ERIC SUCAR staff Evan Martin, 14, of Morganville, crosses the finish line with a time of 18:26.9 at the Second Annual 5K Turkey Trot and Fitness Walk held in Matawan Nov. 24. More ... Czech named to county's top post Search firm VP will serve as interim admin. in Middletown BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       Middletown Township Administrator Robert Czech has a new job that will replace the word "township" in his job description with "county." At the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders meeting on Nov. 21, Czech was appointed the new Monmouth County administrator, replacing Louis Paparozzi, who... More ... Schultz ends tenure as Holmdel administrator Cites commute in leaving five-year post BY LORI ANNE OLIWA Correspondent       In what he describes as a "risky move," Holmdel Township Administrator Christopher Schultz will become the new township manager in Moorestown on Jan. 2. "To me this is a risky move. I am very stable here and could have spent a long time in Holmdel," Schultz said. More ... Teens' driving habits placed under scrutiny Special commission hears suggestions from parents, students BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       What can be done to decrease the startling recent spike in motor vehicle accidents involving teenagers was the topic of a public hearing conducted by the Governor's Teen Driver Study Commission on Nov. 19 at Colts Neck High School. More ... Vote put off on $3.8M for dredging of lake BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN - For those waiting for the bond ordinance that would appropriate $3.8 million toward the dredging of Shadow Lake, the wait will be longer. The second reading of the ordinance was to be voted on at the Township Committee meeting Nov. More ... Twp. officer receives nat'l recognition Patrolman leads drunk driving prevention program BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN - Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger has remarked that wherever he goes to speak around Middletown, he sees Patrolman James Roese. "I feel like there are four Jim Roeses," Scharfenberger said. "He seems to show up everywhere. More ... 'Tis the season in Middletown Township       MIDDLETOWN - The township's annual Christmas Tree lighting will be held Sunday, Dec. 2 at 5 p.m. at Middletown Town Hall, 1 Kings Highway. The festivities will include caroling and a visit from Santa. Parents are invited to bring cameras to take pictures of their children with Santa. More ... New exhibits in the works at Huber Woods Park Environmental Center upgrades include new hands-on activities BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN - As the seasons change so do the exhibits at the Environmental Center at Huber Woods Park on Brown's Dock Road. Areas of the center are temporarily closed until February for renovations to the exhibit rooms at the park. More ... Board of Ed. assured field will be up to par Members vote to withhold payment to assess condition BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN - The road toward the completed athletic field at High School North has been filled with bumps and holes, which is just like the current condition of the brand-new turf that was installed, according to some critics. More ... Construction to begin on Eatontown shelter Project calls for a 4,500- square-foot addition to Wall Street building       EATONTOWN - Construction for a multimillion dollar face-lift at the Monmouth County SPCA building in Eatontown was expected to start this week. A groundbreaking ceremony was planned to be held at the Wall Street SPCA facility yesterday and plans call for upgrades and renovations to be complete w... More ... In the Service       First Lt. Nicole Beaumont was awarded her Air Force Pilot wings in a ceremony in mid October at Vance Air Force Base, Enid, Okla. Beaumont completed her Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, and is now assigned to fly the KC-10 Extender tanker aircraft based out of McGuire Air Force Bas... More ... Counting down the days until the singers arrive N.Y. Choral Society to perform in Freehold       Members of the First Presbyterian Church, West Main Street, Freehold Borough, are abuzz with excitement and anxiously awaiting the arrival of the New York Choral Society which will perform in concert at the church on Dec. More ... IN THE ARTS       The Performing Arts Ensemble, celebrating its 25th anniversary, will present its annual production of the beloved holiday classic, "The Nutcracker" ballet, Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 1 and 2 at 1 and 4 p.m. at the Two River Theater, 21 Bridge Ave., Red Bank. Tickets are $25. For reservations,... More ... 'Mirror Images'       An exhibit of paintings by Florence B. Hill and photographs by Ernest Antholis is at the Monmouth Beach Cultural Center. "Mirror Images" will run through Dec. 15 at the cultural center, located at 128 Ocean Ave. More ... Baubles, bangles, all things bright and shiny Tiffany & Co. takes its place on Broad St. in Red Bank BY CARA SCHULTZ Correspondent       Brilliant diamonds, lustrous sterling silver and gleaming gold jewelry are designed to dazzle even the most blasé shopper who peruses the display cases at the newly opened Tiffany & Co. at 105 Broad St. The arrival of the iconic jeweler is considered by many to be a coup that solidifies the ... More ...