Week in News: KaBoom! No More, Teen Pleads in Deadly Crash, Dog Show Star

Growth Made KaBoom! Unsustainable

Via Red Bank-Shrewsbury Patch

Somewhere along the way the KaBoom! Fireworks on the Navesink grew too large. When the KaBoom! Committee announced the cancelation of this year’s show earlier this week it was tough to find anyone, supporter, opponent, or otherwise, who was truly surprised by decision. What had started as a low-key fireworks show more than 50 years ago had evolved into a major July 3^rd celebration that attracted more than 100,000 people to Red Bank each year, as well as all the problems that came with them. Facing rising costs as well as the reality of multiple years of coming out in the red led the borough to deny KaBoom! financial assistance, effectively shutting the show down, at least for this year.

Teen Pleads Guilty: Vehicular Homicide, Auto Assault in Cooper Road Crash

Via Middletown-NJ Patch

It was nearly a year ago that 18-year-old Middletown resident Paul Bradley died in a car crash on Cooper Road. Early this week, Bradley’s friend, Adam Sofio, 19, of Red Bank, pleaded guilty in Monmouth County Superior Court to vehicular homicide and assault by auto for recklessly causing the death and severely injuring another by operating a motor vehicle at a high rate of speed while drunk. According to the parameters of a plea deal, the prosecutor’s office will recommend the judge impose a six-year jail sentence for Sofio.

Local Dog Competes in Westminster Kennel Club Show

Via Rumson-Fair Haven Patch

A local pooch competed against the best doggy competition in the world recently at the 136^th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City. Hondo, a Leonberger from Rumson, represented his breed for the first time since it was officially recognized in the AKC Working Group last year. The Westminster is considered the most prestigious dog competition in the world. It’s also got plenty of history behind it, too. According to the Westminster website, the kennel show is the second longest continuously held sporting event in the country, just one year behind the Kentucky Derby.

Eatontown Fitness Studio Puts Women First

Via Eatontown-Tinton Falls Patch

This one’s for the ladies. A new Eatontown fitness studio is hoping to introduce – or reintroduce – the workout experience to busy women who may have put themselves on the bottom of their own “to-do” lists. The comfortable environment is not intimidating and the workouts are designed specifically for women. The training offered is circuit-based that uses hydraulic machines to help develop muscle mass and bone density. The low-impact machines provide safe workouts that fit women of nearly any age and fitness level.