Some test scores show need for improvement Changing socioeconomic factors drop Freehold’s district factor group BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer      Results from the latest round of standardized tests given to Freehold Borough elementary school pupils show that the vast majority of the general student population scored from proficient to advanced proficient in subjects on all of the tests. More ... Downed poles cause tie-ups      FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — Two downed utility poles on Route 9 south tied up traffic for several hours on the afternoon of Wednesday, Dec. 1. More ... Operation Gratitude aims to boost soldiers’ morale Officer directs effort to collect small things that make a difference BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer      FREEHOLD — Members of the Freehold Borough PBA are working with fifth-graders at the Park Avenue Elementary School to provide Marines who are stationed in Iraq with some “luxuries” of life to which they do not have access. More ... Law would allow appeals of zoning cases to council BY LARRY RAMER Staff Writer      MARLBORO — The Township Council has introduced an ordinance that, if adopted, would allow certain decisions made by the zoning board to be appealed to the council. At the present time zoning board decisions may only be appealed in state Superior Court. More ... Resident renews request for emergency access st. When Hawkins Road is blocked, people cannot leave the area BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer      MANALAPAN — A resident has once again asked the Township Committee to develop an emergency access route into and out of a semi-isolated area of the township that has been dubbed the Hawkins Road peninsula. More ... Request for use variance rejected by zoning board Elite Fitness owners may seek a different location in Marlboro BY LARRY RAMER Staff Writer      MARLBORO — A proposal to build a large sports center on Vanderburg Road is dead, at least for now. More ... Youngsters get a ‘sense’ of Hanukkah celebration BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer      MANALAPAN — Youngsters at Temple Beth Shalom, Route 522, used all of their senses as they prepared to celebrate the festival of Hanukkah. More ... Additional flu shots available BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer      MANALAPAN — Additional flu shots are being made available to residents in high priority groups. More ... Freeholder era ends as Larrison resigns Battle against cancer prompts official’s exit after 39 years of service BY DICK METZGAR Staff Writer      At approximately 10:45 a.m. Dec. 2, one of the most remarkable eras in Monmouth County’s political history came to an end. More ... Age-restricted homes at issue for planners Talks center on whether more housing for people over age 55 is needed BY LARRY RAMER Staff Writer      MARLBORO — Members of the Planning Board are in the midst of trying to decide if more age-restricted housing should be built in Marlboro. More ... Yesteryear       100 years ago Vice Chairman Bergen on Monday made an order, on petition of Richard Stockton, of Trenton, receiver of the Freehold Electric Light, Heat and Power Company, allowing the receiver to sell at public reading all the property of the company. Receiver Stockton states in his petition tha More ... Call for resignations halted during meeting New councilman told to make written request to Marlboro officials BY LARRY RAMER Staff Writer      MARLBORO — Councilman Jeff Cantor made good on his promise to ask for the resignation of Zoning Board of Adjustment Chairwoman Sherry Hoffer. Speaking at the Township Council’s Dec. 2 meeting, Cantor, a Republican, publicly called on all members of the zoning and planning boards to resign. More ... Career in public service was surprise for mayor Dorothy Avallone tells teens how she got involved in town BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer      FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — There was a great deal of teenage energy in the auditorium at the Barkalow Middle School just before Mayor Dorothy Avallone began speaking about her long career in public service. But the eighth-graders quieted down and listened attentively as Avallone spoke about the importance More ... Automated postal center comes to post office      MANALAPAN — The Manalapan-Englishtown post office, corner of Route 522 and Taylors Mills Road, will hold a Customer Appreciation Day on Dec. 8. More ... Scouts thank families, friends for guidance BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer      Stephen Brightman and Celestino “Chito” Samaniego have something in common with astronaut Neil Armstrong — all three are Eagle Scouts. More ... Strength of services boosts two counties      In its November Research Report the Milken Institute’s Best Performing Cities Index ranks Monmouth-Ocean counties in the Top 10 Best Performing Cities in the United States for the second consecutive year. More ... Education was priority for retiring freeholder BY DICK METZGAR Staff Writer      Harry Larrison Jr.’s unparalleled legacy will revolve around growth and the quality of life in Monmouth County. More ... Library Events      The Monmouth County Library Headquarters, Symmes Drive, Manalapan, will host the following programs. Details: (732) 431-7222. More ... On Campus      Thomas A. Zangle, son of Miriam and Andrew Zangle of Marlboro, has been inducted into Phi Beta Kappa at Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H. He also was named a Rufus Choate Scholar for the 2003-04 term. More ... Johnny B. Freeholder? Keyport’s Merla in the mix for open freeholder seat BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer      Keyport Mayor John Merla is seeking to replace