Activists rally in city to preserve beach club site CAFRA permit pending before state agency for oceanfront project BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       I t was standing room only in the basement of a Long Branch church Saturday where a rally was staged in an effort to save the historic Takanassee Beach Club property from development. Community leaders, local activists and residents joined together at St. Michael's Church on Ocean Avenue Nov. More ... Beatles characters live during 'Day in the Life' Autism advocacy group will benefit from Nov. 10 show BY AMY ROSEN Staff Writer       With a little help from their friends in the @CT (ACT) Theater Company of Freehold, children with autism and their families can have hope for a brighter future. More ... Long Branch student diagnosed with MRSA Ocean Township High School student contracted skin infection BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - A Long Branch elementary student was expected to return to school Monday after missing several days of classes due to a MRSA staph infection. The school district received a report Oct. More ...      ANDREW MILLER staff Andrew Chiles, 2, of Atlantic Highlands, holds a poster at a rally Nov. 3 in Long Branch to save the Takanassee Beach Club property from being developed. More ... City talks to local group about oceanfront plans Business administrator says city wants input from residents BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - A city community group said it is making "headway" with the city after meeting with officials to discuss future plans of the oceanfront. More ... Man charged with assault at Pier Village BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - A Sea Bright man is facing charges for assaulting a woman with a piece of concrete while she was working at a boutique in Pier Village. Police arrested and charged George Dipierro, 52, with criminal attempt homicide, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon and unlawful possessio... More ... Affordable housing units planned to open in Dec. LB Housing Authority Grant Court project cost $20 million BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - Residents will move into the newly constructed Grant Court affordable housing complex as soon as next month, Long Branch Housing Authority (LBHA) Executive Director Tyrone Garrett said. More ... Take the 'Change a Light' pledge       Red Bank and Long Branch are among the New Jersey communities that have taken a leadership role in combating global warming by switching to energy-efficient lighting, according to the NJ Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU). More ... BCC offers free job training to businesses       MIDDLETOWN - As a participating partner of the Basic- Skills Workforce Training Program, Brookdale Community College is offering basic skills training to employees of Monmouth County businesses at no charge, thanks to a $1.88 million grant from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Dev... More ... Scarecrow Festival      The Monmouth Beach Beautification Committee hosted its first annual Scarecrow Festival throughout the borough Oct. 13. More ... Pier Village II set to open at end of 2008 BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - Construction of a second phase at Pier Village started along the city's oceanfront and plans call for the residential and retail project to be complete by the end of next year. A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Pier Village Phase II site on Oct. 19 to mark the beginning of ... More ... Police bust takes down drug ring in the county Long Branch residents arrested; believed to be gang members       Residents of Long Branch, Eatontown and West Long Branch are among 47 arrested as part of an undercover operation that is credited with bringing down a national narcotics trafficking scheme. More ... Armenian pope visits Mon. U       His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians, visited Monmouth University in West Long Branch Oct. 29. A dinner was held in his honor with parishioners of the St. Stepanos Armenian Church in the Elberon section of Long Branch. More ... Command leadership supports Army families       Senior leaders of the U.S. Army Communications Electronics Command (CECOM) Life Cycle Management Command and the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Monmouth were scheduled to sign the Army Family Covenant Thursday on the post's Greely Field as part of the Army's pledge to support soldiers' families. More ...