History repeated at Thompson Park Many features of fire-torn mansion will be duplicated BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       A$9 million insurance settlement will allow the county to rebuild the historic Thompson Park Visitors Center, a 110-year-old mansion lost in a fire last year. On Thursday, the Monmouth County Park System released the bid specs to refurbish the Lincroft building, plans that call for the faç... More ... Two dead, dozens arrested at Ozzfest State bans alcohol in the parking lot at PNC Bank Arts Center BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       Following the deaths of two people and the arrest of more than 80 others at Thursday's Ozzfest concert, the tap was turned off on alcohol consumption in the parking lot of the PNC Bank Arts Center. Starting with Friday night's Velvet Revolver show, alcohol has been banned for tailgaters regardles... More ... Students report troubled waters in Matawan area BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       MATAWAN - All of the borough's water bodies are polluted, unstable and filled with trash, according to a recent informal study. On Aug. 14, three local college students majoring in environmental science presented findings from their study of the borough's lakes and streams. More ... Firm to contest award of turf field contract in court BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN - A turf field sales firm contends the fake grass would be greener with their product than a rival's, and is willing to fight for the right to prove it in court. Following two unsuccessful rounds of bidding for the rights to install a turf field at High School North, the contract to d... More ... Monk, twp. try to reach compromise over sign BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN - The self-described monk who calls his suburban home a monastery is cooperating with authorities regarding the large sign on his front lawn. On June 18, Archimandrite Ephraem Bertolette, 63, received notice from the township giving him 14 days to remove the sign or face legal prosecu... More ... Pay-to-play ban rejected narrowly in Holmdel BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       voted 3-2 on Thursday to reject a zerodollar ban on pay-to-play, the practice of accepting campaign donations from firms on the town's payroll. More ... Audubon meeting, bird walk during September       The Monmouth County Audubon Society will hold its next meeting Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, White Street, Red Bank. Michael Hogan, photographer and documentarian, will present "Natural Wonders of the Jersey Pines and Shore" at the meeting which is free and open to the public. More ... Three charged with thefts from Aberdeen condo assoc.       Place Condominium Association was not FREEHOLD - A Monmouth County available for comment. grand jury returned a 21-count indictment State Superior Court Judge Bette E. Aug. More ... Rockit! will rock out at Basie concert on Sunday BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN - Bruce Gallipani was doing some grocery shopping near his home when reached by phone earlier this week. While many would consider the act to be pretty mundane, Gallipani was glad he had the time to do it. "With all of the rehearsals in order to get ready for the show, I've been so bu... More ... Wall: Eliminate benefits for committee members BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       HOLMDEL - Committeeman Terence Wall received little response to a suggestion to cut the Township Committee's medical benefits. At Thursday night's meeting, Wall asked that the committee members consider relinquishing their taxpayer-sup- plied benefits, a total savings of $57,000 per year, acco... More ... Wellness becomes goal of Parker Family Health Center Focus on preventive care, education for the uninsured BY MELISSA KARSH Staff Writer       RED BANK - - After seven years, the focus of the Parker Family Health Center is shifting from solely providing medical care to the uninsured to include programs centered on disease prevention and education. More ... From the Vault      Donna Kress and Alicia Semeniuk, both of Fords, take a break from the sun and sit beneath a tree at Sandy Hook in May 1986. More ... Family histories told in unique biographies Attorney leaves firm after 5 years to start unique creative venture BY LAURA KOSS Correspondent       Matthew Litt has done what many people spend countless hours at their desks daydreaming about. This 29-year-old Manalapan native stopped dreaming and left his career as a Manhattan attorney to start his own business, Bridge Biography. More ... A classic performance      CHRIS KELLY staff Emil Stucchio and the Classics perform during a concert that is part of the Hazlet Concert in the Park series, at Veterans Park on Aug. 14. More ... Local stone carver creating 9/11 police memorial Franco Minervini completing project for police foundation BY PATRICIA YOCZIS Correspondent       When Franco Minervini was a young boy in his hometown of Molfetta, Italy, he helped his grandfather, Michael, who was a stone carver. Little did he know then that he would continue his family's tradition of stone carving. "I didn't think I had any tal ent," said Minervini, whose studio has been i... More ...