STAFF PHOTO A group of underage drinkers is taken away in handcuffs by state troopers while people gathered on this hill watch before a June 6 concert at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel. More ... This bust's for you: Tailgaters targeted 49 arrested for underage drinking in arts center crackdown BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       After nearly two weeks of hearing about a proposed crackdown, dozens were charged with underage drinking at a PNC Bank Arts Center event in Holmdel last week, and authorities hope the arrests will serve as a notice that things are about to change at the venue. More ... County Fire Academy graduates 81 volunteers       FREEHOLD - The Monmouth County Fire Academy graduated 81 volunteers on May 31 from Firefighter I class No. 70 and No. 71 and Firefighter II class No. 1. More ... Officials revamp budget, lower proposed tax hike BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       HOLMDEL - A new proposed municipal budget would come with a 1.29-cent tax rate increase. The Township Committee voted 3-1 to introduce the proposed tax increase on Thursday. Committeeman Terence Wall cast the lone no vote and Committeeman Rocco Pascucci was absent. A June 21 public h... More ... 'Snake Hill,' a true N.J. story       On June 13, the Freedom Film Series, produced by the Freedom Film Society (FFS), will present "Snake Hill," a New Jersey story told by local filmmakers Sandra Longo, director and executive producer, Holmdel; Debra Higgins, producer, an Allenhurst native; and Anna-Maria Vag, producer, Laurence... More ... Untold stories of the 'British Invasion'       For fans who weren't around yet, or who want to revisit a definitive chapter in rock history, an insider's look at the music scene during the heyday of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones - with a tour guide who helped define that era - is yours for the price of a ticket to "Behind the Scene... More ... Tour to visit Freehold's popular & historic sites BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - History buffs can take advantage of an opportunity to see Freehold Borough's history up close and personal on June 23 when the first Historic Borough Bus Tour is held. The tour, sponsored by the Freehold Borough Historic Preservation Commission, will offer up to three 90-m... More ... Green Scene June: Survival of the fittest Gotti Kelley       With hurricane season here, you need to know if your trees will be safe from the possible wrath of Mother Nature. The following suggestions from the International Society of Arboriculture, www.treesaregood. More ... Winners named in design competition for Gateway BY LIZ SHEEHAN Correspondent       A design team from Brooklyn, N.Y. was selected as the winner of an international competition for a new concept for Gateway National Recreation Area, which includes Sandy Hook. The winners of the competition were announced on June 4 by the Van Allan Institute, the National Parks Conse... More ... Wildlife experts to hold presentation on coyotes BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN - In the wake of two confirmed attacks on young children in the area and numerous recent sightings, state wildlife experts are stepping up their efforts to control the coyote population in the area by using night vision goggles and educating the public. More ... Report: Median new home in county $810K Study notes about half of homes being built are age-restricted BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - The median price of a new single-family home in Monmouth County is now $810,000, according to a new study. Project Manager Yen-Quen Chen of the Monmouth County Planning Department produced the report, a survey of new residential development in 2006. The report was relea... More ... Life's a picnic      PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Top to bottom: Rich Jarocki, Freehold Township, blows bubbles for his daughter Paige, 3, while attending the Lincroft Village Green Association's Picnic in the Park event on June 10. Lincroft's John Healy, 8, watches as his throw nears the pin while playing bocce ball. M... More ... Visual deterrent      SCOTT PILING staff Members of the Aberdeen EMS bring a drunken driving "victim" to an emergency helicopter during a mock drunken driving simulation at Matawan Regional High School June 6. The simulation was meant to deter students from drinking and driving on prom night. More ... Don Quixote neighbors oppose day care at site BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       MATAWAN - Neighbors of the old Don Quixote Inn banquet hall may be dreaming the impossible dream: asking a developer to let a prime piece of real estate remain vacant. Plans to build a bank and day-care center on the Route 34 property where the iconic windmill once stood had several ... More ... Exploring human nature Jacob Landau's work at Monmouth University through June 22 BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer       While not exactly a household name, Jacob Landau was a force for reason in the world. A resident of the community of Roosevelt artists, he is internationally known for his drawings, lithographs, limited-edition prints, watercolors and stained-glass designs. More ... Wall falls in Holmdel Incumbent committeeman loses primary to DiMaso, Allocco by seven votes BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       HOLMDEL - The fallen Wall is still standing. Despite losing the June 5 Republican primary by a margin of just seven votes, Committeeman Terence Wall said he is committed to serving out the length of his term. "It's my job," he said on Friday. More ... From the Vault      Bryant Stanley, an employee of the Monmouth County Mosquito Commission, takes time off to enjoy his lunch on the Keyport waterfront. The photo appeared in April 1989. More ... 'Learn to Swim' courses begin at Y June 18       The Community YMCA Family Health and Fitness Center, 166 Maple Ave., Red Bank, will offer "Learn to Swim" week June 18-23 for children age 3-17. The water safety lessons are designed as a community outreach program for non-swimmers who aren't members of the Y. Courses for children age 3... More ... Ready for 'PrimeTime' Television class garners National Student Award for baseball show BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       HOLMDEL - Unlike most high school freshmen, Michael Collins had a good inkling of what he wanted to do with his life. "I took a class called Introduction to Television," said Collins, now a senior at Holmdel High School. "I really got hooked after that and I had a lot of fun in th... More ... To arborists, climbing trees is no child's play Competition sharpens contestants' work skills and builds camaraderie BY JOHN SUTTON Correspondent       MIDDLETOWN - Mothers sometimes tell their children that climbing trees is dangerous and only monkeys should be up among the branches. That message obviously did not get through to these men. The New Jersey Tree Climbing Championship Competition was held Saturday afternoon at Thomps... More ...