JEFF GRANIT staff Ocean Township's Nick Menditto won his second consecutive state wrestling title on Sunday at the NJSIAA wrestling tournament in Atlantic City. Menditto defeated Greg Zannetti of J.P. Stevens in championship match. See Sports. More ... Unger calling for infill in Beachfront North II Council planned to vote on resolution to reopen portions of Ocean Ave. BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       Long Branch Councilman Brian Unger is seeking an alternative plan to resolve vehicular access issues along the oceanfront in the Beachfront North, phase II redevelopment zone. More ... Residents continue fight to block ice cream stand Resident: City ordinance prohibits Strollo's in residential neighborhood BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - Critics of a Strollo's Lighthouse ice cream stand that is proposed to open on a residential block in the city plan to argue next week that the project is not a permitted use. OceanAvenue North resident Bob Allison said that a city ordinance prohibits the Strollo's establishment fro... More ... Fun with Easter Bunny      CHRIS KELLY staff Long Branch's Isabella and Nick Reilly sit with the Easter Bunny during a breakfast with the Easter Bunny at the Oakhurst Fire House on March 9. More ... FCS now offering free bill-paying program Money Management program serves low-income seniors BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - The Family & Children's Service (FCS) nonprofit, based in Long Branch, has extended its services to include a free bill-paying program for low-income seniors and the disabled. More ... Local PBA charges twp. with unfair labor practice Police union claims department treats PBA members 'unfairly' BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       OCEAN TOWNSHIP - The Ocean Township Police Benevolent Association (PBA) Local 57 have filed unfair labor practice (ULP) complaints against the township claiming that members of the union are treated unfairly. The PBA filed four ULP grievances in 2005 and hearings on the complaints are set to be ... More ... Budget calls for 2.4-cent tax increase Employee salaries and benefits make up bulk of increase in school budget BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       WEST LONG BRANCH - The Board of Education is planning to hold a public hearing next week on its $10million spending plan for the 2008-09 school year. The budget calls for a 2.4-cent increase in the tax rate if adopted by borough voters at polls on April 15. More ... Dr. Seuss Day      PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Above: Seventh-grader Mary Malitoris reads to first-grader Robby Kopel at the Betty McElmon Elementary School Media center in West Long Branch on March 6 as part of the Read Across America program. Right: Seventh-grader Alex Lopes reads aloud to first-grader Justin Murphy.... More ... Developer will build affordable units in boro Council approves 180-unit complex on Monmouth Road BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       WEST LONG BRANCH - Borough officials have given a developer the green light to construct a 180-unit apartment complex on Monmouth Road, with the understanding that 27 units will be marked for affordable housing. More ... Kean targets landlords of Mon. U. students Twp. residents say college students disturb neighborhoods BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       OCEAN TOWNSHIP - State Sen. Sean Kean told township residents that he is crafting legislation aimed to help curtail the behavior of Monmouth University students living in residential neighborhoods. "All of us know that Monmouth University has a large number of students that sometimes disrupt the... More ... Man faces charges following car chase       EATONTOWN - A Tinton Falls man is facing drugs and weapons charges after he allegedly fled from a motor vehicle stop and led police on a chase through the borough. At approximately 7:50 p.m. on Feb. 29, Eatontown Detective Edward Nelson initiated a motor vehicle stop on Route 35 near the Monmou... More ... Six faced with underage drinking charges       OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Township police issued six summonses for underage drinking after receiving a report of a loud party on Willow Drive. On Feb. 24 at approximately 12:02 a.m., police responded to a Willow Drive apartment and observed underage drinking taking place at a party, according to police r... More ... Police make arrest in deliveryman robbery       OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Police have arrested a man in connection with the armed robbery of a pizza deliveryman at an apartment complex Jan. 30. Daniel Z. Green, 18, of Ocean Township, was charged by police with armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes and unl... More ... Man charged for leaving scene of 3-car accident       OCEAN TOWNSHIP - A Neptune City man was arrested after fleeing from the scene of a three-car accident at the intersection of Deal and Logan roads. At approximately 4:47 p.m. on Feb. 27, John M. Higginbotham, 42, of Neptune City, was stopped at a red light on the Deal Road. More ... Monmouth tax levy will stay at $286M       FREEHOLD - The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders adopted its 2008 budget on March 6 that imposes no new taxes while maintaining county services. Noting that a reduced state budget would mean less in property tax rebates, municipal aid and school funding, the freeholders decided that now is no... More ... Man sought in sex-assault attempt       WEST LONG BRANCH - The borough Police Department is seeking assistance from the public in tracking down the suspect in an attempted sexual assault. The police have released a composite drawing of a man suspected of offering a ride to a female in the area of the Belmar Train Station after the St.... More ... Park system wins two awards       On March 4 the Monmouth County Park System received two awards at the New Jersey Recreation and Parks Association (NJRPA) annual meeting in Atlantic City. More ... Monmouth University artifacts sought       Monmouth University is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2008. From Monmouth Junior College to Monmouth College to Monmouth University, the Office of Alumni Affairs is actively seeking interesting, unusual or special items and artifacts. More ... $25M available for heat for low-income families       U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt announced the release of $25,251,481 to help eligible low-income homeowners and renters in New Jersey meet home energy costs. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds will provide states, territories, tribal areas and the D... More ... Local to showcase music this summer BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       WEST LONG BRANCH - Borough native Tina Moss is coming back to New Jersey this summer and will be sharing her success in music with the local community. Moss released her first CD in December, titled "Celebrate!," and will be performing songs from the album at several churches and other location... More ... Blithely spring forward!       Long ago and far away, almost every living room in our little Bavarian town had a plant called "Zimmer Linde." These Abutilon hybrids, a hibiscus relative, are nowundergoing a renaissance in the garden.Newbreeding has thembursting out all over. Heat- and humidity-tolerant, they add a newdimension... More ...