JEFF GRANIT staff Jackson Memorial High School's Scott Winston jumps into the arms of Coach Doug Withstandley and makes a "zero" sign with his arms to signify his unbeaten career record after winning the 160-pound crown at the NJSIAA state wrestling championships on March 9 in Atlantic City. For mor... More ... Residents want details on budget, school closing Howell administrators say they are waiting for answers on waivers BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       Howell residents and people who do not want to see the Ardena School closed came before the Howell Board of Education on March 5 looking for answers. They have two basic questions: How will the district's 2008-09 school year budget affect taxpayers? and Is the board planning to close one of the d... More ... Young musicians have their chance to shine Outstanding students from Monmouth & Ocean counties combine talents BY PATRICIA YOCZIS Correspondent       The New Jersey State Youth Orchestra (NJSYO) has a new home. The approximately 170- member orchestra will rehearse at St. Mary's Church, Route 34, Colts Neck, starting with its 2008-09 season. Previously, the orchestra rehearsed in three locations: the Trinity Episcopal Church, Red Bank, the Red ... More ... Ingram, Garofano, Porter make bid for council seats BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - Three candidates who are calling themselves the Working Together for Jackson team have announced they are running for seats on the Township Council. TheWorking Together for Jackson candidates are Emily Ingram, Charles Garofano and Todd Porter. More ... Scholarships, special grants supported by casino night       HOWELL - The Howell Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation and the Howell Township Education Foundation, two education-focused, nonprofit organizations, recently co-hosted a casino night at Our House Restaurant and Tavern in Howell to raise money to provide learning opportunities for local publ... More ... Plumsted officials object to cut in municipal aid       PLUMSTED - The Township Committee, at its March 5 meeting, unanimously passed a resolution in opposition to Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine's proposed state budget that will reduce state aid by 50 percent to the 323 municipalities in New Jersey with populations between 5,000 and 10,000 people, and el... More ... Program aims to help parents keep kids safe BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON- When a family sits down for dinner together it can have a positive impact on everyone. OnMarch 25 from 7-9 p.m. in the Jackson Memorial High School Fine Arts Wing, the Jackson Police Department will feature another Safety Awareness For Everyone (SAFE) program called "Keep Your Children S... More ... Dolls chosen as outstanding toy       The toy industry association recently named the Girl Scouts' Troop Groovy Girls the best girl toy of the year. Troop Groovy Girls is part of an acclaimed family of soft dolls that help girls celebrate personal style, diversity and the power of friendship. More ... Base to host 2008 air expo       The 305th Air Mobility Wing at McGuire Air Force Base in Wrightstown will host the 2008McGuireAir Expo. The special event, which is free and open to the public, will take place on May 31 and June 1. The two-day event that carries the theme "Above All … Be Inspired" will culminate Air Force... More ... Blood drive produces 38 units BY BARI FAYE SIEGEL Correspondent       HOWELL - For the third year in a row, Bernadette Mastowski, the nurse at the Land O' Pines School, and all of her "helper" students enjoyed great success at their annual blood drive- an effort to collect desperately needed blood for New Jersey Blood Services. More ... Sonic restaurant wins OK from planners in Howell BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL- Sonic, the largest chain of drive-in restaurants in the United States, is coming to Howell. W&W II filed an application with the Planning Board seeking preliminary and final site plan approval for a fast food restaurant at Route 9 south and New Friendship Road. More ... Council calls for do-over on new concession stands       JACKSON - Township Council members may be taking a second look at construction plans and bids for concession facilities that have been planned at themunicipal playing fields at the Jackson Justice Complex, Jackson Drive. More ... $137M budget will have public hearing March 25 BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - Residents will have a chance to comment on the Jackson Board of Education's proposed budget for the 2008-09 school year during a public hearing that will be held at 7:30 p.m. March 25 in the FineArts Center at JacksonMemorial High School. More ... Helping others take healing into their own hands Roosevelt woman teaches finger-tapping to relieve anxiety and ailments BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer       ROOSEVELT - People may have the power within their own fingertips to alleviate emotional stress and physical pain. In a time when more people are discovering that their emotional health is inseparable from their physical health and that both require balance between the body and the mind, Emotion... More ... Campground at Turkey Swamp Park will open on March 15       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - Spring into spring by spending the night at the Monmouth County Park System's family campground in Turkey Swamp Park, Georgia Road. Opening for the season onMarch 15, the campground features 64 wooded campsites (52 which can be reserved while 12 are available on a first come, ... More ... Council follows planners' recommendations on laws BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - Two proposed municipal ordinances - a Pinelands area storm water management ordinance and a curbs and sidewalks ordinance- recently came before the Planning Board for a review. More ... 70-pound weight loss lands woman's story in magazine BY PATRICIA YOCZIS Correspondent       Jennifer Lilley is a big loser and proud of it. Lilley, 33, a Freehold Borough resident, lost 70 pounds, going from 208 pounds to 138 pounds and she dropped from dress size 18 to size 8. "It was a wake-up time for me," Lilley said. "I'd tried to lose weight before, but now I was ready to go and r... More ...