Ex-school officials won't face charges Police conclude probe into possible threats against Holmdel sup't. BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       Holmdel police have confirmed that their investigation into possible terroristic threats by two former Holmdel High School staff members has been completed without any charges being filed. In February, a search warrant was executed on the Wall Township home of former Supervisor of A... More ...       Former Brookdale Community College student Kevin Smith receives an honorary degree as part of the Brookdale Community College commencement ceremonies at the Lincroft campus on May 20. More photos, page 55. More ... After 104 years, local maintains joie de vivre BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       ABERDEEN - Want to live to 104? Be like Roger Larre and have 36 girlfriends. The French-born Middletown resident celebrated his 104th birthday in grand style on Friday, sitting in a circle surrounded by dancing women at his favorite hangout. More ... Mobile home residents oppose changes to rents Hazlet ordinance will allow park owners to charge new tenants more BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       HAZLET - Thanks to a vote along party lines, owners of the township's mobile parks are now able to charge market-value rents for lots when new tenants come in to live. The change to the township's rent control ordinance was approved at the May 15 Township Committee meeting. Owners... More ... Former political allies to face off in GOP primary DiMaso challenged by two-time running mate Wall and Allocco BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       HOLMDEL - Fellow Republicans Mayor Serena DiMaso and Committeeman Terence Wall will not run together in the June 5 primary, forcing a three-way race for the chance to run for two Township Committee seats in November. More ... Chief returns to civilian life after 29-year career BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       KEYPORT - Police Chief Theodore "Ted" Gajewski never wanted to be a cop. If you ask him, his whole career was one big happy accident. "I actually quit the force in 1980," Gajewski said Thursday afternoon, just two weeks into his official retirement after 29 years. "I started my own r... More ... Local towns schedule Memorial Day events       + Keyport Business Alliance will host the annual Memorial Day parade, "A Tribute to Main Street America," Sunday at 1 p.m. beginning at West Front Street in downtown Keyport. Groups and civic organizations from the surrounding area, including fire departments and rescue squads are welco... More ... Police warn drivers to buckle up in weeks ahead       MIDDLETOWN - Several police departments in the area are currently in the midst of conducting the locally recognized Click It or Ticket mobilization. The stated goal of the program each year is to increase safety belt usage to 92 percent. More ... Duncan rebuts budget criticisms on Web site BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       HOLMDEL - Following a tumultuous and strife-ridden week between the Board of Education and Township Committee, representatives from both sides are still trying to set the record straight. More ... Tax reform advocacy group to outline expanded mission       MIDDLETOWN - The Silver Brigade, a statewide grassroots organization dedicated to achieving major reforms in New Jersey's property taxes, announced that it has changed its name to the New Jersey Taxpayers' Association (NJTA) and that the organization has expanded its mission. More ... Councils call for $1.1M cut to Mat-Ab budget       Municipal officials from Matawan and Aberdeen recommended trimming $1.1 million from the proposed $62 million Matawan-Aberdeen School District budget on May 15. Voters rejected the budget on April 17 by a tally of 1,365 to 844. If approved, the budget would have raised the tax rate in b... More ... Attorneys seek state records on bridge project Law firm: Four-lane roadway would destroy character of towns BY LIZ SHEEHAN Correspondent       An attorney for Citizens for Rational Coastal Development, a local group that opposes the N.J. Department of Transportation's (DOT) proposal to demolish the existing 75-year-old drawbridge that connects Sea Bright and Highlands and replace it with a fixed bridge, that is 38 feet higher, More ... Rock on       Above: Laura Paganucci, 15, performs with No Outlet in the sixth annual Band Showcase at Holmdel High School on May 20. Below: Robbie Searles solos during the song "Unholy Confessions" as No Outlet performs. More ... 'Marsh Meditations'       'Marsh Meditations - A Celebration of the Hamilton-Trenton Marsh," with works by The Princeton Artists Alliance, is at the Monmouth Museum in Lincroft. The exhibit in the museum's main gallery features works focused on the unique urban wetland the Hamilton-Trenton Marsh, which supports... More ... 21st annual Red Bank Jazz and Blues Festival       The 21st annual Red Bank Jazz & Blues Festival will take place June 1-3 at Marine Park beside the Navesink River. Nearly 150,000 attendees are expected this year to enjoy three full days and nights of jazz, blues, food, crafts and plenty of family fun. More ... On Campus       East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania announced the following local students who received degrees at the spring commencement exercises: Linda C. Stehn, Aberdeen, a bachelor of science degree in hospitality management; Erica L. More ... Congratulations!       Clockwise from above: Michael Romeo of Freehold receives his degree from school President Dr. Peter Burnham during the Brookdale Community College commencement ceremonies May 20. Tishsharon Garner of Long Branch accepts her degree and best wishes from Dr. Burnham. East Brunswick's Heat... More ... A haven for families with ailing newborns Michael's Feat dedicates family resource center at Monmouth Medical BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - In keeping with its mission to help families with seriously ill newborns, the nonprofit Michael's Feat has created a space with the comforts of home at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch. More ... June 3 event to help fund scholarship in Wines' name BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - When Carlee Wines was killed by a hit-and-run driver on the University of Connecticut campus in Storrs earlier this year, the Manalapan resident left behind family and friends who are determined to make sure her memory is honored. More ... Reviving the lost art of good manners Teaching etiquette in an age of e-mails and texting BY KATHY HALL Correspondent       For etiquette expert Laurajane Wikoff, good manners are more than knowing the proper use of a dinner napkin. They are an antidote to the stresses of today's hectic, computer-focused lifestyle and a crucial component of social, interpersonal and business success. More ...