'Terroristic threats' under investigation Police take equipment from former Holmdel school administrators BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       Holmdel police have confirmed that they seized computer equipment at the Wall Township home of former school district athletic director Laurie Cancalosi and former Holmdel High School Principal Cheryl Swider. Detective Sgt. James Smythe said that a search warrant was executed Thursd... More ... Hanging with friends       Six-year-old Noah Scalzo, Keansburg, gets some help dunking the ball from New Jersey Wizards star Tojo Henderson at the Holy Family School in Hazlet on Friday. More ... Holmdel H.S. ceremony may still be at arts center BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       HOLMDEL - After calling the inflated price of holding high school graduation ceremonies at PNC Bank Arts Center "very shocking" just two weeks ago, the township school district may book the venue anyway. More ... Merla: Please send your 'kind words' to judge In letter, describes past two years as 'one horrible experience after another' BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       KEYPORT - In case you were waiting, now is your chance to help John Merla. According to defense attorney Michael Pappa, the former mayor mailed out "dozens" of letters last week, asking residents and friends to write character letters to William J. Martini, the federal judge who wi... More ... Twp. expects to save $400K       MIDDLETOWN - Taxpayers in the township stand to save a little over $400,000 thanks to proposed refinancing of bonds issued between 1997 and 2002. The township is refinancing with the assistance of the Monmouth County Improvement Authority. The bonds were originally floated for capital ... More ... Rehabilitation plan gains board's support If passed, council would have more say on what can be built in Keyport BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       KEYPORT - The Planning Board backed a measure last week that would offer short-term tax breaks to residents who improve their homes and give the elected government more control over developers. On Jan. 30, the Unified Planning Board voted to support designating the entire borough... More ... BCC annual Guitar Show on Feb. 18       MIDDLETOWN - Continuing a decade-long tradition, Brookdale Public Radio 90.5 The NIGHT's 10th annual Guitar Show will be held Feb. 18 at the Donald D. Warner Student Life Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A special gift package will be presented to the first 100 people entering the show. General... More ... Committee may prohibit taking government jobs Holmdel expected to discuss new pay-to-play proposals March 1 BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       HOLMDEL - Interested in beefing up their current pay-to-play law, Holmdel officials will discuss adopting new restrictions on March 1. On Thursday, the Township Committee discussed banning developers that do business with the township from donating money to local political campaign... More ... Pallone will make health care reform bipartisan House subcommittee chair cites uninsured, Medicare as priorities BY LORI ANNE OLIWA Correspondent       As the new chairman of the House committee that funds Medicare, Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-6) sees the problem of uninsured individuals, particularly children, as his biggest challenge. More ... Boro residents Step Up to share their talents Keyport seeks volunteers to work with children in after-school program BY TAMMY McKILLIP Correspondent       KEYPORT - The "Pearl of the Bayshore" is a treasure-trove of talent, according to Councilman Joseph Sheridan, and he feels the borough's kids should be able to benefit from its diversity. More ... GMN takes 12 awards in national SNA contest       Greater Media Newspapers, Freehold Township, received 12 awards in the 2006 Suburban Newspapers of America contest, including a first place for sports writing, a second place for community service, and eight advertising and promotion awards. The contest is a highly competitive annual competit... More ... State court knocks down affordable housing rules Attorney believes regional approach is what judges want BY MARK ROSMAN Staff Writer       An Appellate Court threw New Jersey's latest round of affordable housing rules out the window on Jan. 25. The ruling means that many local officials who were planning how their towns would provide affordable housing now through 2014 may have to rethink the way they were going to do that. More ... Monmouth freeholders propose $472M budget Board will host public hearing on plan Feb. 13 in Middletown       FREEHOLD - The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders will be taking its 2007 budget "on the road" this month with a program that will feature a PowerPoint presentation on the proposed spending plan followed by opportunities for the public to provide input. More ... The feathers fly       Colts Neck's Daina Pace takes aim at her opponent during the WRAT's first Jersey Shore all-women's pillow fight competition held at the Steak Exchange in Hazlet on Sunday. More ... 'Lyrical Paint' abstract expressionists exhibit       The Lyrical Abstract Expressionist group, composed of local artists, will exhibit their work at the Middletown Township Public Library, 55 New Monmouth Road, until Feb. 27. "Lyrical Paint" will feature more than 50 large and small acrylic paintings, some of which incorporate collage elements. More ... From the Vault       Sixteen years ago, concerned family members and friends on the homefront also looked forward to the day American troops returned home from Iraq. Above, Art Rooke ties up a banner in Keyport as hostilities neared an end in Operation Desert Storm. The photo appeared in the Feb. 13, 1991, issue ... More ... Taking a spin       Six-year-old Noah Scalzo, Keansburg, gets a lesson from New Jersey Wizards star Rashann "Rocketman" Barner on how to spin the ball on his finger at the Holy Family School in Hazlet on Friday. More ...