Activists say CAFRA permit not so bad DEP approves plans to develop Takanassee Beach Club site BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       When developer Isaac Chera received an environmental permit from the state to move forward with plans to develop the Takanassee Beach Club site, critics of the project said they were "outraged." After reading the terms and conditions outlined by the N.J. More ...       Young fashion models mingle as they prepare for the fashion show, themed "Luck of the Irish," at St. Jerome's School in West Long Branch on April 5, held at the Ocean Place Resort & Spa in Long Branch. More photos, page 34. More ... Boro resident to finish race with her daughter Marianne Reagan plans to raise funds for breast cancer in marathon BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       When Eatontown residentMarianne Reagan crosses the finish line in a 39-mile marathon walk for breast cancer this summer, she won't be alone. In addition to thousands of participants in the fundraisingmarathon,Reaganwill be joined by her 29-year-old daughter, Kelly, who is bound to a wheelchair. More ... April is Alcohol Awareness Month A substance abuse prevention group asks public to get involved BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - April is Alcohol Awareness Month and a local substance prevention group is asking that the public be aware of an underage-drinking epidemic. The theme for Alcohol Awareness Month this year is "Saving Lives: Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking. More ... Residents ask council to keep boro library open Councilwoman proposes to close library to save tax dollars BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       EATONTOWN - Residents pleaded with Borough Council members last week to take the proposal of closing the Eatontown Public Library off the table. Councilwoman Victoria Rau presented a proposal in March to close the library facility on Broad Street as a measure to save taxpayer money. More ... Council awards contract for police renovations Plans call for a $472,000 project to upgrade police dispatch BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       OCEAN TOWNSHIP- The police department is expected to undergo a series of major renovations next month that will bring the nearly 20-year-old police communications area of the building up to date. Plans call for a complete overhaul of the dispatch and communications system and room in the police ... More ... Activists call on city for affordable housing Unger hosts meeting on sustainable growth in Long Branch BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - City Councilman BrianUnger hosted ameeting at city hall last week where activists called on the city administration to focus on affordable housing opportunities in Long Branch. The meeting, titled, "Toward a Sustainable Long Branch:ADialogue onCommunity Equity and Smart Growth," wa... More ... Borough to host historic homes tour       The West Long Branch Centennial Committee is scheduled to host a "Centennial House Tour" on April 12 at 10 a.m. The event features a tour of historical locations throughout the borough. Residents participating in the tour are asked tomeet at the FrankAntonides School on Locust Avenue at 10 a.m. More ... Pope John to host 5K & luncheon       Pope John XXIII Regional Catholic School, formerly St.Mary of theAssumption School, is conducting its second annual Pope John XXIII 5K Run/Walk at Joe Palaia Park in Ocean Township on April 12 at 10 a.m. The event will consist of a 5K race, fitness walk and kiddie dashes of varying short distance... More ... Seashore Players to perform 'Willy Wonka'       LONG BRANCH - Students of Seashore Day Camp & School in Long Branch are planning to perform "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" on April 12 to benefit the VH1 Save the Music Foundation to help save the music programs at underprivileged schools around the country. More ... Asbury woman charged with check forgery       OCEAN TOWNSHIP - An Asbury Park woman is facing forgery charges for attempting to cash a fraudulent check at an Ocean Township bank. On March 21 at approximately 2:26 p.m., police were called to Provident Bank in the Middlebrook Shopping Plaza on Route 35 in response to a female customer trying ... More ... MU to host 7th global convention       Monmouth University's seventh annual "GlobalUnderstanding Convention, Beyond Borders: Individual Responsibility, Collective Action" will take place April 7-10. The convention will provide numerous opportunities for the community to enhance their knowledge about the global challenges in today's wor... More ... Local group works with city to fix Ocean Ave. Save Ocean Avenue asks for improvements to boardwalk & roadway       LONG BRANCH - The Save Ocean Avenue Committee is working with city officials to make improvements along Ocean Avenue. The committee, which comprises homeowners and condo associations in the city, has been meeting with city officials since August to advocate for changes to Ocean Avenue, especiall... More ... Boro awaits results of study on MOM rail line Plans call for train station and parking area to be built in Eatontown BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       EATONTOWN - Members of the Borough Council are awaiting the results of an environmental impact study commissioned by NJ Transit that will help determine if Eatontown will host a section of the proposed Monmouth-Ocean- Middlesex (MOM) passenger rail line route. More ... Police arrest 12 for underage drinking       OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Police arrested 12 juveniles last week after receiving an anonymous call about a loud party taking place at a Wickapecko Drive residence. Officers responded to the home on March 20 at approximately 10:18 p.m. and heard loud music playing at the residence and yelling and screami... More ... Suspects break into golf course, and crash carts       OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Police are searching for suspects in connection with a burglary and theft that occurred at the Hollywood Golf Course on Roseld Avenue last week. On March 23 at approximately 8:19 a.m., police received a call from employees at the golf course reporting a burglary and theft of fou... More ... Girl Scout unites youth and seniors in the area Teen launches game night at senior center to achieve Gold Award BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       EATONTOWN - In an effort to earn the highest achievement for a teenage Girl Scout, a borough resident embarked on a project to unite youth and seniors in the community. Melissa Bradley named her project Generation Games and after many hours of hard work and research she has launched a program fo... More ...       Francis Yochim, Neptune, dances with Rose Scotti, Little Silver, during an evening of ballroom dancing at the Holy Trinity School, Long Branch, on March 30. More ... Man faces charges of providing beer to minors       OCEAN TOWNSHIP - A township man is being charged with attempting to provide alcohol to minors following a motor vehicle stop near Asbury Avenue. On March 20 at approximately 7:50 p.m., police pulled over a vehicle for a faulty taillight, according to police reports, which state that there were f... More ... Adopt a Pet       Francis Name Breed semilong hair Age five years Color gray and white Sex male Description handsome; friendly; playful; came in after he was apparently hit by a car Adoption fees: More ... NOTES AROUND TOWN       Six journalism students from the Long Branch High School traveled to New York City on April 2 as invited guests of Bill O'Reilly, host of "The O'Reilly Factor" on Fox News. The students had the opportunity to interview O'Reilly and were also invited into the control room as the program was record... More ...