ERIC SUCAR staff Ocean Township's Cody Parker competes in the Boys 100-yard butterfly during the Shore Conference Swimming Championships held at the Ocean County Y.M.C.A. in Toms River on Feb. 8. More ... Testimony on Wawa to continue in April Residents opposed to project plan to present witnesses at next meeting BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       After nearly four hours of testimony Monday night, the Eatontown Planning Board voted to carry the application for a proposed Wawa convenience store and gas station on Route 35 to a meeting in the spring. The hearing is scheduled to continue at the April 14 Planning Board meeting, which will mark... More ... MTOTSA appeal could start in court this spring A report on the effect of reforming eminent domain laws released BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       Attorneys at the Institute for Justice (IJ) said the oral arguments in a Long Branch eminent domain case could be scheduled to start this spring. More ... Borough pays tribute to those who serve Pictures of servicemen, servicewomen displayed on Wall of Honor BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       WEST LONG BRANCH - The community of West Long Branch is paying tribute to the servicemen and women of the past and present through its Wall of Honor displayed at borough hall. The wall was unveiled in 2006 after Councilwoman Barbara Ruane brought the idea before council. With the wall a reality,... More ... Boro to discuss hiring additional police officers Ocean Township budget hearing scheduled to be held April 14 BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       OCEAN TOWNSHIP- The Township Council is expected to discuss increasing its police budget during its budget sessions next month in order to add manpower to the force. The town will be looking into adding more police officers to the current 62-officer police department, Mayor William Larkin said at... More ... Long Branch teen faces sex assault charges       LONG BRANCH - A 17-year-old city resident is facing sexual assault charges stemming from an alleged home invasion and assault that occurred last year. An arrest was made Feb. 2 after police gathered evidence from the female victim and the results of forensic evidence from the reported Sept. 27 c... More ... Four arrested after police search home       OCEAN TOWNSHIP- Two township residents are facing charges after police uncovered marijuana and drug paraphernalia in their Oakhurst Road home. Police executed a search warrant at the township home of Ryan Smith, 22, and Brian Keehn, 19, on Jan. 31, according to police reports. More ... Fire causes $100K in damages       EATONTOWN - Police have determined that a deep fryer was the cause of a fire last week at the Cluck University Chicken restaurant on Route 36. The fire was ruled an accidental grease fire and caused approximately $100,000 worth of damages to the restaurant, according to police reports. More ... Residents weigh in on beach club development The state DEP presents revised plans for the historic Takanassee site BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH- City residents and local activists objected to plans last week that call for developing Takanassee Beach Club and removing two historic structures from the Ocean Avenue site. The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) held a meeting Feb. 2 at the Long Branch High School t... More ... Boro school district to improve education plans Eatontown schools receive accreditation by international group BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       EATONTOWN- The Borough School District has earned an international recognition that calls for the district to improve educational programs and school facilities. The school district received the Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools (MSCES) accreditation in 2007, which is an official app... More ...      DAVID BEALES Sydney Sears of Oceanport (l) and Kasey Minsky of Bradley Beach build a sand castle with Jon Gowdy (r) at the Seashore Day Camp Open House on Second Avenue in Long Branch on Feb. 8. Gowdy is an international sand-sculpture champion who teaches sand-castle building and other arts at summ... More ... Dying officer's battle for benefits captured on film 'Freeheld' documentary nominated for an Academy Award BY PATRICIA A. MILLER Staff Writer       Chances are, Lt. Laurel Hester never planned to make headlines. Long before she became nationally known as a dying gay woman who wanted to leave her pension benefits to her partner, Laurel Hester was a cop. A good cop. And that is also her legacy. More ... Crowd gives Corzine no E-ZPass Sen. Beck is cheered as she tells gov. to make cuts BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       Gov. Jon Corzine received a not-sowarm welcome at Marlboro High School, Route 79, on Feb. 4 when he came to present his toll hike plan. The governor was met with protesters outside the building and a large crowd of opposition inside the school's auditorium. More ... A beacon of light on the bay Camp Happiness boosts quality of life for visually impaired BY LORI ANNE OLIWA Correspondent       MIDDLETOWN- Most visitors toCamp Happiness cannot actually see the light but will eagerly tell anyone that the place is blessedwith amillion rays of light and serves as an oasis of caring, kindness and camaraderie to those who need it. More ...