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Teen Bike Rider Suffered Non-Life-Threatening Injuries After Union Hill Accident

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Emergency medical personnel and a MONOC helicopter are stationed at Asher Holmes Elementary School following an accident.

A pedestrian accident on Union Hill Road yesterday afternoon warranted a state medavac helicopter at the time, but police said a teenager hit by a commercial vehicle is currently in stable condition.

A commercial vehicle struck a male teenager riding his bicycle along Union Hill Road in Marlboro on Monday at approximately 3:45 p.m. between Menzel Lane and Tennent Road.

The teenager suffered broken teeth and a broken bone as well as cuts and bruises, according to police. Marlboro Police have not released the identity of the minor at this time.

The stretch of road remained closed for the afternoon due to police investigation, but Police Captain Steve Mennona said no tickets have been issued to the driver, who did remain on the scene and cooperate with police.

A medavac helicopter landed behind Asher Holmes Elementary School to transport the teenage boy to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. The accident investigation is ongoing.


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Prosecutor: Teen Brothers Strangled Autumn Pasquale

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Autumn Pasquale had been missing since Saturday.

Two teenage brothers lured 12-year-old Autumn Pasquale into their house, strangled her and then dumped her body in a recycling bin, authorities said Tuesday afternoon. 

The Clayton, Gloucester County girl had been missing since about 12:30 p.m. Saturday, when she left home on her white BMX Odyssey bicycle. After a relentless two-day search, her body was found in the bin outside a Clayton home late Monday night. 

Authorities on Tuesday arrested the brothers—ages 15 and 17—who live about five blocks from Pasquale's home. During a news conference in Clayton on Tuesday afternoon, Gloucester County Prosecutor Sean Dalton declined to release their identities because of their ages. 

They each are charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, disposing of a body, tampering with evidence and theft. Additionally, the 15-year-old was charged with luring. 

The teens lured the girl into their home by telling her they had parts for her bicycle, according to the prosecutor. 

An autopsy performed Tuesday morning showed Pasquale died of blunt force trauma consistent with strangulation, according to Dalton. He said there was no indication Pasquale was sexually assaulted. 

The teen's mother contacted authorities after seeing a Facebook post from one of her sons regarding Pasquale, Dalton said. He declined to elaborate. 

Authorities executed a search warrant Tuesday at the teenagers' home. 

"The search recovered personal belongings of Autumn's in the juveniles' residence," including her bicycle, Dalton said. 

Dalton said his office may seek to try the teens as adults. A detention hearing for the juveniles is expected to take place Wednesday in Family Court in Woodbury.  

The case attracted media from as far away as New York to the small borough. In addition to dozens of members of the media, several Clayton residents also attended Tuesday's press conference. Some of them wiped away tears as Dalton provided the grisly details of Pasquale's death. 

Dalton credited local residents for banding together to help in the search for Pasquale. 

"Today we mourn the loss of a young girl whose life was tragically cut short before it even began," Dalton said. "I know a lot of you are angry, and you have a right to be angry. At this point, we need to put anger aside. We have to let justice take its course."

Matawan Resident Running as Write-In Candidate for Open Board of Education Seat

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Kathleen Gentile will seek the open Matawan seat on the board during the November election.

Editor's note: Candidate profiles on the Aberdeen residents seeking board positions will run later today.

Matawan and Aberdeen voters will be asked to select their Board of Education representatives during the upcoming Nov. 6 election.

New Jersey School Board Elections are normally held in April, however Senate Bill 3184, which was signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie in January, allowed school boards to combine their elections with the general election in November. 

In February, the district voted to move the election, along with the majority of New Jersey school districts.

There is (1) three-year term open for a Matawan resident, while there are (2) three-year terms and (1) one-year unexpired term open for Aberdeen residents. 

The Matawan seat is currently held by Gerald Donaghue, who opted not to seek reelection for another term.

No one filed a petition with the Monmouth County Board of Elections by the June 3 deadline, however, Matawan resident Kathleen Gentile is running as a write-in candidate.

A write-in candidate means that the voter will literally have to write the candidates name on the ballot in the corresponding box. 

Kathleen Gentile

Kathleen Gentile is a 22-year resident of Matawan, with one son who is now a freshman at Marist and another son who is a junior at Matawan Regional High School. 

Gentile spent several years as a member of the PTO (Parent Teacher Organization), serving at different times as a parent volunter, a chairperson of the finance committee, the treasurer, and the president. 

When her sons reached the high school, volunteer opportunities decreased, Gentile said. She hopes to serve on the board as a way to again give back to the school community.

"I miss being heavily involved in the district as a volunteer. I would like to get on the board because I have a lot of experience with the district," Gentile said. "I like the direction we're going in. I want to keep the momentum in the right direction."

Specifically, Gentile is pleased that the high school was ranked fourth among Monmouth County public schools and that the board takes the time during meetings to honor student achievement.

However, she would like to see the same emphasis given to high school programs as are given to early learning programs.

