With the exception of the Long Branch City and Ocean Township Council, not one of the governing bodies in the Link News' coverage area has the same make-up as it did at the beginning of the year.

Monmouth Beach saw a heated race, with 10 people running for three seats. Oceanport suffered a death of its mayor. Eatontown and West Long Branch both had resignations following arrests. Sea Bright had a resignation which spurred some controversy. And the FBI has come back several times since their initial arrests requesting records from various departments.

Of course, there were many other things which happened this year. Redevelopment continued to dominate the news in Long Branch. There were explosions, fires, missing people, and many other incidents - good and bad. A few of the highlights"

January

ž New Year's Day brings the first of many changes West Long Branch's Borough Council would go through this year, Councilwoman Tina Munson replaces two-term Councilman Bill Deisinger. Deisinger declined to seek reelection.

ž New Year's Day also brings the first redevelopment issue to Long Branch. Council hires an appraiser for the Beachfront North properties at its practically empty Jan. 1 meeting. Members of MTOTSA (a group of area residents objecting to their neighborhood being redeveloped) say they were unaware the meeting was going to take place.

ž New council members are sworn in in Oceanport and Sea Bright, and incumbents are re-sworn in Eatontown.

ž Long Branch Councilman John "Fazz" Zambrano becomes Long Branch Fire Chief.

ž An SUV is stuck on the train trestle in Elberon. Police say a 20-year-old woman, under the influence of alcohol, drove it up there, parked, and walked away. A construction vehicle was needed to lower it.

ž School officials in Eatontown hold a presentation outlining the need for renovating the Memorial Middle School.

ž The Association of Volleyball Professionals meets with the Long Branch City Council to discuss the possibility of holding a tournament in the city.

ž Monmouth University's Center for Raid Response Database Systems holds a meeting with local schools, governments and businesses to discuss how to turn the area into a "techologicial incubator," to foster commercial development of military technologies.

ž After five years of court cases and trials, the Construction Board of Appeals rules that Elliott Koplitz, a landlord in Long Branch, must pay more than $1 million in fines due to unsafe property. City Code Enforcement Officer Kevin Hayes says this is "the largest judgement in regard to these violations that I am aware of."

ž The Long Branch Concordance opens a new office in the Garfield Grant Building on Broadway. The Concordance's mission is to guide those who need help with a variety of social issues Ð such as hunger, rent problems and more Ð to agencies which can help them.

ž Police Chief Clifford Bebout retires in Oceanport after 32 years of service in the department. He's replaced by Harold Sutton. Four other officers are promoted, and a new patrolman is hired.

ž Steven Sorrentino, son of late WLB mayor Clint Sorrentino, publishes "Luncheonette," a memoir. The book receives national attention, and Sorrentino shows up at several local book signings.

ž Over a foot of snow hits the area in "the blizzard of 2005."

ž Elias Boujaoude, a sixth grader at St. Jerome school, attends President Bush's inauguration as part of a leadership conference.

February

ž The Long Branch Police Department, working with the FBI, state officers and others, arrests 39 people in one of the largest child-porn cases in New Jersey history.

ž Eatontown Councilman John Collins is inducted into the NJ State League of Municipalities Hall of Fame for serving on the council for over 20 years.

ž The first L.I.V.E. (Live, Inspire, Vibe, Energy) concert, to raise awareness of teen suicide, is held. Organizers held it after the suicide of two local teens.

ž Kim Guadagno, a member of the Monmouth Beach Planning Board, is the first to pick up a petition to run for Monmouth Beach Commissioner.

ž Long Branch Superintendent Joseph Ferraina gives a tour of the schools under construction to officials and the media. The Anastasia School and Middle School open later this year.

ž West Long Branch first aiders and fire department members raise questions about the LOSAP plan, a volunteer pension program. They say the standards for the plan, approved last year, may be too stringent for many to apply.

ž Sea Bright Council spars over the appointment of a new Municipal Prosecutor. Some said the proposed replacement was too inexperienced. Mayor Joanne Kalaka-Adams breaks the 3-3 council vote in favor of replacing the existing one.

