Democrats sweep all local races Middletown Short breaks party's drought BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer      Following years of Republican domination, a Democrat has finally broken through. Patrick Short (10,809 votes) defeated Republican J. Timothy Sodon (10,292 votes) on Nov. 7 to land a seat on the Middletown Township Committee. Short will become the first Democrat to win a committee election since 1989 More ... Keyport Bergen elected Keyport mayor BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer      Like father, like son.Councilman Robert Bergen will follow in his father's footsteps in becoming Keyport's next mayor. Bergen, whose father, Richard, served as mayor from 1978-85, won the borough's top spot last week, beating out Republican Harry Aumack II by a margin of 104 votes. More ...      Flags and military uniforms were on full display at the Hazlet Veterans Day parade on Nov. 12. More ... Years in making, Hazlet town hall nears finish Mayor hopes to hold ribbon-cutting ceremony before the new year BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer      HAZLET - Although it has taken a little longer than expected, Hazlet's new town hall is only weeks away from completion. More ... Laundromat charged a bundle for water hookup Merla: $300K connection fee is excessive; costs should be capped BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer      KEYPORT - A businessman hoping to open a Laundromat contends he is being put through the ringer. More ... Two charged with giving alcohol to Mid'town teen High school student died after collision with tree on Halloween BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer      MIDDLETOWN - Two township residents have been charged with providing alcohol to two underage boys, one of whom recently died in a single car accident. More ... Immigration discussion continues in Keyport Resident's comments spark new debate over recently rejected law BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer      KEYPORT - Three weeks after the borough rejected a law that would make renting to illegal immigrants a crime, strong reactions continue to emanate at borough gatherings. More ... Dems sweep council; GOP claims pay-to-play BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer      KEYPORT - The Democrats may have swept the two open Borough Council seats, but Republicans are now contending politically motivated campaign contributions gave their opponents an unfair advantage. More ... Calendar sales make for 'New Beginnings' Proceeds benefit homeless animals at MCSPCA shelter      Let holiday shopping commence for the pet lovers among friends, family and even your customers! More ... Democrats win control in Hazlet BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer      HAZLET - Following a campaign that would determine the balance of political power in town, the dust has settled and the Democrats have regained control on the Township Committee. More ... After loss, Hazlet GOP candidate leaves party BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer      HAZLET - Less than a week after losing his bid for election to the Township Committee as a Republican, William Kolibas has switched parties. More ... Holt garners return trip to Washington BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer      Incumbent Democrat Rush Holt easily dispatched his Republican opponent Joseph Sinagra in the 12th District House of Representatives race. More ... Father to join daughter on Matawan council BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer      MATAWAN - Local government just became a family affair. More ... Fink wins new term BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer      HOLMDEL - In what was arguably the most civil election campaign in the area, Larry Fink (3,081) won over Republican challenger Donald R. Lemma (2,412) last week to remain the lone Democrat on the Township Committee. More ... Aberdeen court, jail now linked by video system      ABERDEEN - The township has become the 24th municipality to participate in the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office Video Conferencing Program. More ... A 'homecoming' in Monmouth County International pop star Melanie started out in Sea Bright/Long Branch BY TOM CHESEK Correspondent      In the early 1970s, a young woman who went solely by the name of Melanie emerged seemingly from out of nowhere with a series of stylistically diverse hit singles that ranged from the soulful "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)," inspired by her experience as a performer at the legendary Woodstock music More ... Reaching for the stars      Taylor Diamond performs with the Holmdel Hornets during the Garden State Pop Warner Cheerleading competition, held at the Sovereign Bank Arena, Trenton, on Nov. 11. More ... Council settles dispute over tiny lot's ownership BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer      KEYPORT - Like the ending of a Nancy Drew novel, the case of the disappearing deed has been resolved. More ... The proud grandmother of an African village Holmdel publicist's charity raises funds for children in Uganda BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer      MATAWAN - They have names like Tendo Omega and Farid Sesimba. They live in squalor unmatched in the darkest places of the world. Some of them have been orphaned by the AIDS pandemic, and still others are tending to ill parents and supporting entire families at ages 11 or 12. More ... Brookdale looks East      Above, East Brunswick's Andrew Jung tries to win a chopstick contest during the Asian Club event held last Tuesday at Warner Student Life Center at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft section of Middletown. More ...