RPS principal, happy students played hooky       Roosevelt Public School students were allowed to play hooky on Feb. 5. The school staff and even Principal Shari Payson played hooky that day too, because it was Schoolhouse Hooky Day, an annual event sponsored by the PTA that has taken place at the school for the past five years. More ... Allentown faces 13¢ tax hike for school budget Upper Freehold's share may be only .06 cents BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer       The Upper Freehold Regional Board of Education took its first look at the 2008- 09 budget last week and it seems especially taxing for Allentown residents. If passed as initially presented to the board at its Feb. 6 meeting, the $31.5 million budget would raise the Allentown tax rate by 13 cents ... More ... Edline takes UFRSD into new era of education Parents offered more student info than ever before BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer       ALLENTOWN - Gone are the days when parents wouldn't know what progress or grades their students have made until a report card came in the mail. Gone are the days when students didn't have to fully relate to their parents what classes they missed or homework assignments they have to attend to. More ... Question mark looms over Breza Road preservation U.F. officials advised not to discuss project BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD - Questions have surfaced regarding the preservation of a 135-acre property on Breza Road. More ... U.F. postpones expanding water franchise for school Officials uncertain if action would override alternative water option BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD - A public hearing on an ordinance thatwould extendAqua Water Co.'s township water franchise to serve the new middle school has been carried to Feb. 21. Township officials agreed at their Feb. More ... Some Millstone officials not open to salary cuts BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       MILLSTONE - Members of the governing body will continue to earn the same salaries that they have received for the past few years. The Township Committee passed a new salary ordinance in a 3-1 vote at its Feb. 6 meeting. For 2008, the mayor will receive $7,321 and each committee person will recei... More ... League may strike out with batting-cage project Strike one: location Strike two: Saturday use BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD - A batting cage at the municipal complex may not come to fruition if the township does not relent on its prohibition of Saturdaymorning play. Allentown/Upper Freehold Little League (AUFLL) President David Reeder appeared before the governing body in December to ask it to consider ... More ... Crowd does not give governor an E-ZPass Corzine explains need for toll increases; residents pan program BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       Gov. Jon Corzine received a less than warm welcome at Marlboro High School on Feb. 4 when he came to Monmouth County to present his financial restructuring and debt reduction program for New Jersey. More ... Talk of eminent domain concerns Millstoners BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       MILLSTONE- At the request of an affected homeowner, a vote on an ordinance thatwould authorize the township's acquisition of three lots for its affordable housing obligation has been carried toMarch 5. The ordinance,whichwas scheduled for a second reading and public hearing on Feb. More ... Recreation appointments not a priority Mayor says committee has enough members for now BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD - Before the township appoints additionalmembers to its RecreationCommittee, itmust address other priorities first. More ... County-wide effort seeks count of homeless people       On Jan. 29,Monmouth County Freeholder Barbara J. McMorrow joined a team of 100 volunteers and county employees at Monmouth County's 2008 Project Homeless Connect event, part of a statewide effort to obtain a snapshot of the homeless citizens. The team worked at four locations to collect informatio... More ... $25M available for heat for low-income families       U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt announced the release of $25,251,481 to help eligible low-income homeowners and renters in New Jersey meet home energy costs. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds will provide states, territories, tribal areas and the D... More ... Community raises $42K for Millstone nonprofits Sports and first aid programs benefit from recent gala BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       MILLSTONE - Three community organizations received $14,000 each at the Feb. 6 Township Committee meeting. The Millstone Charity Gala, which has amission to garner financial and volunteer support for Millstone-based nonprofits, raised the $42,000. More ... A loser on the racetrack becomes a winner in life ReRun Inc. helps find homes for retired thoroughbreds BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       MILLSTONE- Although he descended fromsuch thoroughbred luminaries asMan O'War, Native Dancer and Bold Ruler, Native Hawaiian was never much of a racehorse. The thoroughbred raced more than 25 times between the ages of 2 and 5 but never won a race. Two second-place finishes brought his total care... More ... All aboard for train show fundraiser for Open Door       The Sunrise Optimist Club of Freehold will sponsor an event to benefit the Open Door Food Pantry, Freehold. The special event is sure to please adults and children who love trains. According to Carmen Rivello, of Freehold Township, the Knob Hill golf course clubhouse, Route 33,Manalapan, will hos... More ...