Call made for artists to join show       MIDDLETOWN — The Monmouth County Arts Council (MCAC) invites artists to submit work for the 28th annual Juried Art Show and Sale. The exhibition will run from Jan. 27 through March 4 at the Monmouth Museum on the Brookdale Community College campus in the Lincroft section of Middletown. Open t... More ... Show changes tune when astronomers change facts       Look! Up in the sky! There are nine planets … or is it eight? Members of the Three Story Players of Ocean County College (OCC) will teach children how many planets there really are when they present the musical presentation of “The Moon and Mars and Super Stars” Jan. 5 at 1 p.m. The sho... More ... Millstone takes a stand for its flora and fauna Properties may fall subject to stricter environmental testing BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       MILLSTONE — Wildlife and plants may be better protected should the township follow through on suggestions made by a member of its Environmental Commission. Environmental Commission member Barry Frost told the Township Committee at its Dec. More ... U.F. tired of waiting for Sharon Station Rd. repairs Township pushes for county to take road into its jurisdiction BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD — The township wants Sharon Station Road to be widened. The Township Committee voted 4-1 on Dec. 7 to ask Monmouth County to expedite plans to rebuild and widen Sharon Station Road next year. Committeeman Stephen Alexander cast the dissenting vote. More ... Couple overcomes obstacles to have ‘miracle baby’ Surrogate mother helped to make a dream come true BY TALI ISRAELI Staff Writer       It was 6:38 p.m. on Dec. 21, 2005, when the improbable happened to Shari and Glen Devora. The couple had been trying to get pregnant since the start of their marriage in May 2002. Almost three years later their son, Jacob “Coby” Benjamin Devora, was born. More ... Good sportsmanship makes Millstone proud Township officials recognize Eagles team for its stellar season BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       MILLSTONE — The undefeated Millstone Mighty Mites, a Pop Warner football team consisting of 32 Millstone youths ages 7-9, were honored at the Dec. 6 Township Committee meeting. The team, which includes one female player, finished its season undefeated with a 10-0 record. More ... Water/sewer rates could be on the rise BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       ROOSEVELT — Borough residents may have to pay higher water and sewer bills next year. Last year, the Borough Council passed an ordinance that set new water rates based on consumption for 2006. Currently, residents pay bimonthly rates starting at $298 per family dwelling or house of wo... More ... Borough, yeshiva officials would like to mend fences BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       ROOSEVELT — A recent incident in which paintballs were shot at a local residence may lead to better dialogue between borough residents and members of the local yeshiva. Two teens were each charged with criminal mischief and harassment on Nov. 28 for shooting about 70 paintballs at a N... More ... Joyful winter wonders      PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Allentown’s Jack Zaffarese, 3, (above) has a chat with Santa Claus about the upcoming holidays, while area residents (right) gather in downtown Allentown to sing Christmas carols during the borough’s holiday open house Dec. 3. More ... Developers hit with charges of corruption       A federal investigation into corrupt activities has ensnared three area residents who have developed residential and commercial projects in Marlboro for years. On Dec. 6, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced the indictment of brothers Steven Meiterman, 44, of Marlboro, and Be... More ... ‘N.J. Shouts Down Drugs’ music competition       The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey has announced its 2007 “New Jersey Shouts Down Drugs!” (NJSDD) music competition. NJSDD is a music and song-writing competition for high school students who live or attend school in New Jersey. Students who participate must write a song promoting... More ... Senator attends leadership conference in Colorado       State Sen. Ellen Karcher (D-Monmouth and Mercer) was selected to take part in the second class of the Aspen-Rodel Fellowships for Public Leadership, and attended a conference last week to engage in a bipartisan discussion of democratic values and effective public service with the other 23 mem... More ... Deputy mayor’s votes on trucking issues questioned Miscoski says he has no allegiance to company that sponsors his race car BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD — An attorney has alleged that Deputy Mayor William Miscoski has a conflict of interest when it comes to making decisions about truck traffic on Sharon Station Road. More ... Harvest of Hope       Children involved in Allentown’s Christian Arts and Music Program mid-week children’s ministry recently collected food items and stocked the shelves at the Harvest of Hope food pantry at the Rose of Sharon Lutheran Church, Jacobstown. The pantry, which served 48 families when the children wer... More ... Finding the tree most fair and lovely Local families frolic amid Bullock Farms’ 12,000 tannenbaums BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer       For many, creating the warm and glowing center of winter traditions begins with a cold excursion out into local farm fields. More ... Fate of Breza Road tract yet to be decided Residents urge township to remove property’s commerce park overlay BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       Deputy Mayor William Miscoski said the Breza Road property in Upper Freehold formerly slated for warehouse development is so beautiful that nothing should be built there. Miscoski’s remark was met with applause from the audience at the Township Committee’s Dec. More ...