CHRIS KELLY staff Ocean Township Intermediate School students Dan Oliveira, Dana Garber and Ilana Goldman rehearse March 19 for the school's production of "Gone with the Breeze," which will be presented through Saturday. More ... School budget hearing, info sessions scheduled Three incumbents seek re-election to district board of education BY GLORIA STRAVELLU Staff Writer       Voters will go to the polls armed with facts and figures when they queue up for the Ocean Township school budget election April 17. According to Ocean Township School District Business Administrator Kenneth Jannarone, a public hearing and two budget presentations on the district's $... More ... Citing redevelopment, state raises tax levy Additional funds put district at '06 level BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       With redevelopment under way in Long Branch, the New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) has determined that the city is in a position to contribute a greater amount of money to the local school spending plan. More ... Woolley House 5K set for May 12       OCEAN TOWNSHIP - - The township Historical Museum, in partnership with the PTAs, will sponsor the second annual Woolley House 5K Walk/Run Saturday, May 12. The race will take place at Joe Palaia Park beginning at 9 a.m. The pre-entry fee for the race is $15 and includes a T-shirt if p... More ... Boro tax rate could increase by 5.8 cents Council considers land sale to offset burden on taxpayers BY LAYLI WHYTE Staff Writer       EATONTOWN - A $20 million 2007 municipal budget would mean a tax increase of 5.8 cents per $100 of assessed property value for borough property owners. The 2007 municipal budget was introduced at last week's council meeting, and borough auditor Bob Oliwa was there to explain the ta... 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 ... Ranks of homeless growing in county Shelter director cites lack of affordable housing as cause BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - The number of homeless families in Monmouth County is on the rise, the director of a homeless shelter told a community group meeting in Long Branch last week. "Things aren't getting better, they are actually getting worse," Bill Davis, of the Interfaith Hospitality Ne... More ... Corzine says state ready to back fort reuse panel Cites jobs, retraining & affordable housing as priorities BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer       What was billed as an open public forum with Gov. Jon S. Corzine by Brookdale Community College March 14 turned into a Who's Who of state and local government, an address by the governor and a few questions. More ... Four arrests follow motor vehicle stop       LONG BRANCH - A city man and three out-of-town women are facing drug and weapons charges after a motor vehicle stop March 9. According to police, they observed a vehicle that failed to stop at a posted stop sign at approximately 1:50 a.m. on Division Street. More ... Suspect indicted for armed robbery BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - A city man was charged last week for armed robbery of an Asbury Park store owner. On March 14, a Monmouth County Grand Jury indicted Adrian Malik Miller, 24, for the August robbery of a food store on Main Street in Asbury Park. More ... County, university team up on research       A research team from Monmouth University, West Long Branch, including an epidemiologist from the Monmouth County Health Department, recently presented a new and innovative system of detecting and tracking outbreaks of disease to a United Nations panel. More ... Community programs at Monmouth Medical       LONG BRANCH - Monmouth Medical Center on Second Avenue will host programs and events in April for children and adults. "Positive and Beautiful," a program for women diagnosed HIV positive, will be held April 3 and 17 at 11 a.m. Registration is required. For more information, call Xiom... More ... Notes       The Long Branch Public Library on Broadway will host "The Seniors' Legend Showcase" March 31 at 2 p.m. More than 20 lip-sync acts will be performed in full costume. Tickets for the event are $5 . All proceeds from the event will be used to purchase an art hanging system for the library'... More ... Vaccaro honored for community service L.B. chamber hosts 73rd Annual Business Awards Dinner       LONG BRANCH - - In a celebration of community service, the Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce saluted individuals and organizations during its 73rd Annual Business Awards Dinner. More ... Former library space to become court, offices Plans call for sharing space with other towns on a fee basis BY LORI ANNE OLIWA Correspondent       OCEAN TOWNSHIP - - Ocean Township is moving forward with plans to renovate the 4,000-square-foot space previously occupied by the former library. Work could commence as early as July, according to David R. Kochel, township manager. More ... In the Service       Robert N. Iannuzzi has graduated from Airman Leadership School at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., and was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant. Iannuzzi, an aircraft electrical and environmental systems journeyman, is assigned to the 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. He has served in th... More ... Fugitive suspect in fatal shooting apprehended BY LAYLI WHYTE Staff Writer       EATONTOWN - The fifth murder suspect in the 2005 shooting death of Latyria Nealy was arrested last week at the Pan American Motel on Route 35. Nealy, 21, Neptune, was found shot on Dec. 5, 2005, after Asbury Park police received a 911 phone call reporting a shooting in the area of t... More ... Permit fees waived for storm damage repairs BY LAYLI WHYTE Staff Writer       EATONTOWN - The Valentine's Day ice storm severely damaged some homes in the borough, and Mayor Gerald Tarantolo wants the council to do what it can to lighten the burden. Tarantolo suggested at last week's council meeting that the council waive permit fees for homeowners who are for... More ... Police bldg. may include upgrades to boro hall Boro prepares to go out to bid on new police HQ BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       WEST LONG BRANCH - Borough officials are looking to include improvements to the current borough hall building on Broadway as part of the new police headquarters building project. More ... Open govt. advocates want city's closed-session minutes State group urges adoption of model ordinance BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - In an effort to encourage transparency in local government, a Long Branch resident has asked the city's governing body to make the minutes of its closed-session meetings public. More ...