longtime Freeholder Harry Larrison Jr. in a special Dec. 18 election. More ... Teens’ conditions show improvement      MANALAPAN — Two teenagers who were injured in a Nov. 27 motor vehicle accident were listed in good condition last week, while a third teenager who was riding in the same car was discharged from the hospital. More ... Marlboro plans a day of holiday fun      MARLBORO — The Marlboro Town-ship Recreation and Parks Commission will present “A Very Merry Holiday Celebration” for children of all ages. The holiday program will take place on Dec. 12 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Marlboro Recreation Community Center, 1996 Recreation Way, off Wyncrest Road. More ... Noontime Optimist Club honors church youth      The Noontime Optimist Club of Free-hold recently honored the Youth Club of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, New Monmouth. Led by Noontime Optimist Club chairperson Carole Robinson and co-chair Ann Denise Rubino, the event honored the young adults for their service projects, including visiting nursing hom More ... Students help to make holidays ‘beary’ special BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer      MANALAPAN — Students in fashion merchandising, fashion design and child development classes at Manalapan High School are designing and sewing unique outfits. More ... Freehold youngster places in art contest      Olivia LeBlanc, 11, of Lafayette, La., has been named the grand prize winner of the 2004 Deck The Walls Kids Masterpiece Contest. Her entry, a watercolor still-life painting titled “Red Coleus,” was selected by judges from more than 100 entries submitted by young artists from across the nation. More ... Children to help build menorah      “Can we build it? Yes we can!” is the rallying call to children of all ages who are being asked to don yellow hard hats and wield tools to help “Bob” build a Hanukkah menorah beginning at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at Freehold Raceway Mall, Route 9, Freehold Township. More ... Inspirational speaker focuses on inner beauty Mike Fowlin makes use of various personalities to reach h.s. students BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer      HOWELL — He knows how to get his message across to students. More ... Cruise comes calling for Howell film shoot Scenes for Spielberg’s ‘War of the Worlds’ shot at two locations BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer      HOWELL — It is said that in Holly-wood, who you know may count more than anything else. As it turns out that’s also true elsewhere, especially when Holly-wood comes calling. Just ask Stephanie Ruiter, 27, of Howell Road. More ... O’Hern tapped as state’s special counsel for ethics BY LAYLI WHYTE Staff Writer      A Monmouth County resident and former Red Bank mayor has been charged with the task of assessing the state’s ethics rules and coming up with a plan to strengthen them. More ... Road projects spring up all over W. Monmouth      Ma rk R osman In the News The coming months, if not years, will test the patience of drivers in western Monmouth County in a way in which they have never been tested before. A “perfect storm” of transportation projects is under way and all of this work is expected to resolve problems at ke More ... For the Record      The speed limit on Kozloski Road between Route 33 business and Route 79 in Freehold Township will remain at 50 mph. A reference to a speed limit reduction on that road in a Dec. 1 News Transcript article was incorrect. More ... Manna House bringing holiday joy to children Marlboro councilwoman volunteers her time as a baby sitter BY MICHELLE ROSENBERG Staff Writer      ABERDEEN — This year, Manna House will help spread holiday joy to nine children of homeless single mothers. More ... A ‘spot of tea’ found in boro shop BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer      ALLENTOWN — When Nancy Guilfoy lost her job in the computer industry she knew she wanted to try something different. More ... Kid Kosher is back with phat beats and dreidels BY JENNIFER DOME Staff Writer      All of the songs on Kid Kosher’s new CD have two things in common — they’re about the holiday of Hanukkah and they have hip-hop beats. More ... There’s order in chaos; learn to love the clutter      Lo ri C linch Are We There Yet? I’m convinced that there are two types of women in this world. There are the orderly and systematic types, and there are the chaotic women, such as myself, who cram stuff wherever we can. More ... Fight brings officers to bar BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer      FREEHOLD — Police responded to a report of a fight at Denims restaurant and bar, Park Avenue, on Nov. 25 that led to the hospitalization of a borough man and an injury to an officer. More ... Sociology of Sport will be topic of college course      Sports are a major part of society, captivating human interest and initiating a variety of activities. A significant amount of leisure time is devoted to participating in or viewing sports and now, at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, students can study the field from a sociological perspective More ... 2004 Athena Award presented to Turton      Diane Turton, president of Diane Turton Realtors, was awarded the 2004 Athena Award during the Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce (WMCC) 19th annual Athena Award luncheon held Nov. 12 at Our House Restaurant, Howell. More ... Business Briefs      The Central Jersey Chapter serves members in Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties and part of Mercer County. NAWBO is a national organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs in all types of businesses. The cost to attend the dinner-meeting is $40 for members and $45 for nonme More ...