CHRIS KELLY staff Guests at a model train show sponsored by the Sunrise Optimist Club of Freehold examine one of the layouts that was on display at the Knob Hill golf course clubhouse in Manalapan on Feb. 17. The model train show attracted people of all ages and was a fundraiser for the Open Door fo... More ... Home overcrowding in N.J. crosshairs Under proposed law, tenants could be fined for causing problem BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       Abill that is currently making its way through the state Senate could have an impact on towns such as Freehold Borough and Lakewood if it eventually becomes law. The proposed legislation addresses residential overcrowding in private homes, but not apartment complexes. More ... Child's plight inspires outpouring of help BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       What started out as a community effort to find a miracle for one Marlboro boy has spread across the nation. Born with the rare blood disorder Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH),Marc Weinstein, 9, is in need of a bone marrow or blood stem cell transplant. According to the Histiocytosis Assoc... More ... Youngster to carry banner for 2008 Arthritis Walk       The Arthritis Foundation, New Jersey Chapter, has named Hannah Teitelbaum of Manalapan as youth chair of the 2008 ArthritisWalk to be held at Jenkinson's Pavilion in Point Pleasant in April. More ... Party leaders say Web posts deter candidates Internet messages go way past debate, into personal attacks BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - There was a time in American politics when opponents could settle their problems with a duel. You saw it coming and went face-to-face with your enemy. That's when it was easy. More ... GREEN SCENE Pause before you prune: February       He who would perfect his work, must first sharpen his tools. Confucius, 551-479 BCE Having the right tools always comes first. Don't start pruning before taking a close look at your equipment. You probably rely on tools that have been inherited or accumulated over several years. It pays to ma... More ... Applicant takes defeated athletic center to court BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL - The applicant who recently came up short in a bid to build an athletic training facility on Fairfield Road has filed suit against the Zoning Board of Adjustment in an attempt to reverse the outcome. More ... Wonderful 'Wizard of Oz' makes stop in Marlboro BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       MARLBORO - Munchkins, flying monkeys and a yellow brick road will be seen at Marlboro High School, Route 79, this weekend. Members of the Marlboro High School Drama Club will perform "The Wizard of Oz" on Feb. 29 and March 1 at 7:30 p.m. and on March 2 at 3 p.m. Tickets will be available at the ... More ... Scouts mark anniversary       During February 2008 the Monmouth Council, Boy Scouts of America, is celebrating the Boy Scouts of America's 98th anniversary of service to youth and families, and proud tradition of participating in citizenship, character development and community service. More ... Loyal following makes band the people's choice Freehold resident Jim Garcia brings fun to Nerds shows BY AMY ROSEN Staff Writer       Jim Garcia seems like a typical family man living in Freehold Township. But onAug. 15, 1985, something happened that changed his life. Ever since that day, whenever he goes to work he becomes - a Nerd! And his family couldn't be prouder. More ... Grant would fund study of transportation issues BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - As part of a stated intent to develop additional commuter parking for residents, Manalapan officials will apply for a $50,000 planning assistance grant from the state Department of Community Affairs. Mayor Michelle Roth said at the Township Committee's Feb. More ... Board expects to introduce $19.6M budget for '08-09       FREEHOLD- The Freehold Borough Board of Education expects to introduce a budget for the 2008-09 school year when it meets at 7 p.m. March 3 at the Park Avenue Elementary School. District administrators said on Feb. 25 that the total budget for 2008-09 is expected to be $19.6 million. More ... Council accepts $600K bid for Bennett Street building BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - An old school which most recently served as the headquarters of the Freehold Borough Police Department is expected to get a new life. Borough officials have taken steps to sell the building on Bennett Street to U.S. More ... Mayor wants reassessment of toxic site BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       MARLBORO- Municipal officials are working to have the Imperial Oil property, a 15-acre tract off Tennent Road near Route 79, cleaned up and rid of its chemical contamination once and for all. The Imperial Oil industrial property was declared a federal Superfund site in the 1980s. It was one of se... More ... Scholarship established to honor wife's memory       The Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey (VNACJ) has announced the establishment of the Violet A. Yurowski Nursing Scholarship to encourage and support Brookdale Community College students who desire to pursue a career in the field of nursing. More ... Museum will tell story of Jews in Monmouth BY MARK ROSMAN Staff Writer       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - Construction work is continuing inside a 150- year-old barn that will soon be reborn and enjoy a new life as the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County. Approximately 3,000 square feet of space in the mid-19th century Levi Solomon barn is being transformed into a space tha... More ... Council sets LOSAP payment for volunteers BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       MARLBORO - The township will increase its annual payment to the Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) for qualified volunteer members of certain organizations based on the consumer price index. Members of the Township Council voted on Feb. 7 to change the previous practice of periodic increas... More ... Council tables outdoor storage container code       FREEHOLD - An ordinance which seeks to regulate the use of portable outdoor storage units has been tabled by the Borough Council. The ordinance had a public hearing at the council's Feb. 19 meeting, but the members of the governing body tabled a vote on the new law after concerns were raised by ... More ... Store recognized for stopping sale of tobacco       MANALAPAN - It's a breath of fresh air when a corporate entity puts people before profits, and so it was that Wegmans supermarket came to be honored by Manalapan officials during a recent meeting. More ... 3 men charged with burglary in Marlboro       MARLBORO- Three men believed to be responsible for more than 19 burglaries were arrested after a Marlboro police officer saw them leaving the scene of a burglary on Feb. 17. According to police, Derek Edwards, 41, of New York, Steve Saulter, 40, of Teaneck, and Dennis Saulter, 41, ofMontclair, we... More ...