Tri-Town News

Voters tap Smith, Gotto for Howell council seats

By Lauren Ciraulo — 11/12/2009

HOWELL � On Election Day, Nov. 3, residents elected Republicans Pauline Smith and William Gotto to serve as members of the Howell Township Council.

Photo

11/05/2009

Sammi Vigna of Howell High School concentrates on a move as she competes on the uneven bars during the 2009 Shore Conference Gymnastics Championships held at Brick Memorial High School, Brick Township, Oct. 31. For story and more photos, see Sports.

Reina, Bressi are winners in Jackson

By Dave Benjamin — 11/05/2009

JACKSON � On Election Day, Nov. 3, Michael Reina, who was appointed mayor of Jackson when the former mayor resigned, won the right to complete the unexpired term, and Kenneth Bressi won a Township Council seat that runs through 2012.

Rezoning may open door for athletic club

BY LAUREN CIRAULO Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

Despite fervent opposition from residents, the Howell Township Council has voted to rezone a parcel of land on which a developer wants to build a multipurpose recreation and sports complex known as Monmouth Athletic Center (MAC).

Pupils commit to being kind

11/05/2009

Alot of buckets are being filled at the New Egypt Primary School in Plumsted these days. Children who attend the school kicked off National Acts of Kindness Week by filling buckets with random acts of kindness, which is the foundation for the school's ongoing character education program.

Fall Fest

11/05/2009

Visitors to the Plumsted Fall Fest on Nov. 1 found a lot happening on the streets of downtown New Egypt.

Board opens hearing on plan for 11 homes

BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

JACKSON — An application filed by Blackfish LLC for a 13-lot subdivision on a cul-de-sac to be known as Black Road has come before the Jackson Planning Board for initial testimony and will be continued on Dec. 7. Black Road will be off Ridge Avenue, which is just north of Route 571.

Properties in the Pinelands are permanently preserved

11/05/2009

Four environmentally sensitive properties in the Pinelands in Ocean County have been permanently preserved with funds administered by the New Jersey Pinelands Commission.

Pathfinders ask for volunteers

11/05/2009

JACKSON — Volunteers are needed to help the Jackson Pathfinders perform a trail cleanup day on Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Jackson's newest recreational area, Bunker Hill Bogs. "Volunteers will meet in the parking lot at the main entrance at 822 East Veterans Highway," said Jackson Pathfinders treasurer Karen Walzer.

Security cameras installed in Lakewood airport zone

11/05/2009

LAKEWOOD — With a grant of $150,000 from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT), Lakewood has implemented an airport security project at the Lakewood Airport that is designed to protect area residents and businesses 24 hours a day, seven days a week through a number of secure surveillance cameras placed throughout the airport zone.

'Heart of Gold' party will support mission

BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

As the holiday season draws closer, area residents are invited to get a head start on their shopping and help orphans in Romania. "The Heart of Gold" Christmas party will be held 3-7 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Freehold Township Independent Fire Company, 30 Siloam Road, Freehold Township.

Pay It Forward will connect volunteers & organizations

11/05/2009

Without volunteers, many organizations and activities that are often overlooked but essential to people's everyday lives would not exist. In an effort to connect those who want to give their time and talent to organizations that need volunteer support, the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore will host its fifth annual Pay It Forward event on Nov. 8 from noon to 4 p.m.

Suspect arrested at theme park

11/05/2009

JACKSON — A joint effort between multiple law enforcement agencies resulted in the Oct. 30 arrest of a man who was a suspect in a northern New Jersey homicide.

Fire safety is hot topic in program for seniors

BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

JACKSON — Senior citizens at the Melvin Cottrell Center for Senior Citizens and the Disabled recently received a lesson about fire safety from representatives of the Ocean County Fire Marshal's office. Chief Fire Marshal Daniel P. Mulligan related two tragic stories about senior citizens who were killed in fires and said something had to be done about the issue.

Jackson hears details of shared services initiative

BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

JACKSON — Joining with other municipalities to share services may be one key to keeping property taxes stable or possibly reducing them in the near future.

Holocaust exhibit to open at museum

11/05/2009

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — The winner of three awards, "The Exhibit: A Journey to Life," will open at the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County on Nov. 8.

