ERIC SUCAR staff Claude "Tojo" Henderson of the Harlem Wizards tries his best to intimidate a young volunteer during the Wizards' benefit basketball game against teachers from the Crawford-Rodriguez Elementary School, Jackson, on Jan. 23. The game was a fundraiser for the Crawford-Rodriguez PTN. The... More ... Falling enrollment could prompt school closing Howell district at about 7,100 pupils; options examined BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       As one way of dealing with a declining enrollment in the community's K-8 public schools, Howell Board of Education members are considering the possible option of closing a school. The Howell school district has 13 schools - 10 elementary schools and three middle schools. More ... Grant will help fund rain garden       PLUMSTED - New Egypt High School's Environmental Club is one of five Ocean County school programs to be awarded the Ocean County Soil Conservation District's Rain Garden Project grant. More ... Dancer ready for appearance on world stage Rachel Kern will travel to Belfast for championships BY BARI FAYE SIEGEL Correspondent       When she was a little girl, Rachel Kern dreamed of being a doctor, not a dancer like some of her peers. With college fast approaching, the Howell High School freshman remains committed to her goals of healing the sick and making a real difference. More ... Grants for traditional folk arts apprenticeships available       The New Jersey State Council on the Arts (NJSCA) announces the availability of guidelines and applications for its 2008-2009 Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program (www.njarts-council.org). The deadline for submission of applications is April 4. More ... Council weighs options for medical responses Decision about service in Jackson may come in near future BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - A final decision as to how Basic Life Support (BLS) emergency medical services will be provided in Jackson may be made when the Township Council meets on Feb. 11. The issue of a BLS provider has been discussed for the past few months, with several options on the table. More ... Slow economy takes toll on Howell construction office BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL - As a result of the slowing economy and the current climate in the region's housing market, Howell officials announced that they will reduce the work force in the Construction Code Department. Two employees will lose their jobs and two others will be transferred to vacantmunicipal positio... More ... Residents pleased to hear rezoning will not proceed Mobile home owners feared being forced from Howell location BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL - Mayor Joseph DiBella told a group of residents who live in the Green Acres Manor mobile home park that the property on which their homes sit will not be rezoned. The announcement drew applause from residents who were in attendance at the Jan. 22 meeting of the Township Council. More ... In the Service       Navy Seaman Anthony Goglia III, son of Janice L. Mannino of Howell and Anthony Goglia Jr. of Browns Mills, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. More ... Howell VFW gets space in local building BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL- Veterans of ForeignWars Post 9691 finally has some space in Howell to call its own. Municipal officials announced last week that the VFW post will be provided space at the Howell Youth and Family Services building onAdelphia Road (Route 524). More ... Jackson will use air attack on gypsy moth infestation Township Council votes to be part of state program BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON- Gypsy moths will be getting a mouthful of Bt in Jackson this spring. Township Council members voted unanimously on Jan. 22 to participate in New Jersey's 2008 aerial spraying program that will use the insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to combat an expected infestation of gypsy mot... More ... Artist wants observers to get the 'big picture' Vicky Culver continues to create unique style of photo collages BY AMY ROSEN Staff Writer       Many forms of art lift your spirits. Vicky Culver's photo collages lift your senses as well. The artist's unique creations combine photographs of varying and opposing textures, lights and dimensions to create a multitude of patterns that elicit varying emotions.You can't help but take an extraminu... More ... Getting set for a shot      ERIC SUCAR staff Laura Hayes gets ready to try to take a shot over the Harlem Wizards' Tojo Henderson during a benefit basketball game played at Jackson Liberty High School on Jan. 23. The event was a benefit for the Crawford-Rodriguez Elementary School PTN. More ... Donations to foundation will now be tax deductible BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - The Jackson Educational Foundation, which was founded in 2005, has received 501(c)(3) status. The foundation provides grants for special projects in Jackson's elementary schools, middle schools and high schools that are not funded through the regular school budget. More ... Planners consider application for age-restricted community BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL - Representatives of the Boulder Ridge II at Howell age-restricted community are expected to continue making their case for Planning Board approval when a hearing on the application resumes on Feb. 7. The 172-lot development that would be built on Route 33 was the subject of a Jan. 10 hea... More ...