Local stone carver creating 9/11 police memorial Franco Minervini completing project for police foundation BY PATRICIA YOCZIS Correspondent       When Franco Minervini was a young boy in his hometown of Molfetta, Italy, he helped his grandfather, Michael, who was a stone carver. Little did he know then that he would continue his family's tradition of stone carving. "I didn't think I had any talent," said Minervini, whose ... More ... N.J. enacts far-reaching greenhouse gas standards Demands 80% emissions drop by 2050; how to do it remains uncertain BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       New Jersey residents have heard it all before. Their home state has been called everything from "the armpit of America" to the "landfill of opportunity," all while being asked, repeatedly, "So, what exit?" On July 7, however, it was the Garden State that got the last laugh as Gov. ... More ... Asbury Park to host festival       The 32nd annual Clearwater Festival, New Jersey's oldest and largest eco-festival, will be held Aug. 18-19 at Sunset Park in Asbury Park. The theme of this year's event, which is presented by Monmouth County Friends of Clearwater, is "Global Warming - You'd Better Sweat It! More ... Impaired drivers will be targeted BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       MARLBORO - An increase in patrols will be present on Marlboro roads with the township's participation in the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety's (DHTS) "Over the Limit Under Arrest 2007 Impaired Driving Crack-down" program from Aug. 17 through Sept. 3. More ... Map-making to be focus of talk       BRAVO (Battlefield Restoration and Archaeological Volunteer Organization) will feature re-enactors from the 3rd New Jersey Volunteer Infantry to speak at its monthly membership meeting Aug. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at Old Scots Hall on the grounds of the Old Tennent Presbyterian Church, Tennent Road, ... More ... Family histories told in unique biographies Attorney leaves firm after 5 years to start unique creative venture BY LAURA KOSS Correspondent       Matthew Litt has done what many people spend countless hours at their desks daydreaming about. This 29-year-old Manalapan native stopped dreaming and left his career as a Manhattan attorney to start his own business, Bridge Biography. More ... Novels on high school list to be discussed at libraries BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       MARLBORO - High school students will have the opportunity to get an advance look at their required school reading at the Marlboro library, Wyn-crest Road. On Aug. 20 a group discussion will be held to highlight the novel "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger, and on Aug. 23 the d... More ... In the Arts       The Festive Flutes will perform in concert Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Brick library, 301 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick, and Aug. 26 at 2 p.m. at Kensington Court, Tinton Falls. The six-member group consists of Donna DeCotiis and Taylore Fowler, Belmar; Jessica Lecuyer, Toms River; Alexa Rus... More ...       Beatles fans are sure to be singing along at the State Theatre, 15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, Aug. 17 at 8 p.m. when The Smithereens and Glenn Burtnik and Friends perform all the songs from two of The Beatles' most popular albums. The Smithereens will perform the songs on the "Meet t... More ... Stretching out      CHRIS KELLY staff Brooke Kusmider, 9, of East Brunswick, shows one of her power moves on the balance beam as she demonstrates her skills during National Gymnastics Day, held Aug. 4 at the Monmouth Gymnastics Academy, Marlboro. The academy held an open house to encourage interest in the sport. More ... Committee wants atty. to repay $420 from '05 Bills for transition costs are at the heart of Manalapan skirmish BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - The Township Committee has voted 3-2 on Aug. 8 to seek reimbursement of certain fees that were paid to Stuart Moskovitz when he was the municipal attorney in 2005. The vote came on the heels of Committeeman Anthony Gennaro's report to the governing body that Moskovitz h... More ... Marlboro Scouts donate hair to help sick youths BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MARLBORO - What started as a project to earn a bronze Girl Scout medal for two young ladies turned into what they each believe will be a continuing commitment to charitable works that help enhance the lives of those who directly benefit from their efforts. More ... Panel head appreciates consideration of ideas BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - Members of the Freehold Borough Rental Advisory Committee were pleased with the careful consideration Borough Council members afforded each of the recommendations committee members submitted to them several months ago for review. More ... Ordinance sets rules for storage BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - The Township Committee has adopted an ordinance that will regulate the placement and length of time residents make keep so-called portable on-demand storage units on their property. The ordinance was adopted by the committee at its Aug. 8 meeting. More ... Engineer: Test shows field is safe BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - Following township health officer Dave Richardson's an-nouncement that there is no health threat on the Pop Warner youth football field at the Manalapan Recreation Center, the township engineer an-nounced that he had conducted a soil test at the site and said the results agreed... More ... Freehold mayor seeks spot on new immigration panel BY MARK ROSMAN Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - Mayor Michael Wilson is asking Gov. Jon Corzine to name him to a new panel that has been charged with developing recommendations "for a comprehensive and strategic statewide approach to successfully integrating immigrants in the state. More ... Planners OK 11 warehouses       HOWELL - Planning Board members voted unanimously on Aug. 2 to approve an application for 11 detached stor-age/warehouse buildings on a 6-acre site on Okerson Road. An application filed by My Warehouse gained approval after revisions were made and a rest room was added to the site plan... More ... Marlboro graduate lifts spirits with teddy bears BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       MARLBORO - Children living in extreme poverty curl up to go to sleep on a bed of dirt. It was images like this broadcast on an episode of Oprah Winfrey's television show that inspired Adam Sternbach, of Marlboro, to give some hope to children. The hope comes in the shape of a teddy bear. More ... Ex-teacher's 7th book a 'spellbinding' thriller Seewald, of Old Bridge, mixes mystery, romance in many of her novels BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent       OLD BRIDGE - Readers who enjoy romantic thrillers sprinkled with a touch of the occult and lots of local color may want to put township resident Jacqueline Seewald's "The Inferno Collection" on their summer reading lists. The story is set in a college town similar to New Brunswick. More ... Freehold takes action on rental recommendations Rental Advisory Committee submitted a list of suggestions BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - Borough officials want members of the public to know they understand that not all landlords are bad. But landlords of the 1,900 rental properties in town need to be aware that all residents in the borough have the right to a decent quality of life that includes living in... More ... An old city is new again History of Jersey City looks at past and today BY KATHY HALL Correspondent       While some view old photographs as mere aids to nostalgia, Monmouth County historian Randall Gabrielan sees them as essential components of his popular local histories. More ... Things look up for lady who sings the blues Jo Wymer puts her life in song as she pursues success in music biz BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       Everyone has a story. Some people write it, others paint it, but Jo Wymer? She sings it - with attitude and soul. Wymer, 40, of Freehold Township, is a blues singer. She and her band are billed as "Blues with Attitude" and anyone hearing her sing needn't ask why. More ... Judge sentences Abate to prison; appeal planned       Frank G. Abate, the former executive director of the Western Monmouth Utilities Authority (WMUA), was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison on Monday. More ...