Later in the month, Sea Bright runs into more debate over replacing the borough auditor. The mayor's first pick is voted down by council; her second one is approved.

ž Eatontown police arrested a 24-year-old Neptune woman who worked as a nurse's aid, saying she stole checks from an elderly woman's pocketbook.

ž Problems with the storm drain expansion result in some bad smells around the Two Rivers Water Reclamation Authority in Monmouth Beach.

ž Two Ocean Township girls, neighbors age 12 and 14, go missing on Feb 9. Parents believe initially that they disappeared as the result of cell phone chat discussions. One of the girls called her mother on Feb. 21 and said they were okay, but would not disclose her location.

The New York Police Department locates the two missing Ocean Township girls towards the end of the month. It is believed they were held against their will by a man they had met during the summer and initially believed to be a friend.

ž Patience O'Connor of Broadway Arts LLC makes a presentation of her group's proposal for redeveloping part of downtown Broadway to Chamber of Commerce members.

ž MTOTSA holds a rally to protest eminent domain being used in their neighborhood. More than 200 people turn up, far more than organizers were expecting.

ž Four former Long Branch Public Works employees are formally indicted on charges they illegally rented out city dumpsters and pocketed the money.

ž A man is shot in the city. Although it was rumored it may have been a drive-by shooting, it turned out to be an accident, where a gun loaded with 30-year-old ammunition was somehow discharged.

ž Former Eatontown Mayor Joe Frankel is inducted into the Asbury Park High School Hall of Fame.

ž Early on the morning of Feb. 22, West Long Branch Mayor Paul Zambrano, Councilman Joe DeLisa, and nine other elected officials in the county are arrested by the FBI, and charged with taking bribes.

ž Oceanport appropriates $88,000 for emergency repairs to their siren system.

March

ž The fallout from "Operation Bid Rig," where DeLisa and Paul Zambrano were arrested, continues. Some who want to defend the arrested men argue that they were essentially entrapped.

Meanwhile, many of those arrested are suspended from their jobs with the state or county, including Zambrano, who worked for the Garden State Parkway Authority.

The FBI says that this isn't over, and they are searching for a county employee, Anthony Palughi.

ž Two Long Branch police officers respond to a report of a fire on Montgomery Ave., and help save several tenants from a burning building.

ž The Department of Transportation proposes changes to the Rt. 71/Wyckoff Road Intersection, which would make it easier for traffic flow. In part, this is proposed because they expect increased traffic with the Breeder's Cup race coming to Monmouth Park in 2007.

ž Beachfront South residents form a coalition, holding a meeting to discuss concerns about redevelopment in their area.

ž A ruptured gas line results in an explosion at Petco, near the intersection of Hwy 35 and 36. Five people and numerous small animals were injured in the blast, which destroyed the store.

ž Paul Zambrano resigns as mayor. Several in other boroughs accused of corruption also resign. "I have dedicated my life to serving the people of West Long Branch É and will resign to prevent any further harm to the citizens," Zambrano writes in his resignation letter.

DeLisa resigns later that month.

ž Pamela Moore-Clarke, President of the Eatontown Board of Education, is arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated. Police say she was driving while her license was suspended from a previous DWI incident.

ž While Governor Codey said that he would consider night racing at Monmouth Park Race Track, representatives from his office tell Oceanport residents there are no plans to do so. Residents express concerns about the increase in traffic and noise and light pollution it would bring.

ž An off-duty Allenhurst policeman spots two teenagers stealing items from Faith Baptist Church, Wanamassa.

ž The race begins to heat up for Monmouth Beach Commissioners, as more people begin filing applications. Ten people eventually file, some as teams.

ž Democrats nominate three candidates to fill Paul Zambrano's term until the November elections. Former Councilman John Paolantonio is eventually selected.

ž The Sea Bright Police Department starts a sticker program. In the event they need to get in touch with a vehicle owner who has the sticker on the car, they'll be able to.

