CHRIS KELLY staff Runners participate in the 19th annual Sgt. Pat's 5K Run and 2-mile Fitness Walk on the Long Branch oceanfront on March 22. The event honors slain Long Branch Officer Sgt. Patrick King. More ... Town centers in plans for fort host towns Fort reuse vision calls for green industry, open space, housing BY JENNA O'DONNELL Staff Writer       Three town centers linked by trails and public transportation are envisioned for three local towns following the closure of Fort Monmouth, according to plans unveiled last week. The Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Planning Authority (FMERPA) retained the San Francisco-based consulting firm ... More ... PBA calls on council to restore police dept. Meeting on Monday to discuss criticism against police admin. BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       In the wake of four complaints filed against the Ocean Township Police Department, members of the force are asking the mayor and council to enact change in the department. More ... 'A Tea in Time' planned to honor boro's 100th Museum Committee to host an English tea party to celebrate centennial BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       West Long Branch is going back in time to celebrate its centennial year with "A Tea in Time" event planned for Saturday. The West Long Branch Museum Committee is scheduled to host a classic English tea party as part of a series of events planned this year to celebrate the borough's 100th year ann... More ... Sgt. Pat's 5K Run in L.B.       The Jersey Shore Running Club hosted the 19th annual Sgt. Pat's 5K Run and 2-Mile Fitness Walk onMarch 22 on the city promenade and boardwalk. The event is held every year in honor of slain Long Branch Officer Sgt. Patrick King. More ... Complaint filed against Ocean superintendent Association charges that Pagano interfered with contract negotiations BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       OCEAN TOWNSHIP - A complaint has been filed against Ocean Township Superintendent of Schools Thomas Pagano, charging that he interfered with contract negations between the Board of Education and district employees. The Township of Ocean Education Association (TOEA) filed an unfair labor practice... More ... Man, 70, handcuffed during home invasion       OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Police are searching for threemenwho allegedly handcuffed a 70-year-old man in his South Edgemere Drive residence during a home invasion. On March 15 at approximately 10:15 p.m., police responded to the home in the West Allenhurst section of Ocean Township and found a senior cit... More ... Unger to host mtg. on growth Affordable housing, eminent domain to be discussed Monday       LONG BRANCH - City Councilman Brian Unger is scheduled to host a forum titled, "Toward a Sustainable Long Branch: A Dialogue on Community Equity and Smart Growth" on Monday. The forum is planned to be held at city hall on Broadway from 6-9:15 p.m. More ... Council calling for a $30.2M town budget Taxpayers will see a 4.7-cent tax rate increase BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       OCEAN TOWNSHIP - The town council is expected to hold a public hearing on May 5 at town hall on the proposed $30.2 million 2008 municipal spending plan. The budget was introduced by council on March 19 and calls for township residents to raise a tax levy of $16. More ... Police find drugs, guns in city home       LONGBRANCH- City police arrested a 62-year-old man on guns and drugs charges after executing a search warrant thismonth. Members of the Community Policing Street Crimes Unit executed a search warrant on March 3 and arrested William Feliciano of Brinely Street. More ... Highlands Bridge advocates decry earlier project start date DOT claims contractor changed staging schedule BY MELISSA KARSH Staff Writer       The timetable for replacement of the Highlands Bridge has changed and the existing bridge may be dismantled as early as June 1, according to a March 12 letter from state Attorney General Anne Milgram. The news about construction work starting earlier than projected on the approach span of the bri... More ... Film explores '71 raid on draft board       MonmouthUniversity'sGlobalUnderstanding Conventionwill host a free public screening of "The Camden 28"April 9 at 2:30 p.m. at Pollak Theatre. The film will be followed by an hour-long panel discussionwith filmmakerAnthonyGiacchino, historian Howard Gillette Jr., and Camden 28 defendants Eugene Di... More ... Housing Authority to build six offsite units City conveys vacant parcel of land on Central Avenue to LBHA for $1 BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - The city has sold a parcel of land to the Long Branch Housing Authority (LBHA) for $1 to make way for the construction of affordable housing units. More ... Board grants approval for mall expansion Construction on four new buildings at Route 35 site to start next month BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       EATONTOWN - An expansion at Monmouth Mall on Route 35 has been approved and will include the construction of four new buildings to house several retailers and a restaurant. The construction on underground electrical and sewer lines at the site for the expansion project is expected to start in Ap... More ... DEP: Towns making progress on storm-water requirements       TRENTON - A new Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) report demonstrates that New Jersey's municipalities are making good progress toward implementing programs that will reduce the impact of pollutants that are carried into the Garden State's waterways through storm-water runoff, Commissi... More ... Comic book writer's quest for success finds TV home Manalapan native Jason Kruse will see show debut on Kids WB! BY AMY ROSEN Staff Writer       Jason Kruse had all but given up on his dream of having his comic book series professionally published and animated until recently, when Warner Brothers gave it the green light to go into production. Kruse, a Manalapan native, will have the satisfaction of seeing his efforts come to fruition when... More ... Stalking bill on hold as focus turns to budget Proposed legislation awaits hearing from Senate committee BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       Every day is a time of waiting for one Marlboro woman. She continues to endure the harassment dealt to her by aman who has stalked her on and off for 10 years. At the same time, she waits with sinking hopes for the state Senate to hear legislation that would help protect her and others whose lives... More ... Washington, Molly Pitcher help celebrate county's birth       FREEHOLD - Monmouth County kicked off its 325th birthday celebration on March 13 with two very special guest appearances: Gen. George Washington and Molly Pitcher. The county's actual birthday was March 7, 1683, when an Act of the Provincial General Assembly divided the Province of East Jersey i... More ... Adopt a Pet       Adoption fees: Adult dogs - $100; puppies up to 4 months - $140; adult cats - $60, or two for $90; kittens up to 4 months - $120; purebred adult dogs and cats - $150; purebred puppies and kittens - $180 (All fees include: spay/neuter, ear cleaning, nail clippers, More ...