Revisions to the borough code include granting wide latitude to the new position of municipal manager. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
See CORRECTION below
By JOHN T. WARD
Just over a month into a new form of government, Red Bank’s council is expected to get down to the nuts-and-bolts of erasing its predecessor: the “borough” structure.
The former home to Coco Pari, and the building next door, with Catch 19, were sold in a joint deal. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
A prime bit of downtown Red Bank retail space was part of a two-building sale last month, redbankgreen has learned.
What goes into the vacant storefont of one is among the changes Retail Churn is keeping an eye on.
Hundreds of Red Bank residents turned out for free food and games at the annual police-sponsored National Night Out Against Crime festival at Count Basie Park Tuesday night.
Check out the photos below to see who you know. (Photos by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
Police charged Jamir Brown, left, and Alix Eugene. (Red Bank police photos. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
Two Tinton Falls men were arrested on weapons, drug and other charges by Red Bank police after a motor vehicle pursuit that ended with crashes and foot chase late Monday night, police said Tuesday.
Students in the program learn the history of the Black Press in America. (Photo by T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center. Click to enlarge.)
Press release from the T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center
The T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center will open a new exhibit, “The Black Press: Stewards of Democracy,” on October 7, 2023. The opening of the new exhibit will coincide with the 167th birthday celebration of T. Thomas Fortune on October 3.
In conjunction with the exhibit, the Cultural Center has created the Fortune Tellers Docent Training Program and is currently working with a select group of high school and college students who will become tour guides for the upcoming exhibit.
Borough attorney Greg Cannon, right, with interim Administrator and police Chief Darren McConnell, will draft proposed new laws to limit graffiti. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
See CLARIFICATION below
By JOHN T. WARD
Red Bank’s mayor and council are planning measures they hope will counter an increase in graffiti around town.
Here are some highlights from last Thursday’s semimonthly meeting.
A New Jersey Transit crew evacuated dozens of riders from a train at the Red Bank station Sunday over concern about a possible fire in the undercarriage Sunday afternoon.
Captain Mike Frazee, left, at an incident with Chief Darren McConnell (back to camera) in April. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
Red Bank-born-and-raised police Captain Mike Frazee will become the borough’s next police chief, succeeding Darren McConnell, Mayor Billy Portman announced Thursday night.
The handoff, however, will be delayed “several weeks” as McConnell’s retirement, previously expected to occur next week, has been postponed, McConnell said.
Police on the scene of the shooting at Montgomery Terrace Tuesday morning. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
See UPDATE below
By JOHN T. WARD
Increased police activity at the scene of a shootout in Red Bank earlier this week led to the arrests of three men late Wednesday night, police said Thursday.
The incident, however, “does not appear to be linked to the shooting,” in which two men exchanged gunfire, landing one of them in the hospital, Captain Mike Frazee told redbankgreen.
An update on plans for Marine Park is on the agenda. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
The agenda for the Red Bank council session Thursday night includes a presentation on the status of planned changes at the Marine Park.
It also includes minutes of the most recent session, which for the first time, are available for public review prior to formal acceptance.
Captain Mike Frazee, in white shirt, and investigators on the scene at Montgomery Terrace Tuesday morning. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
Two armed men appear to have engaged in an early morning gun battle that left one of them wounded early Tuesday morning, Red Bank police said.
At least eight shots are known to have been exchanged in the shootout at Montgomery Terrace Apartments, Captain Mike Frazee told redbankgreen.
A man was wounded by gunfire in Red Bank early Tuesday morning, police said.
Black construction fencing surrounds a narrow lot Shrewsbury Avenue in Red Bank.
What’s Going On Here? redbankgreen sneaks a peak through a hole in the fence…
Agra Indian Masala is under construction at the onetime home of Monmouth Music. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
Two long-vacant spaces in downtown Red Bank are showing signs of returning as new restaurants.
Also in this edition of redbankgreen‘s Retail Churn: two restaurants that proved short-lived.
A Red Bank man has been charged with sexual assault for “inappropriately touching” a client at his Little Silver golf coaching business, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office announced Thursday.
A hearing on a plan for 32 new apartments on Bridge Avenue at the Red Bank train station has been postponed again.
Couuncilmembers Nancy Facey-Blackwood and Ben Forest inaugurated the council access time at the Senior Center last week.
Expanding a program launched last week, Red Bank’s borough council has added evening hours, during which residents can buttonhole an elected official with concerns, questions and suggestions.
The Plug Naturals shop would replace a single-family house at 156 West Front Street if approved. (Google Maps photo. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
Facing possible rejection over parking issues, representatives of a proposed Red Bank cannabis shop asked for time to revise their plans Monday night.
Plug Naturals hopes to create a retail cannabis shop in an existing house on West Front Street. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
Plans for yet another cannabis shop and an expansion of a popular bar are on the agenda when Red Bank’s newly reconstituted planning board meets for the first time Monday night.
Municipal elections would revert to a November schedule if approved by the council later this month. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Two months after their victory in the May 9 election, Red Bank’s new mayor and council moved to restore future elections to November Thursday night.
At its first regular meeting, the freshly reorganized government also “spitballed” a suggestion to add a social worker to the police department.
A plan to redevelop a stretch of Shrewsbury Avenue in Red Bank was withdrawn almost two years ago. So why is a house on the site boarded up, with a bright red X painted on the front door?
By JOHN T. WARD
Four Red Bank men and a juvenile were arrested on weapons and drug charges after police stopped their car outside borough hall Sunday night, police said Tuesday.
The arrests followed a motorist’s report that he was being followed by men who had “brandished a handgun in a threatening manner” toward him a short while earlier.
The crime and arrest reports below were provided by the Red Bank Police Department for June, 2023. This information is unedited; see below for additional information.
CRIMES
Theft: On 06/05/2023 a patrol unit took a report of shoplifting. In the area of Broad St., an employee reported several items were stolen from a business. The items were valued at $110.62. Ptl. Kristin Altimari.
Theft: A patrol unit took a report of theft in the area of White St. On 06/05/2023 the victim reported an iPhone 14 Pro Max was stolen from a business. The iPhone was valued at $1250.00. Ptl. Milton Gray.
Taking a cue from Mayor Billy Portman, members of Red Bank’s council will begin hosting weekly public access sessions this week, Councilwoman Nancy Facey-Blackwood announced last week.
Tom Chesek in Asbury Park in 2013. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
Tom Chesek, an arts-and-entertainment writer who for decades trained a spotlight on otherwise unheralded musicians, playwrights, visual artists and other creators on the Greater Red Bank Green, died at home in Asbury Park Tuesday night. He was 64 years old.
Among countless freelance gigs, he was a longtime writer for redbankgreen.