Tenant sues to block eminent domain Hearing in Superior Court in Freehold Friday at 10 a.m. BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       A Long Branch tenant is taking legal action in an attempt to save his home, and ultimately his neighborhood, from condemnation for a private redevelopment project. Attorney Barbara J. Gonos, West Long Branch, filed a letter brief in Superior Court Feb. 20, to block the city's use of... More ...       First-grader Jamie Garcia impersonates baseball legend Jackie Robinson during a Black History Month program at Morris Avenue School in Long Branch on Feb. 23. More ... Black history celebration      Clockwise from top: Azeem Jackson throws some punches as he impersonates Muhammad Ali during a Black History Month celebration at the Morris Avenue School, Long Branch, Friday. Students parade and hold up posters displaying important inventions by African Americans. More ... Villapiano will run for Senate in 11th District Cites redevelopment of Fort Monmouth as a major concern       ASBURY PARK - A familiar hat was tossed in the ring Friday when John A. Villapiano announced he will run for election to the state Senate from the 11th District. Villapiano, a Democrat and former state Assemblyman, county freeholder and Ocean Township councilman, will seek the seat b... More ... Legal services hosts open house in Long Branch Public law firm serves low- and fixed-income clients BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - Ocean Monmouth Legal Services Inc. (OMLS) hosted an open house at its new Long Branch location last week to highlight the legal aid available to local community members. A panel of speakers, including Superior Court Judge Lawrence M. Lawson and Long Branch Superintend... More ... Home may be taken for Pier Village parking lot Council slated to introduce ordinance taking two properties BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - Additional public parking approved for the Pier Village redevelopment project could involve the taking of a private home on Melrose Terrace through eminent domain. The City Council was expected to introduce an ordinance at its Feb. More ...       Georgina Nembhard, Ocean Township, races to a second-place finish in the 55-meter dash at the Meet of Champions in Toms River. More ... Beachfront suit won't go to supreme court ... yet BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - An attempt to put the issue of eminent domain in the city before the state Supreme Court has fallen short, according to the attorney for the owners of an oceanfront property. Although attorney William J. Ward did not succeed in attempting to bypass the appellate divisio... More ... Resident faults city on ADA beach access Mayor says access rules impact only new development BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - A city resident has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of senior citizens and disabled residents of the city he says have been denied beach access. Ocean Boulevard resident Austin Gelzer, 80, told council members at the Feb. More ... Fort reuse authority hires accountant BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer       The Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Planning Authority (FMERPA) has finally hired an accountant. Beverlee M. Akerblom, of Shrewsbury, was hired at the FMERPA monthly meeting on Feb. 21, at a salary of $67,000. Akerblom, a certified public accountant, will begin her positi... More ... League hosts eminent domain panel       The Monmouth County League of Women Voters, composed of three local area leagues, is sponsoring a forum to present a variety of views and positions on the issue of eminent domain. The event will be held Wednesday, March 28, at 7:30 p.m. at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, Student ... More ... Celebrating the Year of the Pig Teachers explain the stories/customs behind Chinese New Year BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       As the second new moon arrives, the Chinese get ready to welcome a new year. Chinese New Year is one of the biggest holidays for the Asian population in the Central Jersey area, and its celebration has become more popular as the Chinese population has grown in recent years. More ...