"A lot of programs that came in the district over the last decade have been for early learning," Gentile said. "I'd like to see a little more directed to the high school. We do have the career academies, the Freshman Academy, and I like that. I feel like we're finally addressing the momentum in the high school. I'd like to work on balanceing initiatives (among grade levels) that we bring into the district."

Gentile also noted that board needs to improve community relations and hopes, if elected, to help bring back a parent committee that works in conjunction with district administrators. 

"We had a parent committee in the high school that was like a think tank. We had it under Dr. O'Malley. We would have a superintendent meeting; we'd try to meet every two months with him to go over issues and concerns in the districts," she said. "We had board members involved also and I think that's missing, that parental input. In the last few years we've lost that focus and I'd like to get that focus back."

In addition to balancing programs among grade levels and increasing parental input, Gentile wants to help the district look for opportunities to save money through shared services agreements. 

"I would like to look more into other shared services we can do with the township. I like that and I think we should see if we can do more to help cut costs," she said.

Gentile emphasized that her record as a reliable and dedicated volunteer within the school district would make her an excellent choice as a board of education representative.

"I’m not just living in this community, I’m a member of this community," she said. "I've gotten to know so many neighbors and so many parents. I worked closely with them. They know me; they know my track record; they know the dedication I have to our schools and our children," Gentile said. 

Holmdel Barnes & Noble Reports PIN Pad Tampering

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Barnes & Noble Booksellers

Barnes & Noble announced this morning that several stores, including the store on Route 35 South in Holmdel, has detected tampering with their PIN pad devices. 

According to a press release from the company there was only evidence of one PIN pad being tampered with in each of the stores. During the investigation "Barnes & Noble discontinued use of all PIN pads in its nearly 700 stores nationwide," the statement said. 

Federal authorities were also notified of the investigation and they are reportedly now involved as well.

"Barnes & Noble has completed an internal investigation that involved the inspection and validation of every PIN pad in every store," according to the company.

"The tampering, which affected fewer than 1% of PIN pads in Barns & Noble stores, was a sophisticated criminal effort to steal credit card information, debit card information, and debit card PIN numbers from customers who swiped their cards through PIN pads when they made a purchase."

Barnes & Noble added that other parts of the company including purchases on their website, NOOKS and the NOOk app were still secure. "The company is working with banks, payment card brands and issuers to identify accounts that may have been compromised, so banks and issuers can employ enhanced fraud security measures on potentially impacted accounts," according to a statement from the company.

Four stores in New Jersey were affected, in Holmdel, Clifton, Edison and Howell. Customers who have swiped their cards at any of the  affected stores are encouraged to take these steps provided by the company:

Debit Card Users:

  • Change the PIN numbers on their debit cards
  • Review their accounts for unauthorized transactions
  • Notify their banks immediately if they discover any unauthorized purchases or withdrawals

Credit Card Users:

  • Review their statements for any unauthorized transactions
  • Notify their card-issuing banks if they discover any unauthorized purchases or cash advances

For more information visit the company website or call 1-888-471-7809.

NFL to Use Pink Penalty Flags Thanks to 11-Year-Old Marlboro Boy

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NFL players are no strangers to wearing pink during October. Pink shoes, pink sweat bands, pink gloves. The symbols represent the league's support for Breast Cancer Awareness, but one Marlboro resident wants the commissioners to take it a step further.

NFL players are no strangers to wearing pink during October. Pink shoes, pink sweat bands, pink gloves. The symbols represent the league's support for Breast Cancer Awareness, but one Marlboro resident wants the commissioners to take it a step further.

It began with a simple suggestion from 11-year-old Marlboro resident Dante Cano.

“My name is Dante Cano. I am 11 years old and I am from Marlboro, New Jersey. I wanted to know if you could use my idea of pink penalty flags in October for breast cancer awareness,” Dante wrote. “Please write back.”

And up the chain it went, straight to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Although October is almost over, NFL officials will carry pink penalty flags for the rest of the month.

Goodell invited Cano and his family to MetLife Stadium this Sunday, where the Asher Holmes Elementary School student will present the pink flags to NFL officials before the game.

“Dante had a great idea and I am looking forward to meeting with him on Sunday to put it into action,” Goodell said in a news release. “Sometimes the simplest ideas can be the best. I applaud Dante for sending in his recommendation.”

This is the fourth year the NFL has participated actively in Breast Cancer Awareness Month, through its "A Crucial Catch: Annual Screening Saves Lives" program with the American Cancer Society.

Aberdeen Board of Education Candidate Profile: Kenneth Aitken

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Aitken is seeking a three-year term on the Board of Education.

Matawan and Aberdeen voters will be asked to select their Board of Education representatives during the election next month.

New Jersey School Board Elections are normally held in April, however Senate Bill 3184, which was signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie in January, allowed school boards to combine their elections with the general election in November. 

In February, the district voted to move the election, along with the majority of New Jersey school districts.

There is (1) three-year term open for a Matawan resident, while there are (2) three-year terms and (1) one-year unexpired term open for Aberdeen residents. 

Kenneth Aitken is an incumbent on the ballot seeking a three-year term on the board. 