Council thanks women for supporting troops

BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

JACKSON — The Township Council has recognized residents, businesses and local organizations for taking the time and making the effort to collect food and necessary items for American military personnel, Speaking at the Oct.

St. Aloysius begins drive for Thanksgiving dinners

BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

JACKSON — St. Aloysius Church is once again sponsoring a Thanksgiving dinner basket drive to help provide dinner for families in need. "This is the third consecutive year that the parishioners at St. Aloysius Church have gotten together to help families in need at Thanksgiving time," said John Murphy, who is organizing the basket drive.

Freehold health student delivers babies in Ghana

11/05/2009

Robert Sullivan of Freehold Township, a fifth-year physician's assistant student at Wagner College, Staten Island, N.Y., spent five weeks during the summer of 2009 studying in Ghana, West Africa, to complete his infectious-disease rotation.

Unneeded medicines to be collected Nov. 14

BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

JACKSON — As part of the first statewide Medicine Disposal Day in the nation, the Jackson Police Department will host an Operation Medicine Cabinet New Jersey collection. The event will take place in the lobby of the Jackson Police Department, 102 Jackson Drive, Jackson, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Nov. 14.

Seminar to offer info on gaining job at joint base

11/05/2009

Applying for a job at a military installation for the first time might be daunting to a civilian. Hoping to make that process a little easier, Ocean County Freeholder Joseph H.

Event to focus on women in music

11/05/2009

An afternoon tea hosted by the Lakewood Historical Society will be held at 2 p.m. Nov. 7 in the Strand Theater Gallery, 400 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood. "Women Write the Songs," a musical program that features a look at the role of women in music, will be presented. A variety of finger sandwiches and sweets will be served with the tea.

Plumsted Senior Outreach Services plans lunch

11/05/2009

Plumsted Township Senior Outreach Services (SOS) will host its second annual Winter Luncheon from noon to 2 p.m. Jan. 13 at the SOS community room at 121 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. The cost to attend is $8, and seats are very limited. Details and registration: 609-758-2241, ext 111. Attendees must register by Dec. 9.

Therapy dogs sought to visit the elderly

11/05/2009

Caregiver Canines, a new program in Ocean County offered through the nonprofit agency Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey (CVCJ), is seeking volunteers with pet therapy dogs to visit local senior citizens.

Troop 204 to scout for donations Nov. 7-14

11/05/2009

Jackson Boy Scout Troop 204, along with other scouting groups in the area, will be participating in the annual Scouting for Food drive. The Scouts will be placing plastic food bags throughout Jackson on Nov. 7 and returning to pick up the donations on Nov. 14. All of the items collected will be donated to the Jackson Food Pantry.

Mass for troops will be celebrated Nov. 11

11/05/2009

St. Veronica's Church, Howell, will host its sixth annual Mass for the troops at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11. The purpose of the Mass is to pray for peace in the world, for an end to the war in the Middle East, for American men and women who are stationed in the Middle East, and for American troops who have lost their lives or suffered injuries in the fight against terrorism.

Datebook

11/05/2009

• A Thanksgiving food drive to benefit the Howell Emergency Food Pantry and community members in need is being held through Nov. 19 at the Lil'Achievers early childhood learning center, 326 Ford Road, Howell. Residents are encouraged to drop off nonperishable items at the school. Details: 732-730-1855.

Volunteer, 'you will love the giving you do'

Guest Column • Kevin Carlin — 11/05/2009

Alms is just another word for charity. Post 9/11, the acts of charity and volunteerism around this country were legendary and otherwise without parallel. Some social and charitable agencies were overwhelmed and needed to turn away volunteers.

Cartoon

11/05/2009

Clinch clan in the flu's clinches

Are We There Yet? • LORI CLINCH — 11/05/2009

Although it's only mid-fall, we Clinches have already had our flu season. We weren't willing victims, I'll give you that! We waged a war, put up a valiant fight and battled the enemy until the last man was standing and he was holding up a white flag and begging for mercy.

Another race where we picked the lesser evil

Coda • GREG BEAN — 11/05/2009

In my home state of Wyoming at the dawn of the 20th century, there was a surfeit of what were politely referred to as "bachelor cowboys." It wasn't that these old boys didn't like women; in fact, they loved them, every chance they got.

