Twp. crafting policy for pregnant police officers Kean to introduce law aimed to protect females in law enforcement BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       The Ocean Township police department is in the process of crafting a departmental policy that will allow pregnant police officers to be assigned to "light duty" throughout the course of their pregnancy. More ...       A kayaker relaxes in the middle of Riverdale Avenue in Monmouth Beach on May 12. More ... A day to honor service, remember sacrifice Vets who served country honored at Vietnam Veterans'Memorial BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       Peter Van Rixoort never met his father, but all his life he has known just how special his father's sacrifice for World War II really was. Van Rixoort's father, Staff Sgt. John Van Rixoort, who was a rifleman in the United States Army's 75th Division, 291st Infantry in Company E, never made it ho... More ... Protestors ask Pallone to support Lyme bill Pallone awaiting panel's recommendations on Lyme disease BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - Protestors gathered outside of Congressman Frank Pallone Jr.'s office on Broadway last week to call attention to a Lyme disease bill currently being considered by the Legislature. The protestors are demanding action on HR 721, which if passed would appropriate $100 million over a c... More ... Monmouth U. to plant rain garden on campus       WEST LONG BRANCH - The Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute will plant a demonstration rain garden on the university campus on Saturday at 10 a.m. between the Facilities Management Building and the Athletics Building. More ... Residents ask boro to keep library open Tarantolo: A committee will conduct a study on the public library BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       EATONTOWN - Residents have begun circulating petitions throughout the borough in order to garner public support for the continued operation of the Eatontown Public Library. More ... Two juveniles face 14 counts of car burglaries       LONG BRANCH - Two juveniles are facing charges for a string of car burglaries in the city. On May 6, police responded to a Morford Avenue residence at approximately 2:30 a.m. after a Long Branch homeowner reported to police that his car alarm had been set off, according to police reports. More ... Group of city youths 'Jump' back together Team Jump Off reopens for area teens after shutting down for a year BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH- It was six years ago when a city family opened their home and hearts to the youth in the community with the sole intention of breaking the cycles of poverty and heartbreak. Agroup of teens, who came to call themselves Team Jump Off (TJO), had at the Badillo home a safe haven to turn ... More ... Thrift shop to benefit programs at hospital Once Again Thrift Boutique set to open in Eatontown next month BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - The Monmouth Medical Center Foundation is embarking on a new endeavor to raise funds to support the hospital. The foundation will open its first thrift shop, called the Once Again Thrift Boutique, the first week of June on Main Street in Eatontown. More ... Twp. adopts $30.3M municipal spending plan Residents ask for independent review of township budget BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       OCEAN TOWNSHIP- Township residents were disappointed last week after a suggestion to appoint a committee to further review the $30.3 million municipal spending plan was denied. At theMay 5 municipal meeting, council voted unanimously, 3-0, to adopt the township budget, which calls for township ho... More ... Vehicle stop nets handgun BY MELISSA KARSH Staff Writer       SEA BRIGHT - During a routine vehicle stop May 11 for an equipment violation, Sea Bright police found the occupants to be in possession of a stolen handgun, according to Sea Bright Police Chief William S. Moore. More ... Museum hosts race to support Woolley House       OCEAN TOWNSHIP - There were approximately 75 township residents who turned out for the Ocean Township HistoricalMuseum 5KWalk and Run onMay 10. The event was held at Joe Palaia Park and all proceeds from the event are being used to aid the museum association in funding the restoration of the his... More ... Eatontown to host community cleanup event       The Pride in Eatontown Committee is scheduled to hold its annual Community Clean-Up onMay 18. The event will start at 2 p.m. behind the Eatontown Fire House on Broad Street. All residents are welcome and encouraged to attend the two-hour event.Attendees will be supplied with protective gloves, ga... More ...