KELLY OUT AS CITY MANAGER

After just a year on the job, former Jersey City business administrator John "Jack" Kelly is out as Asbury Park's city manager.

"We will be moving in a different direction," said Councilwoman Amy Quinn. "This is one of several changes that will be happening."

Quinn and mayor-elect John Moor voted to hire Kelly, with Moor saying at the time that Kelly was "the best qualified person to come into Asbury Park." Moor, Quinn and three new council members notified Kelly that his contract would not be renewed when it expires on Dec. 31. [MORE]

22nd ASBURY MUSIC AWARDS

The latest edition of the Asbury Music Awards produced riveting musical performances, winners in 40 categories and a marriage proposal.

The band Deal Casino picked up three awards, while Nicole Atkins, Matt Wade, Toothgrinder, Brick + Mortar, Francis Lombardi and The Battery Electric each won twice.

'Living Legend' honoree Glen Burtnik proposed on stage to girlfriend Christina Shafer, who accepted. [MORE]

CRANE HOUSE ADDED
TO STATE REGISTER

The Stephen Crane House in Asbury Park has been added to the New Jersey Register of Historic Places.

The Asbury Park Historical Society has started a campaign to raise $250,000 to make necessary repairs to the building.

The society would like to buy the Crane house and use it as their headquarters. [MORE]

SKATE AND SURF FEST 2015

The musical lineup for the 2015 Skate and Surf Festival will include Dropkick Murphys, Manchester Orchestra, Modern Baseball, The Wonder Years, The Story So Far, Major League and The Front Bottoms.

Skate and Surf returned to Asbury Park in 2014 after an eight-year absence, The event will again take place in Bradley Park and Ocean Avenue on May 16 and 17.

The festival will include live wrestling and a half-pipe skateboard competition sponsored by Red Bull. [MORE]

SCHOOL BOARD HIRES SUPERINTENDENT

The Asbury Park Board of Education has hired a new superintendent of schools -- one who has the blessing of the state monitor who oversees the troubled district.

Dr. Lamont Repollet was the principal of Carteret High School and secretary of the Kean University Board of Trustees.

State monitor Carole Morris, who vetoed a previous choice by the board, endorsed the selection of Repollet, said she was "excited about his proven record of success." Repollet is a graduate of The College of New Jersey, received a Masters degree from Kean, and was awarded a doctorate in Education Leadership from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale. [MORE]

NEW HOTEL PLANNED

The former Salvation Army residences on Sunset Lake near Kingsley Street are scheduled to become a boutique hotel.

Oceanfront developers iStar have hired a nationally known architect for the project, which is scheduled to include 110 rooms and a rooftop bar and lounge. The nearby Asbury Lanes bowling alley is part of the proposed redesign. [MORE]