Coastal plan addresses redevelopment issues Plan aims to create vision for future of coastal region BY MELISSA KARSH Staff Writer       Ameeting and open house to update the public on the progress of the Coastal Monmouth Plan was held April 30 at the Eastern Branch of the Monmouth County Library in Shrewsbury. More ...       Members of Not Your Ordinary Dance Team perform outside Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank on May 4 during the kickoff for Paint the Town Pink, a weeklong breast cancer awareness event. More ... Wilkins resigns as R.B. middle school principal Supervisor of world languages to serve as interim BY MELISSA KARSH Staff Writer       Red Bank Middle School Principal Terrance Wilkins resigned his position May 1 after he was arraigned on charges that he arranged to have his leased vehicle set on fire in 2006. More ... Paint the Town Pink       Clockwise from top: Red Bank artist Pinky draws a portrait of Colette Gagliano,Middletown, during theMay 4 kickoff for Paint the Town Pink, a breast cancer awareness event held in Red Bank.Ashley Stiles, 12, Oakhurst, comes bouncing down an inflatable slide during the celebration, which was spearh... More ... Partnership seeks to stem fort brain drain State, Army team to keep skilled workers in N.J. BY JENNA O'DONNELL Staff Writer       TRENTON- According to current estimates, more than half of the 5,000 civilian employees at Fort Monmouth will be looking for jobs after the fort closes in 2011. Projections by the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Planning Authority (FMERPA) and planners EDAW estimate that 3,000 of the fort's... More ... Residents get into the budget-trimming act Many say 7-cent tax rate increase is too high BY MELISSA KARSH Staff Writer       RED BANK - Residents unleashed their growing concerns April 28 about the increase in the municipal tax rate proposed in the 2008 municipal budget. The 2008 municipal budget, which was introduced March 10, calls for an increase of 7.7 cents per $100 of assessed valuation in the municipal tax rate... More ... O'port planners hear revised fort reuse plan Officials see need for expansion of mass transportation BY JENNA O'DONNELL Staff Writer       OCEANPORT- Borough officials asked redevelopment planners to revisit their numbers during the third and final municipal presentation of the evolving plan for Fort Monmouth's reuse. Representatives of the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization PlanningAuthority (FMERPA) and their planners from EDAW... More ... Nurturing future political candidates Workshops aim to encourage women to enter public service BY JENNA O'DONNELL Staff Writer       TINTON FALLS - The topic was whether to adopt Internet regulations for teens. The stance was open to debate by the teens themselves. And that is exactly what more than 60 young women from 11 area high schools did during the second annual Running and Winning Workshop held at Monmouth Regional Hig... More ... Clean Ocean Action to host Family Beach Ball       Clean Ocean Action's (COA) annual seaside fundraiser, FamilyBeachBall for the Ocean, will be held May 18 from3 to 7 p.m. at the ShipAhoyBeachClub in Sea Bright. More than 300 families from across the region will gather to celebrate COA's ocean protection efforts. More ... Borough man faces attempted murder charge       RED BANK - A 28-year-old female resident was stabbed in the throat May 6 at 5:28 a.m., according to Red Bank police. The victim was stabbed at the Spring Street residence of Jhonny Campos, 29, who is the accused attacker, according to police. More ... MU's summer theater season begins June 6       Shadow Lawn Stage at Monmouth University (MU), West Long Branch, will begin its summer season with "Wait Until Dark," June 6-22. "The Way You Look Tonight" by Niall Williams will make itsAmerican premiere June 27 at 8 p.m., and run through July 13. "The Odd Couple" will run July 18- Aug. 3. Perfo... More ... 'Green' campaign moves forward in Red Bank Students to participate in a borough-wide door hanger campaign BY MELISSA KARSH Staff Writer       RED BANK - "When you pack, use a sack" in Red Bank. That is the new slogan for the borough's much-talked-about plastic bag initiative. Councilwoman Kathy Horgan unveiled the winning slogan and graphic at the April 28 Red Bank council meeting. More ... Court orders mediation in builder's remedy suit Opponent says apt. complex would be out of character in boro BY JENNA O'DONNELL Staff Writer       OCEANPORT- Abuilder's remedy lawsuit against the borough has been handed down formediation, according toBoroughAttorney John O. Bennett III. During theMay 1 Borough Councilmeeting, Bennett responded to the concerns of River Street resident Debra Sharkey, who wanted to know the status of a suit th... More ... Arts tour showcases Tri-City culture       The "Tri-Cities" of eastern Monmouth County - Asbury Park, Long Branch and Red Bank- will showcase the depth and vitality of the local arts scene June 6-8 with The Tri-CityArts Tour, a three-day living exhibition highlighting galleries, theater, film festivals, major outdoor events and the legend... More ... Christ Church History Day May 17       SHREWSBURY - Christ Episcopal Church will share its deep historical heritage as a local landmark during History Day celebrations Saturday, May 17. Festivities at the church, located at the corner of Sycamore Avenue and Route 35 in Shrewsbury, will center around two events. More ... Multicultural parade       Clockwise from top: Won-Ki Lee takes part in a traditional Chinese lion dance in a multicultural parade held at Mahala Atchison School in Tinton Falls May 2. Students dressed in costumes reflecting their own cultural heritage during the school's Multicultural Celebration. Christian Romero is dress... More ... Adopt a Pet       Noah & Jenny Names Breed rabbits Age five years Color gray & tan/black Sex male & female Description cute dwarfs; spayed & neutered; gentle; friendly; get along well together; allow you to pet them Adoption fees: More ... O'Scanlon: Legislature looks to cut budget by $1B Fort closing probe, DEP changes topics of luncheon address BY MELISSA KARSH Staff Writer       WEST LONG BRANCH - District 12 Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon was the keynote speaker at the county's Fifth Wednesday Squire's Luncheon April 30. O'Scanlon was a last-minute replacement for scheduled speaker state Sen. Jennifer Beck (D-12), who was called out of town at the last minute and was una... More ...