Dems support Lucas for Manalapan mayor Split is now clear between Republicans on Township Committee BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       They may have been running mates two years ago, but the way things look now, no one should be seating them together at the same banquet table anytime soon. The gloves were off and the battle joined when Manalapan Republican Township Committeeman Joseph Locricchio voted no to his for... More ...       U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Chris Christie (l) is congratulated by Marlboro High School Principal James Mullevey following his remarks about ethics in government at the Marlboro Township Council reorganization meeting Jan. 4. With them are Marlboro Mayor Robert Kleinberg (back, left) and J... More ... 'Lucky seven' takes on a whole new meaning Couple to welcome second set of twins on TLC's 'A Baby Story' BY LORI SABLE HERSCHMAN Staff Writer       HOWELL - It became "seventh heaven" last summer for the Horvaths. Linda Ann and Joe Horvath, who have lived in Howell for 12 years, welcomed twin daughters on July 29 to add to their ever-growing family, which now totals nine. More ... Officials tap attorney, township professionals BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - A new township attorney was appointed along with other municipal professionals and volunteers when the Township Committee reorganized for the new year on Jan. 7. Caroline Casagrande, an attorney with the Matawan law firm Cleary, Alfieri, Grasso and Hoyle, was appointed to... More ... Meteorite's hit on home jolts township family Oh, it came out of the sky, landed just a little south of Moline. Jody fell out of his tractor, couldn't believe what he seen. Laid on the ground and shook, fearin' for his life. Then he ran all the way to town screamin' it came out of the sky. "It Came O BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - You get a rock thrown through a window in your home and your first assumption might be that someone, somewhere, for some reason, has a problem with you or someone in your household. More ... Man gets 20 years for robbery       On Jan. 5, state Superior Court Judge Francis P. Destefano, sitting in Freehold Borough, sentenced Steven Vitiello, 36, of Seaside Heights, to a 20-year state prison term for the August 2005 armed robbery of a bank in Freehold Township. According to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Offi... More ... McMorrow begins term on board of freeholders       FREEHOLD - Barbara J. McMorrow, a former teacher and principal at Howell High School, was sworn in to a three-year term on the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders last week. At the same time, Rosemarie D. Peters, a former mayor of Middletown, took the oath of office as county surrogat... More ... Cooke, Leonardis sworn in       ENGLISHTOWN - The Borough Council held its annual reorganization meeting on Jan. 4 in Borough Hall, at which time Lori Cooke and Janet Leonar-dis were sworn in to begin serving three-year terms on the governing body. Councilman Harry Soden was elected to serve as council president for ... More ... Shutzer, Le Vine begin new terms on council BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - Mayor Michael Wilson told the audience at the Borough Council's Jan. 7 reorganization meeting it is his wish and prayer that the inspiration of the time of year "can one day soon lead to peace and tranquillity among our neighbors, our country, and even our adversaries throughout... More ... Christie urges voters to set high standards U.S. Attorney: Citizens must pay attention to politicians' ethics BY TALI ISRAELI Staff Writer       MARLBORO - U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie believes it is up to the voters to solve the problem of public corruption. Christie discussed his views regarding the state of government and public corruption in New Jersey at the Township Council's reorganization meeting Jan. 4. More ... Choir's performance slate features White House trip       In six years, the 30 members of the New Jersey Children's Chamber Choir have experienced what other people may not experience in an entire lifetime. Ranging in age from 8 to 16, the boys and girls who participate in the choir have visited points around the globe, including Vienna, Austr... More ... Student preparing to make springtime medical mission BY LARRY HLAVENKA JR. Staff Writer       Like many college students, Derek Kong will travel to a tropical country for his spring break. That's where the similarities between Kong and other students will probably end. While his classmates tan themselves on sandy beaches and sip margaritas until dawn, Kong will be helping refu... More ... Anytown program helps develop leadership skills BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - Five Freehold High School students are serious about making important changes in their school. The students, who are members of the Anytown USA delegation, attended the Dec. 18 meeting of the Borough Council to tell the members of the governing body what they had learned d... More ... CentraState sets birth record       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - For the fourth consecutive year, CentraState Medical Center, West Main Street, has set a record for annual births, delivering 1,872 babies in 2006. This represents a 50 percent increase from 1,253 births in 2000, according to information provided by the medical center. More ... Open meetings advocate keeps eye on N.J. towns Goal is to raise public's awareness of right to open government BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       John Paff makes it his business to ensure that local governments adhere to open public meeting laws. The volunteer advocate picks towns around New Jersey, often at random, to see if their governing bodies are complying with state laws. And after two years' experience, he has found t... More ... Monmouth freeholders approve open space grants       FREEHOLD - The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders has approved grants totaling nearly $2 million from the 2006 Monmouth County Open Space Trust Fund to acquire, create or improve park facilities in 14 municipalities. More ... Congregation sponsors Macciabiah games       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - The religious school of Congregation Kol Am held its fifth annual Macciabiah Games at the West Freehold School Dec. 17. This year's event, however, was not the "run of the mill" celebration of relay races and donuts (although both were part of the festivities). More ... Life on the front in the War Between the States Union soldiers' letters home provide poignant glimpse into Civil War BY PATRICIA A. MILLER Staff Writer       Cpl. Aaron Elmer had already had his share of tragedy when he volunteered to fight for the Union cause in the fall of 1862. His young wife, Mary, had died in March of that year at age 21, leaving him with two young daughters. They had already lost a son in infancy. More ... Camp fair set for Jan. 13       Winter is a perfect time to research summer camps for children. Some questions parents should consider when choosing a summer camp are: Would the child be interested in a horseback riding camp or a space camp or learning Spanish? How about a roller coaster camp or an adventure camp? Are the p... More ... Howell to bill insurance for police ambulance use BY LARRY HLAVENKA JR. Staff Writer       HOWELL - The Township Council has adopted an ordinance that will allow the municipality to be reimbursed by insurance companies when police department ambulances are dispatched to residents. Reimbursement is contingent upon the resident maintaining health insurance. More ... Mrs. Roosevelt to meet guests at historic home in Middletown       The Monmouth County Historical Association announces its 108th annual meeting and lecture to be held on Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. The featured speaker will be Eleanor Roosevelt, as portrayed by Rene Goodwin of the American Historical Theatre. The event will be held at the Taylor-Butler House, 127 Kin... More ... Students' window display graces New York boutique       MARLBORO - Brittni Weiner had a holiday dream come true last month when she installed her winning window display in a world-renowned clothing designer's boutique in Manhattan. Weiner, 20, a 2004 graduate of Marlboro High School, is a student in the College for the Business of Fashion a... More ... Musician strikes a chord with community BY LARRY RAPPOPORT Correspondent       Eric Ginsberg may play solo, but he's never alone. The Red Bank Music Community (RBMC) is behind him. A singer-songwriter-musician, Ginsberg, a Marlboro native, pioneered the RBMC more than three years ago with his boundless energy and just a songwriters' workshop. More ... Legislature grants gay couples civil union rights BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       TRENTON - Same-sex couples in New Jersey will now have access to all the legal rights and responsibilities heterosexual couples possess, except for the right to call their relationship "marriage. More ...