December 11, 2008 RSS feed / Front Page

Decision awaited on possible school closing

Howell school board, administrators look for ways to reduce spending

With a projected $5 million deficit looming for the 2009-10 budget, a declining pupil enrollment and the need to come into line with what the state deems to be adequate spending, administrators in the Howell K-8 School District have been trying to More...

Gov. OKs pilot program for surplus state vehicles

Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Ronald Dancer (R-Ocean, Burlington, Monmouth and Mercer) that would establish a pilot program allowing surplus state motor vehicles to be used by clients in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) pro More...

Supt.: Teens adhering to cell phone policy

FRHSD students must leave devices in their hall locker

With a new regulation regarding cell phones having been in place for three months, students at the Freehold Regional High School District's six schools have so far displayed respect for the district's new cell phone policy, according to Superintend More...

Drama teacher faces sex assault charges

Howell resident is currently employed at Old Bridge H.S.

AHowell woman who teaches at Old Bridge High School in Middlesex County was arrested last week and charged with having had a sexual relationship with a student during the 2007-08 school year. More...

JTMUA plans to buy Legler water system

JACKSON — The Township Council has adopted an ordinance that will permit the municipality to sell the Legler water system to the Jackson Township Municipal Utilities Authority (JTMUA). The ordinance was adopted on Nov. 25. More...

Local tree farm earns national recognition

ALLENTOWN — Keris Tree Farm and Christmas Shop is sharing in a national award for donating trees to troops. More...

Youngsters learn lesson about helping others

JACKSON — Just because they are not old enough to see the conveyor belt on the checkout line at the supermarket doesn't mean youngsters can't do some shopping for a serious cause. More...

Cub Scouts doing good deeds

HOWELL - St. Veronica's Pack 300 is helping the community understand the true reason for the season: giving back by helping others less fortunate. More...

Review of Jackson expenses under way

JACKSON — In one of his first acts in office, Jackson Mayor Mike Reina this week directed Business Administrator Phil Del Turco and Chief Financial Officer Sharon Pinkava to meet with every department head and conduct an operational review of More...

My Farm housing plan debated in Upper Freehold

UPPER FREEHOLD — More than 50 people attended the third and final joint meeting of the Upper Freehold Township Committee and Planning Board regarding the town's Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) obligation. More...

Letters

Mom wants to know if basketball change has impacted others

My daughter has played basketball for at least four seasons here in Jackson and we have never had a problem. More...

Local resources are available to assist individuals who stutter

International Stuttering Awareness Day was Oct. 22 and it is a great time to remind your readers there are speech-language pathologists in your area who specialize in helping people who stutter. More...

Postal service trying to make things easier for customers

As the officer in charge of Howell, I know my customers lead busy lives and the last thing they have time to do is wait on line. More...

Columns

We'll be giving you credit, whether you want it or not

If you believe the evening news (which I don't always), you've learned that one effect of the national economic meltdown is that it's darned near impossible to get credit these days. More...

Obituaries

Barbara Creekmur

84, of Jackson

Full Story

Patricia A. Gulics Adell

Mrs. Adell, 62, of Jackson, and formerly of Matawan, died Nov. 9, 2008, at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. Prior to her retirement in 2006, Mrs. Adell was a parking enforcement officer for the Borough of Matawan. More...

Eileen Thacker

Mrs. Thacker, 80, of Middletown, died Nov. 16, 2008, at home. She was predeceased by a son, John Thacker, in 1989. More...

Photo

CHRIS KELLY staff Izabel Rodriguez performs with the Ardena School band during the Howell school's "Winter Wonderland" concert on Dec. 8. More...

Jackson gets break on housing deadline

Town remains under court's jurisdiction & is not required to file COAH plan by Dec. 31

The Jackson Township Council wants more time to deal with the issue of affordable housing. More...

Teen helps supply food for seniors

Neighbors came through with donations when asked to help Howell Senior Center

Matthew Costanzo of Howell is an example of what one person can do to help people in need. More...

Local youths headed for national event

PLUMSTED — For the fourth consecutive year, Plumsted teams have advanced to the nationals. More...

Allentown club looking for more Lions

ALLENTOWN — The Allentown Lions Club seeks greater connectedness with the community. More...

In the Service

Air Force Airman Ahkeem J. Powell, the son of Marlon Greaves and Donna Powell of Lakewood, has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. More...

Board told of rise in substance abuse

FRHSD administrators say closer scrutiny leads to more students being caught

The Freehold Regional High School District Board of Education was presented with the district's violence and vandalism report for the 2007-08 school year at its Nov. 17 meeting held at Freehold High School, Freehold Borough. More...

Jackson Liberty senior named to Army band

JACKSON — A Jackson Liberty High School student has been selected to participate in the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band. Paul Maier, a senior at Jackson Liberty High School who plays the trombone, was honored on Dec. 4 when the U.S. More...

Datebook

• The New Egypt Elks Lodge invites families to the lodge at 105 Lakewood Road, Plumsted, any Wednesday or Friday evening until at least New Year's Eve from 5-10 p.m. to see its interactive train set. More...

Former student teaches art class

JACKSON — "Young Picasso," a new after-school art program at the St. Aloysius School, has entered its fifth week for thirdand fourth-graders who love art. More...

School incidents reported

HOWELL — Superintendent of Schools Enid Golden presented the Howell K-8 School District's Violence and Vandalism Report for the 2007-08 school year during a recent meeting of the Board of Education. More...

Bulletin Board

Ocean County College to offer Praxis Review

Ocean County College will offer Praxis Review sessions in January and February at the college's main campus in Toms River. More...

Libraries to be closed Dec. 24-25 & Jan. 1

All branches of the Ocean County Library will be closed Dec. 24-25 in observance of the Christmas holiday and will resume normal branch hours Dec. 26. All branches will close at 5 p.m. Dec. 31 and will remain closed Jan. More...

Donations sought for Jackson Food Pantry

JACKSON — The Jackson Women of Today are planning for the December holiday season. The Jackson Food Pantry will be accepting donations for the holiday distribution that will be held Dec. 18 from 5-7:30 p.m. More...

Opinion

FRHSD marks arrival of new varsity sport

Dec. 1 was a milestone date for many student-athletes, coaches and parents who are part of the Freehold Regional High School District. More...

Homelessness catches attention of Congress

Your Turn

People who have lost their home in the current mortgage foreclosure crisis have become new faces among the homeless in New Jersey. More...

'Are you sure you're really you?'

Although I'm no techno-guru, I do like many aspects of the computer world and especially enjoy paying bills online. More...

Sports

Rocking the rim

Jackson Liberty's Hunter Forsman (50) uses his size and power to slam home a basket against Allentown's Matt Muelle (11) and Brandon Bush (13) during a scrimmage at Allentown on Dec. 5. CHRIS KELLY staff More...

Jackson boys swim team hopes for further success

John Pelano has been around the pool long enough to understand that developing a young team can be a tricky and time-consuming process. More...

Goetz boys prepare for upcoming hoops season

The talent pool may not be as deep as it has been in the past, but the Goetz Middle School boys basketball team is optimistic it will remain a competitor in the Red Division of the Ocean County Intermediate School Athletic League. More...