RED BANK: FRESH “JAM” AT PARK STAND

Steve Farley, left, and Bill Huwyler at Riverside Park Jam, the former concession stand in Riverside Gardens Park that they’ve reinvented as a gourmet-quality takeout restaurant. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Two years after it ended decades of underutilization, the concession stand in Riverside Gardens Park in Red Bank has a radically new mission.

Call it the no-concessions stand, because it’s not summer-only, and it’s not hot dogs and sodas — not by a long shot.

September 24, 2018 - 11:45 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: BRIEF RESPITE FROM RAIN

The sun and at least one umbrella were out at the same time on West Front Street in Red Bank one afternoon last week.

The new workweek begins with a brief respite from the rain, under partly sunny, breezy and cool conditions, with peak temperatures in the mid-60s, according to the National Weather Service. Rain is likely to return Tuesday, however. Check out the extended forecast below. (Photo by Trish Russoniello. Click to enlarge.)

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September 24, 2018 - 6:15 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: BREWERY PLAN UP IN THE AIR

The building, formerly home to Fameabilia store, has been vacant since October, 2008. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

The fate of a microbrewery proposed for a long-vacant storefront in downtown Red Bank appeared cloudy Thursday night.

The hangup? The two floors of apartments the landlord wants to add to the one-story building.

September 20, 2018 - 10:00 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: RAMPING UP CODE ENFORCEMENT

The front yard of a vacant house at 98 East Front Street is overgrown with weeds. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank is cracking down on property-based quality-of-life issues, borough officials said last week.

Word of a ramp-up of code enforcement — including foot patrols — for matters like unmowed lawns and rubbish came in response to a complaint that some residents have been threatened with fines for minor infractions.

September 20, 2018 - 12:00 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: COOL AND CLOUDY OUTLOOK

After several soggy days, mushrooms sprouted on the lawn of a property slated for redevelopment on West Front Street in Red Bank Wednesday.

Thursday’s forecast is for cool and cloudy conditions, with a peak temperature of just 70 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Check out the extended forecast below. (Photos by Trish Russoniello. Click to enlarge.)

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September 20, 2018 - 7:20 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: TAKING UP POLICE SHOOTINGS

Red Bank Lieutenant Juan Sardo and community members discussed policing during a breakout session Wednesday. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Some two dozen Monmouth County cops and community members gathered in the basement of a Red Bank church Tuesday afternoon to tackle a hot topic: police-involved shootings.

Among the aims: understanding why such incidents are increasingly polarizing.

September 19, 2018 - 11:00 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: FLORENCE DEPARTS

As heavy rains from the remnants of Hurricane Florence moved back out over the Atlantic, the Greater Red Bank Green was treated to a grand rainbow Tuesday evening, as seen here from Tower Hill Church in Red Bank.

Don’t expect abundant sunshine immediately, though. Partly sunny skies are expected at least through Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. Check out the extended forecast below. (Photo by Trish Russoniello. Click to enlarge.)

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September 19, 2018 - 6:00 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: K9 VEST, MAYOR’S BALL, PINS

Eko, one of two canine members of the Red Bank police force, has a new ballistic vest, courtesy of the Elks. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

The Red Bank mayor and council were in an appreciative mood last Wednesday, spotlighting good works by three charitable organizations.

And the town now has an official lapel pin. Read on for details.

September 18, 2018 - 8:25 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: ROAD AND PARK WORK UPDATED

Work underway on East Bergen Place last week. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

A messy road project in Red Bank will cost more and take longer to complete than originally anticipated, officials said last week.

Also, the borough plans to seek $250,000 in Monmouth County funding to cover half the cost of a series of improvements to borough parks.

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September 17, 2018 - 9:00 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: FLORENCE MAY SOAK THE GREEN

The remnants of Hurricane Florence, which devastated much of North Carolina over the weekend, are expected to bring heavy rain to the region that includes the Greater Red Bank Green on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

But first, the week gets off to a cloudy start. Check out the extended forecast below. (NOAA graphic. Click to enlarge.)

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September 17, 2018 - 6:25 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: PORK ROLL, FRESH OFF THE TRUCK

Johnny’s Pork Roll plans to open in the space last occupied by Fizz at 8A Monmouth Street. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

As live-reported by redbankgreen, Johnny’s Pork Roll & Coffee truck made its debut by risking a summons for doing business where it wasn’t allowed: on the streets of Red Bank.

Now, five years later, John Yarusi’s two-truck enterprise is going legit with a brick-and-mortar stake in the borough’s downtown.

Read all about the plan, and other recent turnover activity, in this edition of redbankgreen‘s Retail Churn.

