ERIC SUCAR staff William Henning, 4, and Kay Franzese, 7, search for debris near the shoreline at Monmouth Beach during Clean Ocean Action's 22nd annual Spring Beach Sweeps April 28. More ... Elberon School on state's to-do list Expansion project on hold pending approval of funds BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       A shortage of state funding will delay a $30 million expansion of the Long Branch Elberon School, but the project will go forward when funding is restored, the state announced last week. The New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation (SCC) announced last week that it will defer 27 ... More ... Fort reuse panel hires planning consultant $1M contract runs through April 2009 BY LINDA DENICOLA Staff Writer       After sifting through proposals from eight master planning firms, the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Planning Authority (FMERPA) has chosen one. The vote to engage EDAW Inc., consultants with offices in multiple locations, including New York and Alexandria, Va., as the Reuse... More ... Suspects arrested in robbery, shooting BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - Two borough men are facing charges after an Eatontown man was grazed in the head with a bullet last week. On April 18, police responded to Joline Avenue, on a report that a male was possibly injured after a shooting had occurred, according to police reports. More ... For a city child, first glimpse of the ocean Fresh Air Fund family introduces youth to the Shore BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - - What began as an opportunity for an inner-city child to visit the Jersey Shore for the first time, became what a Long Branch couple describe as the most rewarding experience of a lifetime. For one week last summer, Kathi and Bruce Owens opened their Long Branch home... More ...      A Monmouth University student adds her signature to a poster expressing condolences to members of the Virginia Tech campus community in Blacksburg, Va., where a mass shooting occurred April 16. More ... Green Scene May 2007 - Bring cachet to the flowerpot Gotti Kelley       A gardener's Mecca is indeed the time in spring and early summer when pale leaves break through the soil and you envision carpets of color soon to appear. On my way to the garden beds, armed with a wheelbarrow, shovel and clippers, robins wait patiently for me to start d... More ... Notes Around Town       The city of Long Branch will hold its annual citywide yard sale the weekend of May 19 and 20. Residents participating in the event who wants their addresses published in the May 10 issue of the Atlanticville can e-mail the addresses to aville@gmnews.com. More ... Newspaper group boasts banner year for awards Latest tally is 28 awards in state press contest       It was an exceptionally good year for Greater Media Newspapers, when the New Jersey Press Association awarded the group 28 awards for writing, photography, advertising and circulation excellence in its Better Newspaper Contest for 2006. More ... Library grant funds literature series       OCEAN TOWNSHIP - The township branch of the Monmouth County Library is one of six New Jersey libraries to be awarded a $2,500 Let's Talk About It: Jewish Literature - Identity and Imagination grant. Nextbook Inc. More ... OTHS 25th reunion plans in the works       Ocean Township High School Class of 1982 will hold a 25th Reunion July 20, 7-11 p.m. at The Renaissance, Ocean Township. Early registration fee due by May 31 is $65 per person. After that date, registration is $70 per person due by July 9. More ... Temple Beth El hosts Shabbat celebration       On Friday, May 4, Temple Beth El in Oakhurst will host Shabbat Across America. Temple Beth El is providing the local community the opportunity to celebrate with half a million people from congregations across America who will be gathering to observe this day of rest. The welcome reception wil... More ... Mon. Medical ER receives $3M donation       LONG BRANCH - Monmouth Medical Center (MMC) on Second Avenue in Long Branch will host a naming ceremony on May 10 at 2 p.m. for the Cline-D'Onofrio Emergency Services Pavilion at the hospital. The MMC emergency center is being renamed the Cline-D'Onofrio Emergency Services Pavilion in ... More ... City proposes $41.8M budget, up by $3.4M Taxes on average home would rise $338 per year BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - - The City Council introduced a $41.8 million municipal spending plan last week, which could increase the tax rate by 7 cents if approved. The budget, which represents a $3. More ... Three re-elected to Board of Education are sworn in       LONG BRANCH - Three school board members were sworn in at the Long Branch School District Board of Education meeting April 24. All three were incumbents and ran unopposed in the April 17 public vote. The oath of office was administered by Peter E. Genovese III, school business a... More ...      PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Above, Aidan Mistretta, 7, Monmouth Beach, holds up a piece of refuse he collected during Clean Ocean Action's 22nd annual Spring Beach Sweeps at the shoreline in Monmouth Beach April 28. Below (l-r), Bonnie and Ken Kausner, of Monmouth Beach, were also volunteers in... More ... Woolley House 5K set for May 12       OCEAN TOWNSHIP - - The Ocean Township Historical Museum, in partnership with the Ocean Township 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 i... More ...