Ban on smoking with kids aboard passes Keyport becomes first town in state to adopt measure BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       Hoping to create a ripple effect throughout the entire state, Keyport became the first municipality in New Jersey on April 24 to ban smoking in vehicles while minors are present. Only Councilman George Walling voted against the measure, which will fine motorists $75 for the violatio... More ...       Sheri Matthews (l-r), Kay Hegherington and Karen Powell, all of Union Beach, and Harold Barrett, Aberdeen, perform with members of the St. Joseph's choir, Keyport, during Aberdeen's Choir Fest. The concert, held Sunday at Temple Shalom, Aberdeen, was part of a series of events being held th... More ... Honoring an English man from Matawan Lloyd has taught generations of families in his 60 years on the job BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       ABERDEEN - Howard Lloyd isn't going to let a little thing like time get in his way. Since 1947, his English class has been a mainstay at Matawan Regional High School. And as far as he's concerned, next September will be no different. More ... Christie warns apathy breeds public corruption Urges voters to hold officials accountable in Middletown speech BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN - If a politician says he can stop government corruption by making a new law, don't believe him. So said U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie during an appearance Thursday at Middletown High School North's auditorium. More ... Middletown adopts twp. budget with 2-cent hike Short's dissenting vote furthers friction with GOP committee members BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN - Since Patrick Short began his term on the Township Committee in January, there have been many times when the group has voted 4-1 on a variety of issues. However, Short's latest dissenting vote may have been the most surprising to his fellow committee members, who expr... More ... After mix-up, boro seeks new home for bird nest Police called after Scouts place structure on private property BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       KEYPORT - Police were called April 21 after Boy Scouts working toward a merit badge erected an 18-foot-high bird nest on private property. Asked to perform the job by the Borough Council, Boy Scout Troop 92, Hazlet, placed the large osprey nest on a pile of dredge spoils behind Wes... More ... New Jersey Horse Park booked solid with shows Biggest event of the season slated May 31 to June 3 BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD - Riders will travel to the Horse Park of New Jersey from all over the world for the fourth annual Jersey Fresh Three-Day Event and Advanced Horse Trials. The Horse Park is a 157-acre facility, owned by the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and lease... More ... The view through the lens in Monmouth Exhibit showcases photos by Monmouth Museum member groups       Fine art photography, like other visual art forms, is thriving in Monmouth County. So much so, that the Monmouth Museum and Cultural Center has devoted an exhibit to photographs from member arts organizations. "Monmouth County Photography" will run through May 13 in the Lincroft... More ... Asian heritage festival returns to Manalapan BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - The second annual Asian Heritage Festival will be held May 5 from 1-5 p.m. at Manalapan High School, Church Lane, off Tennent Road. More ... Monmouth the first county deemed a Tree City USA       The National Arbor Day Foundation has designated Monmouth County as a Tree City USA in recognition of the county's ongoing community forestry program. The county's community forestry program is rooted in the Monmouth County Shade Tree Commission, which is responsible for overseeing care... More ... From the Vault       Longtime Middletown Township Committeeman Raymond O'Grady (l), David Handlin and Fran Hanley pore over voting totals on an election night several years ago. O'Grady was recently admitted to the Fort Dix Federal Corrections Institution, located in Burlington County, to serve a sentence for cor... More ... Newspaper group boasts banner year for awards Latest tally is 28 awards in state press contest       It was an exceptionally good year for Greater Media Newspapers, when the New Jersey Press Association awarded the group 28 awards for writing, photography, advertising and circulation excellence in its Better Newspaper Contest for 2006. More ... Event to raise funds for cystic fibrosis research Parents of 2-year-old with disease advocate for medical research BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent       OLD BRIDGE - Kerryann and Ken Silvestri are in a race against time. The couple's 2 1/2-year-old son Anthony was born with cystic fibrosis, which brings a much shorter life expectancy than the average person. There are several variants of the disease. More ...