Category: Independent News

  • Coughlin leaves Hazlet committee

    Members of both parties say ex-mayor made right move BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer BY DAN NEWMANStaff Writer Paul Coughlin resigned from the Hazlet Township Committee April 13, a month after vacating the mayor’s seat in the wake of a federal corruption investigation. Coughlin has been charged with one count of extortion, following his arrest…

  • Conestruction 2003 wins arts council statewide award

    MIDDLETOWN — Conestruction 2003, a public art event sponsored by the Middletown Township Cultural and Arts Council and the township’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, recently received a statewide award for Excellence in Programming in the Arts. The award was presented by the New Jersey Recreation and Parks Association, which annually honors the best…

  • Teachers, board agree on contract

    Both sides relieved to reach amicable settlement in advance BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer BY DAN NEWMANStaff Writer In a departure from the norm, the Middletown Board of Education and teachers union approved a three-year contract on Thursday, enabling both sides to avoid the ugliness that has ensued during previous negotiations. “I think all parties…

  • Photo

    JEFF GRANIT staff Christian Brothers Academy’s Liam Thomas makes a move toward the net during the Colts’ win over Howell on Thursday in Howell.

  • Life comes full circle for Dervish students

    Brookdale event explains how spinning can bring people closer to God BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer MIDDLETOWN — How do you reach spiritual enlightenment? By spinning around in a circle of course. Students of Whirling Dervish, a Turkish religion that derives from Islam, were in Middletown last week to…

  • Democrats rank ethics, corruption as top issues

    DeSevo and Borbely announce candidacies for Middletown committee BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer MIDDLETOWN — Democrat Alex DeSevo is hoping the third time’s the charm. DeSevo, a personal injury lawyer in Edison and Belford, announced last week he will seek his third run for Township Committee. The lifelong resident…

  • Olympic medalist, fitness instructor to seek seats

    BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer MIDDLETOWN — He’s already won an Olympic medal. Now, he’s ready for a real race. A bronze medalist in the 200 Individual Medly at the 2000 Olympic games in Sydney, Australia, Thomas P. Wilkens will run in the Township Committee primary race this June…

  • Azzolina to face Handlin in Republican primary

    Local officials split on whom to support for Assembly seat BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer MIDDLETOWN — After serving on and off since the 1960s, Assemblyman Joseph Azzolina did not get the endorsement of the Monmouth County Republican Committee for the upcoming election. That’s not stopping him from running.…

  • Prison chaplain gets a ‘pardon’ after 20 years

    Pastor of Middletown Baptist church retires from prison ministry BY LAYLI WHYTE Staff Writer BY LAYLI WHYTEStaff Writer The Rev. William C. Fuller, pastor at Union Missionary Baptist Church in Middletown, recently retired as chaplain for the Monmouth County Correctional Institution. RED BANK — After 20 years in prison, the Rev. William C. Fuller was…