Brick's Teacher of the Year loves his work Counselor, social worker goes to any lengths to get message across BY DANIELLE MEDINA Correspondent       Brett Novick wears a lot of different hats as the school social worker and counselor at the Primary Learning Center, both literally and figuratively. On any given day, Novick, who was recently named district Teacher of the Year, will don a wizard's hat, a construction helmet or a be... More ... Ocean County joins state in Oyster Creek petition Spent fuel-rod storage safety must be guaranteed, freeholder director says BY PATRICIA A. MILLER Staff Writer       Oyster Creek's vulnerability to terrorist attacks should be considered as part of the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission's relicensing process, Freeholder Director John P. Kelly said. "My stance is very simple," Kelly said. "I want the NRC to do their job and to consider every as... More ... OCC planetarium upgrade gets jump-start County picks up tab for renovations; groups will fund new equipment BY PATRICIA A. MILLER Staff Writer       TOMS RIVER - So what would Ocean County College planetarium director Gloria Villalobos say to the phony philanthropist who pledged $2.5 million last year to help keep the facility open? "I don't know if words would be appropriate," Villalobos said with a grimace. "I don't have the ... More ... Three years and still counting on Route 70 BY PATRICIA A. MILLER Staff Writer       BRICK TOWNSHIP - The Parkway 70 Plaza lifestyle mall was originally slated to open by the summer of 2006. But the view from Route 70 east is still nothing but dirt and dust. It's been more than three years since the Planning Board gave Piscataway-based Edgewood Properties the okay to... More ... Brick too booked up for Jay and the Americans       BRICK TOWNSHIP - The manager of the latest incarnation of Jay and the Americans says there won't be any repeats of off-color remarks like those made by the group's former lead singer at SummerFest last year. "We are a family-friendly act," said manager Todd Biederman. "There is no curs... More ... First-class mail stamp price to rise to 41 cents       New postage rates go into effect on Monday, May 14, including a 2-cent increase in the price of a first-class mail stamp. Post offices nationwide are now selling the new 41-cent stamps and also 1- and 2-cent stamps for customers who still have a supply of 39-cent stamps, according to a ... More ... Sprucing up       Brick Township Mayor Daniel J. Kelly (r) watches public works employees Michael Muha (l) and Bob Stefanelli install a new composite boardwalk to replace the old wooden one on Brick Beach 1 on Route 35 North recently. More ...