President salutes effort of credit-counseling agencies Visit to Freehold Twp. highlights Hope Now national program       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP- President George W. Bush came to Freehold Township on March 28 to visit Novadebt, a credit-counseling agency that is working with consumers who have run into mortgage payments that they no longer can afford. More ... Protesters urge Bush to end war, invest in America Hundreds rally in opposition to president's Freehold visit BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer       Hundreds of protesters chanted, "Bring the troops home, end the war now" as President George W. 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 ... More ... 12-cent tax increase proposed in Roosevelt BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       ROOSEVELT - Municipal employees do not get raises under the proposed borough budget for 2008-09. The Borough Council introduced the budget on March 21 and will hold a public hearing on the spending plan on May 27. Jeff Ellentuck and Peggy Malkin, who serve on the borough's finance committee, sa... More ... Allentown faces 24-cent tax increase Town may also see 13-cent tax hike for school budget BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       ALLENTOWN - Mayor Stu Fierstein has called the proposed 23.9-cent rise in taxes as a result of the 2008-09 municipal budget disgraceful. The Borough Council introduced the proposed $2million budget onMarch 24 andwill hold a public hearing on the spending plan on April 29. More ... State helps schools sow seeds to sustain farming State's secretary of agriculture visits with AHS students       ALLENTOWN - To keep agriculture thriving in New Jersey, the state wants to help schools bolster their agricultural programs and find their students jobs. Agriculture is a significant part of New Jersey's working landscape, with 9,800 farms on about 800,000 acres. More ... Havens lets his heart, and audience, guide him Singer/guitarist known for opening Woodstock festival BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       Seeing Richie Havens in concert is like a box of chocolates ... you never know what you're going to get. From before the time when he played an epic-length opening at Woodstock back in 1969 up until now, the soulfulvoiced guitarist lets the moment, and the audience, guide his performances. More ... Upper Freehold group to address traffic woes BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD - The governing body is looking for residents to serve on a new traffic task force committee. Committeewoman LoriHorsnallMount, who will serve as liaison to the task force, spoke about the issue at theMarch 27 Township Committee meeting. More ... Tree safety a concern in Upper Freehold Twp. BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD- A new forestry plan is not like the controversial tree ordinances voted down in 2005. Township Attorney Granville Michael Magee made this statement during discussion of the new plan at the March 27 Township Committee meeting. More ... U.F. pressed to finish plan to ensure FEMA funding Public input needed for hazard mitigation BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD - The township's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has asked the governing body for help with the Monmouth County Multi- Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Planning Project. The OEM approached the Township Committee at its March 27 meeting. More ... Allentown mayor steps in to oversee water plant Aqua New Jersey cancels contract with borough BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       ALLENTOWN - Taps will still work and toilets will still flush comeApril 1, even though Aqua New Jersey Water Co. will no longer be in charge of the borough's water system. Mayor Stu Fierstein has assured that residents will not notice the change inmanagement at the water plant, authorized by the... More ... Homeless cats seek foster care with senior citizens BY PATRICIA YOCZIS Correspondent       Eileen McDonnell wants to help senior citizens and retirees with limited income to experience the joy and companionship of a pet cat. With no cost for veterinary fees and help with food and litter if needed, Mc- Donnell can partner a suitable cat with a senior who is willing to act as a foster ca... More ... Cowboy cookoff      PHOTOS BY MATT DENTON From the top: Organizer Sandy Stevens announces that her daughter, Olivia, 10, won first place in the Chili Cookoff contest to benefit the Allentown First Aid Squad at the first aid building in Allentown on March 29. Judge Bill Smith judges the 16 chili entries based on aroma, ... 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 inMonmouth: 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 1... More ... Bill targets vegetation clearing       State Sen. Jennifer Beck (D-12) announced last week that she has introduced legislation to amend regulations which 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 by the process. More ... Bill would block potential conflicts of interest       Abill introduced by Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon (R-12) would bar members of the state Legislature from entering into a contract with any public entity located within their legislative district. The measure aims to prevent potential conflicts of interest for legislators who operate their own busi... More ...