Has Spring Sprung in Freehold?

Snowpoca---what? There was nary a snowflake to be seen on a walk around town today, with temps tipping into the mid-50s, residents flocking to Rita's and Jersey Freeze, and--gasp--t-shirts being donned for the first time since October.

But will this weather stick around? The National Weather Service reports that it's likely, with a sunny, warm week ahead:
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Beef, Beer, and the Bistro? Sounds Like a Fun-draiser To Us

The Freehold Masons are hosting a Beef & Beer charity fundraiser to benefit the American Cancer Society will be held on Friday, April 9 from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM at the Park Avenue Bistro located at 618 Park Avenue, Freehold.

Olive Branch Masonic Lodge #16 is hosting this fun filled evening which will include a dinner buffet (buffalo wings, green salad, penne pasta and roast beef), beer and soda are also included. A cash bar will be available for those desiring other adult beverages. Music, dancing, a silent auction and a 50-50 will round out the evening's entertainment.
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Forget Recycling, Macy’s Has Something Better

Forget recycling-- that green movement is so 2007.  Freehold, it's time for the next big thing: upcycling.

Now, thanks to a Trenton-based company started by a Princeton grad, Freehold residents are being encourage to drop off their old clothes and shoes at Macy's in the Raceway Mall so that they can be "upcycled"-- that is, turned into something better.
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Spring Projects Just Around the Bend for NPC

The Freehold Borough Neighborhood Pride Committee is currently accepting applications for their community garden plots and summer World Changers home restoration projects.

The Community Garden has plots available for amateur gardeners seeking to create and cultivate flowers, herbs or vegetables in the garden located on Ford Avenue and Lloyd, according to the release.
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Clearing the Roads in Freehold

Asbury Park Press photographer Doug Hood went for a ride-along with county worker Ron Boyce, an assistant supervisor in the Monmouth County Department of Public Works and Engineering, as he salted Kozloski Road Thursday afternoon.

Bob Dickerson, shift coordinator for the Monmouth County Department of Public Works and Engineering, keeps a close eye on the storm.

The county DPW maintains 1,000 miles of roads in the county, as well as parking lots for various facilities, including the county libraries.

Employees made several salt-spreading runs throughout the day, and planned to return to the roads between 2 and 4 a.m. today to get ready for the morning rush hour, according to John W. Tobia, director of the county Department of Public Works and Engineering.

For a peek into the busy life of a public works employee during a snowstorm, check out Doug's video here.

FBEF Awards School Grants

The Freehold Borough Educational Foundation is donating more than $8,000 to projects benefiting the borough's elementary and middle school students, according to foundation chair Jean Holtz.

Freehold Borough Educational Foundation chair Jean Holtz

Holtz announced the awards, which total $8,601, at a borough school district meeting earlier this month.

The grants will be used to fund various initiatives ranging from writing programs at the Freehold Learning Center to new books at Freehold Intermediate Center.

The foundation has been awarding grants to worthy borough school projects since 2001. With this latest round, the foundation has now funnelled nearly $85,000 into the district, Holtz said.

For a full list of this year's projects, check out this report on APP.com.

CentraState Partners on Cancer Facility

Freehold Township's CentraState Healthcare System is one of three partners that plan to open a massive cancer-treatment center in Somerset, the first of its kind in the New York region, according to a Gannett New Jersey report.

The $160 million facility will offer proton-therapy, a form of radiation therapy that causes less damage to "normal" tissue in front of and behind a tumor.

Construction is to begin in April. If all goes as planned, the facility could begin receiving patients in March 2012.

An artist rendering of a ProCure proton therapy center

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Assembly to Vote on “Diploma Mill Bill” Thursday

Posted via APP.com:

The state Assembly is expected to vote on the so-called diploma mill bill Thursday, after it was approved by the state Senate Monday.

The bill was introduced after stories in the Asbury Park Press revealed that several Freehold Regional High School District employees, including Schools Superintendent H. James Wasser, benefited by obtaining doctoral degrees from an unaccredited, online university.

FRHSD Superintendent H. James Wasser

"The passage of this bill is essential as it directly affects what New Jersey residents are paying for school employees' salaries," state Sen. Jennifer Beck, R-Monmouth, who co-sponsored the Senate bill with Sen. Richard J. Codey, D-Essex, said in a prepared release. "While there is no problem with compensating people for hard work and additional education that only benefits our students, it is simply wrong to reward people with taxpayer dollars when no reward was earned."

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Park Ave. PTO Raffle Nets Thousands

A basket raffle hosted by the Park Avenue Elementary PTO raised just over $14,000 for that school's students, according to PTO treasurer Susan Greitz.

