Asbury Park Press

blogs.app.com — The state Legislature has finished its work on its first three gun violence prevention bills, with the Assembly voting Monday to send the measures to Gov. Chris Christie's desk. The bills are among more than 30 proposed in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., school shooting. The remaining measures await additional action by lawmakers.

app.com — BRICK - Amy Ulness knew Monday was going to be a long day. Ulness, a resident of Fairfield, Conn., left her home at 6:30 a.m. with one goal in mind: get to Brick Township Municipal Court for the arraignment of Keith E. Morgan, 56, and Shauna Ewing Morgan, 43.

app.com — I left the office as soon as I saw the tornado warnings on TV. I had photographed about a dozen twisters before in the past decade, and knew that if I didn't get in my car before the funnel cloud hit, it would be too late.

app.com — TOMS RIVER - You've heard of "The House That Ruth Built"? Now there's the house that Bill Becker built. And they both are Yankee Stadium. Becker, 87, of Toms River, is a master builder of models made of matchsticks.

app.com — BRICK - It could be two months before a husband and wife accused of leaving a 13-year-old cocker spaniel in a trash bag in Monmouth County will have their day in court. Keith E. Morgan, 56, and Shauna Ewing Morgan, 43, were arraigned this afternoon in Brick's municipal court on various animal cruelty charges connected to the March incident.

app.com — TOMS RIVER - Seven former executives of troubled engineering firm Birdsall Services Group entered pleas of not guilty at their arraignment today on criminal charges of making illegal campaign contributions. Each defendant had his attorney enter their plea. They told state Superior Court Judge Wendel E.

blogs.app.com — Boys Lacrosse NJSIAA Tournament Second Round South Group I (7) Manasquan at (2) Bernards, 4 p.m. (8) Shore at (1) Rumson-FH, 6:30 p.m. South Group II (7) Wall at (2) Seneca, 4 p.m. South Group III (7) Colts Neck at (2) Shawnee, 3 p.m. South Group IV (8) Egg Harbor at (1) Southern, 4 p.m.

app.com — MANTOLOKING - Fears of a massive tax hike brought on by Superstorm Sandy might not come to pass in the Jersey shore town hardest hit by the storm. Mantoloking introduced a budget Monday that calls for a 14.6 percent increase in the municipal tax rate.

app.com — LAVALLETTE - Gov. Chris Christie said Monday he is not going to name an interim Ocean County sheriff. The office has been vacant since Sheriff William L. Pohemus died Dec. 14 at the age of 84 after complications from surgery. Polhemus was the longest-serving sheriff in county history and had just been elected to a 10th term in November.

app.com — "It's been a long time, man," Jason Newsted said during a recent conversation advancing his return to the musical shores of the Garden State. He wasn't kidding.

app.com — SEASIDE HEIGHTS - Tim Farrell was busy making rescues when superstorm Sandy flooded his Lavallette home in October. Six months later, a sense of normalcy finally started to return for Seaside Heights volunteer firefighter, who moved into a new place in Seaside Park with his girlfriend, his son and his girlfriend's daughter.

app.com — ASBURY PARK - The outcome of the City Council election did not change after Friday's count by the Monmouth County Board of Elections of provisional ballots. City Council members John Loffredo and Sue Henderson of Forward Asbury were re-elected to four-year terms and will be joined on the council by John Moor, Amy Quinn and Myra L.

app.com — Mike Rice is taking the first step toward rehabilitation by spending a month with basketball wellness guru John Lucas in Houston. Lucas told ESPN.com Monday that the former Rutgers coach is receiving anger management counseling and working with former college players who are going through Lucas' pre-NBA draft camp.

app.com — Ray Manzarek, the keyboardist who was a founding member of The Doors, has died in Germany. He was 74. Publicist Heidi Robinson-Fitzgerald says in a news release that Manzarek died Monday in Rosenheim, Germany, surrounded by his family. He had been stricken by bile duct cancer.

app.com — LONG BRANCH - The city's West End will be the location this Sunday for dozens of artists and their work at the annual Art in the Park event. The outdoor art fair and fine craft event, now in its 15th year, is sponsored by the Long Branch Art Council, Long Branch Historical Association and the city.