Kenneth Aitken (I)

Kenneth Aitken, an Aberdeen resident since 1992, has two children in the school district. He took his current seat on the Board of Education in April 2011 for a one-year unexpired term, although he also served on the board from 2005 to 2008. Aitken works as a principal member of the technical staff for the AT&T Corporation. He is an active member of the VFW Guadalcanal Post 4745 in Cliffwood Beach, having previously served six years in the U.S. Navy.

In his most recent term on the board, Aitken is proud that the district's 2012-13 budget not only adhered to but came in below the board's self-imposed 1.5% cap. When the district received approximately $580K in additional funding from the state, however, Aitken said he was disappointed that more of that money wasn't returned to tax payers. 

Aitken noted that the board has done a good job at eliminating waste in the budget, but feels the best way to ensure that every tax dollar is used to its maximum benefit the budget should be rebuilt from scratch.

"Instead of taking this year’s budget and using it as a template for next year, I would like to see them do a zero base budge and go through every building and every program and write the budget as if doing it from scratch," he said. "What happens sometimes in any organization is, if you say, last year's budget was $100, and say they can get up to $101.50 this year, people will find a way to spend the extra money."

If reelected, Aitken wants to improve communications with the community.

"Everyone wants a school with top academics and programs where every child succeeds, with children getting into good colleges and having good career paths. The way you do that is get everybody together and get some input from the children, you get input from the parents, and you get input from the staff and the teachers," he said.

"One of the goals that I asked for in the goal setting session that we had this summer was to do that, and maybe reach out to the community in different ways," he said. "I want the board to hear the community’s concerns and demonstrate our belief in transparency and accountability."

Aitken believes that a series of short, specific surveys distributed to parents, teachers and students would provide the board with a more clear picture of where the district is doing well and where the district needs to make improvements. He also believes that utilizing social media would increase their outreach to the community.

"My real goal is improvement of student performance. I think we have some of the right programs in place. I think if we get the community involved and pull everyone together we can be really successful," he continued.

Aitken hopes to continue representing Aberdeen residents on the board of education, and says a vote for him is a vote for an experienced board member who is not afraid to ask questions or vote against items he feels are not in the best interest of the children. 

"People have to know that they can feel comfortable and trust that I’m going to perform my duty well for them and make sure that they can have a school they are proud to have their children go to," Aitken said. "We’re making sure we’re providing a quality school system for the value people are paying."

Teens to Monster Mash at Monmouth County Library's Monster Bash

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If you’re a teenager looking to have a scary good time this Halloween, the Monmouth County Library has a monstrous party that even the most ghastly teen will appreciate.

The Halloween Monster Bash is exclusively for guys and ghouls in sixth grade through twelfth grade. The bash is is being held on Friday, Oct. 26 from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. at the Monmouth County Library in Manalapan. No entrance is permitted after 6:30 p.m. and teens must be picked up at 9 p.m.

If you’re interested in doing the Monster Mash at the Monster Bash, registration is required. To register, please click here, fill out the form, and then submit.

And don't forget to wear your costume!

Monmouth County Library Headquarters is located at 125 Symmes Drive in Manalapan Township.

Monmouth Women for Obama Stage Gangnam Style Flash Mob

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Monmouth County Women for Obama held a flash mob event at Freehold Raceway Mall on Saturday.

Gangnam Style is more than a YouTube sensation. At Freehold Raceway Mall on Saturday, the unique dance moves provided an opportunity for a group of Monmouth County Democrats to show their support for President Barack Obama.

The Monmouth County chapter of Women for Obama held a flash mob event on Women for Obama Day. According to the event's Facebook page, female Obama supporters across the country were invited to show visible and public support for the president.

Monmouth County Women for Obama held the flash mob event after hosting an Issues Women Care About forum at Monmouth County Library Headquarters in Manalapan.


Aberdeen Board of Education Candidate Profile: Tara Martinez

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Martinez is seeking a three-year term on the board of education.

Matawan and Aberdeen voters will be asked to select their Board of Education representatives during the election next month.

New Jersey School Board Elections are normally held in April, however Senate Bill 3184, which was signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie in January, allowed school boards to combine their elections with the general election in November. 

In February, the district voted to move the election, along with the majority of New Jersey school districts.

There is (1) three-year term open for a Matawan resident, while there are (2) three-year terms and (1) one-year unexpired term open for Aberdeen residents. 

Tara Martinez is on the ballot for a three-year term on the board. 

Tara Martinez

Tara Martinez, a Cliffwood Beach resident since 1995, has two children at Matawan Aberdeen Middle School. She has been a member of the PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) for nine years, allowing her to actively volunteer in the schools.

Martinez hopes to be a board of education member because she wants to fix what she feels is a disconnect between the community, the staff, and the administration.

"We used to be a nice, close-knit district where everybody worked together and we were kind of all in it for the same goal, for the kids. I feel like over these last ten years we’ve progressed to this point where everybody is working in different directions," she said.

"I don’t think the kids are our goal anymore in a lot of ways. I feel like parents feel the administration is against us. I feel the board and administration are against us. I don’t think they feel very trusting with the board. There is a lot of animosity where there should be a relationship," she continued.

