RED BANK: MASKS ADD FLAIR TO MAYOR’S BALL

Not everyone at the fourth annual Red Bank Mayor’s Ball wore masks, but there were plenty of attendees adding touches of lacy, sparkly and feathery mystique to event, held Friday night at the Oyster Point Hotel to raise funds for Holiday Express and the borough’s animal welfare efforts.

Mayor Pasquale Menna, at right, hosted. Among those honored were Holiday Express founder Tim McLoone, who performed with the Atlantic Coast Band featuring the Shirleys, and Detour Gallery owner Kenny Schwartz, above right.

See who you know in redbankgreen’s photos below. (Photos by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

May 21, 2018 - 6:30 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: RIVERFRONT POOL CONDEMNED

The pool and dock at Riverview Towers are off-limits after the pool tore loose on Tuesday, officials said. (Photo by Google Satellite. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank officials have condemned the swimming pool at a residential high-rise on the Navesink River after it was displaced Tuesday.

The Riverside Towers pool, built over the river, rose several feet, apparently on incoming tide, upheaving the surrounding deck, officials said. Read More »

May 17, 2018 - 11:30 am | Comments ()

FAIR HAVEN: TWO MONTHS OF POLICE ACTIVITY

Crime and arrest reports, unedited, as provided by the Fair Haven Police Department for the month of March and April, 2018. For additional information, please scroll to the bottom of this post.

03/05- Nicholas Gil, 24, Port Monmouth was placed under arrest subsequent to a motor vehicle stop. He was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Subject was also found to have an active warrant out of Holmdel in the amount of $1000.00. Subject was later released after posting full bail. Sgt. Stephen Schneider was the arresting Officer.

May 16, 2018 - 12:00 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: NONPARTISAN DRIVE UNDERWAY

Council members Mike Whelan, in white shirt, and Mark Taylor at the Red Bank First kickoff Tuesday night at Red Rock Tap + Grill. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Hoping to bust through what they see as political gridlock, two lame-duck Red Bank council members kicked off a petition effort Tuesday night to change both the borough’s form of government and the way in which its officials are elected.

May 16, 2018 - 9:30 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: RAINY DAYS AHEAD

A fisherman ignored the rain and took in a colorful sunset over the Navesink River from Marine Park in Red Bank Tuesday evening.

The Greater Red Bank Green won’s see much sunlight in coming days, according to the National Weather Service. Check out the extended forecast below. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

Read More »

May 16, 2018 - 5:55 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: BASIE NOW ‘CENTER FOR THE ARTS’

The rollout of the new name will begin immediately, theater officials said. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

Marking the start of a new chapter — and the end of that whole ‘theater or theatre?’ conundrum — Red Bank’s Count Basie Theatre has been rebranded the Count Basie Center for the Arts, officials said Monday.

The name reflects the 92-year-old venue’s present and future as a “campus,” where performance art is learned, developed and staged, said Basie chief executive officer Adam Philipson. Read More »

May 15, 2018 - 9:00 am | Comments ()

ON THE GREEN: IT’S GONNA GET WET

A boat heading north on the Shrewsbury River Monday evening, as seen from the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge.

There’s rough weather ahead on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. With daytime temperatures peaking at about 85 degrees under increasingly cloudy skies, the Greater Red Bank Green should expect thunderstorms after 5 p.m., some of them possibly severe, with heavy rain and strong winds. “Locally treacherous seas” will make marine navigation hazardous, the NWS said in a briefing issued Tuesday morning.

Here’s the extended forecast. (Photo by Trish Russoniello. Click to enlarge.)
Read More »

May 15, 2018 - 6:20 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: RAID NETS DRUGS AND SHOTGUNS

By JOHN T. WARD

Two Red Bank brothers were charged with drug and weapons crimes following an early-morning raid on a West Side residence Friday, Chief Darren McConnell tells redbankgreen.

May 14, 2018 - 6:19 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: PROPERTY TAX UP 4.7 PERCENT

Michael Ballard, who heads the finance committee, with Mayor Pasquale Menna at left, on election night last November. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank property owners may see a 4.7-percent increase in the local portion of their tax bill this year under a budget introduced Wednesday night.

The hike was driven by a drop in revenue, said Councilman Michael Ballard, including a halt by Riverview Medical Center of its customary payment in lieu of taxes.

May 11, 2018 - 3:30 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: LIBRARY DIRECTOR TO RETIRE

Elizabeth McDeromott, center, at the 2015 Red Bank Mayor’s Ball. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Elizabeth McDermott, who guided the Red Bank Public Library through perhaps the most turbulent chapter of its 81-year history, will retire at the end of June.

An ex-software industry consultant who changed careers well into adulthood, McDermott announced her retirement in the spring issue of the library’s newsletter, out this week.

May 11, 2018 - 12:00 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: PUPPY LAW MAY END UP IN COURT

Toy poodle pups at Bark Avenue Puppies in February, 2016. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank’s only puppy retailer threatened to sue the borough Wednesday night if the council passes an anti-puppy-mill law that he said will put him out of business.

“I must ask how much of our taxpayer money are you willing to spend on this unconstitutional ordinance?” Bark Avenue Puppies owner Gary Hager asked the council at its semimonthly meeting. “I’m willing to spend a lot, because I have right on my side.”

May 10, 2018 - 11:00 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: MIXED WEATHER IN FORECAST

A light fog greeted early-morning commuters on West Front Street in Red Bank Thursday.

