ERIC SUCAR staff Eight-year old Desi Zaffuto of Manalapan patiently waits for a tug on his line during the annual Kids' Fishing Derby held at Stevenson Park in Shadow Lake in Lincroft on Saturday April 26. The annual event sponsored by Middletown Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department was... More ... Master plan charts future of Hazlet Planning Board approves update of 30-year-old plan BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       If you want to meet the future, you need a plan, and they're coming up with a new one in Hazlet. A historic preservation plan, revitalization of the Route 36 corridor and development options for the train station area are recommendations in a re-examination of the Hazlet Township master plan. More ... Board and teachers reach early contract agreement Salary increases will average 4.5 percent per year BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       The Board of Education and the Middletown Township Education Association have a collective bargaining agreement good through June 30, 2011. According to board member Joan Minnuies, this is the earliest the two groups have come to an agreement. They started the process of finalizing a contract in ... More ... Celebrating the Earth      Above: Angel, a Moluccan cockatoo, puts on a show with Freehold Township's Terri Jones during the 10th annual Bayonet Farm Earth Day Celebration. Angel became a resident of the Arcadia Bird Sanctuary after its owner died in the 9/11 attacks. Far right: Holmdel's Matthew Ameduri, 11, uses a spray bot... More ... 'Weekend in Old Monmouth' features tour of historic sites       Monmouth County's first "Weekend in Old Monmouth" historic tour will open the doors of 32 local historic sites all at the same time - from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 3 and from noon to 5 p.m. on May 4. "Independent and local historic sites are generally operated independently of one another," said... More ... Matawan still emotional over attorney controversy BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       MATAWAN - Borough taxpayers are still questioning the motives that prevented Borough Attorney Pat Menna's reappointment earlier this month. After serving as the borough attorney for the past two years, Pasquale Menna, of Menna, Supko and Casagrande, in Shrewsbury, was rejected as attorney for th... More ... McCray sentenced for stabbing of store owner       MIDDLETOWN - Jeffrey Trent Mc- Cray, 21, of Atlantic Highlands, was sentenced to a 12-year state prison term April 18 for his role in the 2006 stabbing of a Middletown Township bicycle store owner. According to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, McCray must serve 85 percent, or more than 1... More ... Matawan police chief ready for retirement After 25 years on the force, Chief McGowan will retire BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       MATAWAN- After 25 years of service to the Borough of Matawan, the chief of police has entered a retirement agreement with the borough. The Borough Council passed a resolution at the April 21 council meeting accepting an agreement with Chief of Police Robert M. McGowan. More ... Basketball courts will get $117K upgrade BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       HOLMDEL- The basketball courts at Phillips andAllocco parks will get a face-lift this season. Rehabilitation on the two courts will commence in four to six weeks, said Township Engineer Ed Broberg at the April 17 meeting. Committee members estimated that the courts could be back in full use by m... More ... Board of Ed. gives special thanks to township police BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       HOLMDEL - Township police received a certificate of appreciation from the Board of Education last week for their services at the flag-raising ceremonies at the Holmdel schools this past January. Board of Education members Dr. More ... Veterans to be honored at ceremony in Holmdel New Jersey veterans will receive medals, recognition May 7 BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       HOLMDEL- It was a dark time in the nation's history and a time that many Americans will never forget, but on May 7, New Jersey will remember the veterans of the Vietnam War who served the United States in those tumultuous times. More ... Man charged after colliding with child on scooter BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       ABERDEEN - Police arrested a township man after he allegedly struck a child riding a scooter, and the man was also charged with driving while intoxicated. Donald A. Seaman, 51, of Riverdale Drive in Cliffwood, was operating his 1990 Ford pickup truck north on Locust Street when he collided with ... More ... Annual walk to benefit homeless dogs BY J.J. SULLIVAN III Correspondent       It was a dog day morning April 26, as approximately 20 pairs of canines and masters attended Keyport's second annual Walk With the Animals. Hosted by the Keyport Business Alliance (KBA), the event was held to benefit the Castle of Dreams Animal Rescue, a local charity aimed at saving homeless ani... More ... Middletown honors longtime board sec'y Township Committee proclaims May 1 as Rosemary Minear Day BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN - In most towns around the United States, May 1 may just be like any other Thursday. In Middletown, it has been proclaimed Rosemary Minear Day. More ... Handlin asks FEMA to delay flood zone maps Petition drive will collect signatures in Bayshore towns BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN- Bayshore residents facing higher insurance premiums for flood insurance have an ally in Assemblywoman Amy Handlin (R-13th District). Handlin announced the launch of a petition drive last week to help residents affected by the Federal Emergency Management Agency's revised flood plain m... More ... Bronx woman charged in Holmdel theft, false documents       HOLMDEL - A New York woman was charged with theft and possessing false documents at the Cosmetic Essence Inc. factory last week. According to Holmdel Police, Carmen Lopez, 48, of Elliot Place, Bronx, N.Y., was placed under arrest April 21 at approximately 9:53 p.m. for stealing $350 worth of per... More ... No turf, but this mini golf course is 'green' Enrichment class creates miniature putt with reused materials BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       ABERDEEN- Think twice before getting rid of recyclables; they might just be a miniature golf course in the making. On April 19, Jim Tobias' class in the Matawan Student Enrichment Program showcased their handmade miniature golf course, made completely of recyclables, at the Lloyd Road School. More ... Keansburg man hospitalized after Holmdel crash       BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer HOLMDEL - A Keansburg man was hospitalized after his car collided with another car on Middletown Road on Sunday. James Karusotto, 20, of Sea Breeze Way in Keansburg, was taken to Riverview Medical Center after his 1996 Saturn spun out of control on the wet road... More ... Holmdel man charged with assaulting police officer BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       HOLMDEL- Atownship man was arrested after allegedly stealing his mother's car and burglarizing his father's house early Sunday morning. Charles Tumazos, 20, of Dora Lane was charged Sunday, April 27, with aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, theft, burglary, possession of a s... More ... Getting Ready to Cast      ERIC SUCAR staff With help from her father, Pat Butler, 7-year-old Sage Butler of Red Bank makes the final preparations on her fishing rod before the start of the annual Kids' Fishing Derby held at Stevenson Park in Shadow Lake in Lincroft on Saturday, April 26. The annual event, sponsored by Middle... More ... IN THE ARTS       Join the Monmouth County Arts Council and The Latino Chamber of Commerce for a classical marimba concert and wine tasting reception to benefit the arts council at the Kirby House in Elberon, a historic mansion, hosted by Leigh Howard Stevens ThursdayMay 1, at 7 p.m. Stevens and Nora Clerc will... More ... We've been there       Familiar places and local landmarks arewaiting to be revisited in an art exhibit of watercolor paintings by local artist Linné Grant. "Places We All Have Been" will run through May 10 at the Monmouth Beach Cultural Center at 128 Ocean Ave. More ... Talented students showcased at BCC arts festival BY LINDA DeNICOLA Correspondent       Although Brookdale Community College in Lincroft has been an integral part of Monmouth County for a number of decades, it is still a work in progress. More ... NOTES       TheMiddle Road School PTO,Hazlet, is seeking vendors for a craft and vendor show May 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is $25 for a 10-by-10-foot space. For more information, call Terry at (732) 888-9140. More ... From high tech to basics, sewing center has it all Bernina Sewing Center offers new look but same level of service BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       MATAWAN - The Bernina Sewing Center is not just a stitch in time, but has something for sewers of all ages. "This is not your grandmother's sewing store," said owner Lois Reitz. "Sewing machines have become so high-tech now, but we still offer basic machines. 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