CHRIS KELLY staff Matt Petrone, 14, tosses a tennis ball to Emile Boman, 11, during lessons sponsored by the Monmouth Beach Recreation Commission at Griffin Park July 17. More ... Opposition to reopening Ocean Avenue continues Some on council say they're undecided on city's plans BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       Residents continue to press the Long Branch City Council to drop plans to reopen portions of Ocean Avenue to traffic so the roadway can be preserved as recreational space. At last week's council meeting, one resident presented an alternate plan that would keep the roadway as a recre... More ... Sewer ban to affect development projects Plan to increase capacity expected to take two years BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer       A self-imposed sewer connection ban by the Two Rivers Water Reclamation Authority, Monmouth Beach, will affect new construction in 12 towns and Fort Monmouth for an anticipated two years. More ... Police charge Rutgers assistant coach with domestic assault at bar       LONG BRANCH - A Rutgers University assistant football coach is facing assault charges after being arrested at a Long Branch bar last weekend. Christopher Demarest, 42, of Piscataway, was arrested at approximately 2:30 a.m. More ... Turning up the heat on the BRAC GOP legislators want new hearings on Fort Monmouth BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer       Monmouth County politicians are hoping to put the feasibility of keeping Fort Monmouth open back on the table after questions were raised about the economic and safety ramifications of the fort closure. They are asking the federal government to hold new hearings on the decision to c... More ... Turmoil over closing of council meeting Five-minute limit on public comment challenged by some BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - - The controversial five-minute limit on public comment continued to be a contentious issue at last week's City Council meeting, which ended abruptly when Council President Michael DeStefano brought down the gavel to close public participation at the July 10 council meeting... More ...      CHRIS KELLY staff Monmouth Beach's Brendan Short, 9, works on his serve during tennis lessons July 17 at Griffin Park, sponsored by the Monmouth Beach Recreation Commission. More ... Holy triple play! Pastor ministers to 3 parishes Twinning parishes a new initiative in face of priest shortage BY PATRICIA YOCZIS Correspondent       LONG BRANCH - When the Rev. Sam A. Sirianni was a boy, he said he always knew that he wanted to be a Catholic priest. Perhaps, he thought, maybe even a pastor. "Never in my wildest imagination did I think that someday I would be a pastor of three parishes," said Sirianni, a native ... More ... From Jamaica with love: Karen Smith       A chart-topping act in her native Jamaica and winner of numerous accolades for her vocal artistry, Karen Smith brings the spirit of Jamaica to Red Bank on Wednesday, Aug. 1, when she weaves her unique blend of jazz, pop and reggae on the stage of the Two River Theater. More ... Who's on first? Musicians!       The Atlantic Highlands Chamber of Commerce, partnering with the Atlantic Highlands Council of the Arts, is presenting the third annual "Music on First " series. The outdoor performances along First Avenue will take place 6:30-9 p.m. Saturday nights during July and August. More ... Police say gang activity remains on rise in N.J. BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN - At least one high-ranking state police official recently stated that gang activity in New Jersey is on the rise and is not only confined to urban areas. This was part of Sgt. Ron Hampton's message during his presentation as part of the New Jersey Gang Summit 2007 Focus ... More ... Local officials to train for disaster response National Incident Management class to be held Aug. 2 BY AMANDA BELING Correspondent       SEA BRIGHT - - Local officials from Sea Bright, Fair Haven and Little Silver will come together Thursday, Aug. 2, for a training session in emergency management. More ... Michael's Feat BBQ to be held July 28       The Michael Gerard Puharic Memorial Fund (Michael's Feat) will mark seven years since the passing of Adam and Dana Puharic's son, Michael, at its upcoming annual charity barbecue event. The Michael's Feat Summertime Family Barbecue will take place from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, July 28, at t... More ...      Ocean Township Police Officers (l-r) Matthew Jackiewicz, Kathleen Delanoy and Jeffrey Malone responded to a call July 15 at approximately 4:10 p.m. to assist a woman in labor at the Twin Brook apartment complex. When they arrived, they found the woman was in active labor. A short time later the offi... More ...       The Monmouth County SPCA is throwing its annual Summer Party on Sunday, Aug. 19, 5-8 p.m. at the Deal Golf & Country Club. Sandy Levine, producer and host of NJN's "Homeless Tails," will be honored at this year's event. Entertainment will be provided by Phoenix Productions, Red Bank community t... More ... Matawan to host second SharkFest on Saturday BY JOHN SUTTON Correspondent       MATAWAN - When the word shark was mentioned in Matawan during the summer of 1916, it struck immediate fear and dread in residents. On Saturday, the public will be reminded of the attacks that caused that fear, but this time, it will be with an educational approach. More ... Ocean Twp. council reorganizes, sets agenda Traffic congestion, open space are priorities BY LORIANNE OLIWA Correspondent       OCEAN TOWNSHIP - - The Town-ship Council met July 2 to conclude old business, devise an agenda for the coming year and to choose the mayor and deputy mayor for the next four years. William F. Larkin, who has presided as mayor for the last 16 years, was again tapped for the top s... More ... Council sets OPRA rules for closed-session minutes BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - - The Long Branch council passed a measure last week that establishes the procedure for releasing the minutes of closed-session meetings to the public, although one councilman wanted more discussion on the issue. More ... Zoning change sets stage for SPCA expansion Goetz: Expansion, upgrades aim to meet needs of community BY LAYLI WHYTE Correspondent       EATONTOWN - - Now that the Borough Council has finally approved the zoning change for the Monmouth County SPCA shelter (MCSPCA), plans for the redesign and expansion of the animal shelter will soon be completed and presented to the Planning Board. More ...