September 14, 2018 - 6:00 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: MAN HOSPITALIZED AFTER ASSAULT

By JOHN T. WARD

An Eatontown man required surgery following an alleged assault on West Front Street in Red Bank early Thursday, police said.

A suspect was taken into custody after police located him more about an hour later, Chief Darren McConnell told redbankgreen.

September 13, 2018 - 5:00 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: TATTOO & POT ZONING MULLED

Councilman Erik Yngstrom, seen here on election night in 2016, says he has “a bunch” of tattoos, and initiated the expansion of tattoo parlor zoning. (Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Once widely seen as evidence of moral decay, tattoos and pot may soon have a place among the nail salons, ice cream shops and restaurants in downtown Red Bank.

September 13, 2018 - 9:00 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: ALARMS SHUT OFFICE BUILDING

The building, seen here in 2016, abuts the Red Bank train station. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

A large Red Bank office building was closed to employees for the second consecutive day Wednesday over concerns about carbon monoxide.

September 12, 2018 - 3:30 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: PAIR NABBED FOR STOLEN CAR

By JOHN T. WARD

A noise complaint in Red Bank Tuesday night led to the arrest of two New York men in connection with a stolen car found running nearby, police reported Wednesday.

September 12, 2018 - 9:30 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: CYCLIST HIT ON MAPLE AVENUE

By JOHN T. WARD

A Red Bank man was hospitalized after he steered his bike into the path of a motor vehicle and was struck Tuesday night, police said Wednesday.

September 12, 2018 - 8:05 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: FOG AND FLORENCE

Dense fog blanketed the region that includes the Greater Red Bank Green early Wednesday and will linger through the morning commute, according to the National Weather Service.

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September 12, 2018 - 6:35 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: NO INJURIES IN SALON CRASH

No injuries were reported after a car crashed through the facade of the Luxe Nail Salon on North Bridge Avenue in Red Bank at around 3:20 p.m. Tuesday, according to police Chief Darren McConnell.

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September 11, 2018 - 4:42 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: RIVERCENTER ‘VISION’ SHARPENS

Bill Fontana speaking at the Two River Theater Monday night. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

After four months of public meetings, Red Bank RiverCenter‘s effort to redefine its vision began coming into focus Monday night.

Topping a list of six priorities that the downtown promotion agency should focus on is a “reimagined, redeveloped and reinvigorated riverfront,” a consultant told several dozen business owners and borough residents at the Two River Theater.

September 11, 2018 - 10:15 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: FOGGY, SOGGY DAYS AHEAD

Goldfish crackers dropped on West Front Street in Red Bank during Monday’s persistent rains seemed to reflect the soggy mood of this week’s weather.

Expect heavy fog Tuesday morning, followed by a mostly cloudy day, one that could also bring rain and thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service. That’s pretty much what the extended forecast includes, too; check it out below.

As for Hurricane Florence, it’s now expected to produce a life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds along the coastlines of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, but “impacts” are still possible in New Jersey, the NWS says. (Photo by Trish Russoniello. Click to enlarge.)

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September 11, 2018 - 6:39 am | Comments ()

IN MEMORY: SEVENTEEN YEARS LATER

Red Bank-area residents will have several opportunities Tuesday to participate in commemorations marking the 17th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

September 10, 2018 - 10:00 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: MURPHY TOUTS LOWER COSTS

Governor Phil Murphy appeared at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank Friday to tout an expected drop in healthcare insurance costs for New Jersey customers of Obamacare. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

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September 10, 2018 - 12:00 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: VAN STRIKES RESTAURANT ENTRY

A van struck a two parked vehicles, sending one about 20 feet down West Front Street, according to a person on the scene, and then smashed into the West Front Street entrance of Brothers Restaurant in Red Bank shortly before 9 p.m. Sunday.

September 10, 2018 - 10:00 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: HURRICANE FLORENCE WATCH

All eyes are on a brewing storm named Florence that threatens to impact the Eastern Seaboard later this week.
“Florence is forecast to become a major hurricane this morning, and is expected to remain an extremely dangerous major hurricane through Thursday,” the National Weather Service reported early Monday.

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September 10, 2018 - 6:25 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: SAN REMO SITE ADDED TO PLAN

Denholtz has acquired the home of San Remo, at right, and the former Racioppi’s restaurant, at left. Both will be demolished and incorporated into a project with apartments and retail. (Photo by Trish Russoniello. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

An ambitious bid to remake properties alongside the Red Bank train station is about to become more ambitious, redbankgreen has learned.

In the process, a popular Italian restaurant is closing.

September 7, 2018 - 10:30 am | Comments ()