After speaking out at a number of controversial meetings, such as the acceptance of the MAMS principal's resignation and the staff array changes, Martinez was left feeling that the board and the administration was not listening to the concerns of the parents.

"If we’re not listening to the people that put us there then what are we doing? I feel that the board has not done that in so long and that’s a big thing. The board has to be more open to the public, more respectful to the public in listening," she said. 

Martinez also feels that the board doesn't speak up enough.

"I really want the board to have strength in working with the administration," she said. "We need to get new, fresh eyes and ears in order to make things happen and to get people to trust us again. Trust is a big issue we’ve lost over the years."

If elected, Martinez plans to work toward reducing turnover in the school administration.

"The district has seen way to much chaos," she said. "No more turnovers with principals and teachers and keeping things status quofor a while for the kids and for the teachers that have to work under the administration." 

Martinez believes that a vote for her is a vote for a volunteer familiar with the school district who will put the children first while bringing a fresh set of eyes to the board.

"I’ve had a lot of experience with the schools. I’ve seen how the schools are run; I’ve been in three different schools; I’ve worked with a lot of the administration, a lot of the teachers, and with the children. I feel that I know how we want things to be, how things should be," she said.

"Sometimes you need somebody in there to keep things real and down to earth. And I feel like I would be good board member for that reason," she said.

Aberdeen Board of Education Candidate Profile: James Macomber

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Macomber is seeking a three-year term on the board of education.

Matawan and Aberdeen voters will be asked to select their Board of Education representatives during the election next month.

New Jersey School Board Elections are normally held in April, however Senate Bill 3184, which was signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie in January, allowed school boards to combine their elections with the general election in November. 

In February, the district voted to move the election, along with the majority of New Jersey school districts.

There is (1) three-year term open for a Matawan resident, while there are (2) three-year terms and (1) one-year unexpired term open for Aberdeen residents. 

James Macomber is on the ballot for a three-year term on the board. 

James Macomber

James Macomber is a lifelong resident of Aberdeen who worked as a teacher in the district from 2002 to 2006 and as a basketball coach from 2001 to 2011. He currently works as a police officer for the Port Authority.

"I’ve been a part of this community for my entire life. I'm no longer coaching in the district or teaching, so I feel like this is something I could do to be part of the community and the education system," he said.

Macomber noted that he is happy where the district is progressing academically.

"It’s a great district. I loved working here. The district has changed, I think academically it's progressing in ways that are beneficial to the kids. There are more opportunities now than there were when I was in school," he said.

However, he feels fed up with the community's concerns, "falling on deaf ears." If elected, Macomber hopes to change this as well as strengthen the board's voice.

"There has been quite a bit of controversy on certain topics. If the board would have listened to the community more, the people that elected them, it would have been better served for them. I feel like there's one person up there that has a say and whatever his decision is, is the determining factor of the board," he said.

Macomber is dissatisfied with the current administration and hopes that as a member of the board he will be able to ensure each decision is made with the district's children in mind.

"In a year from now, potentially I would like to see a new superintendent and I would like to have the board in a situation where they are working for the best interest of the kids, not potentially where one person says something and that’s how it is," he said.

Macomber believes that a vote for him is a vote for a strong leader who understands the inter-workings of the school district.

"I want to be on the board for the community so that their gripes, their interests are heard. Right now I don’t think that’s the case," he said. 

Aberdeen Board of Education Candidate Profile: Elizabeth Hayward

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Elizabeth Hayward is seeking reelection to the board of education for a three-year term.

Matawan and Aberdeen voters will be asked to select their Board of Education representatives during the election next month.

New Jersey School Board Elections are normally held in April, however Senate Bill 3184, which was signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie in January, allowed school boards to combine their elections with the general election in November. 

In February, the district voted to move the election, along with the majority of New Jersey school districts.

There is (1) three-year term open for a Matawan resident, while there are (2) three-year terms and (1) one-year unexpired term open for Aberdeen residents. 

Elizabeth Hayward is on the ballot seeking reelection to the board for a three-year term. 

Elizabeth Hayward

Elizabeth Hayward is an Aberdeen resident with two sons at Matawan Aberdeen Middle School. She was elected to the board of education in April 2009 and serves as the board's vice president. Hayward also represents Aberdeen on the Bayshore Outfall Committee. Prior to becoming a board member, she served as a chairperson for Parents of Special People and a board liaison for the Strathmore Elementary School PTO (Parent Teacher Organization). She works as an attorney in New Jersey.

"Having already served now for over three years, I believe that the district is going in the right direction and I would like to continue to be a part of that. I'm the mother of two school-aged children, so I have a vested interest in the success of this district," she said.

Hayward noted that she is happy with the direction that the district is heading in, and believes the success is due in part to everyone coming together to work toward the same goals.

"I've really seen a change in our district. I belive right now we have a board and an administration that is vested in our students' success and promoting student achievement," she said.

As the chairperson of the negotiations committee, Hayward is particularly proud of being able to help the district reach a contract settlement with the Matawan Regional Teachers' Association (MRTA).