ž Two Long Branch individuals are accused of being involved with Mara Salvatrucha, a violent gang also known as MS-13.

ž Eatontown announces a tax increase of 3.5 cents per $100 of assessed property value. The 2004 increase had been almost twice that, 6.4 cents.

ž John Collins is arrested and charged with having a relationship with a student who was under his supervision in the Municipal Band. He is suspended from his job, with pay.

ž Later that month, prosecutors add a second charge to the offense, when another former student tells them she was involved in an underage relation with Collins in similar circumstances.

ž West Long Branch's finance offices are subpoenaed by the federal government. Five other municipalities in the county are as well.

ž Erick Garcia, 24, of Tinton Falls, is charged with carjacking. Police say he took a van being driven by a corrections officer for inmates on a work detail in Eatontown and drove it 70 miles, until stopped by a NJ SWAT team.

ž West Long Branch warns the borough could see an 8.4 cent tax increase this year. Sea Bright, meanwhile, anticipates a 3 cent rise.

ž Sam Watertson, Annie Pariesse, Dennis Ferraina, Michael Imperioli and others come to Monmouth Park Race Track to film an episode of the TV show "Law and Order."

ž City resident Todd Stathum is accused of impersonating a police officer, pulling people over on the Parkway. Stathum denies the charges, noting his car does not fit the description of the one the police were looking for.

April

ž Two names are proposed to fill Joe DeLisa's remaining term. Tanis Deitch, a local attorney, is selected.

ž The New Jersey Road Runners Club hosts the New Jersey Marathon, starting in Long Branch and running up to Sandy Hook.

ž Residents begin moving into the apartments at Pier Village. Retail spaces start opening later in the year.

ž Collins retires from the school and resigns from borough council.

ž County Republicans announce that they would prefer current Freehold Amy Handlin to run for Assembly, rather than incumbent Assemblyman Joe Azzolina.

ž Sam Mills, the NFL star and Long Branch High School Class of 1977 graduate, passes away.

ž The Long Branch Housing Authority tells residents of Woodrow Wilson Homes they will have to take down their fences, because too many are in poor condition. Residents say that they believe they need the fences as protection from fights and drug problems in the area.

ž Long-time Sea Bright Councilman William Gelfound announces his retirement from council and his job, saying he wants to spend more time with his family.

ž Vincent Borelli, who taught Visual and Performing Arts in Long Branch for more than 30 years, dies of cancer at the age of 53.

ž Long Branch Police arrest and charge a 15-year-old with buying steroids on line, and possessing hypodermics with intent to distribute.

ž Sea Bright Mayor Joanne Kalaka-Adams says that she had learned Gelfound's resignation was not voluntary, but forced by his party. Sea Bright Democrats deny this, saying Gelfound approached them about retiring. and they tried to convince him his experience was still needed. Kalaka-Adams says because of this she will not entertain a motion to appoint Thomas Scriven to fill Gelfound's term until Election day.

ž Due to a lack of funds, an expansion of the Oceanport First Aid Squad is put on hold.

May

ž The Small Business Development Center comes to downtown Broadway to explain what services they can offer to local small businesses.

ž Freeholder Bill Barham leaves the Monmouth Beach Commissioners after eight years on the board. Barham chose not to run for re-election.

ž Eatontown holds a design workshop to work on revitalizing the downtown district.

ž George Jackson, a 29-year veteran of the force, is appointed Eatontown Chief of Police, replacing William Barnshaw.

ž William Winney is appointed to replace Collins on the Eatontown Council.

ž Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of "When Bad Things Happen to Good People," speaks at Temple Beth El, Ocean Twp.

ž Former Freeholder Harry Larrison is charged with corruption by the FBI. He is accused of taking two bribes for $8,500. Some locals say the accusations against Larrison, who served for nearly 40 years on the Board, are "impossible to believe."

Larrison, who had been ill, passes away a few weeks later.

