Warm & fuzzy moment      CHRIS KELLY staff Middletown's Lillyanne White, 2, gives the Easter Bunny a big hug during a breakfast event at the Oakhurst Fire Department on April 1. More ... Mat-Ab puts $62M budget to voters Plan would pay for more teachers, school renovations BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       The Matawan-Aberdeen Board of Education has unanimously approved a $62 million budget, a 3 percent increase over last year. For tax purposes, it amounts to about 19 cents extra on the current school tax rate for both towns. If approved by voters April 17, the owner of a home ... More ... Spring brings new year for members of Bahá'í faith Faith, family, community central to Bahá'í beliefs BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer       It's the dawn of a new year for members of the Bahá'í faith, of which there are reputed to be 5 million across the globe. The first day of the Bahá'í calendar was March 21. Monmouth County Bahá'ís, like their fellow Bahá'ís in ... More ... Holmdel board approves $47.9M school budget       HOLMDEL - The township school district is looking for a three-peat in its quest to pass this year's school budget. The $47.9 million budget was formally adopted at a March 28 public hearing. Voters will head to the polls on April 17 to decide on the local tax levy for the general fund... More ... List of online gambling busts reaches over 50 Former assemblyman among those charged as part of $500M operation BY KARL VILACOBA Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - On the eve of NCAA basketball's Final Four, a former New Jersey Assembly member joined dozens of state residents charged for their involvement with an Internet-based gambling ring that thrived on pro and college sports wagers. More ... Operation Thunderbird arrests (as of Friday)       The following Monmouth County residents were arrested on March 28: Richard Neale Sr., 52, of West Long Branch; Chester Zdunek, 77, of Colts Neck; Joseph Mariconda, 59, of Freehold; Kenneth Murphy, 81, of Oceanport; Mike Demetropoulis, 84, of Matawan; Robert A. More ... 'To Catch a Predator' comes to Ocean County Twenty-eight arrested in online sting operation over the weekend BY PATRICIA A. MILLER Staff Writer       TOMS RIVER - They cast out a net and came away with a big catch. Twenty-eight men showed up at a home in Ocean County over three days last week, hoping to have sex with what they thought were juveniles between 12 and 15 years old, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Thomas F. Kela... More ... Enigmatic photos at McKay gallery       An exhibit of photographs by José Castillo Pazos opened at McKay Imaging Studio & Gallery in Red Bank March 30. The title "Weltschmerz" translates loosely as the kind of feeling experienced by someone who understands that the physical reality can never satisfy the demands of the mi... More ... N.J. expo ctr. hosts state's first gay wedding expo BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - When Jimmy Nieves tied the knot last August, planning the wedding was a piecemeal effort done through magazines and the Internet. But now, with the blessing of the New Jersey Supreme Court and the state Legislature, others like Jimmy can plan the wedding of their dreams, a g... More ... From the Vault      Christians carry a statue of Jesus Christ through downtown Keyport during a Palm Sunday procession on March 23, 1986. More ... Project PAUL approved as United Way agency       Project PAUL, Keansburg, a nonprofit that assists the needy in the Bayshore area, has been approved as a United Way of Monmouth County (UWMC) certified agency. Project Paul was founded in 1980 as a part of the community outreach ministry of St. Ann's Parish. It operates the largest food... More ... The 'little blue box' is coming to Red Bank Tiffany & Co. planning November opening at former Garmany site BY LAYLI WHYTE Staff Writer       RED BANK - What about breakfast at Tiffany's? Grab a bagel and head over to Broad Street. World-renowned jeweler Tiffany & Co. has officially announced its upcoming opening at 150 Broad St. The opening is planned for November in a 6,000-square-foot space in the recently renov... More ... Ex-church bookkeeper gets five years for payroll thefts BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - A woman who admitted stealing over $800,000 from St. Benedict's Roman Catholic Church, Holmdel, was sentenced to five years in prison on Friday. As part of her sentence, she must also pay back the money. Joan Orlando, 61, Toms River, pleaded guilty on Jan. More ... Students sought for birding challenge       National Biodiversity Parks' (NBP) Fledgling Birders has announced its schoolyard birding challenge, a "contest" to promote awareness of local wildlife for the youth of New Jersey. Under a teacher's supervision, student teams from participating schools will look for birds on and around ... More ... Registration under way for 'Avalanche Ranch'       Monmouth Chinese Christian Church, 189 Holland Road, Middletown, will offer its "Avalanche Ranch" program July 30-Aug. 3, with registration deadline June 17. The religious program is for children entering grades one through six next fall. It features songs, teamwork-building games and other a... More ...