"Really it was a two year effort, working on resolving the contract with the teachers," she said. "The cost savings and contract language will have a long lasting and positive effect on the climate and learning environment of the school district. The new contract includes a full period administrative duty for all teaching staff in each of the district's schools."

If reelected, Hayward believes it is important to continue being fiscally responsible as well as continue supporting academic programs that strengthen student performance.

"We should continue to pursue cost savings measures such as shared services agreements and reduction in fixed costs such as insurance," she said. "A year from now I would like to see the district continue our upward trend. Specifically, to achieve our goals of student achievement, improvement in both our language arts literacy and math scores, providing a safe and secure learning environment for our students and responsible budgets for our taxpayers."  

Matawan Man Indicted on Several Bad Check and Theft Charges

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Patch file photo.

A Matawan man was indicted by a Monmouth County grand jury on charges that he wrote a number of bad checks and deceived people or businesses out of quantities of property or cash in several Monmouth County towns.

Investigators say that John Martocci, 57, knowingly wrote a bad check in Aberdeen in the amount of $3,000 to Prime LLC on or between March 6 and April 26. 

Between March 10 and April 26, Martocci allegedly used deception to obtain $55,000 worth of alcoholic beverages from a business identified in the indictment as Wine Tree and Spirits a/k/a Buy Rite in Aberdeen Township.

According to investigators, Martocci allegedly also wrote a bad check on March 12 in Middletown in the amount of $20,000. The victim of the alleged crime is identified only as "M.R." in the indictment. Around the same time, Martocci allegedly used deception to obtain $55,000 in cash from "M.R."

About two weeks later, between March 27 and April 9, Martocci is again accused of issuing a bad check, this time to "V.S." in the amount of $1,750. Between May 1 and May 12, he also allegedly deceived "B.P." out of $1,700 in cash. 

Martocci was indicted on three counts of bad checks and three counts of theft by deception.

All are third degree crimes. 

An indictment does not indicate a conviction, only that a grand jury voted that there was enough evidence to proceed with a trial.

Aberdeen Board of Education Candidate Profile: Patricia Phillips

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Phillips was appointed to the board to an unexpired term in Sept. 2011. She hopes to be elected to the board for the remainder of the term.

Matawan and Aberdeen voters will be asked to select their Board of Education representatives during the election next month.

New Jersey School Board Elections are normally held in April, however Senate Bill 3184, which was signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie in January, allowed school boards to combine their elections with the general election in November. 

In February, the district voted to move the election, along with the majority of New Jersey school districts.

There is (1) three-year term open for a Matawan resident, while there are (2) three-year terms and (1) one-year unexpired term open for Aberdeen residents. 

Patricia Phillips is running as a write-in candidate for a one-year unexpired term. 

A write-in candidate means that the voter must literally write the candidates name into the corresponding box on the ballot.

Patricia Phillips

Patricia Phillips, a resident of Aberdeen Township since 1976, was appointed to the board of education in Sept. 2011 after a member resigned one year into her term. 

Although Phillips was a new face to the board, she was not a new one to the Matawan Aberdeen Regional School District. Almost 35 years ago, Phillips became a guidance counselor at the high school. In 2004, she was appointed as the director for student personnel services and then, a few years later, as the assistant principal. She performed both the director of student personnel services and the assistant principal duties after budget cuts eliminated the director's position in the 2010-11 academic year. At the end of the school year last spring, Phillips decided she was ready to retire.

Over her years in the district, Phillips helped initiated several educational programs that emphasize student leadership, empowerment, and getting into college. Even after retirement, Phillips remains involved in the Monmouth County School Counselor Association and is an active member of her church. She was recently inducted into the Matawan Regional High School Hall of Fame for her work in the district. 

As a member of the board of education, Phillips plans to continue her focus on student achievement, especially among children who "fall through the cracks."

"I worked in education for 38 years. I love working with the kids. Kids are my passion and I wanted to find another avenue that I would be able to help kids in a different way," she said.

Phillips is happy to see the literacy programs in the elementary school beginning to really have a positive impact on the students. She is also glad that the board kept the budget under their self-imposed 1.5% cap.

"I'm proud we’ve kept the tax levy within the 1.5% cap, which is looking out for the taxpayers but also looking out for what's best for their children," Phillips said.

She understands, however, that taxes are still a burden on local residents.

"I also like the idea of looking for other types of revenue that we can bring in to help the taxpayers," she said.

Phillips believes a vote for her is a vote for an honest individual who uses facts to make decisions in the best interest of the children.

"Most people know who I am. I am a person who is honest, a person who cares about children. I'm a good listener; I'm passionate about education and how important it is in this very global economy and society," she said. "I come to the board with no hidden agenda, no ax to grind, but with a sincere desire to help set policies to help kids grow and be competitive in a global market. I come with a real desire to be a help, to look at the issues realistically without bias and to help our kids get to the next level in their lives."

UPDATE: Explosives-Detecting K-9 Units Sent to Monmouth County Courthouse

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Monmouth County Courthouse.

This article was updated at 3:53 p.m. with information from the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office.

The Monmouth County Courthouse was evacuated early Thursday afternoon.

