Spring Photo Contest

In celebration of this week's sunshine and warm breezes, Freehold InJersey is kicking off its Spring Photo Contest a big two weeks before the calendar declares it officially Spring.

In the fall, we ran an awesome photo contest of Freehold people, animals, and places. Now it's time for some bright, sunny photos of spring signifiers around town.
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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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Freehold Native Helping in Haiti

A reader sent us some information about one of Freehold's bravest: Army Capt. Brian Kinsella, a Borough native, is currently serving in Haiti with the 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) to help in the earthquake recovery efforts there.

The Peddie School graduate is currently serving as the commanding general's aide-de-camp responsible for the general's personal security, communications and travel.
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Monmouth courthouse evacuated due to smoke alarm

Posted via APP.com:

The Monmouth County Courthouse was evacuated briefly yesterday after an alarm was set off by smoke from a microwave in an office area on the first floor of the west wing.

The alarm sounded at about 12:40 p.m., forcing the evacuation of everyone inside the courthouse.
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Irizarry Decision Postponed

There will be no decision until at least next month in the criminal case of a Freehold Township woman and her son who claimed they were victims of police brutality.

Migdalia Irizarry applauds speakers during a 2008 rally outside the Freehold police station

Superior Court Judge Eugene A. Iadanza was expected to hand down a decision Thursday in the case of Migdalia Irizarry and her son, who were arrested after a motor vehicle stop on Jan. 29, 2008, in Freehold.

That decision has now been postponed to March 24, according to a member of his staff.

Both Irizarry and her teen son have been on trial for charges of obstruction and resisting arrest. Irizarry's son was also charged on a juvenile complaint with aggravated assault.

Freehold, Farmingdale residents dig out as road conditions worsen

Posted via APP.com:

As the Friday morning rush hour commenced, road conditions in the Freehold- Farmingdale area worsened as more vehicles churned the snow, creating slush on roadways.
Adding to the worsening conditions was added traffic as the day progressed, although traffic was light compared to a normal day.
Snow fell steadily, whipped here and there by the wind.

In Farmingdale, James Daly did what many of us have to do in a winter storm - dig out.
"Digging out to get to work," said Daly, 43, as he cleared his Walnut Street driveway with a snow-blower about 8 a.m. "I have no excuse, it's only 2 miles away."
Although Daly, who is president of the Borough Council, took the snow in stride, he said he "can't wait for it (winter) to be over." He said it "will make spring (seem) much better."
Lily, 4, and Noah, 1, both English cream golden retrievers, walked along
the borough's North Main Street amid the blowing and steady snowfall.
"They love their walk in the snow," said their owner, Joey Chapurtinov, 47.
While the canines enjoyed the snow, the human said he had enough.
"Losing work," said Chapurtinov, who works outdoors in construction. "Bad winter, you know?"
But Chapurtinov was dealing with it.
"I snow-blow, shovel, help the neighbors out," Chapurtinov said. "Everybody pitches in on our street."

Record snowfall amounts for Freehold-Englishtown area

Posted via APP.com:

By 7 a.m., the Freehold-Englishtown area had about 7 1/2 inches of new snowfall.

Prior to this storm, about 47 inches of snow had fallen this winter where the three counties of Monmouth, Middlesex and Mercer meet, according to Asbury Park Press unofficial records. That is about 20 inches more than average for an entire winter.
Average snowfall is about 28 inches a season, according to official records.
By the time this storm ends Saturday morning, this area will have got about twice the average of a normal winter - with snow possible for another month and a half.

Freehold man Arrested in Keansburg

Posted via APP.com:

Police arrested a Freehold man on Friday for having 14 failure-to-appear warrants.

Brandon Simms, 27, has failed to appear in several municipal courtrooms in Monmouth and Ocean counties, police said. One of the warrants is for a burglary charge in Lakewood, they said.

Police stopped Simms shortly after 1 p.m. after they saw him walking down the middle of Highland Avenue, police said.

Simms was taken to the Monmouth County jail in Freehold Township where he was being held in lieu of $30,000 bail, police said.

Fire at Panda House: Slideshow

When the East Freehold Fire Company was driving back from an alarm yesterday afternoon, they did not expect to stop and put out a fire.

Scene of a fire at the Panda House restaurant in a shopping center at Routes 79 and 9 in Freehold Township. (Staff Photo: Bradley J. Penner)

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A Different Kind of Freeze: Christie Halts School Aid

In a speech to the state legislature this morning, Governor Chris Christie froze aid to 500 school districts, among other budget cuts, according to the APP.

Freehold Regional High School District. Photo by Tanya Breen

The state government will not give any more of the promised monies to school districts, though Christie says this will not affect school programs or teachers' jobs, according to the article.

From the report:
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Freehold Police Blotter Jan. 29 – Feb. 4

BROAD STREET: Borough man Brian Snyder, 37 was charged Jan. 27 by Patrolman Nick Iozzi with driving while intoxicated and motor vehicle violations.

Freehold InJersey Invites You

Freehold.InJersey is hosting its first-ever meetup event, and you're invited!

Come out and meet the editors and writers of Freehold.InJersey.com, your fellow Freehold-area residents, and folks from around Monmouth County.

Details after the jump!
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Boro Council Remembers “Great Public Servant”

James F. Higgins may be gone, but he leaves behind a "wonderful legacy" in Freehold, Borough Councilwoman Sharon Shutzer said Monday.

James F. Higgins, of Higgins Memorial Home, in a 2005 photo

From the local school board to the Rotary Club to the Monmouth County Historical Association, it's easier to name an organization that Higgins wasn't involved in during his 88 years of life.

On Monday night, Council members sent their condolences to the Higgins family and shared their favorite reminiscences of the funeral director, who died Saturday.

"This man was quietly beneficent to many, many, MANY people," said Shutzer, who served with Higgins on the borough school board.

"Jim Higgins was a gentleman and a gentle man," she continued.  "My heart breaks at his passing."

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IRS: We’re Here to Help

The Internal Revenue Service is expanding their services this tax season to taxpayers seeking eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit by opening its Freehold doors on three upcoming Saturdays.

MArk R. Sullivan/HNT staff

“An expanded Earned Income Tax Credit means larger families will qualify for a larger credit,” said News Jersey’s IRS spokesman, Gregg Semanick.  “EITC is for people who work, but have lower incomes, generally less than $48,279 in 2009. If you qualify, it could be worth up to $5,657 in a tax credit this year, depending on your filing status and family size.”
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Local Jets Fan Tasered by Indy Police on YouTube Video

The son of a Freehold lawyer who had handled a number of police brutality charges was Tasered by Indianapolis Police at Sunday's Jets game, according to a report in the APP.

A screen shot from a YouTube video shows Mallon's arrest on Sunday.

Patrick Mallon, of Brick, was hit in the head and Tasered by Indianapolis police at a tailgate before the Jets-Colts game Sunday. Police accused Mallon of causing a disturbance and throwing beer, charges he deny in the report.
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