Town Web sites seen as portal to open gov't. Report recommends user-friendly sites for towns statewide BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer       Municipal Web sites can be important tools in promoting open and efficient government, but most fall far short of that goal, according to Tinton Falls Councilman Michael Skudera. During the Borough Council meeting last week, Skudera presented a 63-page report on the need to expand ... More ... Earth Day       Brandon Hussey, a sixth-grader at the Red Bank Charter School, plants a tree on the school grounds during the school's Earth Day assembly April 20. More ... Running to celebrate life Marathoner battles brain tumor by building stamina BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - - As runners gather at the Long Branch shore Sunday to take on the challenge of the Long Branch Marathon, one man will be running the race for another reason - to celebrate his life. Tim Ragan, 32, of Manasquan, is living with brain cancer, and since being diagnosed ... More ... Pre-K gourmet … to go       Red Bank Mayor Pasquale Menna made good on a promise to prepare a home-cooked lunch for preschoolers in Mrs. Moss' class at Red Bank Primary School April 18. Top, Arwen Curtiss and Ruby Flores dig in to the repast. Below, Menna, reputed to be a gourmet chef, arranges the luncheon buffet. More ... Oceanport stalled on budget vote Special budget meeting May 3; public hearing set for May 24 BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       OCEANPORT - The Borough Council failed to approve the municipal budget last week after no members of council seconded a motion to adopt the $6.2 million spending plan. An amended budget is expected to be introduced at a special meeting on May 3, Borough Clerk Kim Jungfer said Tuesd... More ... Arborist: Trees removed due to safety concerns Boro to receive Tree City status on Arbor Day BY SARAH KLEPNER Staff Writer       RED BANK - There was an unusual exhibit at the Borough Council meeting April 23. Three large tree segments, the remains of nine trees that were removed on White Street earlier in the day, were on display. Borough arborist Michael Olimpi told their story, explaining to the council ... More ... Borough eyes purchase of Donovan's Reef BY LIZ SHEEHAN Correspondent       SEA BRIGHT -The borough is moving forward with plans to purchase the landmark Donovan's Reef on Ocean Avenue. With one dissenting vote, the Borough Council at its meeting last week approved the expenditure of $2,500 to obtain an appraisal of the oceanfront bar just south of Borough H... More ...       Early arrivals thoroughbred Motown (l) and stable pony Cool and Blue compare notes in their barn at Monmouth Park racetrack in Oceanport last week. More ... Shrewsbury budget increase less than '06 Public hearing on $7.9M budget set for May 21 BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer       SHREWSBURY - Last week the Borough Council introduced its 2007 municipal spending plan, which calls for an increase of 3.5 cents in the tax rate, somewhat less than last year. Thomas X. Seaman, the borough's chief financial officer, said the proposed budget of $7,906,062 represents... More ... Rumson church hosts benefit for Guatemalan kids       RUMSON - - Several local artists are working together on a benefit concert and photo event to raise awareness of the plight of Guatemala's children living on the edge of Guatemala City's largest garbage dump. The benefit, sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church in Rumson, focuses on the r... More ... On Campus       Katherine M. Krueger, Fair Haven, has been named to the dean's list for the fall semester at the College of New Jersey, Ewing, where she is a triple major in deaf education, elementary education and history. A 2005 graduate of Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School, Rumson, she is the daughte... More ... Community invited to Paint the Town Pink Breast cancer awareness program kicks off Sunday       RED BANK - Red Bank is turning into "Pink Bank" for one week. The name change is part of "Paint the Town Pink," a community-wide initiative to bring heightened awareness of the importance of breast cancer prevention, detection and treatment. More ... In the Service       Peter M. Daigle has received an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) college scholarship offer to attend a selected college or university. Daigle was selected to receive the scholarship certificate on the basis of comprehensive tests, high school scholastic achievement, and extra-c... More ... MTOTSA brief: City gave control to developers City's brief says eminent domain use is 'proper' BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       The city of Long Branch unlawfully ceded its power of eminent domain to a private developer, according to a brief filed by attorneys representing a group of Long Branch homeowners. That is one of the challenges being made in an appeal of a court ruling that gave the city the right t... More ... In wake of tragedy, a show of Pryde Middletown gathers to reflect on loss of student at Va. Tech BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       Blacksburg, Va., is where the spotlight has been focused since April 16's horrific shootings on the campus of Virginia Tech University. On Friday night, part of it shifted 490 miles to the north for a ceremony honoring the life of 2001 Middletown High School North graduate Julia Pryde, on... More ... BBB: Online job scams an ongoing problem Job seekers risk losing money and personal data       TRENTON - The Better Business Bureau (BBB) today issued a warning advising job seekers to beware of misleading online job postings and employment arrangements aimed at stealing money and identities. More ... Local team to compete in 'World Series of Birding'       The Cheep Trills team of Monmouth County Audubon Society, Red Bank, will take part in the 24-hour "World Series of Birding" May 12. Teams nationwide compete in the event. trying to find the most bird species in 24 hours. Cheep Trills was the 2006 champion in the limited geographic... More ... Brookdale names WWII center after Narozanick BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN - For nearly 50 years, Ted Narozanick served the residents of Monmouth County in various capacities, including seven consecutive three-year terms on the Board of Chosen Freeholders. More ...