Public hearing scheduled on $110M school budget BREAKING NEWS      HOWELL — The Howell Board of Education will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2008-09 school budget at 8 p.m. March 19 at Howell Middle School North, Squankum-Yellowbrook Road. More ...      ERIC SUCAR staff A group of youngsters from the Griebling School, Howell, sit together after performing a musical in the school auditorium on March 7. The Dr. Seuss music program with choral music teacher Michael Olender is an assembly that celebrates music in schools and children's author Dr. Seuss... More ... Enrollment decline expected to continue Demographer says Howell K-8 numbers will fall to 6,772 pupils BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       AHowell K-8 School District enrollment projection report prepared by Stan Slachetka of T&M Associates has revealed that Howell's public schools will continue to experience a decline in enrollment over the next five years. At the present time, enrollment in the Howell school district stands at 7,0... More ... Spraying will be limited to one time in Jackson BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - There will be no second round of spraying provided by the township to kill gypsy moth caterpillars this spring. Residents will have the option of spraying their property themselves or hiring someone to do if for them. More ... From generation to generation      ERIC SUCAR staff Norma Cohen listens to Aldrich School, Howell, fifth-grader John Fallon describe the stories behind his photographs during a generation project held recently at the school. "A Basket Full ofMemories" allows pupils to interview senior citizens about their lives in order to write a bi... More ... Lakewood board may consider sale of 1912 school building BY MARK ROSMAN Staff Writer       LAKEWOOD - The Board of Education is considering selling a building that was home to generations of Lakewood school children and now serves as the school district's administrative offices. More ... Duo invades mobile home in Howell       HOWELL- OnMarch 10 at 9:43 p.m., two men - one who wore a ski mask and carried a gun, and one who held a knife - broke into a mobile home in the Winding Brook Mobile Home Park, Route 547, near Oak Glen Road. According to Howell police Capt. More ... Volunteers needed for Green Tech Committee       PLUMSTED - The Township Committee has authorized the establishment of a Green Technology advisory committee to explore ways to reduce energy use and costs with conservation efficiencies and renewable energy systems, including solar and wind. More ... Empty bowls lunch to benefit food bank Howell High School will host event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 5 BY PATRICIA YOCZIS Correspondent       HOWELL- How does an empty bowl feed the hungry? When the bowl is one of many hand-crafted bowls that are bought by guests during an annual empty bowls event. Howell High School, Squankum-Yellowbrook Road, will host an empty bowls event on April 5. More ... Sides debate definition of permitted use on site BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - A number of issues surrounding an applicant's plan to build a warehouse and other facilities on a Herman Road property remain unresolved. More ... Environment will be topic of meeting       JACKSON - A meeting of the Environmental Subcommittee of the Jackson Planning Board will be held on March 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Jackson municipal building, 95 West Veterans Highway. The purpose of the meeting is to commence the Environmental Subcommittee's work with respect to the Jackson maste... More ... Strand will host summer workshops       LAKEWOOD - The Strand Theater will host its fifth summer theater youth workshop program in July. This year the workshop has been broken down into two separate two-week sessions. Each twoweek session will offer a trip to New York City to see a Broadway matinee. More ... Rosebud gala deemed a success       LADACIN Network held its 27th annual Rosebud Gala Dinner Dance, a "Celebration of Joy," on March 8 at the Sheraton Eatontown Hotel. The gala raised nearly $184,000 to benefit the 2,500 infants, children and adults with developmental and multiple physical disabilities that LADACIN Network serves in... More ... Mrs. New Jersey will run to benefit charity       HOWELL - Claire Pavlinec of Howell, who is the reigning Mrs. New Jersey America, recently announced her decision to compete in the Long Branch Half Marathon in hopes of raising thousands of dollars for a charity she founded for mothers in need. More ... Vaccination rules change       Following an extensive review, the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) announced new rules, effective Sept. 1, 2008, requiring vaccinations for younger children and infants if they are attending a licensed child-care facility. More ... Pageant winner's