Judge: Blogger may remain anonymous Manalapan attorneys sought identity of Internet critic BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       Astate Superior Court judge ruled on Dec. 21 that the Internet search engine Google does not have to respond to a subpoena issued to it that demands it reveal the identity of an anonymous blogger. Google hosts an Internet blog site known as blogspot. More ...       Members of the Marlboro Memorial Middle School percussion ensemble enjoy themselves during their performance at the school's winter band concert Dec. 12. Students in grades six, seven and eight took part in the evening's show. More ... Christmas village part of family's holiday tradition BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       Ice skaters glide across a pond, a wedding party stands outside a snow-covered church, a holiday barn dance is in full swing, while moose roam through the woods and fishermen unload their bounty at the seaport. Where is this bustling village? It is all in the living room of the Dombrowski family. More ... Officials defend council's support of school board Shutzer, Sims say e-mail accused them of playing politics BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - Councilwoman Sharon Shutzer is ticked off. Shutzer, a veteran member of the Borough Council and a former member of the Freehold Borough Board of Education, lashed out at an e-mail that circulated around town in recent weeks. More ... Manalapan cheerleading coach asks for job back BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       Lisa Rizzo-Troxell, Manalapan High School's former cheerleading coach of 11 years, asked the Freehold Regional High School District Board of Education on Dec. 17 to reinstate her to her position. The board met at Howell High School. More ... Officials will address park 'hangout' issues Action results from residents' complaints about Bucks Head site BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - Because a neighborhood park is supposed to be a safe and somewhat serene place, municipal officials are taking measures to help residents of the Bucks Head development reclaim their park after complaints were made that youths had turned the area into an unsavory and unsafe hangout. More ... BBB: Read extended warranties, service contracts, return policies       Stop before you throw away those contracts or receipts this holiday season and take the time to read the fine print on extended warranties, service contracts and return/exchange policies. It may end up saving you money. More ... Youths working on ways to improve town for teens BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       MARLBORO - A committee of local teenagers that tries to make things better in town may become an official municipal body when Mayor-elect Jonathan Hornik takes office in January. In October, a group of about 50 teenagers met at the Marlboro Recreation Community Center to take part in the initial... More ... N.J.'s Crossroads heritage area gains federal funding       The Fiscal Year 2008 Appropriations Bill approved in Congress on Dec. 19 includes $150,000 for the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area, Congressman Rush Holt (D-N.J.) announced. More ... Soldier's family enjoys holiday cheer at party Freehold Borough PBA provides holiday basket and gifts to couple BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD- This will be a very special Christmas for the Connelly family of Brick Township. Why? Because Spc. Daniel Connelly is home. Connelly, 36, a member of the U.S. Army National Guard who works as convoy security, returned home from duty in Iraq in October after being in the middle of the wa... More ... Roth expresses interest in being selected mayor Manalapan committee will hold reorganization meeting at 5 p.m. Jan. 2 BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - In response to a question from Mayor Andrew Lucas as to who among the five members of the Township Committee wants to serve as mayor in 2008, Committeeman Richard Klauber said he thinks Michelle Roth should take that role. More ... Congressmen secure funds to advance rail line study       The U.S. House of Representatives passed funding for the Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex (MOM) passenger rail line on Dec. 19, said Congressman Chris Smith (RN. J.) and Congressman Jim Saxton (R-N.J.), who had worked throughout the year to have the money included in the 2008 federal budget. More ... Regional animal shelter to undergo renovations       Construction for a multimillion dollar face-lift at the Monmouth County SPCA building in Eatontown was expected to start recently. A groundbreaking ceremony was planned at the Wall Street SPCA facility and plans call for upgrades and renovations to be completed in 12 to 16 months. More ... Water, sewer ratesmay rise BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD- Residents may be looking at an increase in their water and sewer bill on April 1. A family of four currently receives a water and sewer bill of about $301 per quarter, according to Borough Administrator Joseph Bellina. That family's quarterly bill will rise to about $324 with the new ra... More ... In the Service       Coast Guard Reserve Seaman Brian T. Young, son of Denise N. and Robert J. Young of Colts Neck, recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May. More ... Millstone businessman supports 9/11 workers Peter Grandich urges community to help sick, dying responders       MILLSTONE - Around the holidays, it's not unusual for people to get the urge to give something to a worthy cause. When Millstone Township's Peter Grandich took a few moments this holiday season to reflect on all he has been blessed with, he, too, felt the desire to help others who are less fortu... More ... Photographic artists' submissions sought       The Shore Institute of the Contemporary Arts in Long Branch is announcing a two-part call to artists for photographic submissions for two projects. The first is a planned publication titled "Roadside Sculptures and Topiary Delights [as created by the Utility Companies]. More ... Girl Scouts selling special dolls       As part of its ongoing efforts to empower girls to believe in themselves, the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore are working with Manhattan Toy to spread the message that strong confident girls make great role models. Manhattan Toy is the creator of Groovy Girl dolls. More ... Synthetic turf field to get one final look from town BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - Although an expansion of the Manalapan Recreation Center is under way with the installation of a synthetic turf field as part of the project, municipal officials will take one final look at whether there could be health risks associated with the use of rubber pellets that will fill in ... More ... Mayor, council members offer parting comments BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       MARLBORO - At the Township Council's final meeting of the year on Dec. 17, three departing local government officials said goodbye and wished the incoming council members and new mayor the best of luck. More ... Woman awaits outcome of stalking legislation Marlboro resident has been target of stalker for a decade BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       MARLBORO - While state legislators enjoyed their summer vacation, one Marlboro woman waited anxiously for the Legislature to reconvene and to continue debating a proposed law that would change the definition of stalking and toughen the penalties for individuals who are found guilty of committing ... More ... Applewood completes expansion, renovations       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - "The key to happiness is enjoyment of the living process. The certainties of every day are limiting. When you're not sure, there is a sense of excitement and you are vibrant. More ... Code requires cat owners to secure licenses for pets BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - It used to be that when a dog wandered into someone's yard, that person would call the local animal control officer to the scene. However, according to Manalapan health officer David Richardson, if it was a cat that wandered into the yard, people would either ignore the animal or ado... More ... A very Merry Christmas       Santa Claus showed up in Freehold on Dec. 16 to attend a party for soldiers and their families at the National Guard Armory, Route 33. The Family Readiness Group sponsored the affair. Santa had fun greeting youngsters such as the son of Tomas and Jannet Montalvo. More ... Scouts busy with activities       Boy Scout Troop 358 of Freehold Township participated in two training programs in November. On Nov. 3 nine scouts attended the 2007 Den Chief Conference hosted by Monmouth Council, Boy Scouts of America. The role of Den Chief is imperative in order to recruit and transition Cub Scouts into Boy Sco... More ... Colts Neck asks governor to relax election standard BY MARK ROSMAN Staff Writer       COLTS NECK - Administrators in the Colts Neck K-8 School District are trying to head off a potential problem before it occurs. When a bill that created a 4 percent cap on local school districts' property tax levies was signed into law by Gov. Jon Corzine in April, a part of that law came into ex... More ...