JEFF GRANIT staff Sister Lucia Iannizzotto, a missionary in Madagascar, was visiting Freehold Borough on Kruise Nite, June 28, and took some time to get behind the wheel of a 1958 Chevrolet Corvette that is owned by Marvin Katz of Freehold Township. More ... Marlboro council adopts $32.6M budget Municipal spending plan is up $2.3 million over 2006 budget BY ERIN O. STATTEL Correspondent       The Marlboro Township Council approved the adoption of a $32.6 million municipal budget for 2007 on June 28. According to information provided by the council, the revenues that make up the budget are: $6.6 million from surplus; $8 million from miscellaneous revenues anticipated; $1 ... More ... In the Arts       Ocean Grove presents free organ recitals in the Great Auditorium on Pilgrim and Ocean pathways, Wednesdays and Saturdays, July 4-Aug. 29. The concerts will feature resident organist Gordon Turk and special guest organists Peter Richard Conte (July 18), Paul Leddington Wright (Aug. 1), Roger... More ... 'Freehold Idol' signups continue       FREEHOLD - Anyone who has aspirations of singing their heart out on the way to fame and fortune may enter the "Freehold Idol" competition sponsored by the Freehold Center Partnership as part of its Summer Concert Series. The partnership has launched a statewide talent search for the "Freehol... More ... Family's dream comes true with home in Freehold Borough       FREEHOLD - There were times when Shirley Ousley was not sure if she would ever move into her Habitat for Humanity home. Since first applying to Habitat's program in October 2003, Ousley, a 44-year-old single mother, weathered several setbacks, making her dream of home ownership seem el... More ... Architect will assess plan for fire, first aid building BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - The Township Committee has authorized the expenditure of $6,400 for architect Ronald M. Schneider and Associates to perform a feasibility study for the possible construction of a first aid building between town hall and the Manalapan-Englishtown post office. More ... Abuse often borne out of hunger for control Experts say leaving relationships safely takes planning BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer       Domestic violence will affect one out of four women in their lifetimes.In 2005, the state domestic violence hotline received 1,192 crisis and 1,397 non-crisis calls in Monmouth County, 1,470 crisis and 1,843 non-crisis calls in Middlesex County, 844 crisis and 964 non-crisis calls in Ocea... More ... Group trains counselors for victims of domestic violence Women Aware Inc. seeking volunteers to help victims BY JESSICA ALFREY Correspondent       Domestic violence is generally a problem dealt with by local police departments. But thanks to Women Aware Inc., an average citizen can learn to become a crisis counselor and help victims decide how to best help themselves. More ... If you need help:       The following are some of the area organizations that provide confidential counseling, assistance and resources for victims of domestic violence and their families: 180 Turning Lives Around Monmouth County, Hazlet (732) 264-4111 or (888) 843-9262 More ... Committee gives final nod to municipal budget Some property owners likely to see increase when tax bill arrives BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - The 2007 municipal budget was adopted June 27 but not before an hour's worth of wrangling between a majority of the Township Committee and one committeeman. In the end, Republican Mayor Andrew Lucas, Democratic Deputy Mayor Michelle Roth and Democratic Committeeman Rich... More ... Downed tree cuts power, forces seniors from home BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - A downed tree caused a power outage in a section of the borough and led to 13 residents of a home for senior citizens being evacuated in the late afternoon hours of June 26. According to police Lt. Glenn Roberts, police began receiving calls shortly after 5 p.m. More ... County pay-to-play ban postponed until the fall Members of public express skepticism, disappointment BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN - For one last wild summer, it'll be politics as usual for pay-to-play in Monmouth County. On June 28, the Monmouth County Freeholders announced the controversial practice will continue until at least Sept. 1, the date they plan to enact "the toughest pay-to-play" law in... More ... Board denies housing plan BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL - Applause swept through the room on June 7 when Planning Board members voted 8-1 to deny approval to applicant Oak Glen Estates for a 28-home subdivision on a 19.8-acre parcel on Oak Glen Road. Residents voiced their concern about the potential disturbance they believed the a... More ... Report: Median new home in county $810K Study notes about half of homes being built are age-restricted BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       The median price of a new single-family home in Monmouth County is now $810,000, according to a new study. Project Manager Yen-Quen Chen of the Monmouth County Planning Department produced the report, a survey of new residential development in 2006. The report was released June 1 a... More ... Women broke free from prisons at home       Editor's note: The following are the stories of three area victims of domestic violence. The names of the victims and others mentioned in their accounts have been changed to guard their identities. Their situations are recounted at times in graphic detail. More ... Playground to be named for retiring principal       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - Members of the PTO at the C. Richard Applegate School recently honored their principal, Barbara Longo, by dedicating a new playground at the school in her name. The dedication was made by parents to mark Longo's retirement this summer after 17 years at Applegate. More ... Youngsters donate baby items       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - The fourth-grade class at Temple Beth Shalom, Manalapan, recently donated gift bags filled with baby items to CentraState Healthcare System's Family Medicine Center. The gift bags were presented to the center by Justin Belasco, Danielle Blitzer and Layna Fromkin on... More ... Town will give trees close look BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - Jim Lawlor finds himself between a tree and a hard place and he has turned to the Township Committee for help. Lawlor lives on Locust Grove Lane in Holiday North, the oldest residential development in Manalapan and a neighborhood that is known for its tree-lined streets. ... More ... Familiar name has place in Manalapan courtroom BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - Given that law is a family legacy, Nicole Sonnenblick knew when she graduated from Manalapan High School in 1989 that she wanted to be an attorney. More ... Heads up Freehold resident alerts police to mail scam BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - A 77-year-old resident of Vought Avenue was the intended victim of a flim-flam scam on June 27. The resident's assessment of the situation prevented him from being taken advantage of. According to Freehold Borough police Lt. More ... Director of sacred music has found lifelong love BY PATRICIA YOCZIS Correspondent       Steven A. Russell pursues music in all its forms from church liturgy to instrumental music and all its facets. A native of Ohio, he began learning piano at the age of 6 when his sister, Rebecca, was taking lessons. "Rebecca would teach me what she learned from her lessons," Russell sa... More ... Study aims to address Route 79 'hot spots' BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       Traffic experts are looking to cool the "hot spots" along Route 79 one intersection at a time. On June 21, Monmouth County officials hosted a slide show presentation on the topic at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, Manalapan. Only one member of the public attended the slide s... More ... Howell resident sentenced to 18 years for bank heist       On June 15, Nicholas Cipriano, 56, of Howell, was sentenced to 18 years in state prison with more than 15 years and three months of parole ineligibility in connection with a 2005 Freehold Township bank robbery. More ... Freehold Twp. gears up for planned revaluation BY ELANA ARON Correspondent       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - Munic-ipal officials hosted an informational meeting on the upcoming revaluation process on June 25 at the township senior center, Jackson Mills Road. The meeting, which served as a guide to the assessment and budget processes, was well attended, with many residen... More ...