Night at the opera      CHRIS KELLY staff The Shore Players of Shore Regional High School, West Long Branch, rehearse a scene from "The Pirates of Penzance," which will be performed March 9 and 10. More ... Developer: Bwy. Arts will unite community Project mgr. says arts/retail district will create over 400 jobs BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       The developers of the downtown Broadway area in Long Branch are expected to appear before the city's Planning Board this month for approval of a $315 million mixed-use redevelopment project. At the Feb. More ... Long Branch urged to combat global warming       LONG BRANCH - A city resident and Sierra Club member has asked Long Branch to join towns across the nation in becoming one of the environmental group's "Cool Cities." At the City Council's Feb. 27 workshop meeting, Faith Teitelbaum presented the Cool Cities program to the council as a ... More ... Ferraina recognized for schools' use of technology       LONG BRANCH - Long Branch Superintendent of Schools Joseph M. Ferraina is being honored for using technology as an educational tool for students in the city's public school district. Ferraina achieved recognition in the seventh annual "Tech-Savvy Superinten-dents" award program present... More ... N.J. still sorting out legal details of civil unions Whether institution is recognized elsewhere varies from state to state BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       Same-sex couples all over New Jersey applied for civil union licenses when a new law that allows them to took effect recently. While the moment was seen by rights groups as a step forward, it was also seen as a sharp reminder that gay and lesbian couples still cannot technically ge... More ... Long Branch ordinance sanctions civil unions       LONG BRANCH - Last week's City Council meeting marked an "historic moment," according to a council member, when an ordinance was introduced to permit civil union licenses to be issued by the city. "This will allow for same-sex unions," Councilman Brian Unger said. "I feel very strongly... More ... Red Bank man suspect in Long Branch stabbings       RED BANK - - A Red Bank man was arrested last week in connection with the stabbing of two Long Branch residents. Juan Jacinto Palapa, 19, West Street, was taken into custody Feb. More ... Sandy Hook not included in Gateway design competition Project aims to turn park unit into an iconic national park BY LIZ SHEEHAN Correspondent       A recently announced international design competition seeking to create a new vision for Gateway National Recreation Area, will not directly affect Sandy Hook, an administrator of one of the sponsoring organizations said Monday. More ... Fort reuse panel waiting for RFPs to come back Public Input Committee formed to gather input on specific topics BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer       A big step forward has been taken in the redevelopment of Fort Monmouth. The Request for Proposal notice seeking a planning consultant to provide a reuse and redevelopment plan, and an economic revitalization study, is available for firms interested in moving the Fort Monmouth redev... More ... Celeb will appear at luncheon       Media personality Wendy Williams will make an appearance at The Ocean Chapter of Drifters Inc. luncheon fashion show Saturday at Branches, West Long Branch. Doors open at 11 a.m. and lunch will be served at noon. More ... Wine tasting to benefit legion's 'Heroes' program       LONG BRANCH - The American Legion Post 325 in Eatontown, in conjunction with Ocean Wine & Spirits, Ocean Township, is holding a fundraiser Thursday, March 22, at 6:30 p.m. at Piccolo Forno in West End, Long Branch. The event will benefit the American Legion's scholarship programs a... More ... Notes       The Student Council at Shore Regional High School in West Long Branch presented a $1,000 check to Madonna House in Neptune during the holiday season. The donation was used to purchase presents for disadvantaged children. Madonna House serves infants and children, from those who are homeless t... More ... Court: Tenant can't fight redevelopment Lawson rules renter lacks standing to block sale of home BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - The attorney representing a Long Branch tenant may appeal a recent Superior Court ruling that permits the condemnation of the oceanfront home he lives in. On Friday, Judge Lawrence M. Lawson denied a motion to dismiss the condemnation complaint served by the city on ... More ... Kean calls for end to eminent domain abuse       LONG BRANCH - Assemblyman Sean T. Kean (R-11) called for changes in the state's eminent domain laws - including a more rigorous standard for property condemnation - at a town meeting in Long Branch last week. Kean hosted a town meeting Feb. 28 as part of an initiative to hold town m... More ... County human services department restructured       Monmouth County Freeholder Robert D. Clifton has announced a restructuring at the Monmouth County Department of Human Services that consolidates a number of divisions and eliminates one senior management position. The change comes as a result of a months-long budget review process by th... More ... Children hurt in school bus accident       OCEAN TOWNSHIP - One student suffered a broken nose and four others had minor complaints after a school bus accident Feb. 26 at 8:37 a.m. According to Ocean Township police, the school bus was traveling east on West Park Avenue in front of the Ocean Township Intermediate School. More ... Pirates of Penzance      PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff The Shore Players rehearse for their upcoming production of "The Pirates of Penzance" at Shore Regional High School in West Long Branch. The musical opened March 2 and will be performed this weekend, March 9 and 10. More ... Youth volunteers prepare for simulation shelter drill       The American Red Cross Jersey Coast Chapter youth volunteers of Monmouth and Ocean counties are preparing to participate in a shelter simulation March 16 that will train them to act as if a real disaster is occurring and perform all functions that a real shelter would during a disaster. More ... Four will vie for three BOE seats       LONG BRANCH - Four candidates are vying for three open seats in the Long Branch School District Board of Education election in April. Three incumbents are being challenged by one newcomer for the open three-year terms on the board. More ... You're the lucky winner ... lottery scams       New Jersey - - "Congratulations! Your name was attached to a ticket that was recently drawn - winning $315,000!" Sound familiar? Scam operators are using the telephone, e-mail and direct mail to entice New Jersey consumers to participate in high-stakes foreign lotteries. Solicitations... More ... Reservation due for SPCA event March 23       The Monmouth County SPCA, Eatontown, will hold a casino night/dinner-dance March 31 at 7 p.m. at Manasquan River Golf Club, Brielle. Reservation deadline is March 23. The black tie-optional event will feature a cocktail reception, dinner, dancing, games of chance and an open bar.... More ...