According to Monmouth County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Cynthia Scott a 9-1-1 bomb threat came into the courthouse around 12 p.m. Thursday afternoon. At 12:30 p.m. the courthouse was evacuated and area K-9 explosives-detecting dogs were brought in to sweep the building.

"It takes several hours for the building to be swept," explained Scott. "By the time the sweep would be completed, it would be late in the afternoon so Judge Lawrence Lawson decided to close the building down and send employees home for the day."

Scott explained that during the sweep of the building nothing was found. At this time, the person who made the bomb threat is still unknown. The Monmouth County Sheriff's Office and the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office are currently investigating.

Aberdeen Board of Education Candidate Profile: Joelle Nappi

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Matawan and Aberdeen voters will be asked to select their Board of Education representatives during the election next month.

New Jersey School Board Elections are normally held in April, however Senate Bill 3184, which was signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie in January, allowed school boards to combine their elections with the general election in November. 

In February, the district voted to move the election, along with the majority of New Jersey school districts.

There is (1) three-year term open for a Matawan resident, while there are (2) three-year terms and (1) one-year unexpired term open for Aberdeen residents. 

Joelle Nappi is running as a write-in candidate for a one-year unexpired term. 

A write-in candidate means that the voter must literally write the candidates name into the corresponding box on the ballot.

Joelle Nappi

Joelle Nappi, an Aberdeen resident since 2002, has a seventh grader at Matawan Aberdeen Middle School. She is a reading teacher in a nearby school district, where she is involved in literacy initiatives and professional development. 

Nappi is a regular attendee of board of education meetings and hopes to bring her expertise in literacy and professional development to the district as a board member. She was pleased to see the district bring back the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction position and would like to aid in shaping the literacy programs and initiatives established for the children.

"I do a lot of work around reading intervention and a lot of my personal studying has been on improving literacy outcomes for at-risk and disadvantaged learners," she said. "I am very knowledgeable in that area. But I also think one of the things I bring to the table is I frequently ask questions and speak out as a member of the community at the podium."

Going forward, Nappi believes it is necessary to include the community in conversations regarding policies and initiatives. 

"I feel very strongly that it is important to have open and frank dialogue and discussion of the policies, activities and initiatives that the board is considering. I think fully vetting issues publicly helps the community understand all the intricacies," she said.

If elected, Nappi wants to assist the district in effectively putting the new state mandates into place.

"I'd also like to see the district make very careful choices and decisions as we prepare for the advent of the new common core standards and the new PAARC assessment," she said, noting that it will be important to be mindful of the fiscal implications of implementing these state requirements.

Nappi believes a vote for her is a vote for someone who can offer her knowlegde in the areas of literacy and professional development to the district.

"If people were to write me in, they would see a staunch advocate for students who promotes policies that really strengthen our district in the area of curriculum and instruction. I would also be an advocate for school safety and question and fully vet decisions and policies that are adopted," she said.


Aberdeen Board of Education Candidate Profile: Art Perri

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Matawan and Aberdeen voters will be asked to select their Board of Education representatives during the election next month.

New Jersey School Board Elections are normally held in April, however Senate Bill 3184, which was signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie in January, allowed school boards to combine their elections with the general election in November. 

In February, the district voted to move the election, along with the majority of New Jersey school districts.

There is (1) three-year term open for a Matawan resident, while there are (2) three-year terms and (1) one-year unexpired term open for Aberdeen residents. 

Art Perri is running as a write-in candidate for a one-year unexpired term. 

A write-in candidate means that the voter must literally write the candidates name into the corresponding box on the ballot.

Art Perri

Art Perri is an Aberdeen resident who had all three of his adult children matriculate through the Matawan Aberdeen Regional School District. He currently has a granddaughter in the local schools. Perri was a technology teacher in New Jersey for 41 years, but has since retired. He is also the founder and president of Husky Sports, Inc, a 501(c)3 organization that has run local youth sports programs for 27 years. 

Perri wants be a member of the board of education in order to bring new ideas to the district, as well as continue to give back to the community. 

"I'm sure [the current board members] have the best interest of the people in the district in mind, but I think it's time for a change. I feel they had their chance. It's time for other people to come in and give a fresh look to the way things should be run," he said.

Some of his new ideas include using solar power as a source of alternative revenue, creating a summer enrichment program, enhancing technology in the district, and improving internal and external communications in the district.

"We should increase revenue by installing solar panels on the schools, like some of the neighboring towns have done," Perri said. "In this day and time, money is kind of tight and you have to be creative."

The increase in revenue from the use of solar panels, Perri said, can be used to cut fixed costs in the budget or to help fund a summer enrichment program for the children in the district.

Perri believes a vote for him is a vote for a technologically experienced local volunteer who has spent his lifetime giving back to the community and will bring a fresh perspective to the board.

"Because I’ve been in the community for 43 years, I'm linked with the past and present," he said. My whole history is the kids in this town. I spent all those years volunteering. We’ve got to work together for the community." 

