Stockings stuffed with care for troops overseas       Hugs From Home helps make holidays bright for Army unit in Iraq BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer So many military men and women won't be able to make it home for the holidays. Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and the overall holiday spirit will therefore have t... More ... Breza Road warehouse application withdrawn Rockefeller Group no longer has parcel under contract BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       A two-sentence letter sealed the fate of the Rockefeller Group's controversial warehouse application in Upper Freehold. The letter, addressed to Planning Board Administrator Susan Babbitt, came from attorney Stephen Barcan. "As you know, this office represents Rock-IDI 7A LLC,... More ... New Jersey's standardbred industry on shaky ground Breeders call for bigger purses and slot machines at the racetracks BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD - While the annual standardbred horse sale in Harrisburg, Pa., on Nov. 3-8 set record numbers this year, local breeders have concerns about the economics of New Jersey's standardbred industry. The yearling auction held during the sale's first two days had total sales ... More ... Most residents cheer demise of warehouse application What lies in store for Breza Road tract remains to be seen BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD - Residents reacted to the surprise announcement that the Rockefeller Group withdrew its application for warehouse development on Breza Road. The New York City-based developer planned to build 1.8 million square feet of warehouse space in the 254-acre commerce park of... More ... Township wants county to help make roads safer Residents' complaints about Sharon Station Road continue BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD - The Township Committee seems divided on the issue of restricting truck traffic on Sharon Station Road. However, officials agree that improvements to the road are necessary. Residents from the Woods at Cream Ridge and Galloping Brook developments attended the Nov. More ... U.F. allots $300,000 for land use planning Next master plan meeting scheduled for Jan. 23 BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD - The township has authorized spending $300,000 on the preparation and revision of its master plan. Although the vote to allot the emergency appropriation was unanimous at the Township Committee's Nov. 28 meeting, Committeeman Stephen Alexander said his vote should no... More ... Sharon Station Road study results are in Of the 7,000 vehicular trips on the road per day, 785 are made by trucks BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD - Sharon Station Road is the shortest and fastest route through the area for truck traffic, according to the township's engineer. Township Engineer Glenn Gerken provided the Township Committee with this and other findings from studying possible weight restrictions on ... More ... Newest N.J. Scenic Byway leads visitors through U.F. Tour narrative includes history of slavery in area BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer       The agricultural way of life in Allentown and Upper Freehold has just been deemed a tourist attraction. New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri joined Allentown, Upper Freehold and Monmouth County officials at Historic Walnford mill on Nov. 30 to dedicate t... More ... Millstone student designs NYC boutique window BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer       MILLSTONE - Stephanie Ragusa's holiday dream came true on Dec. 1. That's when Ragusa, of Millstone, who is a student at the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (LIM) at New York City's College for the Business of Fashion, installed her winning window display in world-renowned clothi... More ... Blood donors and drives needed in December       New Jersey Blood Services, a division of the New York Blood Center, is predicting a severe blood shortage in December that will require blood rationing to area hospitals and patients if blood supply levels do not improve, blood center management reported. More ... Paramedics seek ability to transport patients Emergency responders say they are caught in a financial crunch BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       Residents in the area may soon feel the impact of an emergency response crisis affecting Mobile Intensive Care Units (MICU) in the state. MICU operations have long been strained by Medicare billing regulations and outdated state laws, according to Vince Robbins, president and CEO of... More ... 'Tis the season      Stacy Roth and David Emerson, of Burlington, who are dressed in outfits from the early 1800s, (top left photo) sing holiday songs at a tree lighting while people take a carriage ride (top right photo) and Allentown's Bob and McKenna Quindlen, 7,(bottom photo) sing carols during Allentown's holiday f... More ... U.F. to fatten its land preservation coffers Landowners have applied to preserve 1,048 more acres BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD - The township plans to spend a total of $5 million more in the near future on the acquisition and development of farmland and open space. At its Nov. 28 meeting, the Township Committee unanimously approved a $4.75 million bond ordinance for financing part of the appr... More ... SportZone could open on Rte. 33 BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - If all goes well, a new sports facility could be in operation on Route 33 by this time next year. A resolution granting preliminary and final site plan approval for an athletic complex on Route 33 has been prepared and is scheduled for action by the Zoning Board of Adjustm... More ...