Whats Going on in the Town Next Door?

In Matawan-Aberdeen

A civil lawsuit filed against demoted Matawan police chief James Alston, five Matawan police officers and five Borough officials or employees last September accuses them of using excessive force, false arrest, illegal search and seizure, failure to intervene during the incident, malicious abuse of process and supervisory liability. The suit is the most recent development in an ongoing legal battle involving the demotion of Alston, Matawan's first African American police chief, to the rank of lieutenant in July 2011.

Aberdeen Hit With Series of Home Burglaries

Aberdeen Township has experienced a series of daytime burglaries in recent weeks, with at least five homes entered using a back window or sliding glass door. Three homes in the Strathmore area, two on Brookview Lane and most recently, one on Oakshade Avenue were entered while the homeowners were out. Residents reported items such as jewelry, safes, lap tops and iPads missing.

In Holmdel

More than 120 residents turned out to a marathon public meeting Thursday where two pieces of local legislation were introduced, paving the way for a potential sale of four acres of land in a densely populated area of town on the Hazlet border, and up to 12 acres of preserved Cross Farm, near the Colts Neck side. The Township Committee is preparing for the possibility of selling these assets in case a planned April voter referendum to raise taxes fails. The town is facing a $2.6 million deficit in the 2012 municipal budget.

In Keyport

The Keyport Borough Council is reviving the idea of putting kiosks along the waterfront, The Independent reports. Borough Administrator Lorene Wright told The Independent that a potential contract would allow a kiosk to be purchased by a vendor or would allow the borough to purchase one and lease it to a vendor.

In Freehold

were called to Thursday after a written threat was found. Students were evacuated to a safe location, , where they waited for two hours until the premise was determined safe. Police are looking into this threat to see if it has any connection to the recent bomb threats at and .

In Middletown

A Sonic Drive-In was approved for a location in Middletown at the intersection of Route 35 and Harmony Lane. However, Township officials say they are still waiting for Sonic representatives to post performance bond and meet other conditions of approval before issuing construction permits.

In Manalapan 

A recent Manalapan High School alumnae was charged with heroin possession. Brittany Vatovec, 19, of Manalapan, was arrested on Monday, Jan. 30. According to police, Vatovec had several glassine bags containing suspected heroin in her front left jacket pocket. The bags were stamped with the words "Steady Rider" in red. Vatovec was arrested and bail was set at $10,000.