DEP probes: Are dunes legal? Resident: Sand taken from public beach BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       An investigation into whether sand dunes on the beach at an oceanfront Long Branch restaurant were created illegally is under way by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). More ... Timetable for FMERPA reuse plan abbreviated Consultants have seven months to draft master plan BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer       The reuse plan for Fort Monmouth will be completed in a condensed period of time, according to master plan consultants hired by the fort reuse authority. Timothy N. Delorm, vice president, and Todd Poole, director of economic planning, for EDAW Inc. More ... Residents: Blocked beach is for the birds BY LIZ SHEEHAN Correspondent       SEA BRIGHT - - Residents of the Island View townhouse complex on Ocean Avenue are asking the borough to help them gain access to their beach which is being blocked to protect piping plovers that are nesting there. More ... Boro honors heroism in fighting Fountains blaze Mayor lauds bravery of volunteers       SEA BRIGHT - - "I feel we had one big department to put that fire out," borough Fire Chief Patrick Mason Jr. said last Thursday at a recognition ceremony held in honor of those who took part in fighting the fire at the Fountains condominium complex in February. More ...      Fire Chief Patrick Mason Jr. is congratulated by Mayor Jo-Ann Kalaka-Adams. More ...      JIMREME 2007 graduates savor the moment at Monmouth University commencement exercises May 16. More ... Democratic candidates knock GOP rule Ethics cited as key issue at forum at Ocean Twp. Democratic Club BY LORI ANNE OLIWA Correspondent       OCEAN TOWNSHIP - - Democratic candidates running for office at the county and state levels denounced Republican dominance in local government as marked by ineptness and incompetence at a candidates forum hosted by the Ocean Township Democratic Club May 17. More ... Boro mulls smoking ban in cars with kids Ordinance would make smoking a secondary violation if enacted BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       WEST LONG BRANCH - - The Borough Council is expected to vote at its next municipal meeting on a measure to prohibit smoking in cars when minors are present. The council unanimously introduced ordinance 0-07-10 at the May 16 council meeting, which, if adopted, would carry a $75 fine... More ... Notes       The Junior Auxiliary for Women's Service (Jaws) Circle of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Long Branch is scheduled to hold a multifamily yard sale on Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 35 Monitto Place in Oceanport. The rain date for the event is scheduled for June 1 and... More ...