ERIC SUCAR staff Surrounded by his Clifton Avenue Grade School chorus, director Franklin Phillips finishes up his solo performance during the 2007 Holiday Concert held at the Clifton Avenue Grade School, Lakewood, on Dec. 6. The concert included selections from the chorus and from the combined Ella ... More ... Jackson officials discuss chemical treatment plan Gypsy moths expected to reappear this spring; plan of attack pondered BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       Which chemical should be used to destroy the 2008 gypsy moth population and how that chemical will be applied are decisions Jackson officials will have to make in the near future. "There has been much discussion about gypsy moth spraying over the past year," Mayor Mark Seda said at the Dec. 11 me... More ... Holiday favorites      ERIC SUCAR staff Clarinet player Mariano Del Valle performs with the combined Ella G. Clarke School and Clifton Avenue Grade School bands during the 2007 Holiday Concert that took place Dec. 6 at the Clifton Avenue Grade School, Lakewood. More ... This SOS is a good thing for town's older adults Goal of new program is to inform seniors about many services BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       PLUMSTED - In an effort to inform residents about what is available and to provide services to Plumsted's senior citizens, Mayor Ron Dancer and resident Leighann Vinciguerra have formed a Senior Outreach Search (SOS) program. More ... All options under review for Jackson EMS provider BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - There are still a lot of unanswered questions regarding which emergency medical services (EMS) provider should be selected to supply basic life support (BLS) responses in Jackson. "We are waiting for all the information to come back," Mayor Mark Seda said this week. More ... Rock'n Music Idol semifinalists announced       Hundreds of contestants from throughout the state have auditioned in hope of becoming a Rock'n Music Idol for 2007-08. The competition, administered by Rock'n Music Academy in Middletown, is a search for New Jersey's most impressive musicians ages 7 to 17 in the categories of guitar, bass, drums, ... More ... Sea training tour a success for Howell man       Midshipman David J. Brienza of Howell recently returned to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy after completing his sea training tour aboard three U.S. merchant and military vessels. Cadets at the academy, in Kings Point, N.Y., are required to serve two tours totaling 300 days as marine engineers or ... More ... Howell man gets prison term       A former assistant manager of a Hudson City Savings Bank branch in West Long Branch was sentenced on Dec. 14 to 24 months in federal prison for embezzling nearly $500,000 from the bank, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced. More ... Hotel plan may return at later date       HOWELL - A public hearing on an applicant's plan to build a six-story hotel near the intersection of Route 9 and Interstate 195 was not heard by the Howell Zoning Board of Adjustment on Dec. 17. A special meeting of the zoning board had been scheduled for that night to hear the hotel application... More ... Social club delivers special gifts BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       LAKEWOOD - Instead of participating in a Santa grab bag this Christmas during which acquaintances exchange gifts with one another, residents of Lakewood's Horizons at Woodlake Greens adult community have decided to give gifts to the people who they say deserve them the most. More ... Car stickers for provisional drivers are now available BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - Stickers that will identify a vehicle as one that is being operated by a person who holds a New Jersey provisional driver's license are now available in Jackson. "The stickers have been received and they are available for distribution," said Jackson police Sgt. Brian J. Geoghegan. More ... State fund helps pay for children's medical needs       On Dec. 13 Gov. Jon S. Corzine announced more than $3.3 million in financial grants awarded by the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund Commission (CICRFC) to help families dealing with their children's extraordinary medical expenses. More ... Seniors get some help in preparing for winter       Ocean County's meals on wheels provider has teamed up with the Ocean County Health Department and Office of Senior Services in getting information to participants on being prepared for winter weather. Community Services Inc. More ... 'I Am Legend' lives up to its name BY CHRIS GAETANO Movie Critic       Warner Bros. Pictures release Di rected by: Francis Lawrence Starring: Will Smith, Alice Braga, Dash Mihok, Charlie Tahan, Abbey Running time: 110 minutes Classified: R It is fairly safe to say that at this point, the genome has replaced the atom as the ultimate symbol of humanity's collecti... More ...