Jamie Angeles, 4, of Ocean Township, makes her way through one of the rides at the 32nd annual Italian American Festival held at Joe Palaia Park in Ocean Township on Aug. 6. More ... Appeals court reverses eminent domain case Councilman seeks to drop plans to redevelop oceanfront neighborhood BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       At least one Long Branch councilman is seeking to abandon plans to redevelop a city beachfront area after a state appeals court issued a ruling last week that declared the three-street neighborhood is not blighted. A three-judge panel of the New Jersey Appellate Division on Aug. 7 unanimously rev... More ... Italian American Festival      Clockwise from top: Sienna Halim, of Tinton Falls, enjoys a ride on the carousel at the 32nd annual Italian American Festival held at Joe Palaia Park in Ocean Township on Aug. 6. Jeffrey Barham (l), 3, and his brother, David, 4, both of West Long Branch, try to make their way through the "Monkey Maz... More ... City man charged in murder BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH — A city man is facing charges for the murder of a 54-yearold woman who was found dead in her Long Branch apartment last week. Police arrested and charged John L. Erving, 42, with one count of murder on Aug. 10 for the death of Long Branch resident Nikki Leake, according to poli... More ... Sean Kean elected to environmental position       LONG BRANCH — State Sen. Sean Kean (R-11th District) has been elected to serve as a director on the board of the Republicans for Environmental Protection. The group, known as REP America, is a national nonprofit organization that was founded in 1995 to preserve and protect the environment. More ... City residents exclaim 'victory' in court case State appellate court remands eminent domain case back to trial court BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH — For the past five years, city resident Lori Ann Vendetti has been on a mission: to save her beachfront neighborhood from condemnation. A n advocate against the abuse of eminent domain, Vendetti has become a regular who spoke publicly at the biweekly Long Branch City Council meeti... More ... Chen 'gratified' by eminent domain ruling BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH — The state public advocate said last week that he is "gratified" by the recent court decision in favor of a group of city homeowners who have been fighting against the condemnation of their neighborhood. More ... Boro to challenge state's new housing mandates COAH sets Eatontown's affordable housing quota at 490 units BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       EATONTOWN — The borough is expected to file an independent challenge to the state's new affordable housing mandates after learning that Eatontown's quota has nearly quadrupled. The council came to a unanimous decision at its Aug. More ... Memorial swim on city beach set for Sunday       LONG BRANCH — The fourth annual Ray Licata Memorial Swim is scheduled to be held on the city's oceanfront on Aug. 17. The one-mile swim will be held at Pier Village and will start at 8 a.m. with the fun swim following. More ... Fundraiser to benefit historic city church Event set for Aug. 21 to support preservation of Church of the Presidents       LONG BRANCH — A cocktail reception fundraiser is scheduled to be held 6:30-9:30 p.m. Aug. 21 at the Ocean Beach Club on Ocean Avenue to benefit the restoration of the Church of the Presidents, which is the last remaining building associated with the seven presidents who vacationed in Long Br... More ... Swim raises awareness of bacterial meningitis       MONMOUTH BEACH — Over 100 swimmers showed up on Aug. 3 for an 8 a.m. swim-off of the second annual Shana Ocean Mile Swim hosted by the Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavillion and sponsored by the Shana Foundation. The Shana Foundation is a nonprofit charity whose mission is to "keep kids free of b... More ... Boro seeks to fill vacant tax assessor position       EATONTOWN — Borough officials are seeking to fill the vacant position of tax assessor after council voted to terminate the employment of Thomas Lenahan, who had been working for the municipality for the past 12 years. More ... Suspect in gas station robbery on the loose       OCEAN TOWNSHIP — Police are searching for the suspect who allegedly robbed a 15-year-old gas station employee of an undisclosed amount of cash last week. At approximately 4:53 p.m. on Aug. 4, Ocean Township police received a call from the Getty gas station in the Oakhurst section in the tow... More ... In the Service       Army Pvt. Joseph Bell has graduated from Basic Combat training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. He is the son of Elizabeth Bell of Long Branch. More ... NOTES       The Seashore Day Camp and School in Long Branch is scheduled to put on a full scale production of "The Wizard of Oz," complete with live orchestra, award winning set designer, 100 costumes and 20 scores and performances on Aug. 15, 16 and 17. Tickets cost $5 and must be purchased in advance. For s... More ... Funding approved for various borough projects       WEST LONG BRANCH — Borough officials have given the green light for a series of capital improvement projects throughout the town. The Borough Council unanimously passed an ordinance at its bimonthly council meeting last month to allow for the appropriation of $753,125 to fund various projec... More ... A Cinderella story      Top left: The Wicked Stepmother, Lori Ann Casviano of Middletown, orders around Cinderella, Julie Mihlon of Middletown, during the Eatontown Playhouse production of Cinderella the musical on Aug. 1. Above: Cinderella shows her excitement about going to the ball during the musical performance. 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