From vacant lot to verdant plot Mendies Farm thrives because of community BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer       Mendies Farm in Roosevelt continues to grow each year, with new produce and native plant and stone offerings, but the land's history will never be plowed under. More ... U.F. wants answers before paying for state police Millstone, Roosevelt taxpayers also affected by new mandate BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       Local municipalities hit by new fees for New Jersey State Police services aren't just going to roll over and pay them. In late July, Gov. Jon Corzine's office sent letters to 89 small and/or rural municipalities stating they would have to start paying for the State Police patrols they have had si... More ... Rural U.F. talks about commercial development Highway development zone may be eliminated BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD — Residents presented some of their ideas about commercial zoning to the governing body on Aug. 7. Stan Pierzhanowski, who lives on Route 539, across the street from the Matrix Development Corp. More ... Residential zoning changes postponed Hearing on ordinances carried to Sept. 4 BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD — The wait for a vote on changing residential zoning will be little longer. Although the Township Committee's vote had to be postponed until Sept. 4, public hearings on four proposed ordinances concerning zoning were held at the governing body's Aug. 7 meeting. The hearings w... More ...      PHOTO COURTESY OF JAMIE CALLAHAN Plants soak up the August sun in greenhouses lining Sharon Station Road in Upper Freehold. More ... Towns look into repealing sex offender residency laws Appeals court rules state should oversee regulations BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       MILLSTONE — A sex offender residency ordinance, passed in 2005, will have to be repealed, based on a recent court decision. At the Aug. 6 Township Committee meeting, Township Attorney Duane Davison explained that a state appeals court ruled that municipalities do not have the power to adop... More ... Trees go down, tempers flare up in Upper Freehold BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD — Tree-cutting at the Galloping Hills development on Emley's Hill Road has residents seeing red. Several complaints about the site work were brought before the Township Committee at its Aug. 7 meeting. The 60-house subdivision received final approval in January 2006. More ... Former mayor cleared of ethics violation charge Board finds Miscoski did not break law during vote related to family property BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD — An issue concerning a long-ago vote for open space funding, reviewed by both the state Department of Community Affairs and the Office of Administrative Law, may have finally been resolved. More ... Bow hunting to cull deer to continue in Millstone Some residents have issues with hunters' proximity to private properties BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       MILLSTONE — Scotto Farm Lane residents are upset about deer hunting on property abutting their residential neighborhood. Two neighbors brought their concerns to the Township Committee at the Aug. 6 meeting. Earlier in the evening, the governing body approved a resolution to allow bow hunting of ... More ... Upper Freehold OKs 35-ft. building-height maximum Township still reviewing fence height requirements BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD — The maximum building height in the township has increased from 30 feet to 35 feet. The height ordinance, which passed in a 4-0 vote, was the only proposed ordinance voted on at the Aug. 7 Township Committee meeting. Committeeman David Reed was absent. More ... Bowling in the Netherlands U.F. teens return from Youth Friendship Games BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD — Bowling: it's a game with international fame. Upper Freehold's Brianna Winters, 15, and her sister Corinne, 12, discovered just how popular their favorite sport is around the world when they went to Holland for the People to People's Youth Friendship Games. More ... New Jersey blood supply falling into danger zone       New Jersey's blood supply faces a triple threat, according to the New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS). NJBS, an affiliate of the New York Blood Center (NYBC), has issued an emergency appeal for blood donations, with supplies at serious risk of falling below the three-day supply "danger zone. More ... Upper Freehold sets up new veterans hot line Township also wants vets to register in new database       UPPER FREEHOLD — Local veterans who need assistance have a new phone number to call for help. Upper Freehold Township has established a veterans hot line, which is effective immediately. The number to call is 609-529- 0453, according to the Upper Freehold Township Veterans Committee. More ... Wildlife preserve to host women's program Aug. 16       UPPER FREEHOLD — Move over deer and wild turkeys, women will be flocking into the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area next Saturday. The New Jersey State chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) will host a "Women in the Outdoors" event Aug. 16 in the wildlife preserve. More ... Blue Waters Boutique gets into the Olympic spirit Shop's fundraiser to benefit Special Olympics New Jersey BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer       MILLSTONE — In celebration of the 2008 Olympic Games and in support of the Special Olympics, Blue Waters Boutique will host "A Night in Beijing." The event, which will feature complimentary henna tattooing and tarot card readings, will take place 4-7p.m. Aug. 22 in the shop at 221 Millstone... More ... Western Monmouth Cnty. history explored at Walnford       UPPER FREEHOLD — Experience some of western Monmouth County's rich social, technological and environmental history during the annual Walnford Day celebration. The Monmouth County Park System will sponsor Walnford Day from 11 a.m.- 5p.m. Oct. More ...