In wake of tragedy, a show of Pryde Middletown gathers to reflect on loss of student at Va. Tech BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       Blacksburg, Va., is where the spotlight has been focused since April 16's horrific shootings on the campus of Virginia Tech University. On Friday night, part of it shifted 490 miles to the north for a ceremony honoring the life of 2001 Middletown High School North graduate Julia Pryde, on... More ... By a show of hands, waterfront park stays Residents were divided if park or parking lot should replace road BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       Given the choice, most Keyport residents want a park, not a parking lot, bordering their waterfront. At least that's how they felt on Saturday. Back in November, it was a different story. On Saturday morning, over 200 Keyport residents voiced their opinion on the topic during ... More ... Middletown approves budget, three incumbents       MIDDLETOWN - Township voters approved a $111.3 million tax levy and also re-elected three incumbents to the Board of Education on April 17. Board President Dawn Diorio received 4,273 votes while Leonora Caminiti and Patricia Walsh each received 3,786 votes. Rookie campaigner Mark Sobe... More ... Shelter's disappearance upsets felines' friends Equipment was set up at local park as a home for feral cat population BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       MATAWAN - Two local cat enthusiasts accused the borough last week of mistreating its feral cat population. On Thursday, SPCA volunteers Joan Brewen, of Hazlet, and Valerie Niess, of Holmdel, expressed outrage to the Borough Council over the removal of a shelter for wild cats locat... More ... Brookdale names WWII center after Narozanick BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN - For nearly 50 years, Ted Narozanick served the residents of Monmouth County in various capacities, including seven consecutive three-year terms on the Board of Chosen Freeholders. More ... U.S. attorney to speak in Middletown       MIDDLETOWN - State Sen. Joseph Kyrillos, Assemblyman Sam Thompson and Assemblywoman Amy Handlin will host a town meeting Thursday featuring U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Christopher Christie. The event is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Middletown High School Nor... More ... From the Vault       Rusty Conklin, 13, of Holmdel, and his dog, Brandy, took first place in a pet and owner look-alike contest at the Frogtown Frolic event at Thompson Park, Lincroft, in September 1985. More ... Fight to the finish       Holmdel's Karyn DePontes leads a small group to the finish line of the Donna Lane 5K, held at Thompson Park in Lincroft on Sunday. More ... Residents invited to attend recreation plan workshops       MIDDLETOWN - Residents are encouraged to voice their opinions about the township's parks, recreational facilities and programs at two public workshops to be held this May. "These workshops are integral to the successful development of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan," ... More ... Mixing it up       Holmdel Mayor Serena DiMaso watches as her kitchen partners mix the ingredients for the meal they will make at Suzanne's Kitchen, Eatontown, April 19. More ... Clinton praises team's response to Imus remarks Senator draws praise, protest during speech at Rutgers University BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       NEW BRUNSWICK - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton last week used the Rutgers women's basketball team as an example of how far the country has come in overcoming discrimination as well as how far the nation still needs to go. During a Friday speech in New Brunswick, Clinton praised the te... More ... Acting the part Renegade Readers Theater is a radical staged reading series BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer       A group of seven students from five area schools got a crash course in live theater when they spent an intense two weeks rehearsing for a staged reading at the Two River Theater in Red Bank. More ... Searching for peace through dialogue       The Monmouth Center for World Religions and Ethical Thought is the sponsor of the eighth Shanti (Peace) Lecture that will be held Sunday, April 29, from 4-6 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House, 1475 W. Front St., Lincroft. More ... FEMA chief to discuss readying for major storms       WEST LONG BRANCH - Longtime Monmouth County residents who recall the nor'easter of 1992 or the Halloween storm of 1978 are well aware of what nature's wrath is like. But for everyone else, knowing what to expect and what to do if another monster storm should strike the county could be ... More ...