County's Birthday Celebration      CHRIS KELLY staff Revolutionary War icon Molly Pitcher, portrayed by Kim Hanley, describes her exploits during the Battle of Monmouth as Gen. George Washington, portrayed by John Lopes, listens. The two historical figures visited the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders meeting in Freehold Borough o... More ... FRHSD delivers $174.6 million budget Public hearing tonight at high school district offices in Englishtown BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       Apublic hearing on a $174.6 million budget for the 2008-09 school year will be held by the Freehold Regional High School District Board of Education when it meets tonight, March 19, at 8 p.m. at the district offices on Pine Street, Englishtown. More ... School board member will seek committee nomination BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer      MANALAPAN — Ryan Green confirmed this week that he has asked to be considered for nomination as a Republican Party candidate in this year’s race for two seats on the Township Committee. More ... Marlboro council meetings to air on cable TV channel BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       MARLBORO - Sometime in the near future, residents are expected to be able to watch Township Council meetings from the comfort of their own home. Council members adopted an ordinance on March 6 that will allow municipal cable channel 77 to broadcast regular or special public meetings. More ... Law would have police report to administrator BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN- A public hearing will be held at the March 19 meeting of the Township Committee on an ordinance that will, if adopted, make the township administrator the "appropriate authority" to oversee the police department rather than the Township Committee. More ... FCS now offers free bill-paying program Money Management program serves low-income seniors BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       The Family and Children's Service (FCS) nonprofit, based in Long Branch, has extended its services to include a free bill-paying program for low-income seniors and the disabled. The AARP Money Management program was introduced by FCS in February and is a service provided in partnership with the A... More ... Empty bowls lunch to benefit food bank Howell High School will host event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 5 BY PATRICIA YOCZIS Correspondent       HOWELL - How does an empty bowl feed the hungry? When the bowl is one of many hand-crafted bowls that are bought by guests during an annual empty bowls event. Howell High School, Squankum-Yellowbrook Road, will host an empty bowls event on April 5. More ... Police take precautions following alleged threat Officers were on duty at Manalapan H.S.; no trouble reported BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - For three days last week, Manalapan's law enforcement agency maintained what was described as an "increased police presence" at Manalapan High School, Church Lane. At one point the "increased police presence" included several members of the Manalapan Police Department's Manalapan Eme... More ... Keelan, Reich, DeFonzo seek to keep board seats BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - Three incumbents will be running unopposed for three three-year seats on the Freehold Borough Board of Education in the April 15 school election. Jim Keelan, Adam Reich and Andrew DeFonzo will seek to retain the seats they presently hold. More ... Stalking bill on hold as focus turns to budget Proposed legislation awaits hearing from Senate committee BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       Every day is a time of waiting for one Marlboro woman. She continues to endure the harassment dealt to her by a man who has stalked her on and off for 10 years. At the same time, she waits with sinking hopes for the state Senate to hear legislation that would help protect her and others whose live... More ... Events mark special reading day       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - Students in Freehold Township schools took part in the 11th annual National Education Association's (NEA) Read Across America celebration on March 3. According to a press release, students were involved in various activities throughout the day to promote enthusiasm for reading... More ... Pinewood Derby winners announced       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - Fifteen Freehold Township boys have been named winners in the 2008 Pinewood Derby Race sponsored by Cub Scout Pack 155 of Freehold. In order to participate, each Cub Scout had to design, cut, sand, build and paint a race car weighing no more than 5 ounces from a 7-inch block... More ... Parent mentors available for overwhelmed moms       ParentMentors, a free program of theMonmouth County Division of Social Services, can lend positive support to moms who are overwhelmed by the responsibilities that accompany being a mother. A mentor is an experienced mom who becomes a special friend to a newer mom. More ... Can-do attitude helps teen meet challenges BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       Amidst of a special year at Marlboro High School, one that is filled with the typical activities some high school seniors may take for granted, but not this young man. Anthony, 21, has Down syndrome, but he has not let that hinder his senior year. He is performing with the school choir, was recen... More ... Teen's effort puts healthy smile on youngsters' faces BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - While learning the value of a smile, Melanie Lauro came to believe that smiles should be shared. She also realized that she wanted to do what she could to make sure there were healthy smiles to go around. More ... Marlboro WMUA seat opens BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       MARLBORO - There is an open seat for a Marlboro commissioner on the Western Monmouth Utilities Authority (WMUA). Catherine Zulferino, who was one of the twoWMUAcommissioners fromMarlboro, recently resigned from the sewer authority. More ... Washington, Molly Pitcher help celebrate county's birth       FREEHOLD - Monmouth County kicked off its 325th birthday celebration on March 13 with two very special guest appearances: Gen. George Washington and Molly Pitcher. The county's actual birthday was March 7, 1683, when an Act of the Provincial General Assembly divided the Province of East Jersey i... More ... Walk MS will have new starting point in 2008       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - The new Wellness Center at CentraState Medical Center will be the new starting location for this year's annual Freehold Walk MS. Participants, those already registered and those interested in registering, are being asked to meet on April 13 at 9 a.m. at the Wellness Center, wh... More ... Dems tap Mallet, Mason to seek freeholder seats BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       After more than 20 years of Republican control of the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders,Monmouth County Democrats think their time has come to run the show. Glenn Mason of Hazlet and Amy Mallet of Fair Haven have been selected as the Democratic Party nominees to run for two open seats on the f... More ... In the Service       Army Pvt. Sherry Calloway has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. The 2000 graduate of Freehold Township High School is the daughter of BrandonW. Calloway of Howell. Marine Corps Sgt. Luis D. More ... Howell will participate in gypsy moth control efforts BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL - Municipal officials have made plans to spray an insecticide over Howell's densely forested areas in an attempt to protect trees from being stripped bare of their leaves by gypsy moth caterpillars. More ... Rosebud gala deemed a success       LADACIN Network held its 27th annual Rosebud Gala Dinner Dance, a "Celebration of Joy," on March 8 at the Sheraton Eatontown Hotel. The gala raised nearly $184,000 to benefit the 2,500 infants, children and adults with developmental and multiple physical disabilities that LADACIN Network serves in... More ...