Church to mark end of renovations St. Mary's Church remains part of long tradition in Jackson BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer      There is joy in the air and in the hearts of the members of St. Mary's Russian Orthodox Church. More ... Pupils' efforts honor memory of Sept. 11 BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer      JACKSON - A Sept. 11 sculpture made from tiles created by students at the Goetz Middle School has been unveiled. More ... New competition for artists at show      Freeholder John C. Bartlett is inviting all artists to compete in a new division at the Sept. 23-24 Ocean County Decoy and Gunning Show. The first-place submission will be featured on the cover of next year's show program. More ... Residents seek election to charter study panel BY LARRY HLAVENKA JR. Staff Writer      HOWELL - The Township Clerk's office has confirmed that two five-person groups have submitted petitions seeking to be elected to a charter study commission which would investigate a possible change in Howell's form of government. More ... Board opens hearings for 965-home project Hovbilt application in Jackson has been in the works for years BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer      JACKSON - After years of discussion, a formal application for 965 homes to be built by Hovbilt has come before the Planning Board seeking approval. More ... New ridership numbers boosts call for rail line      Ocean County and Monmouth County officials are cautiously optimistic that new ridership numbers presented last week to transportation officials may bolster the counties' ongoing efforts to implement passenger rail service in one of the fastest-growing regions in the state. More ... Ex-Senate pres. pleads guilty to tax evasion Admits accepting payments to lobby for sand-mining operation BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer      One of the most powerful Democrats in New Jersey has pleaded guilty to corruption charges. More ... GCU contests denial of plan in Lakewood BY LARRY HLAVENKA JR. Staff Writer      LAKEWOOD - A recent decision by the Planning Board to reject an application filed by Georgian Court University is headed for a courtroom showdown. More ... In the Service      Air Force Airman 1st Class David A. Valle has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. During training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physic More ... BookFest slated for Sept. 30      The Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library, 101 Washington Street, Toms River, will host "2006 BookFest, The New Jersey Festival of Reading," from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 30. More ... Annual Habitat cycle ride Oct. 1      When James Wishbow first conceived the idea of raising funds for Habitat for Humanity with a motorcycle ride, he never dreamed it would be so successful. Now in its seventh year, Habitat's annual Motorcycle Ride for Affordable Housing is gearing up with an expected turnout of 800 to 900 New Jersey b More ... Proposal for 58 homes gains nod from board BY LARRY HLAVENKA JR. Staff Writer      HOWELL - Toll Brothers has received Planning Board approval to build 58 homes on Route 524 at Fairfield Road. The board's approval on Sept. 7 followed two lengthy public hearings on the application. The houses will be built on the Schuch tract. More ... Park to become reality in Freewood Acres BY LARRY HLAVENKA JR. Staff Writer      HOWELL - If you build it, they will come. At least according to Freewood Acres resident Kerry Williams. More ... Awards program honors Greater Women of Central N.J. Greater Media Newspapers, CentraState team to honor women of achievement BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer      Women have traditionally been honored for their roles as wives and mothers. More ... Forestry festival scheduled for Oct. 7      JACKSON - On Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the state Department of Environ-mental Protection (DEP) will host the 12th annual Fall Forestry Festival rain or shine at the Forest Resource Education Center, Don Connor Boulevard. More ... Two River Theater hosts 'Best of New Jersey Dance' Series will showcase state's dance companies from Oct. 28 to June 3 BY KATHY HALL Correspondent      The variety and quality of New Jersey's dance companies may be one of our state's best-kept secrets. If you are curious about what Terpsichore has inspired in the Garden State, plan to attend the Two River Theater Company's "Best of New Jersey Dance" series beginning Oct. 28 and ending June 3. More ... A faire time      Clockwise from top left - Arizona's Goyaclé takes aim at the target during an archery demonstration at the Renaissance Faire, Sept. 17. The 25th annual charity Renaissance Faire was sponsored by the Lakewood Lions Club and the Society for Creative Anachronism and was held at Pine Park, Lakew... More ...