Parents hear warnings about upsurge in gangs Lakewood library hosts meeting on issue that experts say merits attention BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       Diane Reaves, an Ocean County resident and mother of three, has lived in Lakewood for nearly a decade, but it was not until recently that she feared for her family. Due to what she said is the rise of gang violence in her neighborhood, Reaves decided to home-school her three children in a... More ...       Brian Losano, of Howell, rocks out on stage as he performs with Severance during a show at the Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, Middlesex County, on Feb. 18. More ... Jackson seeks land for affordable housing BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - An ordinance author-izing the acquisition by the township of 23 small lots that would pave the way for an affordable housing project to be constructed has been adopted by the Town-ship Council. The lots, many of which measure about 20 by 100 feet, are off County Line Road n... More ...       Although an ice and snow storm that struck New Jersey on Feb. 14 caused power outages and other problems for thousands of people in Monmouth and Ocean counties, it also resulted in serene scenes such as this one at the Twin Pond Farm on Adelphia-Farmingdale Road in Howell. This photograph w... More ... Power outage hit Jackson hard during Feb. 14 storm BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - The township's emergency services operation swung into action on Valentine's Day after an ice and snow storm left some residents without power. Officials said many residents were without heat and electricity for almost two days in the wake of the Feb. 14 storm that left tre... More ... Bill sparks debate over health vs. parents' rights Some fear mandating cancer vaccine for girls may promote promiscuity BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       A new bill before the state Assembly would require all girls entering the seventh grade to be immunized against the virus responsible for most cervical cancers and genital warts. Proponents argue that the vaccine can save countless lives, but opponents say it removes parents' rights to be... More ... Educational foundation calls event a big success BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - A Battle of the Bands event held Feb. 10 at Jackson Memorial High School has paid off with a net gain of almost $8,000 for the Jackson Educa-tion Foundation. According to foundation officials, those funds will go back to Jackson's schools and students in the form of SMART b... More ... Special education rights will be topic of meeting       JACKSON - The next session of the Jackson Parent to Parent support group will be held March 1. The topic will be basic rights in special education. More ... Scarf sale will benefit St. Jude hospital       Can one person really make a difference? Kim Rosato, of Jackson, believes she can. Rosato is a student in the Fashion Merchandising/Design program at Ocean County Vocational Technical School (OCVTS) in Brick Township. She is currently working on a community service project known as "One Perso... More ... Income tax assistance available       Seniors in need of help with preparing their income taxes can contact the Ocean County Office of Senior Services and request a list of locations where free tax counseling and preparation services are being offered. "It's important this information be made available to our senior citizen... More ... Survey fails to turn up any homeless in town Reverend thanks police for assisting in Jackson effort BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - A recent effort to determine how many, if any, homeless people live in Jackson has revealed that none could be found. "The Hope of Glory Worship Center worked hand in hand with the Jackson Police Department to locate and survey any homeless residents within the township l... More ... Jackson police seek OK to start up canine unit BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - Expressing a desire to better serve the community, police officers want to add a canine unit to the Jackson Police Department. "Councilman (Scott) Martin and I have been speaking with members of the police department, and personally I'm convinced of the need for the program... More ... HPV infections have no signs or symptoms       The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name of a group of viruses that includes more than 100 different strains or types, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Preven-tion's Internet Web site on sexually transmitted diseases. More than 30 of these viruses are transmitted sexua... More ... Ice storm cuts power in Howell BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL - In the wake of an ice and snow storm that struck New Jersey on Feb. 14-15, the township's emergency services went into action. The storm knocked down trees and coated power lines with ice. More ... New officer's beat expected to be downtown New Egypt       PLUMSTED - A new and expanded community policing program will be implemented this spring in downtown New Egypt with support, in part, from a $525,000 Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP) state grant, according to Mayor Ron Dancer. More ... New officer's beat expected to be downtown New Egypt       PLUMSTED - A new and expanded community policing program will be implemented this spring in downtown New Egypt with support, in part, from a $525,000 Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP) state grant, according to Mayor Ron Dancer. More ... Chief Justice: Court must protect rights of citizens Zazzali says court likely to hear eminent domain case in future BY LORI ANNE OLIWA Correspondent       LINCROFT - Brookdale Community College played host on Feb. 8 to Chief Justice James R. Zazzali of the New Jersey Supreme Court. Zazzali was appointed by Gov. Jon Corzine and began his term as chief justice on Oct. 26. Dr. Peter C. Burnham, president of Brookdale, introduced Zazzali... More ... On Campus       Midshipman David J. Brienza, son of Robert and Violet Brienza of Howell, recently returned to the United States Merchant Marine Academy, where he is a student, after spending four months at sea training aboard a United States merchant vessel. More ... In the Service       Air Force Airman Theo R. Melville has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. More ...