Josephine F. Zielinski

11/05/2009

Mrs. Zielinski, 86, of Middletown, died Oct. 24, 2009, in Shrewsbury. She was employed at Western Electric, Kearny, for 25 years, and was a member of the Pioneers Club. Mrs. Zielinski was predeceased by her husband, Stephen, in 1984; a brother, John; and four sisters, Lillian, Mary, Anne and Martha.

Frances Barbara "Penny" Lach Miltner

11/05/2009

Mrs. Miltner, 82, of Yulee, Fla., died Oct. 23, 2009, at home. She had resided in Matawan for more than 20 years and in Lakewood, and Omaha, Neb., before relocating to Yulee two years ago. Before her retirement, Mrs. Miltner was a bookkeeper at House of Prill, Perth Amboy, and for the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, Wickatunk, for several years.

Dolores Ann Willbergh

11/05/2009

Mrs. Willbergh, 63, of Tennessee, and formerly Middletown, died Oct. 12, 2009, at home. She had resided in Middletown and in New Egypt prior to relocating to Tennessee in 2001. She was employed at Hancock Fabrics, Midland Plaza, Tennessee. Prior to that, she was a mortgage broker at DC Reilly and Associates, Middletown, for several years.

Angelina Coppola

11/05/2009

Mrs. Coppola, 87, of Lakewood, died Oct. 18, 2009, at home. Mrs. Coppola was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and had lived in Ocean Township and Brick before settling in Lakewood in 2004. Before her retirement, Mrs. Coppola was a bookkeeper for the John McGrath Co., New York City.

St. Aloysius grads honored at St. Rose

11/05/2009

JACKSON — St. Aloysius School has announced that several of its alumni were among those students recently honored at St. Rose High School, Belmar. On Sept. 17, St. Rose held its annual National Honor Society induction ceremony and academic awards ceremony at which several St.

Youngsters will learn about helping others

BY LAUREN CIRAULO Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

HOWELL — This Thanksgiving, some of Howell's biggest philanthropists will be coming in pint-size packages. The children at Lil'Achievers, an early childhood learning center, are participating in the preschool's first Thanksgiving food drive, an event that aims to benefit less-fortunate township residents.

Random drug tests to be used in FRHSD

BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

Students throughout the Freehold Regional High School District who have certain privileges at their school will have to think twice before experimenting with drugs or alcohol, because the beginning of the 2010-11 school year will bring about the start of random drug testing.

Howell Rebels win SC gymnastics title

BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

Brianna Ecklof made a dramatic return to all-around competition at the Oct. 31 Shore Conference Gymnastics Championships at Brick Memorial High School, Brick Township.

Howell girls second in conference X-C

BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

The Howell High School girls cross country team posted its best finish ever at the Shore Conference Championships as the Rebels claimed second place in the Oct. 31 meet held at Bucks Mill Park, Colts Neck. Coach John Hein's Rebels continued their outstanding 2009 season.

Jaguars fall in conference final

11/05/2009

The Jackson Memorial High School girls soccer team knew it faced a tremendous challenge against unbeaten Red Bank Catholic High School in the championship match of the Shore Conference Tournament on Oct. 31 in Neptune.

Sayreville drops Howell from undefeated ranks

BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

Abattle of undefeated high school football teams lived up to its hype on Oct. 30. The gridiron squads from Sayreville War Memorial and Howell high schools entered the contest in Sayreville with the No. 1 seed in the upcoming NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV state playoffs on the line.

Parella sets new career goal mark at Brookdale

BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

Joe Parella is the face of junior college soccer, according to Brookdale Community College coach Mike Costa. Although he was overshadowed at Howell High School, Parella had a chance to shine at Brookdale and he took advantage of the opportunity.

Lakewood BlueClaws

11/05/2009

The Lakewood BlueClaws will offer their Kids Eat Free program to all children age 12 and under on Sundays and Mondays in 2010, up from the standard Mondays at the program's 2006 inception. The Kids Eat Free program will once again be presented by ShopRite.

Business Briefs

11/05/2009

A trade show networking extravaganza, a joint effort of the chambers of commerce of Lakewood, Point Pleasant, Brick Township, Point Pleasant Beach and Toms River, will be held 5-7 p.m. Nov. 12 at Jenkinson's Pavilion, Point Pleasant Beach. More than 100 businesses will display their services and wares.