Matawan & Aberdeen Residents: Be Prepared for Approaching Hurricane Sandy

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The latest update from the National Weather Service indicates that a powerful and dangerous autumn storm is approaching Monmouth County. Although it is still too early to determine exactly when the storm will hit and how strong it will be, high winds, heavy rainfall, coastal flooding and beach erosion are anticipated between Sunday, Oct. 28 and Tuesday, Oct. 30. 

As the hurricane tracks this way, residents are being asked to take certain precautions to ensure their safety.

Secure Outdoor Items

The storm's strong winds may blow unsecured items around, causing damage to property or posing dangers to other people.

  • Place loose items such as outdoor furniture inside your garage or shed, or tie it securely down.
  • Remove propane tanks from grills.

Prepare to Relocate From Flood-Prone Areas

The storm's heavy rain combined with a full moon is expected to cause coastal flooding. If you live in a flood-prone area, you should prepare to relocate inland just in case. 

  • Gather important documents, such as your insurance policy, in one easy-to-reach place and seal them in a waterproof cover. Make sure to grab them if you must relocate.
  • Gather necessary medications and store them in a waterproof cover. Make sure to grab them if you must relocate.

Report Power Outages to Jersey Central Power & Light

Do not report power outages to your local police department, as this will clog phone lines needed for true emergencies.

  • Check your circuit breaker box to be sure the problem isn’t just with your home. If not, report the outage to Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) at 1-888-544-4877 or by visiting its online outage report system. You can also follow outage reports in the area through JCP&L's interactive map.

Prepare Your Home for a Power Outage

The best way to handle a power outage is to be prepared. Please remember to never go near a downed power line for any reason.

  • Assemble a kit of emergency supplies, including batteries, flashlights, a radio, a first-aid kit, medications, food and water to last three or more days, a can opener, cooking tools and toiletries. 

Knowledge is Power

Make sure you are staying up to date on safety information and keeping an eye on the storm.

Storm Preparations Begin As Forecast is Updated

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Hurricane Sandy, 5 p.m., Oct. 25, 2012.

Local officials across the area are beginning to prepare for the effects of Hurricane Sandy as the latest forecast track of the storm suggests the Shore area could see a significant – if not a direct – impact from the storm.

The National Hurricane Center's 5 p.m. forecast update Thursday night showed the storm tracking directly toward the Monmouth County area, though a wider forecast window showed the storm could make landfall anywhere between North Carolina and New England after making a sharp northwest turn sometime Sunday.

While the track of the storm has yet to be finalized Monmouth County officials are also urging residents to be prepared for what may be heading our way. "We have seen the damage that a hurricane can cause and I hope that residents will take precautions as we monitor the progression of this storm," Freeholder Lillian G. Burry said. "

Forecasters, in the 5 p.m. update, did leave the door open to a wider northwesterly turn, which would bring the storm closer to New England.

The storm would be considered "posttropical" by the time it is expected to reach New Jersey, though it could still pack winds that could reach near hurricane strength.

The New Jersey State Police were urging residents to prepare for the storm.

That agency, on its Facebook page, advises that:

"There is the potential for a very powerful and dangerous autumn storm to affect our region early next week. This storm will be associated with what is currently Hurricane Sandy.

The National Weather Service office in Mt. Holly issued a briefing package on the storm Thursday afternoon.

The executive summary of the briefing package is included below.

• Potential continues for a very dangerous autumn storm system to affect the region early next week.

• This storm will be associated with what is currently Hurricane Sandy.

• This storm, if it moves toward us, will bring multiple threats to the region:

• Strong damaging wind gusts

• Extremely heavy rainfall

• Major flooding along streams and rivers

• Major coastal flooding (full moon occurs on Oct. 29)

• The eventual track of this storm will determine the area which is impacted.

This far out in time, forecasters said, there is considerable uncertainty with the storm track. However, the likelihood of the storm affecting the region has increased over the past 24 hours.

Matawan Aberdeen Middle School Students Achieve Perfect Score on Section of NJ ASK

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Matawan Aberdeen Middle School

A number of Matawan Aberdeen Middle School students were honored at the board of education meeting Monday night for achieving a perfect score on at least one portion of the NJ ASK last year.

"This is a great accomplishment that should not only be shared with these students but all of their teachers from kindergarten to last year that played an integral role in their education and development," said MAMS principal Cory Radisch.  

Congratulations to all those who achieved a perfect score on one or more sections of the NJ ASK during the 2010-11 academic year.

During sixth grade: 

  • Ryan Deahl
  • Michael Delucia
  • Michael Dunne
  • Katherine Hoyt
  • Donovan Johnson
  • Morgan Jones
  • Robert Kee
  • Rachel Kenny
  • Eric Kim
  • Karl Kim
  • Angela Lacovara
  • Christopher Mallozzi
  • Meet Patel
  • Courtney Pierce
  • Denir Radoncic
  • Abdullah Ramadan
  • Sajeela Rehman
  • Meghan Sheuing 
  • Evan Shapiro
  • Mikaylie Shaw
  • Joelle Wahab
  • Christina Weber
  • Matthew Weisburg
  • Daniel White
  • Michelle Zakrzewski

During seventh grade:

  • Ocheze Amuzie
  • Jonathan Barardo
  • Wayne Bloom
  • Micaela Cabrera 
  • Alyssa Chambers
  • Tyler Chin
  • Lauren Conroy 
  • Nasir Darnell
  • Amanda Ferrara 
  • Mary Finnerty 
  • Kacey Lambertson
  • Tyler Marolda
  • Keleb Mehari
  • Kasey Nicholson McFadden
  • Justin Notarfrancesco 
  • Thomas Petruskevicius
  • Jarvin Sevilleno
  • Jaco signorile
  • Tyler Walling 
  • Emily Weinburger

During eigth grade.

