Habitat asks for land to build homes Jackson officials say they will consider request from private organization BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       A representative of the Northern Ocean County Chapter of Habitat for Humanity has asked for municipal land in Jackson on which the group could build two or three homes. Habitat for Humanity builds homes for working families. The families that are selected to receive the homes invest... More ...       Howell High School's Jason Amato (22) is congratulated by teammates after he ran 83 yards for a touchdown with a blocked field goal during the Central Jersey Group IV championship game Sunday at Rutgers Stadium. The Rebels came up short against Hunterdon Central. For more, see Sports. More ... Analyst: Project revenues will outweigh cost to town BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - An economic analyst and consultant continued his testimony before the Planning Board on a developer's application for the 965-unit age-restricted condominium development Jackson Valley on Nov. 20. Hovbilt is proposing to build Jackson Valley in the Cassville section of Jacks... More ... Plumsted hires new officer to bring dept. to 11 members       PLUMSTED - The Township Committee appointed Vince Doell as a new full-time fully certified patrolman to the Plumsted Police Department on Nov. 20. The appointment of Doell brings the number of full-time fully certified police officers to 11, the highest level in the history of the towns... More ... Parish plans $3.5M project to meet community's needs BY LARRY HLAVENKA JR. Staff Writer       HOWELL - The Rev. Brendan Williams, pastor of the Roman Catholic Church of St. Veronica, Route 9 north, does not like the idea of having to ask his parishioners for money - especially $3.5 million. But with a parish that has grown to more than 5,500 families and strained the facilitie... More ... Town tries to get a handle on tricky traffic situations BY LARRY HLAVENKA JR. Staff Writer       HOWELL - Township Manager Thomas Czerniecki expects to unveil a policy that will give residents a new way to voice their concerns about traffic problems in the community. Speaking at the Township Council's Nov. 28 meeting, Czerniecki said that at the present time, residents bring thei... More ... Computerized scheduling to streamline ride system       A state-of-the-art computerized network will streamline the way passenger routes are scheduled in the Ocean County Transportation Department's Reserve-A-Ride system. Beginning in early 2007, the county will begin implementing new software that will enhance the way rides are scheduled an... More ... Citizens' complaints delay proposed change in lot size BY LARRY HLAVENKA JR. Staff Writer       HOWELL - Following the Planning Board's adoption of revisions to Howell's master plan earlier this year, the Township Council must now adopt ordinances to put those revisions in place. Many of the necessary ordinances have been adopted without incident. More ... Paramedics seek ability to transport patients Emergency responders say they are caught in a financial crunch BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       Residents of Marlboro and Manalapan may soon feel the impact of an emergency response crisis affecting Mobile Intensive Care Units (MICU) in the state. More ... Fields, technology could be among services to be shared BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - Plans to share services between the Jackson School District and the municipality have been set in motion. "The process of combining some of the efforts of the school district and the town is what community is all about," Town-ship Councilwoman Emily Ingram said. More ... Grant to pay for paving in Plumsted       PLUMSTED - State Commissioner of Transportation Kris Kolluri informed the Township Committee on Nov. 15 that a grant application in the amount of $140,000 to pave Lakeview Drive has been approved. According to a press release, the township will receive the $140,000 from the state's Fisc... More ... Youngster set for debut on television soap opera BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - Like any other happy 10-year-old, Allie Gorenc loves her life - the family, friends and school life that are the stuff of happy childhood memories. Unlike most other 10-year-olds though, Allie has captured lightning in a bottle to the delight of her supportive family and t... More ... Plumsted plans to spray to control gypsy moths       PLUMSTED - Department of Agriculture inspectors have completed a gypsy moth survey in Plumsted's wooded areas, as requested by the Township Committee. The survey results show that outbreaks of the leaf eating gypsy moths are expected in the spring. More ... Township racing to file affordable housing plan BY LARRY HLAVENKA JR. Staff Writer       HOWELL - Due to what Planning Board professional Charles Newcomb deemed as his own "math mistakes," the state Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) Housing Plan Element and Fair Share Plan will require Howell to account for nearly 20 percent fewer units than initially expected. More ... Wawa to build in Plumsted       PLUMSTED - The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled in favor of Plumsted on Oct. 17 by denying a petition for certification that was filed by E-Z Auto Service in an attempt to overturn approvals for a new Wawa convenience store with gas service to be constructed at the intersection of Route 539 and... More ... Kelaher targets unregistered contractors       Ocean County Prosecutor Thomas F. Kelaher has announced a new initiative dubbed "Operation One-Two Punch." As of Dec. 31 all home improvement contractors were required to register with the state and are subject to numerous regulations. Those who do not register may be charged with an in... More ... Paranormal sleuths specialize in a sixth sense BY DANIELLE MEDINA Correspondent       BRICK - For Brick Township resident Desirae Wojtanowski, the things that go bump in the night are all part of a day's work. As the founder and lead investigator for Paranormal Visions, Wojtanowski and her team travel throughout New Jersey studying paranormal phenomena in private resid... More ...