"It's pretty impressive," said Greitz, who co-chaired the event.

The raffle - which offered up prizes like a golfing trip and grocery gift certificates - was held this past Saturday at the Park Avenue Elementary school. The proceeds will go toward various student activities, including class trips, the school's Field Day event and classrooms items like books and indoor recess materials, Greitz said.

County Holding Budget Meetings

Members of the public can get a glimpse into the budget process this week, when the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders hold two budget sessions, according to the Asbury Park Press.

Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry

Budget hearings are scheduled for 1:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday and 1:30 to 4 p.m. Friday in the conference room on the second floor of the Hall of Records, 1 E. Main St. in Freehold.

Department heads will review budget requests at the meetings. The public can attend, but participation may be limited.

Public budget hearings have also been scheduled for next month. The budget is set to be adopted on March 11.

Township Approves Fire Budgets

Freehold Township residents went to the polls Saturday to weigh in on the 2010 budgets put forward by the town's two fire districts, the Asbury Park Press reports today.

In District 1 (serving residents west of Route 9), voters okayed a $1,192,287 budget and its $895,300 tax levy.

District 2 voters approved a $971,000 tax levy in support of the district's 2010 $1,088,000 budget.

Residents also voted in fire commissioners seeking re-election in both districts, as well as referendums to purchase new vehicles for the districts.

Enough is enough! Support Boro Police!

As a resident of Freehold, I feel its time to say enough is enough with people putting down our police department. These officers, eachday, go out and serve and protect us without question. Whenever there is a problem, they are there dealing with it in a extreme professional manner. No matter if theres a foot of snow or if its 100 degrees, these fine officers respond and do a wonderful job.

In recent times, one of our officers was "accused" of mis-handling a suspect during a routine stop. After numerous investigations, he was never charged with anything! His situation was looked into internally and with the Monmouth County Prosecutors Department, both found no reason for any action to be taken against this man. What more do you want?

Now, the suspect is going through there trial and the officer is still the focus of reporting, is that fair? I think if the police were trying to arrest someone three times for a crime that they weren't quilty of, people would say this isnt proper. Then why are we doing this to one of our own officers!

Moral of the story is, as a whole, we have a fine force. We have men and women who day after day, risk themselves for our safety. I say, Thank You to the entire Freehold Boro Police Department! I urge everyone to support them and let people know that here in Freehold, we respect our Police and will defend them!

Train Show to Benefit Open Door

Looking for a great event this weekend for the family and kids, look no further then the Freehold Knights of Columbus. On Sunday, from 10:00am until 3pm, the Knights will host a train collection event. Trains will be set up inside the Knights on displays for all too see. There is a silent auction for a fully landscaped train display! Admission is a non-perishable food item or monetary donation for Freehold Open Door Pantry. What more could you ask for, a great event to help out the great people at Open Door. So come on out this Sunday and Hope to see you all there!

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Spot Lights Jaye Sims

This weeks Black History Months spotlight is on Jaye Sims.

When you think of Freehold, you have to think of Jaye Sims. Jaye is the face of the boros future. He is involved in our governing body, too many committees to list, the fire department, and so many other Freehold events. Jayes dedication and love to Freehold is ...second to none. He can be seen at many events that involve Freehold Boro and other interest of his. He and his wife Danielle give so much to our community, he is the next generation of great Freehold leaders, following in the foot steps of Mayor Mike Wilson. This past January, Jaye was given the honor of being named Freehold Boro Council President. I'm sure everyone will agree that if you go to Jaye with an issue, he will do everything in his power to help you get answers. When I think of Jaye, I see Freeholds rising star! We in Freehold, are lucky to have him and I Thank him for his tireless dedication to bettering Freehold Boro, he is an example of someone for our youth to look up too! Thank you Jaye for all your efforts and dedication to making Freehold a great place to live, Thank you for being a young leader in a time when people don't think younger America cares, thank you for being our council President! Congrats and thanks to Jaye Sims!!

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Freehold Knights of Columbus Kids Day!

Once again, the Freehold Knights of Columbus have gone above and beyond with another event. There 4th annual Kids Day was a great time for all! There was so much for the kids to do and so many snacks for them to have. Either making cards, crafts, or learning from the Home Depot staff how to build something, every child had a huge smile on there face. Then, the magic show began and the kids were front and center watching his every move. These fine people donate there time to do so many great events for our community, I even had the pleasure of speaking with councilmen George Schnurr, who happened to be one of the many dedicated volunteers. We are blessed to have such a caring organization in our town. Thank you to the Knights for a GREAT time!!!!