MTOTSA takes fight for homes to court Cases will be heard Feb. 10 in state Superior Court BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer      Attorneys representing residents in one of Long Branch’s redevelopment zones will challenge the city’s right to condemn properties in court this week. More ...      Fifth-graders Richard Nielsen (l-r), Ryan McGlennon, Christopher Arcos and Daniel Navarrete display a model of the solar system they worked on as a team for the science fair held Jan. 4 at West End School in Long Branch. More ... Kyrillos to introduce fort redevelopment bill Nine-member committee would be set up by law BY SUE MORGAN Staff Writer      To ensure that New Jersey’s state government, not just the local and county jurisdictions, have a voice in what happens to Fort Monmouth’s land, state Sen. Joseph M. Kyrillos Jr. (R-13) has confirmed that he will introduce a bill to set up a legal multijurisdictional entity charged with overseeing f More ... Volunteers: Hurricane victims grateful to be alive Team from Covenant Church joins Gulf Coast Relief Effort in Alabama BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer      A team of volunteers from the Long Branch Covenant Church traveled to Alabama and used their hearts and hands to assist in the Gulf Coast Relief Effort for victims of Hurricane Katrina. More ... Program gives troubled teens new life skills Youths will learn anger management, ways to handle conflict BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer      Prevention First, located in Ocean Township, has a strong mission. The nonprofit agency is dedicated to strengthening the foundations of children and families by empowering them to successfully handle difficult everyday life situations and extraordinary challenges such as violence and substance abus More ... WLB reorganizes with new council member GOP holds 5-1 majority on council and mayor’s office BY SUE MORGAN Staff Writer      WEST LONG BRANCH –– As the Borough Council enters 2006, its latest roster of players hopes to remain intact for at least the rest of this calendar year. More ... Oceanport to rename park in honor of Gatta Soccer fields would become Maria Gatta Community Park BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer      OCEANPORT — The Borough Council has decided to pay tribute to the late Mayor Maria Gatta by naming a borough park in her memory. More ... Meetings moved to evenings      FREEHOLD — In an effort to make county government more accessible and open to the public, the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders has changed its meeting schedule for 2006 and will hold all public meetings in the evening hours. More ... WLB council moving toward vote on MU appeal Boro attny.: Decision on zoners’ approval could come at Jan. 18 meeting BY SUE MORGAN Staff Writer      WEST LONG BRANCH — By next Wednesday night, the reorganized Borough Council might be ready to decide if they will battle the local Zoning Board of Adjustment in court over its approval of Monmouth University’s application to construct campus facilities in a residential zone. More ... Pallone and Holt: Pentagon should pay for workers’ move Area congressmen ask for disclosure of closing and relocation timelines      Two area lawmakers are lobbying the Defense Department to pick up the tab to move Fort Monmouth employees who accept government jobs elsewhere in the nation. More ... Valentin names first assistant prosecutor Warshaw promoted; Pasterchick to be chief of county detectives BY SUE MORGAN Staff Writer      FREEHOLD — As 2006 begins, two longtime law enforcement officials take on new leadership posts with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. More ...      Fifth-grader Erinn Schick explains some theories about constellations and the Milky Way to fourth-grader Gabrielle Navarrete during a science fair at the West End School, Long Branch, on Jan. 5. More ... Who will listen to us? Your Turn Gary A. Baldwin Guest Column      As our average population grows older, we all begin to think about the quality of life in later years. More ... Firefighters complete training at academy      The Monmouth County Fire Academy graduated 31 volunteers from its Firefighter I class on Dec. 11. Twenty-five other Firefighter I volunteers were graduated on Dec. 3. The fire academy is on Route 33, Howell. More ... Owners warned to leash dogs      Animal control officers responded to a Long Branch police call on Dec. 27 from a resident in West End whose dog was reportedly attacked by a stray pitbull while being walked on a leash. More ... Gunman sought in armed robbery      LONG BRANCH — The owner of a convenience store on Liberty Street and one of the store’s employees were held up at gunpoint last week during a robbery. More ... Wanted: A home of its own for avant-garde company Forced out by redevelopment, The Black Box seeks a new venue BY KAREN DeMASTERS Correspondent      The Black Box is once again homeless. It is the second time in the relatively short history of the avant-garde theater and arts organization that it has been in this somewhat unhappy condition. More ... New music flutist in concert Jan 19      The Black Box will continue its monthly concert series “The Music of Invention” on Jan. 19 at 8 p.m. with innovative flutist Patti Monson. More ... In the Arts      On Sunday, from 1-5 p.m., five bluegrass, country and folk bands will present a stage show and jam session at Embury Methodist Church, Church Street, Little Silver. Admission is $5 and $4 for members of the Bluegrass & Oldtime Music Association of New Jersey. For more information, call (732) 787-189 More ...