ERIC SUCAR staff Arnold Hauser of Manchester waits for a visit from his next patron at the annual Christmas Bazaar hosted by the Italian American Memorial Association Ladies Auxiliary in Long Branch Dec. 1. More ... Chera: Historic stations will not be destroyed The DEP will send revised Takanassee plans to activist group BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       The contract purchaser of the Takanassee Beach Club property said last week that he plans to preserve the historic lifesaving station located on the Long Branch site. Plans call for the lifesaving station to be restored and remain intact at its current Ocean Avenue location, according to Isaac Ch... More ... Teens' driving habits placed under scrutiny Special commission hears suggestions from parents, students BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       What can be done to decrease the startling recent spike in motor vehicle accidents involving teenagers was the topic of a public hearing conducted by the Governor's Teen Driver Study Commission on Nov. 19 at Colts Neck High School. More ... Heliport to be used only for medical emergencies City officials table resolution on obtaining a heliport license BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - City officials decided last week to table a measure seeking to obtain a permanent license to operate an emergency heliport from an Atlantic Drive site. Resolution 305-07 was pulled from the Nov. 27 municipal meeting agenda to allow for further studies and discussion on the issue be... More ... City to start recycling changes in the new year Mixed paper to be added to newspaper bundles; cardboard separate BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - The city's Department of Public Works (DPW) will start a new recycling garbage schedule Jan. 1 for residences and businesses in the municipality. As part of the changes, all paper products will be collected from businesses and residents south of Broadway on Monday and north of Bro... More ... Schneider, Unger debate beach club issue City sends letter to DEP to express interest in acquiring Takanassee BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - City Councilman Brian Unger said he did not "lie" during a contentious public discussion last week with Mayor Adam Schneider on the Takanassee Beach Club. More ... Bids for police building $1 million over budget Plans for $2.75 million project at borough hall could be redesigned BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       WEST LONG BRANCH - The Borough Council has yet to award a contract for the new police-building project because of proposals coming in more than $1 million over budget. The borough received more than 20 bids in the fall for the estimated $2. More ... Township man suspected of sexual assault still at large       OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Police are seeking information from the public to help capture a township man on the loose who is facing sexual abuse charges. The Ocean Township Police Department is actively trying to locate Mervin A. Gentle, 37, of the Twin Brook apartment complex, according to police reports... More ... Police recover gun after fight among juveniles       LONG BRANCH - A Neptune juvenile was arrested last week on gun possession charges after being involved in a fight in the city. Police arrested and charged the 17- year-old male with possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and terroristic threats Nov. 30, according ... More ... New bridge to be constructed in boro Plans call for Wampum Brook bridge project to cost $1 million BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       EATONTOWN - Plans have been approved to replace the deteriorating bridge that spans Wampum Brook. The bridge has been deemed in need of repair by the Monmouth County Division of Engineering. The estimated $1 million project is expected to go out to bid this spring, and construction on the new br... More ... For the Record       The Township of Ocean Educators Association, comprised of teachers, secretaries and maintenance workers in the district, are willing to take a smaller salary raise, rather than have to pay 10 percent of their health-care premiums as part of the 2007 to 2010 contract. More ...      ERIC SUCAR staff Santa Claus greets customers as they shop around at the annual Christmas Bazaar hosted by the Italian American Memorial Association Ladies Auxiliary in Long Branch Dec. 1. More ... Rays of Light Winter Festival       Ocean Township held its "Rays of Light Winter Festival" Dec. 2 at Joe Palaia Park. The event, hosted by the Department of Human Services, used light to pay tribute to community caring and the power of the human spirit. More ... 'Guns for Cash' program at L.B. police dept. this weekend       The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office will be conducting a voluntary weapons surrender program, commonly known as "Guns for Cash," at the Long Branch Police Department headquarters tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Dec. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. More ... County data charts communicable diseases BY MELISSA KARSH Staff Writer       Based on data collected from 2001 to 2006, the Monmouth County Regional Health Commission (MCRHC) has compiled a health report of descriptive statistics of communicable diseases in the county for 2006. More ...