Howell High School's Rob McClintock spikes the ball during a Shore Conference A North Division volleyball match against Colts Neck High School on May 8 in Howell. The Rebels defeated the Cougars on their home floor and claimed the division title. See sports. More ... EMS units at heart of council discussion Councilman says present system is costing Howell a significant amount BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       Acall goes out for one of Howell's emergency medical services (EMS) units to respond to an incident. The first responders on the scene happen to be a volunteer first aid squad. These volunteers administer first aid care before handing off the patient to a paid EMS squad for transport to a hospital... More ... Pupils have 'super' time time shopping for food ShopRite joins with Rosenauer school for math, life lessons BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       Sylvia Rosenauer Elementary School third-graders in Jackson are learning their math skills firsthand from a program that involves students, parents, teachers and associates at a local ShopRite supermarket. The youngsters recently took a field trip to ShopRite, County Line Road, to apply some of t... More ... Family fest will be held in Plumsted       PLUMSTED - An old-fashioned outdoor street festival with family oriented events for all ages comes to Downtown New Egypt on May 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Oakford Lake pedestrian bridge links all the festival activities taking place on Lakeview Drive at the Oakford Lake Park to the Front Stree... More ... Live auctions will benefit Monmouth Academy       Live, silent and gift auctions will be held at Monmouth Academy's Judith S. Lenk Gymnasium, 152 LanesMill Road, Howell, May 17. Preview and silent auction will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by the live auction at 7:30 p.m. Fine art, sports memorabilia, music memorabilia, student art and more.Admiss... More ... A day to honor service, remember sacrifice Vets who served country honored at Vietnam Veterans'Memorial BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       Peter Van Rixoort never met his father, but all his life he has known just how special his father's sacrifice for World War II really was. Van Rixoort's father, Staff Sgt. John Van Rixoort, who was a rifleman in the United States Army's 75th Division, 291st Infantry in Company E, never made it ho... More ... Applicant seeks approval for 4-home subdivision BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - No decision was reached last week after the Planning Board heard testimony for a four-home subdivision off Clearstream Road, just east of Brewers Bridge Road. The application filed byMichael Rottenberg was carried until July 7, at which time another hearing date will be assigned. More ... Dealership will host blood drive       LAKEWOOD- The JimCurleyDealership, 1399 River Ave. (Route 9), is "revving up" this year's blood drive with an incentive for parents of elementary school students to give blood. Parents who donate blood can enter a drawing in "The WJRZ Blood Drive Challenge Donate for Disney," a trip for four to D... More ... Boardmember faces charges in connection with election BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON- A Jackson Board of Education member who was elected to his first term on the panel one month ago, has been charged with two counts of disorderly conduct and has received summonses for two traffic infractions. Scott Sargent, 44, of Knolls Drive, who has been employed by the Jackson Depart... More ... Recess task force bill advances in N.J. Senate BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       On May 5 the Senate Education Committee amended bill A-467, also known as S-226, which seeks to establish a task force that would be charged with studying the potential benefits of student recess and making recommendations on the advisability of mandatory recess in New Jersey school districts. More ... Dog tourney coming to town       PLUMSTED - The 2008 Masters World Invitational Dog Sport Tournament Event for German shepherd dogs will be held on June 7-8 at New Egypt High School, 117 Evergreen Road. More ... Errant bull makes for a special 'Moo'ther's Day BY JANE MEGGITT and AMY ROSEN Staff Writers       Sharon Gaboff has four children but spent most of Mother's Day with a bull. A part-time animal control officer for Manalapan, the Millstone resident was unexpectedly called to duty May 11 when what was thought to be an errant cow was discovered wandering in the vicinity of Woodward Road in Manalap... More ... Seniors get the scoop on area health services BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - Area senior citizens recently had a chance to attend a free health fair that gave various health-care providers and organizations a chance to show residents what services they offer. The nonprofit organization Jackson Gives Back sponsored the event on April 30 at the White Butterfly gi... More ... 