ANDREW MILLER staff Jackson Memorial High School's Matt Allen (l) volleys the ball against the defense of Manalapan High School's Adam Rice during the first half of their Shore Conference Boys Soccer Tournament semifinal game last Thursday at Neptune. See sports. More ... Food agency tries to keep up with county needs Director says more people are seeking help in tough economic times BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       The price of living, even modestly, is getting tougher every day and the proof is in the increase in the number of people who are seeking assistance from area food pantries. More ... Suspect arrested in assault BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       LAKEWOOD - Lee Tucker, 37, of Lakewood, was arrested and charged with attempted murder last week in connection with the Oct. 9 assault of a township resident. Police said Tucker was arrested at about 3 p.m. Oct. 24 at the corner of Fourth Street and Princeton Avenue. More ... Bands sought for Jan. event       JACKSON - It's not too early to start getting ready for the 2008 Battle of the Bands. The Jackson Educational Foundation in conjunction with the Jam Room Music Complex of Howell will be sponsoring the second annual Battle of the Bands on Jan. 19 from 7-11 p.m. at Jackson Memorial High School, Do... More ... Beatles characters live during 'Day in the Life' Autism advocacy group will benefit from Nov. 10 show BY AMY ROSEN Staff Writer       With a little help from their friends in the @CT (ACT) Theater Company of Freehold, children with autism and their families can have hope for a brighter future. More ... 5 groups to perform Nov. 10       PLUMSTED - The Plumsted Township Council for the Arts will host an A Cappella Festival on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. at New Egypt High School, Evergreen Road. More ... Grants obtained for police       PLUMSTED - The federal government's Department of Justice Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program has informed the Township Committee that the Plumsted Police Department has been awarded funds to purchase bulletproof vests. More ... Council waiting for info on possible EMS switch BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - The future of emergency medical services (EMS) in the township remained a topic of discussion at the Oct. 23 meeting of the Township Council. Councilwoman Emily Ingram said more facts and information are needed in order for officials to make a decision regarding the provision of emerge... More ... Case against cops still open       JACKSON - A civil lawsuit which charges a Jackson police officer with raping a female police informant is still pending. In November 2005, attorney Robert F. Varady served notice on Jackson officials that his client, a former female confidential informant for the Jackson Police Department, woul... More ... Fishing honors      Liam McGoohan, 14, of Jackson, grandson of Jackson Rotary Club member Patrick McGoohan, shows off the trophy he received at the Rotary Club's annual picnic and fishing tournament for special needs children and adults. Liam also won the fishing pole drawing. More ... Engineers seek ways to curtail foul odor BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL - Take Route 9 into Howell and make a right turn where you smell the pungent odor of rotten eggs and methane gas. Welcome! You have just entered Freewood Acres. For about four years, residents of the neighborhood just off the state highway say they have endured an unpleasant smell coming ... More ... State Farm offers assistance with teen driver safety effort BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - Police have received a $2,000 grant from the State Farm Insurance Company, which will be used to help improve the driving skills of township teenagers. More ... Police ticket another teen for violating license rules BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - An observant police officer prevented several young people from possibly being injured in a motor vehicle accident. Police said that on Oct. 18 at 2:25 p.m. officers responded to a caller who said there was a fight involving juveniles in progress on Albert Court. The caller told police... More ... Fluorescent bulbs may be recycled       Residents of Ocean County are being encouraged to recycle their old fluorescent light bulbs through a new program being offered by the county. The goal of the program is to keep mercury out of the waste stream. Residents can drop off a maximum of five bulbs or lamps between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. More ... The train is on time      CHRIS KELLY staff Jaylen Brown, 5, of Lakewood, pretends to be a conductor operating a train during "Catch the Blue Comet at the Train Show!," a model railroad show for the benefit of the Lakewood Heritage Museum featuring the Ocean County Society of Model Railroaders. The event took place on Oct. 2... More ... Video delivers message of personal responsibility       HOWELL - Longtime Land O' Pines School pupils Shane Turk and Courtney Dias, both fifth-graders, may not know firsthand how it feels to be the new kid in the class, but they sure understand the importance of reaching out to meet - and help - new friends. More ... National Guard units will be deployed to Iraq in '08 Freehold woman asks for donations to help make troops' lives easier BY MARK ROSMAN Staff Writer       As the war in Iraq nears the five-year mark and the war in Afghanistan moves through its seventh year, reinforcements from New Jersey will soon be on their way overseas. That means people on the homefront are being asked to continue their efforts to support the troops who will be marching into ha... More ...