Merla ends 2-year vow of innocence Guidelines call for 24-30 months in prison; sentencing May 8 BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       John Merla stood in the center of a long marble hallway on the fourth floor of the Martin Luther King Jr. federal court house, Newark. Surrounded by a modest entourage, the former Keyport mayor shifted his weight from foot to foot and offered a silent nod to acquaintances in the media. More ... Committee displeased by paving at Holmdel Park County official says work was done to make site wheelchair-accessible BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       HOLMDEL - The county paved Holmdel Park and now it looks like a parking lot. That's how the mayor and Holmdel Township Committee see it. The county, of course, has a different take on it. More ... Raised arts center fee takes school by surprise Holmdel High will not use venue for this year's graduation ceremony BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       HOLMDEL - When Holmdel High School seniors go through graduation exercises, they'll be doing it at a new location for the first time in many years. Schools Superintendent Barbara Duncan said her district will not be using the nearby PNC Bank Arts Center, due to the fees nearly qua... More ... Council may rename park after Penniplede BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       MATAWAN - Borough officials are considering renaming the Jackson Street Park after the late Joseph Penniplede, a former councilman, fireman, police and fire commissioner. At the Jan. 16 Borough Council meeting, Councilwoman Meghan Mullaney began to cry when she proposed that the park... More ... Aberdeen switches its township trash hauler New vendor will recycle paper and plastic bottles BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       ABERDEEN - For anyone who has ever had their trash can thrown into the middle of the road, take heart. The township has replaced its former hauler with a new garbage collection vendor they hope will generate fewer complaints from residents. More ... Man sentenced for pointing gun at officer       MIDDLETOWN - A township resident was sentenced to 18 months in prison for pointing a handgun at a police officer almost a year ago. Kevin McKenna, 35, pleaded guilty in October to a charge of aggravated assault by pointing a firearm, a fourth-degree crime. The charge stems from a Feb. More ... Children connect with stories through theatrics Holmdel bookstore employee inspires early interest in books BY TAMMY MCKILLIP Correspondent       HOLMDEL - Friday mornings are "hopping" at the Route 35 Barnes & Noble. Each week at 10:30 a.m., dozens of preschoolers take the stage to sing, skip, hop and dance their way through stories. "They love it," said Suzanne Fanning, of Union Beach, who is the grandmother of 3-yea... More ... Matawan woman nears 90 and is still on a roll Local volunteer is independent, active and bowls 200 BY TAMMY MCKILLIP Correspondent       MATAWAN - Ruth Eovino said the highest score she ever bowled was 251, but that was 25 years ago. Now, the soon-to-be 90-year-old is happy scoring 200 on any of the three leagues she bowls with weekly at Strathmore Lanes Bowling Center, Aberdeen. More ... From the Vault       The homecoming queen (back right) and runner-up at Matawan Regional High School are driven by classmates past a crowd of admirers in October 1984. More ... Local congressmen promise practical agenda Say political retribution will not be a goal of the new Democratic majority BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       With Democrats holding the majority for the first time in 12 years, three of the area's representatives in Congress said they won't let politics get in the way of advancing their legislative agendas. More ... Brookdale announces 5.1 percent tuition hike       MIDDLETOWN - Although student enrollment is at an all-time high of over 14,000, Brookdale Community College's Board of Trustees have still decided to raise tuition and fees by 5.1 percent following a unanimous vote last Thursday. "With record growth comes an increased need for student... More ... New Jersey's standardbred industry on shaky ground Breeders call for bigger purses and slot machines at the racetracks BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD - While the annual standardbred horse sale in Harrisburg, Pa., on Nov. 3-8 set record numbers this year, local breeders have concerns about the economics of New Jersey's standardbred industry. The yearling auction held during the sale's first two days had total sales... More ... Her clients are creatures great and small Handler trains dogs and small animals for commercial work BY KATHY HALL Correspondent       Lisa Christman lives a dog lover's ideal life. As the lead trainer and handler for the New York-based All Creatures Great and Small animal advertising agency, she not only takes her dogs to work with her, they often get paid for the day. More ... Zoners asked to reconsider center with fewer seats, events BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       WEST LONG BRANCH - - Mon-mouth University will appear before the West Long Branch Zoning Board with a downsized version of its application for a multipurpose activity center (MAC) rejected by the board last month. Monmouth President Paul G. Gaffney II said that the college filed a mo... More ... Talk to focus on growth in eastern parts of county       FREEHOLD - Growth east of the Garden State Parkway and how to best manage it will be the topic of a discussion beginning at the upcoming Fifth Wednesday Squires Luncheon, sponsored by the Monmouth County Department of Economic Development and Tourism. More ... Off the wall       Artist Nicole Hibbard, owner of Decorative Walls, shows her portfolio as she attended the 12th annual MAC Events Jersey Shore Home Show at Brookdale Community College on Jan. 12. More ... Two men indicted on check scam       FREEHOLD - Two men were indicted on charges related to attempting to cash a fraudulent check at a Middletown bank. Lamar Bethune, of Hamburg, and Napoleon Christian, Newark, were each charged with third-degree conspiracy, third-degree theft by deception, and fourth-degree forgery. More ... Chief reminds residents to remove snow       MIDDLETOWN - Chief of Police Robert Oches wishes to remind residents that Middletown Township ordinance No. 234-55 requires homeowners, occupants or tenants of any premise - residential or business - to remove all snow and ice from sidewalks within 24 hours after a snowfall. More ...