ERIC SUCAR staff Bobby Schear, 13, takes part in an air hockey game during a trip to Swingtime, Howell. The youth was part of the Teen Adventure program, a special activity offered by the Howell Recreation Department. For the story by staff writer Toynett Hall, see page 8. More ... Jackson seeking $2M for 2-acre property Permitted uses include retail, drug, liquor stores, offices, bank or a bar BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       Bids will be received on Aug. 16 at 10 a.m. as Jackson municipal officials seek to sell a piece of township-owned land at the corner of West Veterans Highway and Don Connor Boulevard, Jackson. The approximately 2.5-acre portion of a 6.22-acre parcel is in the PVC-2 zone (Pine-lands ... More ... Camp offers adventure to special needs youths BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL - For many people, summer is a time to enjoy the beach and to catch some sun. However, some youngsters have decided not to pursue a typical Jersey shore summer and have chosen instead to discover an adventure in their own neighborhood. More ... Plumsted officer promoted       PLUMSTED - The Township Com-mittee has promoted Police Officer Sue DesMarias from part-time status to full-time, bringing the Plumsted Police Department to its highest level of 12 full-time uniformed police officers. More ... Crime scene procedures focus of library lecture BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL - There was a dead body in the middle of a room filled with children. Instead of running away, these young people examined the corpse for evidence. More ... Residents asked to comment on plan       JACKSON - A cross acceptance public hearing has been scheduled which may be of interest to Jackson residents. The hearing will be held at 6 p.m. Aug. 16 at the Ocean County Administration Building, 101 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, in the freeholders meeting room. More ... Lakewood man convicted in cocaine distribution       A Lakewood man was convicted by a federal jury last week on a crack cocaine trafficking charge, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced. After five hours of deliberations, which began on Aug. More ... Job bank for veterans to provide assistance       A partnership between Ocean County and the federal Veterans Administration (VA) will help Ocean County's veterans secure employment opportunities. "The Ocean County Board of Freeholders is very proud of the more than 68,000 veterans that call Ocean County home," said Freeholder Gerry P.... More ... In the Arts       Running Rabbit Family Theatre will present "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" at Pollak Theatre, Monmouth University, West Long Branch. Performances will take place Aug. 9 and 10 at 10:30 a.m.; and Aug. 12, at 2 p.m. More ... Graduation policy will be reviewed BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL - Some parents are asking the Board of Education to modify the Howell K-8 School District's eighth-grade graduation policy. The parents claim language in the policy is ambiguous and inadvertently punishes the parents instead of pupils. More ... Fire district will receive bids for aerial apparatus BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - The Jackson Fire Dis-trict No. 3 Board of Fire Commissioners will receive sealed bids Aug. 28 at 3 p.m. for the manufacture and delivery of a custom built aerial platform fire apparatus. "There was an intense study for years surrounding what kind of apparatus is needed with... More ... Oyster Creek evac won't work, residents tell state Fear 'complete chaos' if emergency arises at Lacey nuclear plant BY PATRICIA A. MILLER Staff Writer       TOMS RIVER - Willie deCamp sat patiently through several hours of comments about the state's evacuation plans for a radiological emergency at the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station. But near the end of the public hearing at the county administration building here, deCamp had h... More ... Soccer tourney raises funds for good cause BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - A police soccer tournament that sought to raise funds for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has led to a victory by the New Jersey Strikers. The tournament, played recently at the Jackson Justice Complex, was sponsored by Jackson PBA No. 168 and the Jac... More ... Summer camp seeks volunteers       The Muscular Dystrophy Association is seeking summer camp volunteers who are looking for a rewarding and memorable experience. Volunteer counselors are needed to help young people with neuromuscular diseases enjoy a fun-filled MDA summer camp from Aug. 18-24 at Spring Valley, N.Y. More ... Crews restoring area of disturbance at park BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - Municipal employees have started to restore land that was disturbed at Johnson Park as part of a project to create an additional means of access to the facility. A spokeswoman for the state Depart-ment of Environmental Protection (DEP) said the agency is working with Jackso... More ... Parents calling for recess for Howell school pupils BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL - Children in the Howell K-8 School District spend a little more than six hours in school each day. The students' only break from class is lunchtime. And while many of the children eat, they don't all go out to play. Some parents are upset at that situation and want the Board ... More ... Land appears headed for preservation rolls       PLUMSTED - Two parcels of natural lands in Plumsted are expected to be preserved under Ocean County's Natural Lands Trust Fund Program with some financial partnering from the township. Plumsted is offering to partner with Ocean County in order to acquire two properties in the township ... More ... Wiesel to speak in Lakewood       LAKEWOOD - Georgian Court University, the Strand Theater and the Jewish Federation of Ocean County will present "Against Indifference," an afternoon with Nobel Prize winner Elie Wiesel on Nov. 4 at 1:30 p.m. at the Strand Theater. More ... Emergency repair required       JACKSON - The Jackson Township Municipal Utilities Authority (JTMUA) had to contend with a ruptured 16-inch water pipe that occurred during a violent storm on July 29. Officials said the rupture pipe was replaced within a few days. More ... Internet site offers details about tick-borne diseases       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - The Freehold Township Health Department has announced the launch of a new Internet Web site that offers centralized and comprehensive information on tick-borne disease ecology and control. According to a press release from the township, the Web site provides informa... More ... Student tapped for conference       Nicole A. Skrobola, a student at Howell High School, has been selected to attend the 2007 Congressional Student Leadership Conference, sponsored by LeadAmerica, at St. John's University in Queens, N.Y. The conference is a college-accredited invitational leadership program for academical... More ... Fellowship opens its arms to town's hungry residents BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       LAKEWOOD - The tables were adorned with beige tablecloths and an assortment of flowers as a centerpiece. Members of Agape Fellowship, 215 Madison Avenue, took orders from people who were grateful to be offered a meal and served them. On July 21, Agape Fellowship congregants gave Lake... More ... Waste station foes to press for environmental study Local reps will ask federal board to order closer look at project BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - State, county and local officials are doing what they can to keep an unregulated solid waste transfer station from becoming part of the landscape on Business Route 33 near Kozloski Road. For the second time in a month, elected officials visited the property that... More ... Summertime fun      ERIC SUCAR staff Matt Nanni, 12, enjoys a game of Skee-Ball during a trip to Swingtime, Howell, with the Teen Adventure summer program. For staff writer Toynett Hall's story on this special program offered by the Howell Recreation Department, see page 8. More ...