Republicans will have primary in Manalapan By KATHY BARATTA and MARK ROSMAN Staff Writers      MANALAPAN — There will be a Republican primary in Manalapan in June as four candidates seek the nod to run for two seats on the Township Committee in the November general election. More ... President salutes effort of credit-counseling agencies Visit to Freehold Twp. highlights Hope Now national program       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - President GeorgeW. Bush came to Freehold Township onMarch 28 to visitNovadebt, a credit-counseling agency that is working with consumers who have run into mortgage payments that they no longer can afford. More ... Plans to be developed for new admin. building Manalapan-Englishtown school district owns property on Millhurst Road BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education has commissioned an architect to draw up top-to-bottom plans for the construction of a new administration building. More ... Protesters urge Bush to end war, invest in America BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer       Hundreds of protesters chanted, "Bring the troops home, end the war now" as President GeorgeW. Bush touched down in Freehold aboard Marine One last week. Local individuals and families joined New Jersey Citizen Action (NJCA), Democracy For America, the Coalition For Peace Action, the Solidarity S... More ... Future of Kruise Nite in jeopardy in Freehold Officials say residents have concerns; business owners want it to remain BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - The question of whether Freehold Borough has hosted its last Kruise Nite remains unanswered. According to Councilman Kevin Kane, when discussing the popularity of Kruise Nite, the borough may be a victim of its own success. More ... Hosing down      JEFF GRANIT staff An Englishtown firefighter is sprayed down with water after responding to a fire in the business Hair Systems, at Park Avenue and Station Street, Englishtown, March 27. More ... Englishtown mayor expects to speak about rec. waivers BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       ENGLISHTOWN - No decision has been reached by borough officials regarding the payment of economic waivers for Englishtown youngsters who attend Manalapan's summer recreation program. Several discussions regarding the issue have been held between Englishtown Mayor Thomas Reynolds and Manalapan Ma... More ... Voters will have say on school tab $82.9M budget would increase K-8 taxes by $67 on average home BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       MARLBORO - No one from the public offered any comment about the Marlboro K-8 School District's budget for 2008-09 when given the chance to do so on March 17. The Board of Education held a public hearing on the budget that evening, but no residents came forward to ask questions about or comment o... More ... Prosecutor: Freehold cop did not commit a crime Police department still investigating actions of officer BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - Although an internal Freehold Borough police investigation continues into allegations of improper conduct on the part of a police officer, an investigation conducted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office is officially closed. More ... Experts will discuss abuse of prescription medications BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       MARLBORO - Parents who suspect their child may be abusing prescription drugs and those who want to learn more about this growing national problem are invited to attend a special presentation to be held at 7 p.m.April 8 in the auditorium of Marlboro High School, Route 79. More ... Lake Topanemus remains popular spot for activities       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP- One of the area's most scenic settings, Lake Topanemus, is ready for another year of use. The lake is owned by Freehold Borough and located on Pond Road in Freehold Township. Residents of the borough and the township serve on the Lake Topanemus Commission which oversees the lak... More ... Boost in state aid helps stabilize FRHSD taxes Voters will be asked to OK $110.9M tax levy in April 15 election BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       The Freehold Regional High School District Board of Education has adopted a $174.6 million budget for the 2008-09 school year. A public hearing on the budget was held onMarch 19 at the FRHSD offices in Englishtown. On April 15, residents of the district's eight sending municipalities will be aske... More ... Police chief will now report directly to administrator BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - Following a public hearing during which no opposition was voiced, the Township Committee adopted an ordinance that makes the township administrator, rather than the Township Committee, the appropriate authority to oversee the Manalapan Police Department. More ... Mrs. New Jersey will run to benefit charity       HOWELL - Claire Pavlinec of Howell, who is the reigning Mrs. New Jersey America, recently announced her decision to compete in the Long Branch Half Marathon in hopes of raising thousands of dollars for a charity she founded for mothers in need. More ... IRS reps offer assistance to New Jersey taxpayers       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - IRS representatives visited the Freehold Raceway Mall recently as part of an outreach effort to educate taxpayers on various tax season topics. Approximately 30 taxpayers sought personal assistance on various tax issues ranging from choosing a tax preparer to the upcoming econ... More ... Writer discovers what it means to be free Reporter flies like Peter Pan as Strand prepares popular tale BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       LAKEWOOD - Hoisted 18 feet in the air with only a very tight single-point harness holding me, I flew like Peter Pan and experienced a brief moment of freedom. With my legs dangling and my body swinging, I stretched my arms out like a bird and was swung on cables by two strong men, dressed in blac... More ... Bill targets clearing of vegetation       12th District state Sen. Jennifer Beck announced last week that she has introduced legislation that would amend regulations that allow electric public utilities to clear-cut vegetation from under power lines, making the regulations much fairer to homeowners and farmers whose property is affected b... More ... Teen driver study panel issues recommendations       Monmouth County Freeholder Barbara J. McMorrow, co-chair of the New Jersey Teen Driver Study Commission, participated in a news conference last week that officially released the group's findings and recommendations to help reduce teen motor vehicle crashes and save lives. More ... Kean choir and chorale to perform in Freehold       FREEHOLD - The Kean University Concert Choir and Chorale will present a concert titled "Festival of World Choral Music" at St. Peter's Episcopal Church on April 4 at 7:30 p.m. St. Peter's is at the corner of Main and Throckmorton streets in downtown Freehold. The public is invited to attend this ... More ... 180 Turning Lives Around realigns focus Amanda's Easel, safe home to expand; help line to go statewide BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       Administrators of 180 Turning Lives Around announced recently that they will expand some programs, including the agency's teen telephone help line and art therapy program, to better meet the needs of the community. More ... Genealogist delves into history of Shore's murders Murders in Monmouth' documents three decades of crime BY KATHY HALL Correspondent       George Joynson's passion for genealogy led him to write "Murders in Monmouth: Capital Crimes from the Jersey Shore's Past." On a visit to the Monmouth County Archives, the longtime professional genealogy researcher found a copy of a book that covered all the murder trials in Monmouth County from ... More ... Former baseball coach faces 7 years in prison       Robert Nanni, 53, of Howell, pleaded guilty onMarch 10 before state Superior Court Judge Paul F. Chaiet to official misconduct, a second-degree crime, and theft by deception and theft of services, both third-degree crimes. More ... Area resident nominated to FBI national academy       Capt. Steven Tallard has been selected to become the first parole officer from New Jersey to attend the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va., State Parole Board Chairman Peter J. Barnes Jr. announced. More ... Horsemen not impressed with $90M supplement Casino funding expected to do little for future of N.J. horse industry BY JANE MEGGITT and JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writers       Casinos will bolster New Jersey racetrack purse levels for the next three years, but the future of horse racing in the Garden State remains uncertain without a stable source of funding. Gov. Jon S. More ... Beyond: Visions of Planetary Landscapes       View the planets in a Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition at the Monmouth Museum through May 4. "Beyond: Visions of Planetary Landscapes" paints a rarely seen and mesmerizing portrait of our solar system's planets and their moons. More ...