year had its share of ups and downs Amy Polumbo nears end of reign as Miss New Jersey BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       Miss New Jersey, Amy Polumbo of Howell, is resuming her life now that the Miss America Pageant competition is over. However, the remnants of the scandal that once threatened to take her title and tarnish her name has made it hard for Polumbo to trust others. More ... Pipes & Drums of the Atlantic Watch at library       The Jackson Branch of the Ocean County Library invites the public to enjoy an evening of Irish and Scottish music March 27 at 7 p.m. Those who attend the free program will learn the history of the bagpipes and celebrate Celtic heritage with traditional Scots-Irish bagpipe music. Members of the Pip... More ... Turner encourages women to aspire to career success BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       LAKEWOOD - Members of the Georgian Court University community gathered on March 4 to hear Dr. Debbye Turner, a CBS television correspondent and former Miss America, present a lecture "On Being a Woman in a Man's World. More ... Parent mentors available for overwhelmed moms       Parent Mentors, a free program of the Monmouth County Division of Social Services, can lend positive support to moms who are overwhelmed by the responsibilities that accompany being a mother. A mentor is an experienced mom who becomes a special friend to a newer mom. More ... Can-do attitude helps teen meet challenges BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       Anthony Charette of Howell is in the midst of a special year at Marlboro High School, one that is filled with the typical activities some high school seniors may take for granted, but not this young man. Anthony, 21, has Down syndrome, but he has not let that hinder his senior year. He is perform... More ... STEPS continues effort to put people in homes Affordable housing remains vexing issue in cental New Jersey BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       The dream of buying a home has finally come true for Tamika Lewis, 30, of Ocean Grove. Lewis, who has waited patiently for four years, was expecting to finally move her three children into a three-bedroom, one-bathroom ranch house in Neptune after her closing date on March 14. More ... Freeholder blasts governor for aid cuts to municipalities       New Jersey residents, already paying the highest property taxes in the nation, will likely see their bills go even higher following Gov. Jon Corzine's announced cuts to municipalities, Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari said. More ... Florida teen arrested, faces multiple charges Indictment comes 2 years after serious accident in Howell, May 30, 2006       On Feb. 25 a Monmouth County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Robert Bayly, 19, of Cape Coral, Fla., with one count of thirddegree assault by auto and one count of fourth-degree assault by auto. These charges pertain to a 2006 motor vehicle accident that occurred in Howell. More ... Key club seeks vendors for flea market March 29       The Jackson Liberty High School Key Club is seeking vendors for its second annual flea market scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 29 at Jackson Liberty High School, 125 North Hope Chapel Road, Jackson. The Key Club raises money for many charities. In addition members are fundraising to send repr... More ... Walk MS will have new starting point in 2008       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - The new Wellness Center at CentraState Medical Center will be the new starting location for this year's annual Freehold Walk MS. Participants, those already registered and those interested in registering, are being asked to meet on April 13 at 9 a.m. at theWellness Center, wh... More ... Former baseball coach faces 7 years in prison       On March 10, Robert Nanni, 53, of Howell, pleaded guilty before state Superior Court Judge Paul F. Chaiet to official misconduct, a seconddegree crime, and theft by deception and theft of services, both third-degree crimes. More ... Blithely spring forward!       Long ago and far away, almost every living room in our little Bavarian town had a plant called "Zimmer Linde." These Abutilon hybrids, a hibiscus relative, are now undergoing a renaissance in the garden. New breeding has them bursting out all over. Heat- and humidity-tolerant, they add a new dime... More ... Program aims to help parents keep kids safe       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 ... Board considers request for property subdivision BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - Planning Board members have heard initial testimony on an applicant's plan for a three-lot subdivision in the light manufacturing (LM) zone. The application was submitted by James R. Johnson. Additional testimony has been scheduled for April 7. More ...