Moms tell legislators more money needed Parents rally to save programs and staff in Freehold Borough BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       Mothers are an endearing lot. They protect and nurture their children in a million ways, and just like any animal in the wild, when their little chicks are threatened - look out. Right now a group of Freehold Borough moms are fighting what they perceive is dangerous to their childr... More ... Freehold Twp. proposes $64.2M school budget Residents may comment on plan during public hearing on March 27 BY MARK ROSMAN Staff Writer       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - The Freehold Township K-8 Board of Education has introduced a $64.2 million budget for the 2007-08 school year. The new budget is up 4.6 percent from 2006-07. The proposed budget is under review by the Monmouth County superintendent of schools, which is the loca... More ... Officials amend alarm law BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - The Township Committee voted Feb. 28 to adopt an ordinance amending and supplementing municipal penalties pertaining to residential and commercial alarm systems that generate false alarms. More ... County budget adopted       FREEHOLD - Following a number of public hearings, the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders eliminated 18 vacant positions before adopting the county's 2007 spending plan. The vote was 3-2. Voting to adopt the budget were freeholders William Barham, Lillian Burry and Robert Clifton. Fre... More ... Commission will study teenage driving in N.J.       MARLBORO - On March 14, Gov. Jon S. Corzine ceremonially signed legislation establishing the Teenage Driver Safety Study Commission to study, examine and review the issue of teenage driver safety in New Jersey. "Out of the challenges we face comes the opportunity to make important chan... More ... Youngster runs clothing drive       MARLBORO - Harrah Newman is described by her father as someone who always wants to help others in need. That description is right on the money for the youngster who started a clothing drive at her elementary school this year. Harrah, 10, a fifth-grader at the Robertsville Element... More ... First aid cadets donate money for equipment       MARLBORO - On March 13, the young people who volunteer with the Marlboro First Aid Squad, Wyncrest Road, as cadet members presented their senior squad members with a $1,500 donation to cover the cost of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) equipment. More ... Town acts to preserve 43-acre farm       MARLBORO - Township officials have purchased the McCarron Farm, also known as Golden Dale Farm, Pleasant Valley Road, and preserved it from residential development. By using a grant from the state, the cost to Marlboro taxpayers will be about $300,000, according to information provided by th... More ... Auditions       Writers and producers Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore will hold auditions for their new adult comedy, "You've Got Hate Mail," March 29, from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Brookdale Community Col-lege Performing Arts Center, Lincroft. The open role is for a female, age 25-35. Comic timing is a must. Aud... More ... Explorers give young people taste of police career Marlboro post marks 25 years of providing opportunities to youths BY TALI ISRAELI Staff Writer       MARLBORO - The Marlboro Police Department has been providing young people with an inside view into law enforcement with its Explorers program for 25 years. Explorers posts fall under the auspices of the Boy Scouts of America and are open to students between the ages of 14 and 21 wh... More ... Mayor shares love of reading with Errickson students       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - Students in the Freehold Township schools took part in the 10th annual National Education Association (NEA) Read Across America event on March 2. Students were involved in various activities throughout the day in support of an effort to promote enthusiasm for reading. More ... DePasquale announces plan to run for freeholder BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - He says everyone knows him as Joey D., but hopes they will want to know him as Monmouth County Freeholder Joseph DePasquale. DePasquale, 44, of Manalapan, said he intends to run on an independent Republican ticket as a candidate for a three-year term on the Monmouth Count... More ... Datebook       + LeTip of Manalapan meets every Thursday from 7-8:30 a.m. for a business networking breakfast at the Manalapan Diner (back room), Route 9 north, Manalapan. Details: (732) 513-8213. + Single Friends, a group for adults age 55 and older, meets every Thursday for fun and chat on s... More ... Artist showcases latest work in Freehold venue BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - Artist Chris Robinson, known as Kortez, recently showcased his latest work in the town he calls home. "I made a conscious decision to make Freehold my creative home," Kortez said. "Even if things take me elsewhere, I would like to look at Freehold as my home and to do crea... More ... Parents struggle to deal with impact of budget BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - Sometimes people simply do not hear you unless you scream. Such is the case with members of the Freehold Borough Board of Education and school district administrators who are pleading with anyone who will listen to help the district get the funding it needs to keep its 1,4... More ... Residents may see hike in municipal tax bill BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - Property owners are facing the prospect of an increase in the amount of money they will have to pay to support the municipal budget this year. Mayor Andrew Lucas announced at the March 14 meeting of the Township Committee that preliminary numbers indicate there could be a... More ... Four indicted in Wal-Mart burglary that netted $70K       On March 14 a Monmouth County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging William N. Comba, 34, of Toms River, Lawrence R. Gress III, 31, of Howell, Peter Lipari Jr., 21, of Howell, and Shannon A. Phillips, 25, of Manahawkin, each with third-degree burglary, third-degree theft and fourth-degre... More ... Children keep history of resistance to Nazis alive Youth opera 'Brundibar' was originally performed in concentration camp BY TAMMY McKILLIP Correspondent       What do 28 children from Holmdel, Colts Neck, Matawan, Keansburg and Middletown have in common with Holocaust survivor Ela Weissberger? A love of music, and a 69-year-old opera. More ...