PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Mary DePietro, 8, of Point Pleasant Borough, (above) works with Kendall Curtis, 6, of the New Egypt section of Plumsted, to direct a calf to a holding pen during the team penning competition at Curry Farms, Howell, on July 13. In photo below, farm owner Warren Curry chase... More ... Fun times at farm bring taste of West to Howell Ruth & Warren Curry host team penning, welcome riders, guests BY ERIN O. STATTEL Correspondent       The clock starts and a blur of brown and white cows streak by the bleachers. Two girls on horseback fly by, laughing and screaming. The girls aim their horses in the cows' direction, ready to beat the clock. Welcome to the weekly team penning event at Curry Farms, Georgia Tavern Road, How... More ... Budget gets final OK in Howell       HOWELL - The Township Council has given final approval to a $44.8 million municipal budget for 2007. The municipal budget in 2006 amounted to $40.5 million. More ... Incident at Jackson home leads to arrest of 3 people       JACKSON - An 18-year-old boy, an 18-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy were arrested on June 26 after a brawl brought police to a Jackson Mills Road home. More ... Freehold Raceway will host Italian-American festival       FREEHOLD - The Italian American Association of Monmouth County will hold its first Italian-American Festival at Freehold Raceway, Route 33 (Park Avenue), from July 18-21 from 6-11 p.m. each night. Featured will be rides, games, Italian novelties, 50-50 raffles, a raffle for a cruise, f... More ... Slots crucial to horse industry, open space BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       Without intervention from state officials, New Jersey may lose its $1.1 billion horse industry to surrounding states. More ... Landscaping firm fined for actions in accident BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - Representatives of Down to Earth Landscaping pleaded guilty in municipal court on July 5 to two of the four summonses that were issued after a hydroseed trailer became separated from a truck and caused an accident on March 9. More ... Carbon monoxide detectors still available to residents       JACKSON - Any resident who needs a new carbon monoxide detector for their home can still claim one. "The Goetz school effort to educate the public about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning really opened my eyes," said resident Michelle Stamos, who has four children. "Getting a det... More ... Farms nearing preservation       PLUMSTED - The Township Com-mittee is preparing to add Plumsted's two largest remaining farms into the preservation land program with resolutions authorizing open space plan amendments and municipal endorsements to forever protect their 662 acres from future residential development, accordin... More ... In the Arts       Dr. Richard Fernicola, author of "Twelve Days of Terror," about the 1916 Matawan Creek shark attack, will be the honored guest at the second annual SharkFest, July 21, 4-9 p.m., at the Matawan Community Center and Terhune Park, Broad and South streets, Matawan. The rain date is July 22. More ... Photography, ceramics at the Gallery on Grant       A dual exhibit of photography by Judith Mamiye and ceramics by Susan Perl is at the Gallery on Grant at the Jewish Community Center in Deal. More ... Youngsters invited to casting call       Pamela Roth, a former Manalapan resident who now runs the Youth Commercial Division at Don Buchwald and Associates, New York, a full-service talent agency specializing in television, film, commercials and voice-overs will hold an open casting call on July 20 from 5-10 p.m. at the Freehold Gar... More ... Miss New Jersey ready to continue her duties Pageant board decides that photos will not disqualify young woman BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL - A picture of her legs spread in the air while riding in a limousine was one of the photos used in an alleged blackmail attempt to coerce Miss New Jersey, Amy Polumbo, 22, of Howell, to give up the crown she won several weeks ago. More ... Planners set schedule for remainder of year BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - Three new people have taken their seats on the Planning Board. Rick Cohen, Len Haring and Township Councilwoman Emily Ingram were appointed to the board at the July 9 meeting. Ingram was unable to attend the meeting due to a previous commitment. More ... Police overtime an issue as council OKs budget BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL - A vote by the Township Council on July 10 passed an amendment which approved police overtime in the 2007 municipal budget. The potential of negatively affecting the availability of services for residents was the overriding factor which swayed a majority of council members on... More ... Restaurant carves out niche for local benefits BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL - "Paying it forward" is what assistant manager Maria Conrow says Mulligan's Bar and Grill is doing every time it hosts a benefit. The Squankum Road restaurant that is named after a golf term which means "take another shot" has helped to raise more than $10,000 for local chari... More ... JTMUA will save money on meter deal with Brick BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - The Jackson Township Municipal Utilities Authority (JTMUA) may soon be joining hands with the Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority (BTMUA) in an interlocal government services agreement. The agreement, which was given the green light by the Township Council in a 4-0... More ... Creating bridges, one bead at a time Linda DeNicola My Take       There is so much need in Africa, and when I see mothers unable to feed their children it brings me to my knees. So I decided to do something. I decided to sell jewelry for a nonprofit called Bead For Life (BFA). When the box came in the mail, full of beautiful beaded jewelry... More ... Howell technology pupils attend national conference       HOWELL - From June 24-28, middle school Technology Student Association (TSA) members Brent Bovenzi, Channing Huang, Shaila Huq, John Kelly, Craig Hatch, Bryan Howard, Brian Blood, Tyler Ornstein, Robert Rubiano and Andrew Runyon attended the 29th annual National TSA Conference in Nashville, ... More ... Family stays positive in face of challenges Manalapan residents want others to know about rare disease BY AMY ROSEN Staff Writer       The Reinish family is much like any other family in Manalapan, Monmouth County. Jim works as a manager of business and financial services for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey during the day and tutors students for the SAT test on weekends and most evenings. More ... Gypsy moth spraying options under review BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - Responding to concerns from residents whose property was hit hard by a gypsy moth infestation this year, Mayor Mark Seda this week sought to set the record straight as to why Jackson did not participate in an aerial spraying program. More ... Focus for seniors is eating right to remain healthy BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL - "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" is the old adage that seems to ring true, especially for older individuals who want to remain healthy. Howell seniors took this to heart as they listened to a lecture on "Making the Right Food Choices for a Healthier Future." The lectur... More ...