'Wandering Golfer' lands at Monroe country club       Golf enthusiasts may recognize Gia Bocra, the new instructor at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township, Middlesex County. After all, she has spent the past year crisscrossing the globe, accompanied by television cameras all along the way, and has been featured in numerous golf magazines and... More ... Freehold H.S. grad slain on Throckmorton Street Cops seek killer of former football player Rodney Keys BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - Although the motive for a homicide that occurred in Freehold Borough on May 3 has not yet been revealed, the bottom line is that Rodney Keys is dead. The Freehold Borough native left behind three children. Keys, 39, who most recently lived in Asbury Park, was the victim of a shooting ... More ... New rules established as Kruise Nite returns May 29 marks first of four car shows to be held in Freehold BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - A series of meetings among Freehold Borough officials and representatives of the Freehold Center Partnership produced an agreement that will allow Kruise Nite to resume beginning May 29. The event's operation will be reviewed after each date, according to officials. More ... Hungry for relief Worldwide food crisis hits home; higher prices compound gas costs BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       Steve Jacobson, owner of the Amboy Deli in Metuchen, Middlesex County, strikes an upbeat and genial demeanor when talking about his business over the phone. But there is a hint of frustration as well, a frustration shared by people all over the country and, indeed, all over the world due to the ri... More ... District institutes tougher standards for new drivers Jackson administrators say teens, parents and police will unite in effort BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - Teenagers who are currently juniors at Jackson Memorial and Jackson Liberty high schools will face a set of new rules in September if they want to obtain and hold on to their school parking permits when they are seniors. More ... Critter Corner       Tulip beagle Breed Color tan Age 12 years Sex female Description calm; wonderful; friendly; very well behaved; loves attention; knows many commands; great with people; likes other dogs; was a stray; active and young More ... Hall of Fame nominations being sought       JACKSON - The Jackson Alumni Hall of Fame Trustees held their reorganization meeting for 2008. The following officers were elected: George White, chairman; Laura Johnson, vice chairman; Bernie Reider, treasurer; Arleen Polito, secretary; and Michelle Emmons, historian/ publicist. More ... Howell youth wins competition       HOWELL - Stephanie Hanvey, 10, of Howell, outsang, outshined and ultimately outdid the competition to win the 6- to 11-year-old age category in the NJ Fame Game. More ... Chorus to perform in Jackson       JACKSON - The Liberty Oak Chorus, an award-winning Freehold-based chapter of Sweet Adelines International, will be performing its "Red Hot" spring show at Jackson Memorial High School, 101 Don Connor Blvd., Jackson, at 3 p.m. May 18. More ... 'Cole Porter' comes to Lakewood       LAKEWOOD - "Mrs. Edith Gould" has entertained many a musical luminary from the GildedAge and beyond, but songwriter Cole Porter may be her brightest star yet. A giant in the American musical lexicon, Cole Porter interwove his musical genius into the culture of the 20th century along with contemp... More ... Call animal control first if rabies is suspected       BRICK TOWNSHIP - A Brick Township woman and a Jersey Shore Animal Center animal control officer both received rabies shots after they were scratched by a rabid cat recently. More ... Vo-Tech to host 'Cook for the Cure'       Ocean County Vocational Technical School will host a "Cook for the Cure" luncheon May 21 from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the OCVTS Brick Center dining room, 350 Chambers Bridge Road. OCVTS Culinary Arts students will prepare a specialmenu for the day, and all proceeds will be donated to the Susan... More ... Team back for next 'Challenge'       HOWELL - Continuing their winning streak in round two, the academic team from Monmouth Academy, Howell, is moving on to the third round of Cablevision's "The Challenge," an academic quiz show designed to test students' knowledge in a Jeopardy-style format. More ... Builder moving ahead on three communities K. Hovnanian projects are transforming rural side of Manalapan BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - With construction having been under way for two years and still going, developer K. Hovnanian is making its mark in the southern end of Manalapan. The firm is building three communities off Woodward and Millhurst roads and Route 33. More ...