CHRIS KELLY staff Eileen Sherry, of Bayonne, looks through a scope to spot ducks, geese and loons that inhabit Sandy Hook during a winter walk led by a N.J. Audubon Society naturalist Jan. 5. More ... Commissioner upholds Witmer suspension Attny. for schools superintendent says he will appeal BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       After months of delay, the Middletown Board of Education finally has a decision on the district's suspended superintendent. On Dec. 24, state Education Commissioner Lucille Davy ruled that former Middletown Schools Superintendent David Witmer should be suspended for the remainder of his contract... More ... Scharfenberger elected to 2nd term as mayor Middletown will pursue interlocal agreements to hold down taxes BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       Asort of passing of the torch occurred during the Middletown Township reorganization meeting on Jan. 6 at town hall. Instead of a torch, outgoing Committeeman Thomas Hall passed on the township's code book to incoming Committeeman Sean Byrnes, who now takes Hall's seat. More ... The Independent's top news stories of 2007       Some ascended to higher office while others headed for the slammer - the year 2007 offered up a study in contrasts for Bayshore dwellers. Added to the mix were a wily coyote and a wilier monk. More ... Community Y in Hazlet offers new programs       HAZLET - The Community YMCA Children's Achievement Center of Hazlet will offer new programs for children and adults in 2008. The center, located at 745 Poole Ave., currently serves the community with academic preschool and half-day kindergarten enrichment programs for children ages 2 1/2 to 6 ye... More ... New year, same old political infighting BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN - A new year began for the Middletown Township Committee, but partisan discord between members continued. Last year, Committeeman Patrick Short was the lone Democrat on the committee and at various times clashed with members of the committee, including Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger, De... More ... Men's Expo scheduled for Jan. 26       The Men's Expo 2008 and Texas Hold 'em Tournament, a free WRAT-FM 95.9 event focusing on New Jersey men, will help men and women keep those New Year's resolutions - and make a few new ones - as they visit exhibits featuring the latest in health, automotive, electronics, sports, finance, fashion ... More ...      A bird-watcher, led by a N.J. Audubon Society naturalist, scans Sandy Hook for views of the many ducks, geese and loons that winter there during a Winter Waterfowl Walk Jan. 5. More ... Bloopers Hope you'll excuse our 'fowl' language ADELE YOUNG       We like to start the new year by looking back at the typographical and grammatical errors that almost made it, and some that actually did make it, into some of Greater Media Newspapers' publications during the previous year. More ... District's secretary retires after 28 years Reni Mey's career spanned 10 superintendents BY MARIANNE KLIGMAN Correspondent       MIDDLETOWN - Renata Mey, the longtime confidential secretary to the superintendent, retires in January after more than 28 years of service in the Middletown School District. More ... Middletown FD receives $114K grant BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN - Sixty-six feet belonging to 33 firefighters in Middletown will be receiving new boots, thanks to a recent grant awarded to the Middletown Township Fire Department. The fire department will receive $114,320 in funding, which will serve to purchase four thermal imaging cameras used to... More ... Teens text message to raise money Youths expected to raise $100K in 10 minutes at Feb. 28 fundraiser BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       Parents should not get mad next month when their teens say they will "ttyl" or "talk to you later" in order to take part in a text messaging frenzy. When scores of teens and tweens in the area text on Feb. 28, it will be more than the usual chat with friends. It is a fundraising benefit to suppor... More ... IN THE ARTS Danke schoen, Wayne       Wayne Newton will bring his spectacular show to the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank Thursday, Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $80 and $50 and are on sale now at the box office at 99 Monmouth St., online at countbasietheatre.org or by calling (732) 842-9000. More ... SICA's high school sculpture competition       The Shore Institute of the Contemporary Arts in Long Branch is calling for entries for "High Relief," its second annual competition to highlight the work of young sculptors in New Jersey. SICA, 20 Third Ave. More ... Jim Murphy thanks God he's a country boy Brick man looks back on lifetime love of country music BY PATRICIA A. MILLER Staff Writer       So how does an Irish kid born and raised in Plainfield end up in America's Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame? It all began when Jim Murphy was a boy back in the late 1930s. He would hunker down next to the family's radio and tune into WAAT, out of Newark. The station had just started to play a ... More ...