Wrecking equipment this morning ripped into the long-vacant building that once housed the Club Phoenix go-go rock bar and before that the Odyssey gay bar. In an ironic twist — and a dangerously close call — the long-time former owner of the property, Jeanette Bender, drove around a police barricade and passed by the site […]

Demolition of the former Phoenix building began earlier today as construction workers gathered on the lot on Cookman Avenue. Nearby buildings on Sewall Avenue were razed yesterday. City waterfront redeveloper Asbury Partners has ownership of these structures and is demolishing them to make way for a new streetscape plan including sidewalks, shrubbery and lighting to […]

Six Asbury Park residents have filed a notice of intention with the city clerk to recall all five incumbent city council members [shown above], according to a report in the Coaster weekly newspaper. The recall proponents must collect 25 percent of the city’s registered voters on a petition, as well as fulfill other statutory requirements, […]

The neon Rainbow Room sign from Asbury Park’s old Albion Hotel has been restored and installed inside the city’s James J. Howard Transportation Center next to City Hall. The restoration projects was undertaken by the Asbury Park Historical Society. A dedication of the sign is scheduled in the transportation center on Sunday, June 3 at […]

Despite Superintendent Denise Lowe’s recommendation, the board of education voted not to have community activist John Muhammad speak to students. At last week’s board of education meeting, Lowe recommended board approval for Muhammad’s presentation, “The Cease Fire Movement,” to be put on at schools in the district according to the board agenda. Muhammad, who is […]

From May 21 through 28, the police department made the following arrests: • On May 21, a 20-year-old male from Asbury Park was arrested and charged with contempt of court and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the 10 block of Atkins Avenue. • On May 21, a 44-year-old male from Neptune was arrested […]

Demolition began today on several structures as part of a streetscape improvement project for a largely vacant stretch of Cookman Avenue and nearby streets. Crews started demolishing some structures on Asbury Avenue today [pictured above]. The Club Phoenix building on Cookman Avenue is tentatively scheduled for demolition on Thursday, according to Brian Cheripka of waterfront […]

Thanks to this weekend’s warm and mostly dry weather, Memorial Day was a boon for both beach badge sales and local businesses. About 10,000 daily beach badges were sold over the course of the weekend, according to Beach Safety Supervisor Joe Bongiovanni — 3,500 on Saturday, 2,500 on Sunday and 4,000 on Monday. This is […]

Officials from the state Division of Taxation inspected 20 retail businesses and barber shops in Asbury Park and Neptune Township last week to investigate possible tax compliance issues and whether sales of untaxed cigarettes and cigars or other contraband were taking place. Apparent violations were noted by Office of Criminal Investigation agents at 16 of […]

Expect a mostly sunny Memorial Day today with a high of 84 degrees, according to the  National Weather Service. Above is the scene this morning at the entrance to Loch Arbour near the Norwood Avenue bridge, where a large American flag flies at half-mast in memory of those who gave their lives for their country. […]