Compton Creek Clean-Up Sunday: NJ Baykeeper Calls for Volunteers

Remove litter to reduce the harmful impact to environment, and enhance the natural beauty of our watershed.

No Problems Reported From High Tide During Nor'easter Weds. Night

The predicted rainfall never materialized and the winds did not strengthen, sparing Middletown's coastal communities from severe flooding in the middle of the night.

Throughout the the early hours on Thursday Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger and two DPW supervisors monitored flooding threats in Middletown's low-lying communities. With the memory of Hurricane Sandy still fresh in everyone's mind, officials were worried that the forecast of heavy rain coupled with strong winds could force water into the streets of places like Port Monmouth, Belford and Leonardo.  But the sky didn't fall in after all, said the mayor.   "The flooding last night was about the same as the afternoon," said Scharfenberger. "We anticipated it being higher, but the rain never materialized. The wind was not as severe as forecasted. There was no snow. There were no power outages reported. Police reported very few, of any, complaints. We…

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Police: Drugs, Brass Knuckles and Nail-Studded Baseball Bat Seized in Belford

A search warrant leads to the arrests of four members of the same Belford family, on various charges.

After a monthlong investigation, investigators with the Middletown Police executed a search warrant on a Campbell Avenue home in Belford on Tuesday, and arrested four members of the Murphy family on various charges.   Taken into custody were Conor Murphy, 21 on drugs and illegal weapons charges and Daniel Murphy, 22, on drug possesion and burglary charges.  Daniel Murphy, 61 and Brenda Murphy, 58, were arrested on Contempt of Court charges.  The Feb. 5 arrests were made by the Middletown NJ Police Detective Bureau and Quality of Life Unit and was the result of work by Det. Kevin Gardiner and Officers Richard Fulham and Anthony Bumbico who suspected the sale of illegal narcotics from the home. Conor Murphy, 21, was charged with possession …

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Large Brush Fire In The Belford Reeds

Nobody was hurt, and no property was damaged thanks to three volunteer firefighting companies that responded to the blaze.

A large brush fire in Belford was extinguished around noon today by volunteer firefighters, who were determined to stop the wind-fanned flames to spreading to nearby houses. The fire started in the marshy land behind Church Street, at Campbell Ave., and was extinguished in around 1:45 p.m. The Monmouth County Fire Marshal Dept. was on the scene, but the cause of the blame was not immediately known.  "It was a fairly large brush fire that started in the crow weeds," said Middletown Township Fire Chief John D'Altilio Sr.  "If we didn't stop it from jumping the road it would have burned right down to Port Monmouth," he said.  Volunteer firefighters from Belford Engine, East Keansburg Fire Co., and Port Monmouth turned out. Also, volunteer …

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Belford Convenience Store Fire Rekindles

Firefighters returned to the site of the earlier fire at the E-Z Quick Food Market to address smoke coming from the store.

A fire at the E-Z Quick Food Market that was put out early this morning was rekindled around 3:16p.m. Wednesday. A neighbor reported seeing smoke coming from the store, located at 111 Leonardville Road, and called authorities. Garfield Avenue was subsequently closed to allow for fire truck access.  Firefighters reentered the building to put out smoldering debris on top of a refrigeration unit, said John Isaksen, spokesman for the Middletown Fire Department.  The smolders were put out in about 15 minutes, he said.  Belford Fire Companies, Middletown Township Fire Department, Middletown Township Fire Police, Leonardo First Aid Squad, Middletown Township Police and firefighters from around the township reported to the fire. There were no …

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Hooked on Port Monmouth Beaches and Belford Fishing Dock

Locals gathered at Port Monmouth beaches and fishing piers in Belford and Port Monmouth on a warm summer Monday afternoon.

In Belford, a warm breeze infused with the smell of seafood and seawater blew against the shoreline. Middletown residents Brian George and his son Alec, 14, crabbed off Bayshore Waterfront Park’s Compton Creek and Public Dock around 1 p.m. "It's a beautiful day. We've been here since 10 a.m. and we've caught 16 crabs," said Brian George. "We're doing pretty well." Nestled between the greater Middletown Township area and the Atlantic Ocean, Belford and Port Monmouth are hubs for locally caught fresh fish as well as a port for the New York Waterway ferry. Although many come through just to take the ferry, few stop to visit Belford and Port Monmouth's multiple empty beaches, which are scattered with small seashells and the occasional …

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Recently Sold Homes in Middletown

What did they sell for? Here are June's sales.

The following information about June sales comes from Realtor.com.   BELFORD 567 Monmouth Ave. 157 Oakes Ave 503 Mackey Ave.   LEONARDO 7 Leonard Ave. 66 Leonard Ave. 60 Florence Ave. 21 Hosford Ave.   MIDDLETOWN 22 Laird Rd. 46 Claremont Ct, Red Bank 12 Laird Rd, Middletown 14 Danemar Dr, Middletown 5 Volt Pl, Middletown NEW MONMOUTH 5 Gary Dr. NORTH MIDDLETOWN 35 Baytree Circle PORT MONMOUTH 72 Golden Eye Ln 11 Broad St

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Christina Johnson

9:46 am on Sunday, July 8, 2012

Let's hear from folks trying to sell their home in Middletown. What are the frustrations? What is your advice? Where do you plan to move to?   more ›

Sabatos Prime Meats: Same As it Ever Was

Since 1978, the last butcher left in Campbell's Junction has been serving up homemade sausage, ground beef to order and a greeting at the door.

The third generation of butchers is running Sabatos Prime Meats in their store in Belford. The meat is fresh every day, but the mission never changes.  Sabatos prides itself on sausage made from a family recipe so old that it's committed to memory and no longer on paper. They grind meat for customers while they watch. They've worked with the same two wholesalers for decades.  "We're very reluctant to change," said Andy Sabatos, standing near one of the old butcher blocks, shaped by years of work with knives. "We don't advertise. We still don't take credit cards. Maybe we should, but all our customers know."  Sabatos is a carnivore's dream, with a large variety of meats. Best sellers are the Italian sausages and breakfast links ($4.98 lb); …

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Man Working on Belford Roof Taken to Hospital

Information scant on circumstances

Reports that circulated earlier implying a man fell from a roof on Leonardville Road in the Belford section of Middletown were inaccurate, Detective Lt. Steve Dollinger said. The situation, he said, was that a man, who he declined to identify, was working on a roof and had a “medical episode. He was treated on the roof and then removed from the roof by the fire department.” The call that the man was being transported to Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, and administered CPR came in at about 11:00 a.m., authorities said. There is no more information on the identity or condition of the man at this time.

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