ž A new Anastasia School opens on Seventh Ave., Long Branch. This is one of the schools being reconstructed with Abbott funding.

ž The FBI asks questions in Long Branch and West Long Branch. Sources say they are looking into activities with Monmouth University's facilities plan and the city's Public Works Department.

ž The WindMill restaurants hold a collection for "goodie boxes," items sought by Marines serving overseas.

ž Incumbent Commissioner James Cuniff, and Kimberly Guadagno and Susan Howard, who were running as a team, are elected to serve on the Monmouth Beach Commissioners. Turn-out for the election is relatively low Ñ lower than four years ago, when everyone was running unopposed.

The three choose Howard to serve as mayor.

ž The Base Realignment And Closure committee (BRAC) puts Fort Monmouth on the list of bases to be closed. Some say the decision is political, as the Fort is in a Democrat area. Others say this is not the case, and hat "Red states" are losing more.

ž Former County GOP Chairman William Dowd is arrested and charged with DWI, even though two breathalyzer tests both show zero blood alcohol content.

ž The courts order Scriven sworn in as Councilman in Sea Bright, saying the seat should have been filled.

ž When undercover Long Branch police officers were supposed to meet with a suspect to recover a stolen cell phone, they noticed people walking away from the area. They dialed the number of the stolen phone, and heard it ringing, which led to an arrest.

ž A 28-year-old Ocean man is arrested and charged with attempted murder after stabbing an 18-year-old.

ž Long Branch Council passes a "pay to play" ordinance limiting what anyone who enters into a contract with the city can contribute to political campaigns. Some residents ask for clauses requiring competitive bidding and prohibiting "wheeling," moving campaign funds from one municipality to another. The wheeling clause is inserted, but council does not add the bidding one, citing legal concerns.

ž The New Jersey Dept. of Transportation proposes a rail station for a route through Eatontown. Two other possible routes are also proposed.

ž In unrelated cases, two men commit suicide within 24 hours of each other. A 76-year-old Elberon man and 56-year-old West Long Branch man both shoot themselves.

ž West Long Branch Police arrest an FBI agent and charge him with shoplifting 36 cents worth of wire from Home Depot. The case is later dismissed as too trivial an amount.

ž Long Branch Mayor Adam Schneider is inducted into the Red Bank High School Hall of Fame.

ž A Tinton Falls couple convicted of trying to collect $1 million in insurance by faking the husband's drowning in Long Branch is given their sentencing.

June

ž A bear is sighted in Ocean Township and Oceanport. Police warn people not to approach the animal.

ž Eatontown awards Medals of Valor and Gallantry to rescue workers who helped during the Petco store explosion.

ž Broadway Arts LLC is given one more extension to finalize their plans. The city comes to an agreement with the group towards the end of the month.

ž The West Long Branch Foundation for Public Education donates $50,000 to the schools for computers and construction of an outdoor reading garden. Since 2002, the Foundation has donated $200,000.

ž Many people think an endangered Piping Plover has nested in the Monmouth Beach Cultural Center parking lot. It turns out that it's actually a similar looking bird, a Killdeer.

ž Two youngsters playing near the ocean are swept out to sea and heading to the jetty rocks. Three locals saw them and helped save them.

ž Eatontown residents report mixed feelings on the DOT's proposed Wyckoff/Rt. 71 widening. Some say they fear it will cause more people to take side streets.

ž Despite heavy rain, the American Cancer Society holds its annual evening-long Relay for Life in Elberon to raise money.

ž Msgr. Paul Bradley, 91, performs a mass on June 7, 64 years after being ordained. Bradley was a priest at St. Michael's, West End, and St. John the Baptist, Long Branch.

ž The Long Branch Concordance's "Cherish the Children" fair draws more than 500 people to have fun and learn about the services for children in the area.

ž Rocker Jon Bon Jovi plays to a small crowd in Elements, Sea Bright. People come from as far away as England to hear the performance.

ž Oceanport Council considers changing the health insurance provider for borough employees, but decides against it after employees object they had no input into the decision.

