Settlement reached in harassment complaint      RED BANK — The borough has reached a settlement in a sexual harassment complaint brought by a borough employee late last year, which includes an undisclosed sum of money. Although the terms of the settlement are confidential, according to Borough Attorney Thomas Hall, the Borough Council approved t... More ...      JEFF GRANIT staff Teammates swarm Red Bank Catholic's Jenna Strich after the senior hit the game-winning shot in Saturday's Non-Public A championship game win over Morris Catholic. For story, see sports. More ... Towns want piece of Fort Monmouth pie County also seeks facilities, open space after base closure BY LINDA DENICOLA Staff Writer       The three towns that encompass Fort Monmouth have filed their Notices of Intent to seek fort properties within their jurisdictions. In addition, the county also filed notices by the March 8 deadline, mainly for open space and recreation facilities and in some cases, is partnering w... More ... R.B. budget, a work in progress, rises $4M Average tax bill would rise by $58 per year BY LAYLI WHYTE Staff Writer       The average property owner in Red Bank can expect an annual increase of $58 in their tax bills if the budget that was introduced this week remains the same. Mayor Pasquale Menna said at Monday's Borough Council meeting that it is unlikely that the municipal budget that was introduce... More ... Sea Bright & Monmouth Beach study shared police BY LIZ SHEEHAN Correspondent       SEA BRIGHT - The borough and its neighboring town, Monmouth Beach, are planning to work together on a study of joining their police departments. At the Borough Council meeting last week, Mayor Jo-Ann Kalaka-Adams said that the idea would be looked into as part of an effort to share s... More ... Four-way race for 3 seats on BOE       OCEANPORT - Four candidates are vying for three open seats on the borough Board of Education in the April election. Incumbents Steven Briskey of Steeplechase Court, William McVitty of Eatontown Boulevard, and Melissa Parker-Combs of Algonquin Avenue are running for the full-term seats ... More ... Watercolor exhibit at boro hall       'Visiting the Seasons," a show of watercolor paintings by Sally Brandenburg, is at Little Silver Borough Hall, 480 Prospect Ave. The exhibition features 20 paintings by Brandenburg of Little Silver, an artist and teacher. The show will run through March. More ... Paint finally dries on twp. arts center Middletown unveils first new indoor rec facility since 1981 BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       The new Middletown Arts Center, was unveiled recently. The 23,000-square-foot building is the township's first new indoor recreational facility in over 25 years. The township broke ground on the facility in 2002 with the project being completed in two phases. More ... 'Creating Apart to Come Together'       Two large-scale Red Bank streetscapes capturing the downtown shopping district are among the highlights of an exhibit of works by young art students. "Creating Apart to Come Together" is on view at No Ordinary Joe's coffeehouse, 51 Broad St., Red Bank, through the end of March. More ... County awards grants for historic preservation BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer       Long Branch, Ocean Township, Shrewsbury and Tinton Falls are among 13 municipalities that have received Monmouth County Historical Commission 2007 Preservation Grants. Freeholder Deputy Director Lillian G. Burry noted that the grants help communities with preservation projects that fo... More ... Settlement reached in harassment complaint       RED BANK - The borough has reached a settlement in a sexual harassment complaint brought by a borough employee late last year, which includes an undisclosed sum of money. Although the terms of the settlement are confidential, according to Borough Attorney Thomas Hall, the Borough Coun... More ... Gotti Kelley       Green Scene March 2007: Spring plants are stirring You need not be much of a gardener to know that March is a turning point in the gardening year. The sun shines stronger, grass is greener, tips of daffodils and small spring bulbs are making their debut and there is an abundan... More ... Suspect arrested in theft of nature area fence       RED BANK - An arrest has been made in connection with the theft of several sections of aluminum fence from in front of the Bell Haven Nature Area on Locust Street. Robert Herold, 29, Highlands, was arrested March 5 at around 4 p.m. More ...      Red Bank's Ella Levy, 3, has a fun time on a swing at Sickles Park in Little Silver as spring approaches March 12. More ... T.F. budget calls for 2.4 percent tax increase Taxes would rise by 1.8 cents per $100 over last year BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer       TINTON FALLS - A $19.9 million dollar budget for 2007 was introduced at last week's Borough Council meeting. The $19,920,819 spending plan calls for a 2.3 percent increase over last year's budget of $19,476,676, which equates to a $441,143 difference. More ...      MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Mourners carry the coffins of children who perished in a March 7 house fire in the Bronx, N.Y., at the Makbarat as-Salaam cemetery in Millstone Township, Monmouth County, Monday. Mousa Magassa, the father of five of the children who died in the fire, was surrounded by mourners a... More ...      CHRIS KELLY staff Fair Haven's Benjamin Wilson, 3, tackles a mini rock wall at Sickle's Park in Little Silver on an unseasonably balmy Monday, March 12. More ... Notes       After a brief hiatus, the Tinton Falls Schools Health and Fitness Fair is returning to the district. The event will take place at Swimming River School in the cafeteria/gymnasium Thursday, 7-9 p.m. and is hosted by the Mahala F. Atchison School Health and Physical Education Department. More ... Is a boro administrator in Oceanport's future? Controversy over return of post to boro payroll BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       OCEANPORT - - The Oceanport Council is expected to vote tonight on the salaries of several borough positions, including one post that has been vacant for more than 20 years. More ... Active soldiers may not be taxed on '06 income Panter: $9M revenue loss would be insignificant BY LAYLI WHYTE Staff Writer       OCEANPORT - Soldiers are expected to pay the "ultimate price," not the "ultimate price, plus tax." Assemblyman Michael J. Panter (D-12) said he is appalled that U.S. Army Pfc. Paul J. Newell, who has been on active military duty in Germany since joining the Army in November 2005, i... More ... Girl Scouts learn how to care for the coast American Littoral Society program teaches role of sand dunes, beachgrass       SANDY HOOK - Friday was a cold and blustery day out on Sandy Hook, but it didn't stop 130 local Girl Scouts from venturing out to help the environment. More ... Dormers add new layer of controversy to club roof Resident: Design changes more costly than rectifying mistake BY LAYLI WHYTE Staff Writer       LITTLE SILVER - - Controversy continues over renovations to the Little Silver Woman's Club as three dormers and a gable roof across the entrance are added to the roof that some residents say is already too high. More ...