Bowwow powwow boosts students' love for books Five Furry Angels visit Millstone Township Primary School BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer       As Dr. Seuss' tongue-twisting tale "Fox in Socks" tried its best to trick second-grader Andrew Dorfman, Faith reached a paw over to reassure the young reader. The golden retriever was one of five dogs that visited the Millstone Township Primary School on Feb. 20 to help students in Joanne Schiumo... More ... New Jersey's $1B agricultural industry threatened Local farmers react to Corzine's plan to cut Dept. of Agriculture BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       Local farmers and officials have had strong reactions to Gov. Jon Corzine's plan to eliminate the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) as a costcutting measure. Corzine also wants to eliminate the state's Commerce and Personnel departments. More ... Beck wants plan for VLTs at racetracks fast tracked 10,000 slots at Meadowlands could bring in $400M-$800M BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       MILLSTONE - If the Casino Association of New Jersey (CANJ) and the horse racing industry can't reach an agreement for new subsidies by next week, Sen. Jennifer Beck (R- Monmouth/Mercer) will introduce legislation to permit Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford. More ... Kind Heart comes to the rescue of rascally rabbits BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD - A personalized license plate indirectly led to the rescue of nearly three-dozen rabbits from unsuitable living conditions in a Monmouth County shed. Jody Caizza, the founder of the Cream Ridge-based Kind Heart Rescue of Monmouth/Ocean, which finds new homes for rescued dogs and ... More ... Millstone officials cling to taxpayer-paid benefits BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       MILLSTONE - Four out of five members of the Township Committee have health benefits that the municipality pays for and don't want to give themup. At the Feb. 20 Township Committee meeting,CommitteemanEliasAbilheira,who hasmunicipal health benefits,made amotion to remove health benefits as an opt... More ... Usefulness of class trips questioned BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       MILLSTONE - Board of Education members had concerns about the field trips that they unanimously approved on Feb. 11. The board approved a field trip for the eighth grade to visit the Hard Rock Café, Ride the Ducks, the Eastern State Penitentiary and the National Liberty Museum in Philadelph... More ... SMART group rallies against drug testing UFRSD seeks to randomly screen kids in clubs, athletics BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer       Upper Freehold Regional School District students are organizing in protest of possible randomdrug testing for pupils involved in extracurricular activities. A group of students and parents voiced their dissent at theUpper Freehold Regional Board of Education meeting on Feb. 20. More ... Preservation project held up by COAH obligation Acreage wanted for open space could be only place for affordable housing BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD - Many questions remain regarding the potential preservation of a 135-acre tract along Breza Road. Although Township Attorney Granville Magee cautioned Township Committee members against releasing specific details about the preservation project because negotiations are ongoing, so... More ... Inclement weather keeps firefighters, first aid busy       MILLSTONE - Township firefighters had a busy weekend. The Millstone Township Fire Department responded to a house fire on Feb. 23, an early morning accident on Feb. 24 and anothermotor vehicle accident later on Sunday, according to Millstone Township Fire District No.1. More ... For the Record       An article titled "Allentown faces 13-cent tax hike for school budget" in the Feb. 14 Examiner misstated the impact the budget would have on the Upper Freehold tax rate. The article should have said the budget would raise the Upper Freehold tax rate by . More ... Bright past leads the way to a brilliant present BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer       MILLSTONE - Samantha Miller has flown under the radar throughout all of her years of schooling, even though she should have been a bright blip on the radar screen. More ... Campground to open March 15       FREEHOLD - Spring into spring by spending the night at the Monmouth County Park System's family campground in Turkey Swamp Park, Georgia Road, Freehold Township. Opening for the season on March 15, the campground features 64 wooded campsites (52 which can be reserved while 12 are available on a ... More ... Academy of Allied Health and Science earns honor       Monmouth County's Academy of Allied Health and Science, Neptune, has been selected as a national No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon school. During a school-wide assembly, Valarie M. Smith of the U.S. Department of Education presented the school with its certificate of distinction. More ... Auxiliaries present donation       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - After another year of fundraising, the CentraStateAssociated Auxiliaries held their annual dinner on Feb. 7 at the Star and Barry TobiasAmbulatory Campus auditorium. More than 120 auxilians, including thrift shop volunteers, gathered to present the fruits of their labors to th... More ...