DEP delays approval of new S.B. bridge Agency asks DOT for info on alternate replacement span BY LIZ SHEEHAN Correspondent       The N.J. Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has notified the state Department of Transportation (DOT) that it is temporarily denying the DOT's application for approval to demolish the 75-year-old existing drawbridge that connects Sea Bright and Highlands and replace it with a fi... More ... Celebrating differences       Tommy McGuire, 9, a fourth-grader at Point Road School in Little Silver, traces the outline of a star while looking in a mirror, an exercise to simulate visual impairment, during the school's Celebrating Differences in Learning Ability Day Jan. 25. More photos, page 3. More ... Advocates seek homes for the homeless at fort Coalition to apply to gov't. for Fort Monmouth housing BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer       There are many buildings at Fort Monmouth that could provide housing for the homeless and for low- to moderate-income residents, according to advocates for affordable housing. Many organizations are advocating for some of that housing and a few of their representatives attend ever... More ... Attorney: Lawsuits likely in wake of COAH ruling Appellate decision could force COAH to rethink rules BY LAYLI WHYTE Staff Writer       An Appellate Court decision rejecting the third round of regulations set by the state Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) may lead to lawsuits brought by developers against municipalities, according to an attorney whose practice focuses on affordable housing. More ... Rumson show house event to benefit VNA       The public can get a look inside Rumson's largest private estate during the month of May, when Scothigh Farm is opened to the public as a benefit for the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey. The interior of Scothigh Farm will get a makeover by 35 leading interior designers who ... More ... Tobin will run for second council term Three seats are up for election on May 8 BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer       TINTON FALLS - That old adage, "Never say never" is one that Council President Brendan Tobin knows first-hand. Last week, he announced in an e-mail that he is going to run again for re-election to his seat on the Borough Council. More ... Fire co. gets $41K grant       OCEANPORT - The borough Volunteer Fire Company received an infusion of funds last week to support its Fire Explorers program. On Jan. 25, Rep. Rush Holt (N.J.-12) presented the fire company with a $41,000 grant at the firehouse on Main Street. More ... Sisterhood to host 'Red & White Affaire'       Monmouth County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. will host its 16th annual dinner-dance, "A Red and White Affaire," Saturday, Feb. 17, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. The annual fundraiser will be an evening of dancing and socializing with live music performed by Dimensions Band feat... More ... Grant funds Liberty Park rec facility $208K will pay for multipurpose bldg. BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer       TINTON FALLS - The borough is one of several towns that will receive a substantial county Open Space Grant. The $208,000 grant will fund construction of a multipurpose recreation building on the 29-acre Liberty Park II on West Park Avenue. More ... GMN takes 12 awards in national SNA contest       Greater Media Newspapers, Freehold Township, received 12 awards in the 2006 Suburban Newspapers of America contest, including a first place for sports writing, a second place for community service, and eight advertising and promotion awards. The contest is a highly competitive annual competit... More ... Beck to run for N.J. Senate       RED BANK - State Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth and Mercer), a borough resident, announced Jan. 29 that she will seek the Republican Party's nomination to run for the state Senate in November. Beck, a former two-term councilwoman in Red Bank, was elected to the Assembly in Nov... More ... County Republicans refine convention process Chairman pushes reform, forms candidate screening committee BY LORI ANNE OLIWA Correspondent       FREEHOLD - - Delivering on his promise of reform to Monmouth County Republicans, Chairman Adam Puharic recently announced a new candidate screening selection process for the 2007 general election cycles. Elected in June, Puharic is currently in his first term as chairman of the Monmouth ... More ... Westlake gets prison term for tax evasion       NEWARK - A business partner of former state Sen. John A. Lynch was sentenced for tax evasion last week to three months in federal prison and seven months of home confinement with electronic monitoring, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced. More ... New roof a symbol of faith in future of church Reformed Church members hope for new congregation BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - - Restora-tion of the roof at a 158-year-old Long Branch church is a symbol of the congregation's faith that the church will remain a house of worship in the future, according to its pastor. The roof restoration project was started a couple of years ago as a "symbol o... More ... On Campus       Matthew F. Mimnaugh, Fair Haven, has been named to the dean's list for the fall semester at Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., where he is majoring in government and law. A 2006 graduate of Red Bank Catholic High School, he is the son of Lisa and Tom Mimnaugh. More ... AAA offers helpful tips for winter driving       Winter driving is challenging for even the most experienced drivers, but slippery roads can be especially difficult for the novice dealing with ice and snow for the first time, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic. "Teens lack driving experience, pure and simple, whether in January or in June.... More ... Three sentenced for no-show job scheme       TRENTON - - Two former government employees at Fort Monmouth, along with a daughter of one of the employees, were sentenced to federal prison terms today for their scheme to have contractors pay kickbacks and provide no-show jobs for the daughter, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announ... More ...