CHRIS KELLY staff Shawn Tyler, 9, tells Melissa Silverio, 8, about the man he is portraying, jazz musician Louis Armstrong, during the "Superstars" program at the Taylor Mills School, Manalapan, on Feb. 27. The pupils dressed up as characters from history and shared the information with their fellow... More ... Budget eliminates sports, activities Passage of extra ballot question would keep programs in district BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       The 2007-08 budget introduced by the Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education cuts all interscholastic middle school sports and all after-school activities because "they can't fit in the budget," according to district Business Administrator Joseph Passiment. More ... Board gets first look at proposed office building BY TALI ISRAELI Staff Writer       MARLBORO - Testimony has opened on an application that seeks to construct a three-story office building at Tennent Road and Route 520. More ... Car heading wrong way causes Route 9 accident BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - A motor vehicle collision on Route 9 at Pine Brook Road that shut down the highway for four hours on March 11 was caused by an elderly motorist who was driving his vehicle north in the southbound lanes of the highway. According to a press release issued by Manalapan polic... More ... Slow going on Village site BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - Richard Brunelli, who is developing The Village at Man-alapan retail center, told the News Transcript this week that although it is taking longer than he had hoped to secure needed county and state permits, "the residents of Manalapan should keep the faith. More ... Local teen sentenced for H.S. bomb threats       On March 2, state Superior Court Judge Eugene A. Iadanza, sitting in Freehold, sentenced a 16-year-old boy from Manalapan on two counts of false public alarm, both third degree offenses. On each of the two charges, the juvenile received an 18-month period of probation and was sentenced to a 3... More ... Amy Rosen       Around Town Being kind is not a major operation I've always secretly wanted to be a singer, but don't have the voice to follow through. I'm told I recently had my five minutes of fame when I got to sing in front of others, but just my luck, I remember none of it. I... More ... Pupils celebrate 100th day       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - In recognition of the 100th day of school, kindergartners celebrated the West Freehold School's annual Dalmatian Day in February. Students and teachers dressed as Dalmatians and completed crafts and activities with the help of parent volunteers. More ... Manalapan team set for Challenge       Following a first round victory, the academic team from Manalapan High School is moving on to the second round in The Challenge, an academic quiz show designed to test students' knowledge in a Jeopardy-style format. The second round matchup between Manalapan and Montville Township High... More ... Corzine to sign bill at school       Gov. Jon Corzine will visit Marlboro High School today, March 14, at 10:30 a.m. for a public signing of a bill to study teen driving safety. The legislation, sponsored by state Sen. More ... Dedicated temple members to be honored on June 10       MARLBORO - On June 10 at the annual Gala Journal Dinner Dance, the Marlboro Jewish Center will honor three dedicated volunteers who have inspired their congregation through their generosity, leadership and commitment to their community. On that evening, Tom Salzer will be the guest of honor ... More ... Council tightens height restrictions       MARLBORO - The Township Coun-cil has adopted an amendment to an existing ordinance creating a more restrictive code for building height requirements in the municipality. The current ordinance requires buildings to be 35 feet or three stories tall. More ... Budget will be topic of legislators' discussion BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - State legislators will visit the Freehold Borough school district on March 20 to discuss the Board of Education's proposed budget for the 2007-08 school year with residents. State Sen. More ... Town will save on insurance       MANALAPAN - Municipal officials were recently informed that Manalapan will receive a $7,652 discount from its total 2007 liability insurance total of $539,479, according to township administrator Tara Lovrich. More ... Ex-Negro League players recount segregated days       HOWELL - Howell High School students came face to face with two living legends from a page of American history often overlooked, during an assembly featuring Bob Scott and Pedro Sierra, stars of the Negro American Baseball League. The special program was part of the school's Black History Mo... More ... Western Monmouth mayors discussing shared services BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - Mayor Andrew Lucas recently convened a meeting of the mayors of area communities in an effort to work toward a goal of sharing services and reducing costs for taxpayers in all of the member municipalities. Calling themselves the Western Monmouth Mayors Council, the mayors... More ... Councilman apologizes for Internet comments BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - Councilman Marc Le Vine is not stepping down from the Borough Council in Freehold Borough. In the wake of comments Le Vine posted on an Internet message board in November, representatives of local and regional Latino organizations last week called for Le Vine to resign and... More ... Pupils' pajama collection benefits soldiers in Iraq BY TALI ISRAELI Staff Writer       MARLBORO - A charitable donation recently turned into a pajama party at the Marlboro Middle School. In conjunction with the PTO and the Deceased Officers Parent organization, the middle school's student council members organized a pajama collection to donate to wounded soldiers in Ir... More ... Freehold school officials reveal harsh budget news Extracurricular clubs may not exist when new school year begins BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - Residents of Freehold Borough will be paying more in school taxes in 2007-08 but children will be getting less for the money. More ... Winners of annual Dr. Seuss birthday contest       Milford Brook School Media Center, Manalapan, recently held two annual contests in honor of Read Across America/Dr. Seuss' birthday. The winners of the second-grade bookmark contest were Gina Agosta, Cody Wiener and Caitlin Radice. Third-grade poetry contest winners were Robert Milo, Lauren P... More ... Freehold gets set for new phase of redevelopment BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - A vision study aimed at helping the borough attract new businesses and making it a place more people want to visit is under way. Borough Administrator Joseph Bellina said an initial report prepared by David G. Roberts, a professional planner with Schoor, DePalma, of Manala... More ... In the Service       Army Reserve Sgt. Michael S. Bonfiglio recently returned to the United States after being deployed to an overseas forward-operating location in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving members of the U.S. armed for... More ... Officials expected to act on tech plan BY TALI ISRAELI Staff Writer       MARLBORO - Administrators in Marlboro's K-8 school district are discussing the idea of purchasing $1 million worth of technology equipment in an effort to improve classroom instruction, communication with parents and productivity. More ... Swim club will permit sponsored memberships BY TALI ISRAELI Staff Writer       MARLBORO - Residents of neighboring communities will have a chance to join the Marlboro Swim Club this summer. On March 5 the Township Council approved a sponsored membership program for use of the municipal swimming pool. The swim club is off Gordons Corner Road. More ... Funds will pay to upgrade safety in municipal court BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - The Borough Council has taken action aimed at making its municipal court operation in the Rug Mill Towers, Jackson Street, safer for all who use it. At a meeting on Feb. 20, the council adopted an ordinance appropriating $50,000 to pay for the municipal court security enha... More ... Library activities aim to attract today's teens BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL - Rita Palumbo of Howell watched as her granddaughter, Jessica Cutler, 13, designed and created a garment during the Project Runway competition at the Howell library, Old Tavern Road. The competition was the last event in a series of programs based on the popular television sh... More ... Hey, guys, here's a real serious issue in Freehold       Ma rk R osman In the News While most of the lemmings in Freehold Borough were screeching themselves silly at the Borough Council's March 5 meeting, there was very serious business going on over at the Freehold Borough Board of Education offices at the same time. More ... Tickets available for dinner and gift auction       St. Rose of Lima School PTA is selling tickets for its upcoming dinner and gift auction. "The Garden of Gifts Dinner and Gift Auction" will be held March 30 from 7 to 11 p.m. at The Battleground Country Club in Manalapan. The theme of the event is "Passport to the World." Preview of the... More ...