SCOTT FRIEDMAN The Hill and Thompson families of Jackson found the pumpkin picking to be to their liking when they visited DeWolf's Farm in Plumsted on a recent fall afternoon. More ... Planners reject another housing application Jackson board turns thumbs down on 130-home section of Leigh project BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       Whether or not the Jackson Planning Board's decision to deny an application filed by the Leigh Realty Company will kill the project permanently may be determined by the applicant's development team in the near future. On Oct. 15 board members voted 9-0 to deny the application, which had been rema... More ... Lakewood artist's work honored at Guild show       The Guild of Creative Art in Shrewsbury is featuring a multi-media show of contemporary American artists through the end of October. Departing from tradition, the Guild asked Michael Cagno, curator of the Noyes Museum in Oceanville and an experienced photographer and painter, to judge the entries... More ... County nets $452K at auction       The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders announced that the 2007 Monmouth County surplus auction netted $452,045. The amount includes the proceeds from a one-day auction held in Freehold Township and a five-day online auction. More ... Suspect sought in assault       LAKEWOOD - Police are continuing to search for the suspect who assaulted a 53-year-old township resident on Oct. 9. Police believe an aluminum baseball bat that was recovered at the scene of the crime to be the weapon that was used during the assault. More ... Generation connection      ANDREW MILLER staff Cecilia Whitehouse, 86, and John Milne, 11, both of Howell, enjoy themselves while playing a game of Upwords during an after-school program at the Ardena School, Howell, that welcomes senior citizens to the school to share an afternoon of games and camaraderie with pupils. More ... Jazz month will feature films and performances       Jazz Week, typically celebrated at the headquarters location of the Monmouth County library in Manalapan, has just expanded to Jazz Month. Free jazz and related jazz programs will heat up the library in November when the library presents Jazz Month 2007. More ... Leutwyler named to seat on Plumsted committee       PLUMSTED - The Township Committee has appointed Dave Leutwyler to complete the remainder of the late Ken Francis' term of office on the Township Committee through Dec. 31. According to Mayor Ron Dancer, prior to his death Francis informed his family that he would like to see Leutwyler, his close... More ... Cats help save woman from poison BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - Two faithful feline friends are being credited with saving not only each other, but Rose Forte, too, with whom they share a home in the Silvermead adult community off Jackson Mills Road. Forte, 72, said she has been a resident of Silvermead for 30 years. However, her gas furn... More ... Bride shares special day with loving friend Bug has been with Marlboro native in good times and bad BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       Acouple wishes to share with the people they love. For one bride it was a day she wanted to share with her beloved horse, Bug. Marlboro native Penny Haesloop, 24, formerly Penny Kalika, has spent years of her life raising Bug. There was no way she would let him miss one of the happiest days of he... More ... All in a row      SCOTT FRIEDMAN Valentina Jacovino, 2, of Toms River, neatly arranges the gourds she has collected during a pumpkin-picking trip to DeWolf's Farm, Plumsted, on Oct. 14. More ... Legislation aimed at closing railroad loophole approved       The U.S. House of Representatives on Oct. 17 approved an amendment offered by U.S. Reps. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ) and Patrick Murphy (D-PA) to the Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2007 that would give states the authority to regulate solid waste facilities. The amendment was unanimously ... More ... Board hears annual report of violence and vandalism BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - A report detailing the incidents of violence that occurred in Jackson schools during the prior school year was presented to the Board of Education at its Oct. 16 meeting. Director of Security Walter Jensen reviewed the statistics with the board. He said data is submitted to his office ... More ... Self-defense is top priority at annual Howell seminar BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL - Angela Goldberg of Howell can rest a little easier now that she knows her 15-year-old daughter will be able to defend herself in the event of an attack. On Oct. More ...