DAVID BEALES Michele van Woerkom, Brick, helps her daughter, Alexa, read to chocolate Labrador retrievers Brandy and Dutch at the Brick branch of the Ocean County Library on Saturday. The pet therapy group meets monthly at the library so children can enjoy reading in a low-pressure environment and s... More ... Teachers and parents question new class hours District officials plan block scheduling at Brick Township H.S. BY DANIELLE MEDINA Correspondent       Anew scheduling system set to launch in September at Brick Township High School has some parents concerned and district officials admitting they could have done a better job communicating with them. More ... Scarpelli sent to federal prison in nearby Ft. Dix Former mayor will most likely serve almost all of sentence BY PATRICIA A. MILLER Staff Writer       Former longtime Brick Democratic Mayor Joseph C. Scarpelli turned himself in to federal authorities Monday to begin serving his 18-month sentence on corruption charges. Michael T. Nolan Jr. More ... Dying officer's battle for benefits captured on film 'Freeheld' documentary nominated for an Academy Award BY PATRICIA A. MILLER Staff Writer       Chances are, Lt. Laurel Hester never planned to make headlines. Long before she became nationally known as a dying gay woman who wanted to leave her pension benefits to her partner, Laurel Hester was a cop. A good cop. And that is also her legacy. More ... GOP official got job on his merits, mayor says       BRICK TOWNSHIP - Politics played no part in the recent hiring of a Toms River Republican Party official, Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis said. Acropolis said he could "care less" about a person's political affiliation. "Don't judge me on what the Democrats are going to say," Acropolis said. "I don't... More ...      DAVID BEALES Parents and kids at the Brick branch of the Ocean County Library make a few new canine friends during a therapy dog reading session Saturday. The once-a-month event is designed to provide a relaxing environment for children to improve their skills while reading to the dogs. More ... Mayor backs GOP freeholder for MUA slot       BRICK TOWNSHIP - Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis has said that if it were up to him, he would hire Freeholder James F. Lacey as the next director of the Municipal Utilities Authority. "I don't need an engineer to run the MUA," he said last week. "I need a manager. I don't need a heavy equipment opera... More ... Adopt a Pet       Jersey Shore Animal Shelter 185 Brick Boulevard (732) 920-1600 www.jerseyshoreanimalcenter.org More ... Report discusses economy of Pinelands       Municipalities in the Pinelands are outpacing those in the non- Pinelands area of southern New Jersey in several key economic indicators, according to a report of economic data collected in 2007. More ... A.C. man arrested in two stabbing incidents BY PATRICIA A. MILLER Staff Writer       BRICK TOWNSHIP - Police charged an Atlantic City man with two counts of aggravated assault after Saturday night stabbing incidents at the Maple Leaf Estates. Luis Lopez, 40, was also charged with possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes and unlawful possession of a weapon, police Lt. John E.... More ...