clockwise from top left: Crystal Washington (l), 6, of the Keyport Second Baptist Church’s Youth Choir, takes part in a community tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Matawan Middle School on Saturday. Leslie Richardson claps along with the choir at the tribute. Theara Ward, of the Hudson Dance Ministry, celebrates…

  • Keyport concert to aid troops, local families

    BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer KAREN BOWES Musician Jon Barone, Keyport, holds up a poster for the benefit concert he organized to raise funds for troops and their families. KEYPORT — What is it about the Board of Health that makes Jon Barone want to rock? The self-described “high-energy…

  • Report: Higher bridge would hurt home values

    Appraisers agree with group opposed to taller Oceanic Bridge BY LAYLI WHYTE Staff Writer BY LAYLI WHYTEStaff Writer CHRIS KELLY staff Friends of the Oceanic Bridge, which is seen here from the Middletown side, do not want the span replaced with a taller bridge. RUMSON — Replacement of the existing Oceanic Bridge with one nearly…

  • Developer proposes 49 condos near waterfront

    BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer KEYPORT — A four-story housing complex is being considered for the area across from Hans Pederson Marina on West Front Street. In need of several variances, Longview Ventures, LLC, hired professionals to conduct a presentation at the Jan. 12 Unified Planning Board meeting. Residents…