News Updates as of 1 August 2009

• Matawan woman arrested, accused of embezzlement from the Manhattan investment firm where she worked. She reportedly put in a pool, invested in her personal business, and gave money to family and friends to the tune of $1.7 million. See the NY Post and many other sources for the story.
• A young man from Cliffwood Beach died when he went off the road in Old Bridge in the wee hours of July 23, per MyCentralJersey.
• The editors of the Asbury Park Press took it on the chin again as another resident sent a letter calling them to task for their unbalanced school board coverage. I concur completely, Bob. Nice letter.
• Patriot Consulting Group, of Matawan, continues to lobby for regionalization of garbage collection services in Monmouth County on behalf of the membership of the Central Jersey Council of Governments, according to APP. The status of this debate doesn't seem to have changed since this consultant floated the same story back in December. Also, I find no website for the Council and wonder if it is a paper tiger.
• Summer theatre is at it again this year. Matawan Regional High School is producing Rock-a-Bye Broadway this weekend. Check out APP for details, including pics. Shows through Sunday.
• Read about Gerard Canonico, of Matawan, and his Broadway career at APP.
• 2004 graduate of MRHS Nicholas Blevins back from National Guard duty with Iraqi Freedom, per Independent.
• Check out this Flickr slideshow. He's added some nice photos of sunset at Cliffwood Beach. If you don't want to view the slideshow, check out his Flickr site for pics of the Monmouth County Fair, Red Bank, Matawan, and lots of other great stuff.
• Check out APP for its discussion of area plays. Locally, Once on This Island, the Spotlight Players current show, is playing at the First Presbyterian Church, Route 34, Matawan. The article also discusses shows at the Two River Theatre in Red Bank, the Center Playhouse in Freehold, the Eatontown Playhouse, and the Spring Lake Community House.
• For those who can't get enough of the Matawan shark story, the Fishhead blog at the CourierPostOnline carries a lengthy rendering of the event.