ž Eatontown Police Department promotes three officers" Sgt. John Cleary, Lt. Michael Goldfarb and Ptl. John Gugliuzza.

ž An ice cream vendor was reportedly seen in Oceanport taking photos of children. He was later arrested in Monmouth Beach on outstanding warrants.

ž The Concerned Citizen Coalition objects to how the cleanup of the Seaview Manor site is being handled, saying a parcel was improperly sold to the gas company. Housing Authority and NJNG officials say that this was a matter of public record, and the site was cleaned to state specifications.

» Decades from now, students in West Long Branch will open a time capsule buried amidst the construction. It will contain items such as an ad for Pepsi, and a Link News from June 2, 2005.

ž More than 170 tickets are issued in Ocean Township for failure to wear a seat belt during the "Click It or Ticket" program.

ž Eatontown police arrest a Manhattan man on charges of paying for things with counterfeit $100 bills.

ž As new stores open, the city introduces parking rules for Pier Village. These will be changed in the future, when meters are installed, officials say.

ž Despite some objections that an 8 p.m. cutoff was too early in the summer, an ordinance limiting loud noises at certain times in West Long Branch is passed.

ž Members of the NJ Road Runners Club met with the city to discuss holding next year's marathon exclusively in Long Branch, a decision later passed.

ž The city approves a redevelopment plan with the group Broadway Arts Center for part of downtown Broadway, between Belmont, Second, and Union Aves. and Liberty Street and Memorial Parkway. The project calls for 100,000 square feet of shops and restaurants, reasonably priced housing, and two large theaters.

Several area business owners object, saying that they don't want to lose their businesses in the area, and that they were not given a chance to submit redevelopment proposals.

ž Barney Silkworth retires from the Long Branch School system after 50 years and one day, making him the longest-working employee in the district's history.

ž After 94 incidents requiring police assistance in one year, Eatontown places restrictions on live entertainment at Redheads.

ž Long Branch begins its music concert series. In addition to West End performances, and some uptown performances in the fall, this year features a series of shows at Pier Village.

» A 2-year-old girl dies of injuries after being struck by a car in Long Branch.

ž Work on the Atlantic Avenue bridge ceases

July

ž Oceanfest draws more than a quarter of a million people to the Long Branch oceanfront to celebrate July 4.

ž A newborn infant is found dead at the Long Branch train station.

ž A two-month investigation in Ocean Township results in the arrest of six people on charges of promoting prostitution.

ž Monsignor Paul F. Bradley, 91, passes away. In addition to his service in local churches, Bradley was a Marine chaplain during WW2, serving at Iwo Jima.

ž The County Planning Board reports that the price of new homes in 2004 rose an average of 25 percent from the year before, to over $700,000.

ž A Monmouth Avenue home is destroyed by a fire, leaving 14 city residents homeless and hospitalizing four city firefighters with heat exhaustion.

ž A 23-year-old Monmouth Park stable hand is charged with robbery and assault after a Long Branch woman reports she was attacked while walking along the railroad tracks.

ž A groundbreaking ceremony is held for the new Gregory School on Monmouth Ave.

ž Donald Covin is appointed to the Long Branch Housing Authority to serve as a commissioner.

ž The county doubles the fine against the Atlantic Ave. bridge builders for not working, to $1,400 a day, and say they are planning to vote him in default so they can get the project finished elsewhere.

ž A judge dismisses DWI charges against Dowd, due to the negative results of the breathalyzer. Dowd says a lawsuit is possible due to the negative effect the publicity had on his business.

ž The Friends of Libraries USA announce that Dorothy Parker's birth place, in West End, will be made a Literary Landmark.

ž West Long Branch Police Office Brian Ellis returns from duty in Iraq.

August

ž Two Public Works employees spot three swimmers struggling in the water near West End beach. They are able to contact the lifeguards, who rescue the swimmers from the rough surf.

