Drought watch issued for 12 counties, 6 million people as N.J. water worries worsen

A drought watch has been issued in parts of 12 New Jersey counties, encompassing more than two-thirds of the population, after months of dry, warm weather that have driven the state’s water supply to worryingly low levels. Rainfall totals in parts of northern and central New Jersey have been just over 50 percent of average over… Read the rest of this entry »

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Congressman Smith Announces Grant For Anti-Domestic Violence Program

Congressman Chris Smith announced today that the New Jersey Coalition For Battered Women has been awarded a $82,882 grant by the U.S. Justice Department.

Smith authored the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act, the legislation that first authorized the federal program funding this grant.

“The New Jersey Coalition for Battered Women is a valuable resource for women and children across our state who have been victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault and violence,” said Smith. “The NJCBW’s mission is to end violence against women and its work is critical to ensuring women and their families have the resources necessary—and readily available—to break the cycle of domestic violence.”

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, September 25-27, 2015

By Greg Kelly

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Friday, Sept. 25

• Fall Swap Meet & Auto Show at Raceway Park (Englishtown) – MORE INFO
• Bruce Springsteen: A Photographic Journey at Monmouth U (WLB) – MORE INFO
• Jersey Shore Ghost Tours (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• New 2 You Kids Fall Consignment Sale at BCC (Lincroft) – MORE INFO
• Second Chances at Grange Playhouse (Howell) – MORE INFO
• Divine Right at Jersey Shore Arts Center Theater (Neptune) – MORE INFO
• August Wilson’s Seven Guitars at TRT (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Friends of the Howell Library Used Book Sale – MORE INFO

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Hanlon: Voter registration deadline is October 13

Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon

Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon is reminding county  resident who are not registered to vote that the deadline to do so and vote on November 3 is October 13, 2015, 21 days before the election.

“I urge everyone to exercise their right to vote and register for the fall elections,” said Hanlon.  “Registration is easy and the right to vote is the cornerstone of our nation’s freedom and continued liberties.”

Residents may register at the Monmouth County Voter Registration Office, 300 Halls Mills Rd., Freehold Township, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.  On Tuesday, Oct. 13 the office will remain open until 9 p.m.

You may also register at your Municipal Clerk’s office, call for the hours and the location.

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Scharfenberger presentation on Seacaucus Potter’s Field

When the NJ Turnpike Authority set out to build an extension and exits 15E and 16E on the Turnpike in 2001, a long forgotten cemetery of unmarked graves, a “Potter’s Field,” was discovered on the site known throughout the years as “Snake Hill,”Laurel Hill,” and more recently “Graffiti Hill.”   Dr. Gerry Scharfenberger, PhD, was a member of the team of archaeologists that recovered, identified and re-interred the 4571 bodies that were first buried at the site, as well as over 100,000 historical artifacts.

On Tuesday, October 20, Scharfenberger, a Middletown Township Commiteeman,will be making a fascinating presentation about the site which during the late 1800’s to mid 1900’s was the home of a county jail, a “lunatic” asylum and a tuberculosis asylum.

The event,which is free and open to the public, will take place at the Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church Street, at 7:30PM until approximately 8:30 p.m.

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N.J. man charged with father’s death after DWI crash

FREEHOLD – A Bergen County man has been charged with vehicular homicide and other offenses in connection to an Aug. 30 crash that killed his father, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced Monday. Shortly before 3 p.m. on Aug. 30, 35-year-old Andrew Halder, of Woodcliff Lake, was operating a 2007 Mini Cooper with his… Read the rest of this entry »

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180 Turning Lives Around Receives Federal Grant

180 Turning Lives Around, the Hazlet based non-profit dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence in our community, has been awarded a $255,284 federal Transitional Housing Assistance Program grant, according to U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman.

180 will partner with Long Branch Concordance and contracted service providers to support 10 families in the 180 agency owned scattered site townhomes.

180’s Families in Transition Program provides women and their children with a safe home for up to 18 months. Support services include career counseling, financial management, life skills training and assistance in obtaining housing.

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The Mental Health Association of Monmouth County Celebrates 65th Years of Providing Vital Free Programs and Services to Monmouth County Residents

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Shrewsbury, NJ:  On Thursday, September 24^th the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County (MHA) will host a 65^th Birthday Party at Taka, 660 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ.  Guests will enjoy an Asian themed buffet and live music by Dawg Whistle with Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Vini Lopez, Paul Whistler, and Jon Sebastion Brice.  The party begins at 6:30pm and tickets are $95 each.

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Sandy victims’ new claim deadline: Oct. 15

Highlands residents Kerry and Jamie Gowan speak at May 2015 announcement that FEMA is reopening Sandy related flood insurance claims

WASHINGTON — Hurricane Sandy homeowners who feel they didn’t get a fair shake from their insurance companies now have until Oct. 15 to ask the government to reopen their claims. The Federal Emergency Management Agency extended its deadline to handle as many as 141,800 requests from homeowners who were not in litigation, about 70,000 of them… Read the rest of this entry »

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Tax Board Rejects Curley’s Call To Suspend Assessment Program

Prosecutor Mum On Whether He Will Investigate Anonymous Allegations

Freeholder John P. Curley

The Monmouth County Board of Taxation voted unanimously on Friday to reject Freeholder John Curley’s call that they suspend their new method of assessing values on properties in the county for property tax purposes.

Curley’s call to suspend the program came last week after he said received an anonymous letter from a group of realtors, appraisers, tax assessors and former tax assessors alleging that the program, “Tax Assessment Demonstration Program,” is not being implemented in accordance with the law that created it and implying that Matthew Clark, the Tax Board Administrator, has inappropriate dealings with the program vendors.

Curley referred the anonymous letter to Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni, declaring in his own letter to the prosecutor that it is “omnipotent (sic) that all government business be conducted with full transparency, ethical and legal standards.”   Curley also wrote Tax Board President James Stuart to request the tax assessment program be suspended while Gramiccioni investigates.  He then released the anonymous letter and his letters to Gramiccioni and Stuart to the Asbury Park Press.

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