Tailgaters will see increased security Underage drinking will be targeted in arts center parking lot BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       After threatening to go after the PNC Bank Arts Center's liquor license, a move that would severely hamper the venue's bottom line, Assemblywoman Amy Handlin has announced that the security presence on the premises will be increasing exponentially, starting tonight. More ...       Jackson's Greg Oakes, 16, becomes a wildman as he rocks out on the guitar during a performance at the MTCAC's Rockit for Kids concert at the Middletown Performing Arts Center on Sunday. More ... Routines change for those living near coyotes BY JOHN SUTTON Correspondent       MIDDLETOWN - For the past few weeks, residents of the northern area of the township have had to cope with a presence in their neighborhood which they neither expected nor welcomed when it arrived. More ... After passing torch, athlete heading to China Hazlet Special Olympics participant to represent the U.S. at 2007 games BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       KEYPORT - For one special athlete, the road to the Shanghai Olympics starts on Route 35. On Friday, Special Olympics athlete Michael McGrath completed a 1.6-mile torch run along Route 35, the first leg of his long journey to the 2007 world games in Shanghai, China, slated for Octob... More ... Reval alters property tax values in Holmdel Township Committee to vote on municipal budget Thursday night BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       HOLMDEL - A $19.4 million proposed municipal budget will be decided by the Township Committee Thursday night. If the budget passes, homeowners will face a tax rate increase of about 5.5 cents over last year, from 45 cents to 50 cents per $100 assessed value. The state deadline fo... More ... With his brother's life on line, Kane was able Sibling's kidney donation likely saved former fire chief BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN - As a former township fire chief, it was Kevin Kane's job to deal with the crucial task of saving people's lives. More recently though, it was Kane who was in peril, the one who needed others to help him out. Having suffered from lupus for the past 13 years, the 37-y... More ... Official proposes ban on holding government jobs Measure would exclude two committee members from holding office BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       HOLMDEL - The township is considering barring elected officials from holding any federal, state, county or municipal job. A measure proposed by Deputy Mayor Alan Bateman on May 31 would directly affect two of Bateman's political adversaries: Larry Fink, the Township Committee's lon... More ... DEP gives go-ahead for new Highlands bridge Agency places conditions on DOT project BY LIZ SHEEHAN Correspondent       The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has approved a controversial plan to replace the 75-year-old drawbridge that links Sea Bright and Highlands with a fixed span. The agency said the state Department of Transportation (DOT) can go ahead with its plan to demolish t... More ... Advocates want ocean testing expedited 2007 Beach Protection Act requires faster testing, public notice BY LAYLI WHYTE Correspondent       Despite an early blooming and rather large brown tide on Memorial Day weekend, Clean Ocean Action is optimistic about the future of New Jersey's shore. More ... From the Vault      June Isaken (l-r), Crystal Isaken, 3, and Robert Isaken take in the Middletown Veterans Day parade in November 1985. More ... On Campus       Josephine Ambruzs, Middletown, received a doctor of medicine degree and the Bruce Fisher Award at the spring commencement exercises at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick. More ...