ERIC SUCAR staff The "Hillbilly" smashes his foot into the face of the "Referee" during the fourth bout of the evening at the National Wrestling Superstars pro wrestling benefit at the Seashore Broadway gymnasium on Broadway in Long Branch on Dec. 28. More ... L.B. resident continues legal battle for a home Bruce MacCloud seeking counsel in appeal of eminent domain case BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       Long Branch resident Bruce MacCloud is appealing a Superior Court ruling that set the value of his oceanfront home at $220,000. MacCloud filed the appeal in the Superior Court of New Jersey Appellate Division in Trenton on Dec. 3 and is expected to file a brief on the case this week. More ... Man arrested on drug charges after car crash Tinton Falls man faces drunken-driving charges after head-on collision       OCEAN TOWNSHIP - A Tinton Falls man is facing several drug charges following a head-on collision on Deal Road. Karlton D. Meyers, 42, of Tinton Falls, was traveling east on Deal Road at approximately 7:12 p.m. on Dec. More ... The Atlanticville's top stories of 2007       The year offered a variety of news stories ranging from municipal officials convicted for accepting bribes, to a statewide study on the use and abuse of eminent domain, a taxpayer revolt, and the resignation of more than half the members of a borough zoning board. More ... Monmouth Mall seeks approval for expansion Hearings on project set to continue at Jan. 14 Planning Board meeting BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       EATONTOWN - The owner of Monmouth Mall is seeking approval from the borough Planning Board for a series of expansion projects at the Route 35 site. More ...      ERIC SUCAR staff A few of the items that were on display for a holiday gift swap held at the Monmouth Mall in Eatontown Dec. 28. Customers were invited to bring a new, unused gift with a value of $10 or more to swap for a display item or a $10 mall gift card. More ... NJDOT awards funds for street improvements Long Branch receives $160K for repairs on Third Avenue       LONG BRANCH - The city is among a group of more than 400 towns across the state to receive funds to support road improvements. The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) awarded $78.75 million in municipal aid to fund street improvement, rehabilitation and safety projects in 438 towns ... More ... Seaside Carriage Ride      CHRIS KELLY staff Horse-drawn carriage rides were provided for the public along the Long Branch oceanfront in Pier Village on Dec. 22. More ... Shelter warns: Avoid 'free to good home' ads BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       There is nothing Ursula Goetz loves more than a litter of cute, cuddly kittens. So when stories come out about animal cruelty, she wonders why people don't just put their pets up for adoption at a shelter as opposed to giving them away for free through newspaper ads. More ... Fireman served area for over 3 decades Former fire official Philip C. Payne dies following stroke BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       WEST LONG BRANCH - A moment of silence was observed at the Dec. 19 Eatontown municipal meeting for a former fire official who was on life support after he had had a stroke. A day later, Philip C. Payne died at Monmouth Medical Center at the age of 60. More ... $124M contract awarded for new Highlands bridge Advocates seek injunction to stop demolition BY MELISSA KARSH Staff Writer       Just one day after opponents of the Highlands bridge demolition filed an injunction to stop the bidding process, a contract was awarded to seal its replacement. The state Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded the contract to replace the 75-year-old drawbridge that joins the boroughs of Highl... More ... 2007: The year in photos      CHRIS KELLY staff Clockwise from top: Tina Alibrando, Spring Lake, waits for the start of "The Ride for Missing Children" race on Sept. 16 along the Long Branch oceanfront. A sunrise along the Jersey shore on Aug. 30. Anthony Orechio, 7, waves an American flag as a classic car cruises by during the ... More ... Polar Bears poised for icy plunge in Sea Bright BY MELISSA KARSH Staff Writer       SEA BRIGHT - Have you ever felt the urge to take a dip in the ocean on a crisp January afternoon while raising some money for charity? Well, the Sons of Ireland Polar Bear Plungers have, and they have been doing so every Jan. 1 since 2002 to ring in the New Year. More ... People Who Make a Difference Bringing the holiday to some special children BY MARIANNE KLIGMAN Correspondent       Fifteen years ago, Susan Tudor and her husband, Barry, welcomed their second child and only son, Jeremy, into the world. At birth, the doctors noted that his head was smaller than the average baby's, but it wasn't until months later, when the infant suffered multiple seizures that they became awa... More ... Bloopers Hope you'll excuse our 'fowl' language ADELE YOUNG       We like to start the new year by looking back at the typographical and grammatical errors that almost made it, and some that actually did make it, into some of Greater Media Newspapers' publications during the previous year. More ...