CHRIS KELLY staff Claire Vilanova, Ocean Township, participates in the fun run as the fourth annual Ocean Township Fall Fest gets under way at Joe Palaia Park on Sept. 29. More ... A man's home is his castle but worth far less Fernicola: City's offer of $147K was fair, didn't cheat MacCloud BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       Although the house no longer exists and they were not permitted to visit the former site, a jury decided last week that Bruce MacCloud's oceanfront home in Long Branch was worth just $220,000 before it was razed and replaced with luxury condominiums. More ... Peeping Tom leads police to brothel BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - - City police discovered a brothel operating out of a Chelsea Avenue house last week after a man was observed peering into the windows of the residence. According to police department, on Sept. 22 Police Officer Hector Umana was on patrol in the area of Chelsea Avenue when he obser... More ... Police recover stolen items, charge suspect BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       OCEAN TOWNSHIP - - Township police responded to Target Greatland in the Seaview Mall last week after receiving a report of a shoplifting in progress at the store. Police arrested Lionel D. Barksdale, 34, of Long Branch, on Sept. 12 at approximately 1:20 p.m. after Target Loss Prevention reported... More ... Council incumbents seek re-election       EATONTOWN - Democratic incumbents Borough Council President Theodore F. Lewis Jr. and Councilwoman Joyce A. Englehart will both be seeking reelection in November. Lewis, chairman of the finance and ordinance committees and council liaison to the environmental commission, was elected to council i... More ... Society art exhibit opens Oct. 8 in Little Silver       The nonprofit Art Society of Monmouth County will exhibit artwork by its members at Little Silver Boro Hall, 480 Prospect Ave., Oct. 8-Dec. 23. The juried exhibit is the annual H. & E. Luhrs Show. The Art Society meets the third Wednesday morning of each month at Monmouth Beach Cultural Center, Oc... More ... Grant improves police dept. communications BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - The city Police Department has been awarded $30,000 in state funds to purchase radio and additional communications equipment to improve public safety in the city. Long Branch police Lt. Lyndon Johnson said the city plans to use the funds to purchase equipment to switch the radio fr... More ... City to bond $2.6M for new park Manahassett Creek Park will add needed sports fields BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - The City Council introduced a measure last week to bond $2.6 million for the construction of what may become a "landmark" municipal park in Long Branch. At the Sept. 25 municipal meeting, the council unanimously voted to introduce a bond ordinance to finance the $3. More ... Photos      PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Top: Runners set out at the start of the fun run that kicked off the fourth annual Ocean Township Fall Fest, held at Joe Palaia Park on Sept. 29. Above: Oakhurst's Becky and Joe Welter practice togetherness as they participate in the fun run. More ... Retirement: the Third Age Brookdale launches Center for Creative Retirement BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer       There has never been a better time to be retired or be about to retire in Monmouth County. Everyone is beginning to catch on to the fact that retired people have a lot to offer and the time to devote to the possibilities inherent in lifelong learning. More ... Celebrating Jamie for a job well-done Ocean Place fetes employee for 11 yrs. of service BY AMANDA BELING Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - Known as the "hardest working man" at his Arc of Monmouth group home, Jamie Kiernan is no ordinary Joe. Born with the extra chromosome that causes Down syndrome, Jamie, 33, has been living a very full life since he was born, according to his mother, Ginny Marasco. More ... Gas plant site could be developed in two years Mayor: Agreement close on Broadway Gateway zone BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - - The former manufactured gas plant (MGP) site on Long Branch Avenue could be developed in the near future for commercial, retail or recreational uses, city officials said last week. More ... Fort Monmouth honors military retirees Oct. 13       Fort Monmouth will host its annual Military Retiree Appreciation Day Saturday, Oct. 13. Admission is free and military retirees from all services and their families in Monmouth, Middlesex, Union, Morris, Warren, Essex, Hudson, Bergen, Sussex, Hunterdon and Passaic counties are invited and encoura... More ... City gives Applied more time to submit plans BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - The developers of Pier Village have been given an extension of up to 90 days to submit plans for the third phase of the luxury oceanfront redevelopment project. The City Council unanimously adopted a resolution at the Sept. 25 municipal meeting to grant Applied Development Cos. More ...