A cloudy and possibly rainy day was in store, with temperatures peaking at about 73 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Sunshine is expected to return Friday, though the outlook for the weekend isn’t as bright. Check out the extended forecast below. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
Read More »

May 10, 2018 - 7:03 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: CRIMES AND ARRESTS

The crime and arrest reports below were provided by the Red Bank Police Department for the period of April 1 to April 30, 2018. This information is unedited. For additional information, please scroll to the bottom of this post.

CRIMES

Criminal Mischief: On 04/09/18 in the area of Marine Park it was reported that damage was done to the stall doors in the restroom facility. Sgt. Beau Broadley.

Theft: On 04/10/18 in the area of W Bergen Pl it was reported a parked trailer was broken into. One of the windows was broken and valued at $250.00, and a green Makita battery operated drill valued at $300.00 was taken. Ptl. Jhonathan Quispe.

May 9, 2018 - 10:00 am | Comments ()

LITTLE SILVER: LAW TARGETS 5G CELL TECH

The new cell tower in the heart of Little Silver inspired a citizen backlash in 2017. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

A year after a big new cell tower popped up in the middle of Little Silver’s business district, to the shock of many residents, two new borough council members hope to head off any similar, or even smaller, jolts in the future.

They introduced a proposed law Monday night that would give the borough some say over telecom carriers wishing to install new high-speed wireless equipment in town.

May 9, 2018 - 8:00 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: COFFEE CORRAL PLAN OK’D

An exhibit used in the Coffee Corral hearing illustrates the placement of the new building, which would on Shrewsbury Avenue at the corner of Drs. James Parker Boulevard. The existing shop would be used for roasting beans. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank’s Coffee Corral won approval for an ambitious West Side building plan Monday.

The borough planning board gave a unanimous OK for owners Courtlyn Crosson and her father, business founder Russ Crosson, to transform vacant land at the corner of Shrewsbury Avenue and Drs. James Parker Boulevard into a new home for the coffee shop, plus an adjoining restaurant.

May 8, 2018 - 7:00 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: NONPARTISAN DRIVE TO KICK OFF

Red Bank’s ballots would be free of party lines if a push for nonpartisan elections succeeds. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

To spark debate over whether to make Red Bank’s elections nonpartisan, two lame-duck council members have slated a public-welcome event at a downtown bar next week.

On the agenda: policy discussion, a petition, plus complimentary food and drink.

May 7, 2018 - 4:20 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: SYMPHONY RETURNING TO PARK

Reprising an event that drew an estimated 5,000 music lovers to Marine Park last July, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra is scheduled to return to Red Bank for a sunset concert on the Navesink, redbankgreen has learned.

Read More »

May 7, 2018 - 2:00 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: SPRINGLIKE WEEK AHEAD

Has long-awaited spring of 2018 finally taken hold? It sure looked and felt that way on South Street in Red Bank Friday, above. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

We’re in for lots of sunshine and warm temperatures in coming days, according to the National Weather Service. Here’s the extended forecast for the Greater Green:

Read More »

May 7, 2018 - 6:30 am | Comments ()

RED BANK/FAIR HAVEN: BARGAINS OUT FRONT

Saturday is a day for hunting bargains on Greater Green as Red Bank and Fair Haven host townwide yard sales.

May 4, 2018 - 7:30 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: LUXURY UNITS, OFFICE PLANNED

The building at the corner of West Front Street and Maple Avenue, and the one next door would be razed for redevelopment. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

A developer has plans to transform a high-profile corner on the edge of downtown Red Bank into ground-floor offices topped by luxury housing, redbankgreen has learned.

Dubbed ‘Rivermark,’ the project would replace two vacant and crumbling buildings that builder Mark Forman said make for a “really terrible” gateway into the the business district.

May 3, 2018 - 12:00 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: MARINE PARK CONCEPTS UNVEILED

Restaurateur Danny Murphy was among the Red Bank residents checking out the newly unveiled concept design plans for Marine Park Wednesday afternoon at the Senior Center.

What do the plans show? Click ‘Read More’ to find out. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

May 3, 2018 - 8:00 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: LOOKING UPSTAIRS FOR PARKING

Local officials say the usage mix and vacancy rates of upper floors downtown factors into parking needs and taxes. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

As the Red Bank council goes back to the drawing board in search of parking solutions after last year’s abandoned flirtation with five developers, local officials admit they’ve got a problem upstairs.

They don’t know how much parking to allocate for upper-floor office and residential tenants downtown. Nobody, it turns out, has been keeping tabs.

May 2, 2018 - 12:00 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: GONE-FISHIN’ WEATHER ARRIVES

With ample sunshine and temperatures reaching into the high 70s, Tuesday offered fine conditions for dropping a fishing line into the Navesink River off Bodman Place in Red Bank, as seen from the Cooper Bridge.

Wednesday promised to be even warmer, with a daytime peak of about 85 degrees expected, according to the National Weather Service. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

May 2, 2018 - 5:40 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: BIG PLANS FOR HUMBLE PROPERTY

An architect’s rendering of the new building proposed for 160 Shrewsbury Avenue. (Rendering by Michael Monroe. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

A humble and easily overlooked Red Bank property could become the latest addition to the rapid redevelopment underway along Shrewsbury Avenue.

May 1, 2018 - 8:30 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: MAY WE NOW HAVE SPRING?

The Greater Red Bank Green bid adieu to the chilliest April in 40 years Monday evening under a golden sunset accented by a rainbow, as seen from the Riverview Towers high rise apartments. (Click to enlarge.)

But if April wouldn’t fully commit to spring, May appears eager for summer. The month begins under mostly sunny skies, with temperatures peaking at about 76 degrees Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service, and the following three days are expected to be even warmer. Here’s the extended forecast:

Read More »

May 1, 2018 - 6:00 am | Comments ()