Category: Independent News

  • Honduran orphan embraced by Circle of friendship

    Group of Arc members support Honduran girl with Down syndrome BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer BY LINDA DeNICOLAStaff Writer Members of The Arc of Monmouth County’s Circle of Friends Club visit Ana, a Down syndrome child, in Honduras. They include (l-r) Diane, holding Ana; Patty, third from left in back and Joan, second from right.…

  • Red Cross: Tsunami fund-raising needs met

    The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies announced recently that the $1.2 billion pledged worldwide in the first 30 days since the tsunami was sufficient to meet the costs of the entire Red Cross tsunami relief program. Following the federation’s lead, the American Red Cross believes that current contributions and pledges, when…

  • Seal found on ice patch

    KEYPORT — For the first time in more than 15 years, a live seal was seen on Keyport’s bayshore. “We’ve had dolphins and seals wash up dead before,” said Keyport resident John Fahey. “But not alive.” Fahey spied the black and brown spotted harbor seal sitting on an ice patch in the bay behind his…

  • Holmdel woman’s death ruled as homicide

    BY MICHELLE ROSENBERG Staff Writer BY MICHELLE ROSENBERGStaff Writer HOLMDEL — Days after finding her body in a water tank, authorities have ruled the death of a local woman as a homicide. The body of 43-year-old Geetha Angara was found the morning of Feb. 9 in a water tank of the Passaic Valley Water Commission…

  • State floats grant for patrol boat

    MIDDLETOWN — The Police Department’s marine bureau will receive a $60,000 state grant to help protect the township’s 9.1 miles of shoreline. State Sen. Joseph Kyrillos (R-Monmouth/Middlesex) helped secure the grant, which will be used to maintain “an active marine patrol,” according to a township press release. A new marine patrol boat will be purchased…

  • New York corrections vet tapped as warden

    Monmouth County Sheriff Joseph W. Oxley announced the appointment of William J. Fraser, former commissioner of correction for New York City, as warden of the Monmouth County Correctional Institution. Warden Fraser began his duties Jan. 31. Warden Fraser served as commissioner of correction for New York City from November 2000 until his retirement in January…

  • Hall of Fame wing planned at South

    Exhibit would occupy locker space near h.s. gym BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer BY DAN NEWMANStaff Writer Despite its history of athletic accomplishments, including state titles and All-American performances, Middletown High School South doesn’t have a place to show off the Eagles’ success over the years. That’s about to change due to the work of…

  • Olympian tells Scouts to go for the gold in life

    BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer BY DAN NEWMANStaff Writer MICHAEL SAPORITA Bronze medal swimmer Tom Wilkens (r) poses for a picture with Tom Picioccio during the Hazlet Pack 137 Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet at the Shore Casino in Atlantic Highlands on Saturday. ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS — For some, it’s a dream to have an…

  • Housing considered for Route 36 sites

    Committeeman opposed to adding more students BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer Three new housing developments may be in the works for a portion of Route 36. Middletown Township Planner Anthony Mercantante presented plans for three separate tracts of land at the Feb. 7 Township Committee meeting. The plans were…