DAVID BEALES Jazz pianist Dr. Arthur Topilow includes Skylar Clark of Ocean Township in a concert at the Ocean Township Library's Terner House on Jan. 6. More ... School nurse says mold in office made her sick Superintendent: School is safe; mold treated and removed in 2004 BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       Aformer nurse at the Intermediate School in Ocean Township has filed a workers' compensation lawsuit against the district Board of Education. In the suit, Valerie Boodaghians is seeking compensation from the district to pay medical bills accrued after what she claims was an exposure to mold in he... More ... Poll shows legislative slot support Survey indicates both houses would approve slots at racetracks       Apoll of current members of the New Jersey Legislature indicates that legislation to install video lottery terminals (VLTs) at the state's racetracks would pass both houses if the bill were put up for a floor vote. More ... Teens text-message to raise money for hospital Youths expected to raise $100K in 10 minutes at Feb. 28 fundraiser BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - Parents should not get mad next month when their teens say they will "ttyl" or "talk to you later" in order to take part in a text-messaging frenzy. When scores of teens and tweens in the area text on Feb. 28, itwill bemore than the usual chat with friends. It is a fundraising bene... More ... County looking to expand shared services agreements       In an effort to spur an expanded use of shared government services, theMonmouth County Board of Freeholders has awarded a contract to Government Strategy Group to bolster shared services among various government agencies in Monmouth County. More ... Guadagno sets agenda as Monmouth County sheriff BY PATRICIA YOCZIS Correspondent       Look out. There's a new county sheriff in town. Kim Guadagno is ready to serve the people of Monmouth County as its first female sheriff. "It is with a sense of duty and pride that I begin my term as your sheriff," she said during her remarks at the public swearingin ceremony that occurred during... More ... Council names new Zoning Board members       WEST LONG BRANCH - The BoroughCouncil appointed newmembers to the Zoning Board ofAdjustment in the wake of the recent resignations of five members and the attorney of the board. The new board members were appointed to the Zoning Board posts at the Jan. 1 reorganization meeting held at borough ha... More ... Unger says no to contract with city aide Jeffrey Nadell enters employment contract with Long Branch BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - The City Council adopted a measure authorizing Mayor Adam Schneider to execute a contract with city employee Jeffrey Nadell, who holds the title of aide to the mayor. Nadell will be provided with a written employment contract, which calls for him to be responsible for the coordinat... More ... Former waterslide site valued at $3.9 million BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - A panel of retired judges has determined that the site of the former oceanfront waterslide and amusement park is worth $3.9million. The 4-acre parcel of land onOceanAvenue was condemned by Long Branch officials in March 2001, and the city offered ownerWest of Pier Associates, compr... More ... Police uncover $3,700 worth of stolen goods       OCEAN TOWNSHIP- Three individuals are being charged in connection with the theft of approximately $3,700 worth of merchandise from aWest Park Avenue Rite Aid store and surrounding retailers. According to police reports, PaulWint, 22, of Queens,N.Y.,WilliamSmith, 26, of Elizabeth, and a 15-year-ol... More ... Mon. U awarded $50K for multipurpose center       WEST LONG BRANCH - Monmouth University was awarded $50,000 by OceanFirst Foundation of Toms River last month to support the construction of the new Multipurpose Activity Center. This marks the second payment of a three-year grant awarded by OceanFirst Foundation, according to a press release fro... More ... 'Camp Woz' alum to get red-carpet treatment BY MELISSA KARSH Staff Writer       RED BANK - Headlining at the Count Basie Theatre this winter are sixtime Grammy winner Gladys Knight, hit makers Styx and a group of Monmouth County youths. The 10 young men star in a studentmade documentary of their "once in a lifetime" experience at a "dream camp" sponsored by one of the devel... More ... 'New Beginnings 2008' Happy tales = happy tails       Twelve new happy tales, 12 wonderful adoption stories are featured in the 2008 New Beginnings Calendar from the Monmouth County SPCA. This year's photos were taken by photographers Joan LaBanca and Scott Longfield and volunteer Val Craig and highlight 12 heartwarming stories of pets (dogs, cats a... More ... Grants fund land use & preservation initiatives       The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation announced $4,160,000 in awards to 60 environmental organizations under its latest round of grant making. The foundation seeks to help environmental leaders improve livability as it relates to current patterns of land consumption and development in New Jersey. More ...