ž Some Eatontown officials say they like the plan for redeveloping the borough's downtown, but would like assurances eminent domain will not be used.

ž The DEP announces that metals and hydrocarbons have been found in Troutmans Creek, at higher levels than surrounding and call for more studies to be done to determine what clean-up procedures are appropriate.

ž Anthony Palughi pleads guilty to conspiring to facilitate bribe payments to other county officials. Palughi said he accepted $12,500 in bribes. He was a former Long Branch Councilman and had worked for the county when Operation Bid Rig went down.

ž Collins is charged with witness tampering after he allegedly attempted to contact one of the victims.

ž As the season begins, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Assoc. warns this might be a nasty year for hurricanes. That proves an accurate prediction" while New Jersey isn't hard hit, more hurricanes and tropical storms than ever will be reported, including Katrina.

ž Luis Valentin is sworn in as Monmouth County's new head Prosecutor, the first Latino to hold such a position in the state.

ž Oceanport residents say they are upset the borough has become involved in a housing suit. A builder is suing the borough, which denied his application to build a six-story low and moderate income building along the river.

ž Jon Corzine makes a campaign stop at the Long Branch Senior Center.

ž The Oceanport Police Department acquires a Segway motor scooter, which they say will help them navigate crowds more effectively.

ž Mayor Paolantonio announces he will add a position Ñ an alternate Ñ to the West Long Branch Recreation Commission. His appointment of a member of the WLB Sports Authority draws criticism of those who believe that years ago the Authority had too much say in recreation. Defenders of the action say that this merely lets the Commission run with more people absent.

ž The Bank of America, Broadway, is robbed when a man gives the teller a note saying he has a gun. It is the first bank robbery in Long Branch in four years or more.

ž Eatontown expresses concern that due to delays, the DOT's work on the Rt. 35-36 intersection may coincide with the heavy traffic predicted for the Breeder's cup in two years.

ž The firm of Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith and Davis recuses itself from redevelopment work in relation to Beachfront North.. Arthur Greenbaum is on the board of directors with developer K. Hovnanian. The firm says they do not believe they have been doing anything improper, but want to avoid any potential costly legal challenges to the city.

ž The Board of Chosen Freeholders announces work on the Atlantic Ave. bridge will resume on Labor Day.

ž The final vote by the BRAC says the Fort Monmouth will be closed, but not until it can be proven that other bases can assume its responsibilities. Local officials call this a wrong decision, with Cong. Frank Pallone saying it could cause a "catastrophic loss in intellectual capital."

ž A hand grenade is discovered behind an uptown Broadway business by two landscapers. Tests reveal that it was a dud.

ž Sea Bright has an explosive scare. A passenger on a bus driving through the borough finds a note that a bomb is on board. A search of the bus reveals this is not the case.

September

ž Area officials announce they are looking at "Plan B" for Fort Monmouth, to minimize the effect the closing will have on local economies.

Attempts are still being made to stop the decision. However, a judge rules that the courts cannot intervene in New Jersey to prevent the closing.

ž City police visit college students renting properties in town and inform them of the city's strict policies on noise. Officials say this sort of activity helps reduce complaints from neighbors.

ž The Movement Dance Company, Eatontown, sends several dancers to the 2005 StarQuest National Dance Finals. Several of the dancers and teams place in various categories.

ž Groups react to the devastation caused by Katrina. Displaced people will be brought up, and money and goods will be donated by locals.

ž After two years of hearings, the WLB Zoning Board of Adjustment grants a variance for Monmouth University to build a dormitory in what is zoned as a residential neighborhood. Area residents say they fear this will harm the quality of life there.

ž An ordinance is passed in Oceanport specifying that certain spaces at Borough Hall are reserved for the mayor, clerk, police and fire vehicles. Democrats say a Republican councilman was deliberately using the mayor's parking space. Republicans claim this ordinance is needed because it ensures emergency officials will have a space.

ž Oceanport introduces new regulations to comply with COAH's standards on affordable housing in the borough.