  • Tracy Brereton
  • Makel Caldwell
  • Abigail Casazza
  • Daniel Chan
  • Kevin Conway
  • Christopher Domalewski
  • Adam Elliot
  • David Fleissner
  • Sarah Gerstel
  • Matthew Harrison
  • Susan Hoban
  • Victor Jamandron 
  • Daniele Kalyk 
  • Kerry Laughlin
  • Chloe Lemoing
  • Joseph Malinger
  • Steve Morrone
  • Mariel Ogurek
  • Nicholas Page
  • Marley Perlstein
  • Amanda Siriram
  • Brian Slobotsky
  • Theresa Stapletto
  • Kathryn Todaro
  • Mary Tomkns 
  • Michael Toomer
  • Joseph Vidal 
  • Kyle White

JCP&L Readies for Sandy

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One of a number of JCP&L crew members repairing lines from a downed utility pole

JCP&L is getting ready for Hurricane Sandy, with extra staff on standby and a lot of lessons learned.

JCP&L clearly has not forgotten the criticism it took after Tropical Storm Irene ravaged New Jersey in August 2011. Utility officials learned from it, made a wide array of improvements in technology, communications and planning and they're ready to put that to the test, said JCP&L spokesman Ron Morano.

"We've made improvements to how we provide customer information," Morano said, adding the company is doing all it can to prepare for Sandy and to plan on how to keep officials and residents informed and well-served.

For starters, JCP&L is doing what everyone else is doing: closely watching weather forecasts, trying to figure out when and where Sandy will make landfall.

Meanwhile, it's also alerting staff to be ready to work during the weekend and beyond, making sure the parts that will most likely be needed are at their fingertips and setting up staging sites for visiting crews, Morano said.

"There's a great deal of logistical work that needs to be done," Morano said. "We also prepare for calling in any mutual assistance we may need."

The utility will again, as it did during Irene, conduct daily conference calls with mayors and other elected officials and is designating area managers, supported by extra staff, to work with towns, Morano said.

JCP&L also issued an advisory yesterday which include tips for residents about how to prepare for the storm and how to stay safe during the event. (See attached PDF.)

JCP&L serves 13 counties including nearly all of Ocean, except for Stafford Township and part of Barnegat, and Monmouth and Middlesex.

Part of JCP&L's improvements during the past year included outreach to numerous municipalities, often with utility officials visiting meetings of local governing bodies in various towns to explain what's been learned, what's been done and why the company believes service will go more smoothly in the future.

For example, a JCP&L official explained at a Point Pleasant Borough Council meeting this past August what types of improvements have been made during the past year, including allowing residents to go online to report outages.

The company now allows customers to report home and street light outages at its 24/7 Power Center on the company website, which can also be accessed through smart phones when outages leave residents without computer access, said Pete Johner, area manager for JCP&L customer and community relations in Central New Jersey.

"After Irene, there were a lot of issues with communication with this company," Johner said in a telephone interview the morning after his visit to Point Pleasant council. "So we've made a lot of communication changes. We enhanced the website, we have toll-free phone numbers in an electronic system people can call, and I'm going around meeting with municipal officials, nurturing relationships.

"We heard the politicians, as far as what they wanted," Johner continued, referring to officials relaying residents' complaints in Irene's dark, watery wake. "And we've made improvements. We're also working on infrastructure and system improvements on a daily basis."

Those using the website can also see how many other customers are without power, he added.

"Our role is changing drastically because of Irene," he told Mayor William Schroeder and council members.

And, if there is another bad storm, "I'm the guy you want to talk to," he told them.

Irene had originally been a hurricane, but, as meterologists later announced, it was actually a tropical storm when it hit New Jersey. The summer storm left 750,000 New Jersey customers without power and, along with other recent storms and a lot of rain last year, heavily damaged JCP&L's infrastructure, Johner said.

"The company is working on infrastructure improvements on a daily basis, we're spending $200 million on it this year alone," he said.

Regarding another storm-related topic, Johner said that JCP&L has concerns about residents installing back-up generators because many are not being installed properly.

"This is a big concern for us because they can cause fatalities if they're not properly installed and they can back feed into our cables," Johner said.

He said residents who want to use generators need to hire licensed electricians to install them and that they should always be installed outdoors, never inside homes or garages. That's because generators have emissions and, when released indoors, can cause death, Johner said.

To report home or street light outages by phone, call 1-888-LIGHTSS (SS is correct) or 1-888-544-4877.

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