CHRIS KELLY staff Samantha Tuebner's father is deployed in Iraq, so she dances with a stand-in, family friend Joseph Martin, at the Daddy & Daughter Sweetheart Dance at the Holmdel Community Center Feb. 24. More ... NAACP chapter calls for Schwebel's return Byrnes calls for mediation on HRC controversy BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       The founder of the Freehold chapter of the NAACP came to the Township Committee meeting Feb. 19 to advocate for former Human Relations Commission Chairwoman Carolyn Schwebel. More ... Hazlet committee puts off vote on zoning amendment Belasco proposes public forum be held BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       The Hazlet Township Committee postponed a vote on a new zoning ordinance last week, and instead will hold a public meeting on the controversial measure. The catalyst for the deferred vote was Committeeman Joseph Belasco, who said he was not ready to vote on an amendment to zoning ordinances that ... More ... Danger lurks as youths head on to the Internet Detective offers tips to parents to head off potential problems BY AMY ROSEN Staff Writer       With the click of a computer mouse, people in other parts of the state, country or the world can steal, threaten and lure people into dangerous and sometimes even fatal situations. More ... Aberdeen looking for new township manager BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       ABERDEEN - The township has begun the search for an interim official after the resignation of the township manager. Stuart Brown, who served as Aberdeen manager for two years, stepped down unexpectedly on Feb. 8, apparently because of discord with the governing body. More ... District seeks to enlist teens in drivers program Middletown schools will require decal for parking permit BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN- The Board of Education met Feb. 20 to discuss ways to implement the new graduated driver's license (GDL) bumper sticker program. More ... County chips in $250K for Bachstadt acquisition       HOLMDEL- The Township Committee approved ordinance 2008-07, authorizing the acquisition of the Bachstadt property at the Feb. 21 meeting. More ...      JEFF GRANIT staff Melissa Burns, 11, Matawan, enjoys the first snowfall of the season at Terhune Park. More ... Boro Council debates where to locate field BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       MATAWAN- Throwing strikes left and right at the Feb. 19 Borough Council meeting, town officials debated the placement of a girls softball field next to the Community Center on Church Street. "We have money available through a bond, not out of taxpayers' pockets," Councilwoman Linda Clifton reason... More ... In the Service       Pvt. Robert Curci II, Port Monmouth section of Middletown, has graduated from Parris Island,N.C., as aMarine.Hewill now attend military occupational school to become amember of themilitary police.A2004 graduate ofMiddletownHigh School North, he is the son of Camille and Robert Curci. More ... Affordable housing debate continues Mayor, resident differ over need for housing for young adults BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN - Whether the township has an obligation to provide affordable housing for young adults was the topic of debate at the Feb. 19 Township Committee meeting. Township resident Matthew Morehead, 27, continued comments begun at the Feb. More ... Partisan politics follows resignation from board BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       MATAWAN - Controversy and charges of conflict of interest continue in the wake of the resignation of a member of the borough's Unified Planning-Zoning Board. Borough Councilwoman Linda Clifton, a Republican, stepped down from her position as a Class III member of the board earlier this month aft... More ... Aberdeen church celebrates heritage       ABERDEEN - St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, founded in 1925 and located in Aberdeen, is presenting, as a part of its African American History celebration, "Jazz - American Classical Music." The program will feature live jazz performances by veteran New York jazz performer and p... More ... Vanishing beauty       An exhibit of environmental photography of uncommon beauty by Laury Egan, Valerie Craig and Jean Finnila is at the Frederick Gallery in Allenhurst. "Vanishing Beauty of Land and Sea: Photographic Contemplations" will open March 1 and run through April 19 at the gallery, located at 111Main St. inA... More ... In the Arts       Countrymusic stars TrishaYearwood and Lori McKenna will perform at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank Thursday, Feb. 28, at 8 p.m.Yearwood's treatment of songs like "She's in Love with the Boy" has helped define contemporary country music. Singer/songwriter McKenna, whose debut CD won Album o... More ... Call to artists for Sculptoure       The Shore Institute of the Contemporary Arts in Long Branch is seeking submissions for the second annual Sculptoure, an urban sculpture park throughout the city. Outdoor sculpture will be placed throughout the downtown area of the city of Long Branch, the promenade along the ocean and in Pier Vil... More ... Holmdel prepares $4.1M sewer bond ordinance BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       HOLMDEL - Upgrading the Country Woods development to sanitary sewers from septic tank systems is one step closer to becoming a reality. The vote on authorizing the preparation of a bond ordinance for the sewer projectwas 3-1-1, the necessary majority vote. More ... Fire dept. will carry out needs assessment Chief: Newest fire truck is 15 yrs. old BY ERIN O. STATTLE Staff Writer       MATAWAN - A needs assessment for the borough fire department has been postponed until the fire department can conduct an internal review. "The fire department needs to be updated but at the same time it is a hard pill to swallow since it is so costly," said Borough Councilman Kevin Mendes. More ... Borough receives top safety award       MATAWAN - The borough has been awarded the top safety award by theMonmouth County Joint Insurance Fund, for the third consecutive year. Borough Administrator Fred Carr, credited Safety Coordinator Grace Rainforth as well as the other employees of the borough for the award. More ... Keyport First Aid to receive $74K grant BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       KEYPORT - The Keyport First Aid Squad received a $74,955 grant under the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate's Fiscal Year 2007 Assistance to Firefighters grant program. The grant is one that Capt. Ken Krohe has attempted to get for his squad for the past few years. More ... Quick Chek to donate to local fire departments       MIDDLETOWN -- Quick Chek will donate a portion of sales to local fire companies to thank the Middletown and Keansburg fire departments for their heroic efforts when battling a fire at the Route 35 Cherry Tree Farm shopping center store on Feb. 9. More ... Zoners reverse decision and approve cell tower BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       HOLMDEL - The Zoning Board of Adjustment reversed an earlier ruling and approved an application to place a cell tower antenna on top of the water tank on Deer Path Road at the Feb. 13 meeting. The storage tank, known as the Manzo Tower, will be the site for ninepanel antennas owned by Sprint Spe... More ... Fire cos. and hospital test emergency response       HOLMDEL - Holmdel Fire Company No. 1, Holmdel Fire and Rescue Company No. 2 and Hazlet Fire Company No. 1 were challenged by Bayshore CommunityHospital's Emergency Preparedness Committee to test if their equipment was capable of rooftop evacuation that could reach over four stories, according to ... More ... T. Thomas Fortune legacy celebrated Exhibit part of effort to preserve historic home as cultural center BY MELISSA KARSH Staff Writer       RED BANK - Red Bank residents can pay tribute to one of their own forward thinkers during Black History Month. T. Thomas Fortune, a black journalist and activist who resided at 94 Drs. James Parker Blvd. from 1901 to 1908, founded the Afro American League in 1881, which was the precursor to the ... More ... Colonial times come alive      PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Re-enactor Chris Campana, Brick, takes part in the Colonial Man of the Year event at Murray Farmhouse in Poricy Park, Middletown, Feb. 24. More ...