SCOTT FRIEDMAN The Navesink Cannonball was one of the attractions at Navesink Hook & Ladder Company's 120th Annual Fireman's Fair, which began as a peach and ice cream festival in 1886. The fair was held Aug. 7-9 at the firehouse grounds in the Navesink section of Middletown. More photos page 23. More ... Middletown joins COAH challenge More than 200 towns support NJLM appeal BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       Middletown Township has added its name to the growing list of municipalities that have pledged their support for the New Jersey League of Municipalities' (NJLM) impending legal challenge of the latest round of state affordable housing regulations. More ... Developer plans to adapt Bell Labs bldg. Somerset Development plans for mixed uses on Holmdel site BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       The Lakewood developer in line to purchase the former Bell Labs site in Holmdel Township has plans for a mix of uses including retail, housing and a hotel, and will preserve the iconic building on the site. More ... Culture, community and chimichangas Spanish American Festival promotes ethnic diversity BY LORI ANNE OLIWA Correspondent       Blue skies and bay breezes were the perfect complement to the upbeat mood of the 10th annual Spanish American Festival held on Saturday, Aug. 9, along First and Broad streets. "There must have been close to 2,000 people here today," said George Rentas, vice president of the Keyport Spanish Americ... More ... Bayshore narcotics unit snares 17 in drug busts Undercover operations result in arrests in 10 Bayshore towns BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       ABERDEEN — The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office announced the arrests of 17 people for alleged illegal drug sales, made possible by good old-fashioned police work by local authorities. More ... Hazlet will plan for affordable housing Builder's lawsuit prompts court oversight on zoning BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       HAZLET — The township will begin planning to meet its state-mandated affordable housing quota as a result of litigation brought by a developer. Township attorney Daniel McCarthy said that meetings would begin in late August with the township planner, the developer's planner and the state pl... More ... Matawan appoints new rec director BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       MATAWAN - — The newly hired recreation director has ended her short tenure with the borough. Elizabeth Aguilar stepped down from the part-time position, citing time constraints as her reason for leaving. More ... Wilkens brings Olympic spirit to Mid'town library Bronze medalist learned to swim at twp. swim club and Red Bank YMCA BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN — Residents didn't have to turn on their TV sets to see an Olympic bronze medalist last week, they just had to show up at the library. Former USA swim team captain Tom Wilkens gave a talk about the experience of competing in the 2000 Summer Olympic Games held in Sydney, Australia... More ... 'Idol' contest caps Matawan Night Out BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       MATAWAN — Residents turned out early for the National Night Out held in the borough 6-10 p.m. Aug. 5 at the Matawan Borough Police Department and throughout Main Street. Members of the police department were handing out free hot dogs and soda, as well as manning an inflatable moon bouncer f... More ... Police officers graduate       The Monmouth County Police Academy, Freehold Township, graduated 26 new police officers recently, many of whom will now go on to serve as full-time patrolmen. More ... Six Mid'town police officers sworn in BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN — After six new police officers took their ceremonial oaths on Aug. 4., Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger gave the floor to a man he referred to as the "happiest man in the whole room" — Police Chief Robert Oches. More ... Salvation Army gives kids a taste of summer BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       RED BANK — An ice cream truck, potato sack races and some good old-fashioned fun proved to be a good recipe for producing smiles at the Salvation Army's Fun Day held at the center on Newman Springs Road. More ... An American in China      With the 2008 Olympic Games taking place in Beijing, China, the Middletown Township Public Library is presenting programs with an Olympic spirit, including an exhibit of photographs of China. "An American in China, Etc." will run through Aug. 29 at the library, located at 55 New Monmouth Road. The e... More ... IN THE ARTS Compiled by Gloria Stravelli Designed by Eileen Russell Gerber       The third annual Dorothy Parker Day will be observed in Long Branch on Saturday, Aug. 16. The event is presented by the Long Branch Arts Council and the Long Branch Historical Association, in collaboration with The Long Branch Free Public Library, the West End Merchants Association and the D... More ... Fireman's Fair      Above: Edna Ruscio (l), Rumson, and Joyce Repoli, Tinton Falls, enjoy a chat in the Navesink Hook & Ladder firehouse among the firemen's uniforms and bric-a-brac being sold by the ladies auxiliary at the 120th annual Navesink Fireman's Fair on Aug. 7. Below: Zac Steiner, Leonardo, goes airbound to p... More ... Husband sentenced for wife's murder       HOLMDEL — George Calleia, 46, of Holmdel, was sentenced on Aug. 8 to a 50-year state prison term for the murder of his wife, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office. Calleia must serve 85 percent of the sentence, or approximately 42.5 years, before he becomes eligible for relea... More ... Man sentenced in Keyport home invasion       FREEHOLD — Choyce Schwartz, 35, of Long Branch, was sentenced Aug. 8 to a 6.5-year state prison term for the first-degree crime of armed robbery, according to a press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office. More ... Adopt a Pet Read the Story... Aberdeen police to conduct drunken-driving crackdown       ABERDEEN — The township police department announced that a drunken-driving crackdown will take place from mid-August into September. From Aug. 15 through Sept. 1 the police department will be stepping up impaired driving enforcement as part of New Jersey's Over the Limit Under Arrest 2008 s... More ... NOTES       Market in the Middle, 516 Asbury Ave., Asbury Park, along with the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Eatontown, and Asbury Rockin' Cats will present a Paws For Life fundraiser and gallery opening Aug. 16. The fundraiser will begin at 4 p.m. with a doggy fashion show... More ... The long hot summer       While you dig the hole to find a home for your latest native plant, you can run the risk of adding another crick to your lower back. Watch how you handle your tools, be aware of your stance when digging, lift properly, and don't even attempt to move a 100-pound boulder without assistance. More ... Real Mama offers info on organic foods for kids       MIDDLETOWN — A free in-store presentation on organic foods will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at the Whole Foods market on Route 35 north, Chapel Hill Shopping Center in Middletown. "A Common Sense Approach to Eating Organic" is being sponsored by Real Mama Inc. More ... FoodBank puts out call for help       As the economy continues to struggle, the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties is experiencing a 15 percent decline in food donations. To help reverse that trend, Monmouth County Freeholder Barbara J. More ...