Oil Slick in Sandy Hook Bay

photo by Noel Westerland Sr. 11/29/2014

A two mile long by 400 foot wide oil slick is washing up on the bay side of Sandy Hook, according to a report by WNBC 4-NY.

The slick was first witnessed by security personnel at the Earle Naval Weapons Station, according to the the report.  The U.S. Coast Guard and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection are investigating.

The source of the oil is unknown at this time.

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, December 12-14, 2014

By Greg Kelly

Courtesy of Teddy Bears by the Shore

Friday, December 12

• CODA’s The Nutcracker at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• A Christmas Carol at Allaire Village – MORE INFO
• Scrooge at Spring Lake Community Theatre – MORE INFO
• Strolling Victorian Carolers at Jersey Shore Premium Outlets (Tinton Falls) – MORE INFO
• Local Holiday Performances at Monmouth Mall (Eatontown) – MORE INFO
• A Christmas Carol (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO
• Holiday Lights Spectacular at PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel) – MORE INFO
• The Night Before Christmas at Paper Moon Puppet Theatre (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO
• The Emperor’s New Clothes at Paper Moon Puppet Theatre (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

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Two School Construction Referendums Fail, One Passes

Voters in the Freehold Borough, Ocean Township and West Long Branch School Districts went to the polls yesterday to decide the fate of school construction bonding proposals.

In Freehold, 611 voters, 11% of those registered rejected borrowing $33 million for school construction by 241 to 370.  An identical referendum was defeated by Borough voters on September 30 by 273 to 374.   There are 1644 students residing in the district.   The average property tax bill in Freehold Borough would have increased by $278 per year had the measure passed.

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Asbury Music Awards announces 2014 nominees

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The Arnone Report: Shop Local, Tourism Grant, Fleet Shared Services prepping County and Towns for winter

By Monmouth County Freeholder Tom Arnone

Freeholder Tom Arone

With the holidays upon us, please keep in mind The Made in Monmouth Holiday Shopping Guide is ready. It is available on the county’s website by going to www.visitmonmouth.com. The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders encourages people to shop local for their holiday gifts. Additionally, as liaison to the Department of Economic Development, I am very proud to announce that Made in Monmouth is expanding. There will be two mini-Made in Monmouth events for the holiday season. The first one is scheduled for December 13^th at the Manalapan Community Center on Route 33. This event is being hosted by the Board of Chosen Freeholders, Manalapan Township mayor and committee and the Manalapan Economic Development Committee. The second mini-Made in Monmouth is being hosted by the Freeholders and Cream Ridge Winery. It will be held December 20^th at the winery in Cream Ridge.  Both of these events give our small businesses the opportunity to expand their customer base and give more shoppers the opportunity to support local business.

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, December 5-7, 2014

By Greg Kelly

Courtesy of Teddy Bears by the Shore

Friday, December 5

• A Christmas Carol at Allaire Village – MORE INFO
• Scrooge at Spring Lake Community Theatre – MORE INFO
• Historic Four Corners Lantern Tours (Shrewsbury) – MORE INFO
• In-Laws, Outlaws and Other People at First Ave Playhouse (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO
• Poricy Park Holiday Craft Show (Middletown) – MORE INFO
• Time for a Miracle, a Lighthouse Stage Production (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
• The 1940s Radio Hour at Algonquin Arts Theatre (Manasquan) – MORE INFO
• Martina McBride at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Holiday Tree Lighting in Highlands – MORE INFO
• Manasquan Tree Lighting & Candy Cane Hunt – MORE INFO
• Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea at Monmouth U (WLB) – MORE INFO
• Holiday Wreath-Making Workshop (Middletown) – MORE INFO

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Freehold Borough School Referendum December 9th

By Gianna Dell’Omo

Whether the Borough’s residents voted for or against the Board’s referendum, no one can deny that the overcrowding has been and remains an issue which requires  an acceptable solution.  The conflict arises as to whether the solution  should cost the Freehold Borough taxpayers close to $33 million.

A recent newspaper article read that 36 Borough pupils have been honored for earning a perfect score of 300 on the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge testing.  Despite the lack of proper classroom space, the teachers and students have managed to overcome and excel, which should be commended.  The dedication of the staff and the willingness of the students to learn is,  in fact,  the true essence of an education.  No matter where the lesson is held, whether in a classroom, a gymnasium, in the corridor or under a tree in the courtyard, the core of education is in the connection made between the teacher and his pupil, not the venue.

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Sweeney coming to Red Bank to raise campaign cash for Murphy and Dupont

DiSomma says Dems fear losing control. Signals hard hitting campaign to come

Senate President Steve Sweeney. file photo by Art Gallagher

Senate President Steve Sweeney, a contender the 2017 Democratic gubernatorial nomination, is coming to Red Bank on December 17 as the headliner for a $175 per head fundraiser for Red Bank Councilmen Arthur Murphy’s and Michael Dupont’s reelection campaign.

The soiree is being hosted by Mayor Pat Menna and former Mayor Ed McKenna at Buona Sera.

The invitation includes a questionnaire to assure compliance with the borough’s “pay to play” ordinance.  Contractors that do business with the borough, developers and “Alcoholic Licensees” must disclose their attendance and in certain circumstances limit their campaign contributions to $400.

Who would have guessed that Red Bank issues licenses to alcoholics?

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Red Bank Dems rushing $2.2 million bond ordinance to detect leaking toilets

When Red Bank Councilwoman-elect Linda Schwabenbauer, a Republican, takes the oath of office in January, the Red Bank Democrats may no longer have enough votes on the council to borrow money at will.

Councilwoman Cindy Burnham, now the lone Republican on the six member council, told RedBankGreen  that the Democrats are rushing to pass a $2.2 million bond ordinance that has not been vetted before Schwabenbauer takes office.  The funds are to be used to replace water meters for the borough’s 4000 homes and buildings.

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Highlands Man Pleads Guilty To Possession Of Child Pornography

Layne Bracht, screen shot

Layne Bracht, 32 of Highlands, pleaded guilty in federal court in Camden today to one count as possession of child pornography, according to a statement by U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman.

Bracht admitted that on Oct. 28, 2013, he knowingly placed images and videos depicting child sexual abuse into shared folders that others could access via a peer-to-peer network. Special agents of the FBI executed a search warrant at his residence in Highlands on Jan. 15, 2014 and seized digital evidence that contained numerous videos and images depicting child sexual abuse, including material involving prepubescent minors and sadistic or masochistic conduct. The digital evidence seized included three files previously downloaded from Bracht by law enforcement agents working in an undercover capacity on the peer-to-peer network.

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