CHRIS KELLY staff Erik Gorsak, 8, swings at a pitch during the Lakewood summer recreation program's home run derby held at FirstEnergy Park, Lakewood, July 18. More ... Student achievements take center stage Director of guidance is proud of seniors' college acceptances BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       The academic achievements of the Jackson Memorial High School class of 2008 were front and center at the July 15 meeting of the Jackson Board of Education. Director of Guidance Laura Wheaton discussed the accomplishments of the Jackson Memorial senior class members who completed their high school... More ... All systems are 'go' as home goes green Homeowners add Acadia system and solar panels BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       Phyllis and Seymour Garr have decided to lead a green lifestyle and in the process are saving a lot of another type of green. More ... Equipment failure forces residents to boil water BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - Although municipal officials and the owner of a mobile home park were hopeful late last week that regular water service would be restored for residents in short order, that did not appear to be the case on July 21. More ... Soccer tourney to benefit vest fund       JACKSON - A soccer tournament will be held on Aug. 9 to raise funds for the Jackson Policemen's Benevolent Association vest account. Jackson Police Officer John Pejoski, a member of PBA Local No. 168, said, "This account was established by the Jackson Police Department to purchase bulletproof ve... More ... Accident numbers help tell story of intersection BY ANDREW DAVISON Staff Writer       LAKEWOOD - The Lakewood Police Department has provided accident statistics for the intersection of County Line Road and Route 9. More ...      CHRIS KELLY staff Ronald Chudkowski, 9, of Toms River, uses his creativity with Lego to build a unique vehicle during the 14th annual Funtasia Festival for Kids, held at Ocean County Park, Lakewood, on July 18. More ... Eye on the ball      CHRIS KELLY staff Daquan Sherrod, 11, takes a swing at a pitch during the Lakewood summer recreation program's home run derby held at FirstEnergy Park, Lakewood, on July 18. More ... Group helps to build a better community World Changers volunteers work on Freehold properties BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       Working in the heat of the July sun for a week, painting houses, repairing roofs and removing aging porches may not seem like the ideal summer vacation, but a group of young people from all over the country seem to believe it is, and they even paid to do it. More ... County offers assistance with drug plan paperwork       Seniors or their caregivers who may need help in navigating changes to the Pharmaceutical Assistance for Aged and Disabled (PAAD) and Senior Gold programs can find it at the Ocean County Office of Senior Services. "There are over 18,000 PAAD and 3,400 Senior Gold beneficiaries in Ocean County," s... More ... State awards $543,780 for town improvements       PLUMSTED - Mayor Ron Dancer has announced that Plumsted is one of only two municipalities in New Jersey to be awarded funding by the state Department of Community Affairs Downtown Business Improvement Zone (D-BIZ) fund grant program for 2008. More ... CentraState hits fundraising goal       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - Nearly 700 individuals, organizations and companies have donated more than $10.8 million to the CentraState Healthcare Foundation, which recently announced the completion of a 30-month capital campaign. The final gift was from Duncan Thecker, Colts Neck, of $500,000, to fund... More ... Leadership, confidence are lessons in program Lead America proves to be a rewarding exercise for preteen BY BARI FAYE SIEGEL Correspondent       There was blood on the bed sheets and muddy footprints by the doorway. Clearly, the kidnapper didn't care about getting caught; his or her fingerprints were on the light switch and a crib handrail. Even the ransom note was something right out of a television show script: "Hand over the money and t... More ... Howell council adopts $43.8M budget for 2008 BY MARK ROSMAN Staff Writer       HOWELL - A municipal budget for 2008 that totals $43.8 million was recently adopted by the Township Council. The total budget is down $1 million from Howell's 2007 spending plan, which amounted to $44.8 million. More ... Teacher to assist researchers       JACKSON - Tauilei McPherson, a substitute teacher for the Jackson School District, will join an Earthwatch Institute research team for a nine-day expedition that will focus on moose and wolves, through the isolated northern forest of Mott Island off Isle Royale National Park in Michigan's Upper P... More ... Israeli guests enjoying N.J. summer of peace Rocket attacks are a daily fact of life back home in Sderot BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       The warm summer sun shining as children take part in outdoor activities is something that some people may take for granted. For 10 girls from Israel who are currently visiting Monmouth County, experiencing summer fun is something they are doing for the first time in a long while. More ... Soccer marathon will honor youth's memory Freehold Twp. park will be site of special event on Aug. 23 BY ANDREW DAVISON Staff Writer       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - Just as loss can echo throughout a community, so, too, can hope. OnAug. 23, hope will sound like cleats on grass, the breathing of athletes exerting themselves, the smack of laces on leather and the enthusiastic cheers of victory. More ... Farmers market debuts in Jackson BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - There is something new on County Line Road. It's a farmers market with plenty of peaches, blueberries, watermelon, corn, cucumbers, squash, eggplant, beans and local honey products for sale. Pies and other products are expected to be added in the future. More ... Affordable housing law stops transfer of homes       Gov. Jon S. Corzine has signed legislation that will reform affordable housing laws in New Jersey and, proponents claim, increase housing opportunities for low-income and middle-income families throughout the state. More ... Finding fine art at the Laundromat Exhibit of photos taken 'Through the Porthole' opens in Monmouth Beach BY LINDA DENICOLA Correspondent       When Dee Ann McCarthy turns on her washing machine, it is not to wash clothes. It is to conceptualize her ideas about the beauty found in everyday things. It takes a finely tuned visual imagination to walk by clothes agitating in a washing machine and see art. More ... Georgian Court scientists receive research grant       LAKEWOOD - Georgian Court University has been awarded a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Sea Grant program to conduct scientific research on and around the dunes of New Jersey, to study the effects of a non-native dune plant, Carex kobomugi, commonly known as ... More ...