ž The city council approves, 4-1, Applied Development and Matzel Mumford's plan for Beachfront North Phase II, an area which includes Marine Terrace, Ocean Terrace and Seaview Ave. Three buildings with 180 condos, a community pavilion, and expanded beach access are part of the proposal. Many people, including area residents from the MTOTSA Alliance, object, saying they do not want to lose their homes to eminent domain and the area is not blighted.

ž Long Branch Schools hold its annual 9-11 memorial services, and other groups throughout the area also remember the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

ž A new gazebo is put up in West End Park, replacing the fountain that had been there.

ž Brian Piccillo, 35, Long Branch, dies and a 38-year-old passenger is hospitalized in critical condition after a van hits their motorcycle.

ž West Long Branch's council is asked to take a stand against the zoning board's decision, but says they won't do anything until a final resolution is presented.

ž The Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce announces its slogan will be "Live it, You'll Love it."

ž The Wanamassa School celebrates its 75th anniversary.

ž The city's police dept. acquires Bala, a 15-month-old German shepherd who will be trained to sniff for explosives. Earlier in the year the city had acquired another K-9 officer.

October

ž The ashes of a man who was murdered in Asbury Park turn up on a Long Branch beach. Officials say the family had cremated the remains, and speculate they may have been cast into the sea and later washed back on shore.

ž Several events protesting eminent domain are held. MTOTSA holds another rally, and the Sierra Club says that it wants to know where candidates stand on the issue.

ž Long Branch sends a contingent down to the Millions More Movement in Washington D.C., an event marking the 10th anniversary of the Million Man March.

ž Lt. Michael Looney, of the Long Branch PD, dies at the age of 52. He had been with the city since 1977.

ž Bonnie Moore, 61, Monmouth Beach's clerk, passes away unexpectedly. She had been clerk for 40 years.

ž A substitute bus driver damages a school bus in Long Branch when he misses a "low clearance" sign. Some students on board suffer minor injuries.

ž A Fanwood Street, Ocean Twp., resident calls police after seeing two people dressed in dark clothing walk into their neighbor's backyard. Police catch two males, 17 and 18, attempting a burglary.

ž Eight days of rain hit the shore. The result is flooded roads, blackouts, and downed trees. Following a few sunny days, the rains come back, causing yet more damage.

ž Clean Ocean Action holds its 20th annual Fall Beach Sweep, collecting debris which has been left or washed up on beaches throughout the state, including in Long Branch, Monmouth Beach, Sea Bright and Sandy Hook.

ž A review of the West Long Branch Master Plan is given at a council meeting. The plan has been a subject of contention for a while.

ž Oceanport Mayor Maria Gatta dies of liver cancer two months after being diagnosed with it.

November

ž Responding to complaints of a loud party in Long Branch, police discover two pounds of marijuana, $9,000 in cash, and many instances of underage drinking.

ž At the council meeting before elections, Eatontown Councilman William Kinney says that the speed "humps" installed around side roads in the borough are less effective than hiring additional officers would be. Others say that the humps are working, and that Kinney's proposal would be too expensive.

Another candidate running for office, Roy Eisen, is accused of interfering with his neighbor's application to the zoning board, talking to the board president during recess. Eisen says that this is untrue, and that all he did was show the president photos of his daughter.

ž An 18-year-old stable hand at Monmouth Park commits apparent suicide, jumping in front of an oncoming train.

ž St. Dorothea's, Eatontown, celebrates its 100th anniversary. Bishop John Smith visits to mark the occasion.

ž Election results"

In West Long Branch, Republicans sweep the available seats. Janet Tucci takes over as mayor, and Barbara Ruane, Chris Neyhart and Tom DeBruin earn council seats.

In Eatontown, Democrats also sweep the ticket, although one of the seats is too close to call initially. Carl Sohl, Gerri Hopkins, and Joe Questore are elected to council.

(Both those towns had extra seats because of politicians resigning earlier in the year.)

In Oceanport, incumbents Ellen Kahle and Richard Gallo are re-elected.

