ERIC SUCAR staff Three-year-olds Alexandra Belle and Jason DeSanctis, both of Middletown, share a dance at the Summer Concert in the Park Series, held at Normandy Park in Middletown, on Aug. 2. The Mahoney Brothers, a Beatles tribute band, were the performers for the evening. More ... Keyport schools chief subject of probe State looks into conduct during tests, possible conflict of interests BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       A Snapple snafu is among the subjects of a state investigation into the Keyport School District. Schools Superintendent C. Daniel Blachford is under investigation by the state's Department of Education (DOE) for possible inappropriate behavior, including allegedly handing out Snappl... More ... Full of hot air      CHRISKELLYstaff Keyport's Sue "Lady Bug" Ryan makes balloon animals for Allyson Walker, 4, and Hanna Walker, 7, both Hazlet, during the St. John's United Methodist Church Corn Festival in Hazlet Aug. 4. More ... Auditions       Allegro!, a choir comprised of 32 men and women, has openings for tenors, baritones and basses. Rehearsals are held weekly from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church, Manasquan. Details: Wende Deppeler, (732) 528-5945. Women of Song, a female vocal group, is seeking sopranos a... More ... Clearwater Festival has global-warming theme       The 32nd annual Clearwater Festival, New Jersey's oldest and largest eco-festival, will be held Aug. 18-19 at Sunset Park in Asbury Park. The theme of this year's event, which is presented by Monmouth County Friends of Clearwater, is "Global Warming - You'd Better Sweat It! More ... Downloads prompt call for computer security upgrades BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       MATAWAN - A borough hall computer was used to download photos of young women, an act described as a "security breach" that is causing alarm at the municipal complex. More ... In the Service       Daniel M. Aurigemma has received an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) college scholarship offer to attend a selected host college or university. Cadets are selected based on comprehensive tests, high school scholastic achievement, and extracurricular activities. The estimated va... More ... State open-space funding question will go to voters Environmental groups will lobby hard for GSPT renewal in months ahead BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       New Jersey voters will determine in November whether to issue $200 million in bonds to fund the state's Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT) for one more year. More ... District approved to get $800K in MCIA funds BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       HOLMDEL - After deadlocking on the matter a few weeks earlier, the Township Committee voted 4-0 Thursday to allow the school district to receive over $800,000 in bonds from the Monmouth County Improvement Authority in order to fund the purchase of capital equipment in time for the upcoming... More ... New cook with same mission: Feed the hungry Lunch Break has someone new in the kitchen BY MELISSA KARSH Staff Writer       RED BANK - It's noon and people who are hungry and in need are settling in to enjoy a meal at Lunch Break, a soup kitchen and much more on the corner of Bergen Place and Drs. James Parker Boulevard. Bette Ivory has already been at work for five hours, arriving at the building at 7... More ... Vote on new turf field delayed until Thursday High School North expected to soon get artificial playing surface BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN - The Board of Education opted last week to delay a vote on the award of a contract for the construction of an artificial grass playing field at High School North. The board was expected to award the bid at a special meeting Aug. 1. Board Attorney Christopher Parton said... More ... Latino festival returns to Keyport Saturday BY LAUREN PIRO Correspondent       KEYPORT - The flavor and style of Latino culture will fill Keyport on Saturday during the ninth annual Spanish-American Festival. Organizers from the Spanish American Club of Keyport hope that this year's celebration will have as much success as it has in the past. More ... Bilingual pastor hopes to reach Bayshore's Latinos BY LAUREN PIRO Correspondent       KEANSBURG - The First United Methodist Church of Keansburg has welcomed a new pastor, the Rev. Dr. Pedro Trinidad, and with him, parishioners have hopes for uniting and helping their community. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Trinidad's ministerial service began two years after he mov... More ... Holmdel contractor charged with tax evasion BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       HOLMDEL - FBI and IRS officials arrested a father/daughter team Friday for a tax evasion scheme in which they allegedly hid over $3.1 million to avoid paying taxes. Contractor Anthony R. Ambrosia, 49, of Holmdel, and daughter Lisa M. Derosa, no age given, of Scotch Plains, were both ... More ... Law enforcement careers highlighted during week Police academy hosts 16th annual summer program for youths BY PATRICIA YOCZIS Correspondent       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - Even though there may have been an individual activity they did love, one thing all of the participants at the 16th annual Sheriff Youth Week could agree on was that the program was filled with memorable presentations and experiences. More ... Police week attracts about 70 boys and girls in blue BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN - Most young people only know what they see on television and in movies when it comes to the police. Township Sgt. Fred Deickmann took the past week to try to change the stereotypes during Middletown Police Youth Week. About 70 lucky 10 to 13-year-olds were able to see fi... More ... From the Vault      Holy cow! Legendary New York Yankees broadcaster and shortstop Phil Rizzuto makes a speech at Holy Family School, Hazlet, in the early 1990s. More ...