Sea Bright also goes with incumbents, re-appointing Scriven and Maria Fernandes.

With Corzine's election as governor, people speculate that Pallone may be appointed to fill his U.S. Senate seat, but Corzine later nominates a Newark-area man.

ž A 15-year-old girl and her 11-month-old daughter disappear. The teenager leaves here grandmother a note saying she does not want the child taken by DYFS. The infant is later recovered with her father.

ž A groundbreaking ceremony is held for Seaview Manor. The old one was demolished after contaminants were found in the soil. It is the first major building project the Long Branch Housing Authority has taken in almost 40 years.

ž WLB Police Chief John Demaree announces he will retire at the end of January, 2006.

ž A goat's head is found by a custodian at Frank Antonides School. Police suspect, based on other items found with it, the head may have been used in a Santeria ritual.

ž Beachfront South developers outline their plan for the area to council" they want to build 352 units in five buildings, and will also widen and renovate the boardwalk from Brighton Ave. to Pier Village.

ž Ocean Police became suspicious of a man parked in a remote section of a parking lot. When they came to investigate, they discovered he was using the building's wireless internet connection to look at child pornography.

ž A new memorial to Long Branch residents who died in Vietnam is unveiled at Jerry Morgan Park on Veterans Day.

ž Long Branch holds an Emergency Preparedness Night, offering techniques to deal with crises that could hit the area, such as hurricanes.

December

ž Area towns celebrate the holidays with tree lightings, breakfasts with Santa, and other festive occasions.

ž The new Long Branch Middle School, a $58 million, 264,000 square foot facility, is officially opened.

ž After Oceanport council is unable to agree on a successor to Maria Gatta, Democrats appoint Councilwoman Lucille Chaump to serve as the new mayor.

ž A 192-foot yacht turns heads in the Shrewsbury River by Sea Bright. It's there for a fundraising party for the Valerie Fund.

ž West Long Branch announces it will begin looking for a new School Superintendent, as Dr. Joan Kelly is retiring next year.

ž Best selling author Mark Mathabane speaks at Shore Regional High School on his experiences of growing up under apartheid.

ž Notices of possession, telling tenants of their rights under redevelopment, are sent to those renting property in Beachfront North Phase 2.

ž William O'Leary, a former Shore Regional teacher charged in August 2004 with having a relationship with a student, rejects an offer from the prosecutor, with his attorney saying he will be vindicated in court. A trial is set for late January.

ž Two men, however, enter a guilty plea on similar charges.

Collins pleads guilty, and prosecutors say they will recommend a 10-year prison sentence.

John Tobia, a former Long Branch police officer, pleads guilty to child endangerment. He had been accused of touching an 11-year-old for his own enjoyment.

ž Developers outline their proposal for Pier Village Phase II Ñ more apartments and retail space between Pier Village and Ocean Blvd. Eminent domain won't be necessary for this project, as all property has been acquired already.

ž Three Asbury Park men are charged with possession of imitation firearms on school property after Ocean Township High School is locked down when a faculty member sees them walking around with fake guns.

ž ABC New Jersey reporter Anthony Powoski is blasted with an air horn while trying to shoot a segment in Ocean Township. Gov. Codey decries this.

ž Det. Lt. Bruce Johantgen announces he will be retiring from the Long Branch police force after alost 30 years. Three other officers are promoted.

ž After 16 months, the Patten Ave. bridge reopens, connecting Monmouth Beach and Long Branch.

ž A 17-year-old Brick Township girl dies of injuries sustained in a crash. She was the passenger in a stolen car driven by a 13-year-old cousin. Family members say they do not think she knew the car was stolen.

ž Several people in Ocean Twp. report stolen cars after vehicles are left running while they head back into their apartments. Two men are arrested and charged with these incidents.

ž West Long Branch teachers and Board of Ed members announce they will be bringing in a fact-finder in January to help with contract negotiations. Teachers have been negotiating this since autumn of 2004.

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