5 Things You Need to Know Today: April 11

Here is a list of 5 things you need to know today:

1. Spring is in the Air: Today will be mostly cloudy with some sprinkles, which is always a bummer, but there is some good weather news. According to the National Weather Service, the temperature could reach 70 degrees today. That warm weather is sure to put some pep in your step this morning. Tonight, there is a chance of  of showers and then thunderstorms after 2am. It will also be very windy with gusts as high as 40 mph and a low around 54. 

2. Quacking Controversy: The Fair Haven Borough Council will make a decision tonight about whether or not a 12-year-old should be allowed to keep her in her yard. The borough has a non-domestic animals ordinance allows the council to make judgement calls on whether or not residents should be allowed to keep wild animals on their property. The council first became aware of the ducks through multiple complaints from neighbors surrounding the Stover's home. The letters bring three main concerns to the council: the structure which the ducks live in, the disposal of concentrated duck feces and the biggest concern of quacking. The council will revisit the issue at tonight's council meeting at 7:00 p.m. The mayor asked the Stovers to come back with a detailed mitigation plan on how they plan to address each of the issues discussed. 

3. Modern Day Prohibition: Two clubs at Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) have implemented an innovative program challenging adults to be alcohol-free role models. Students sent adults a pledge form, asking them not to drink. The Pledge to be Alcohol Free has been signed by over 200 people including administrators, teachers, parents—even some local politicians and police chiefs. Those who sign the pledge agree not to drink for a two-week period ending on April 15. It’s all part of April’s Alcohol Awareness Month, and both borough councils in Rumson and Fair Haven passed resolutions to identify the month as such. Click to learn more about this pledge.

4. Hot Topic: Fair Haven's River Road Revitalization Project. Lauren Mattia from The REAL Jersey Shore thinks that there are way too many unnecessary benches and lamp posts on River Road in Fair Haven. What do you think about the new and improved road? If you do not like them, how would you have spent the revitalization money. Click to share your point of view. 

5. Attention Animal Lovers: There is less than one week left to vote for the Monmouth County SPCA (MCSPCA) in the qualifying heat of this year's ASPCA $100K Challenge. Local shelters are competing in this competition for grants totaling $300,000. The competition started on April 4th and voting ends on April 15. Supporters of the Monmouth County SPCA can help by voting online at www.VoteToSaveLives.org. Click to learn more. Also, children ages 5 to 10 from across Monmouth County are invited to submit their pet or animal stories to the “Tails of Love” Contest. Organizers are looking for creative, original stories and/or drawings from children who love animals. The deadline for contest submissions is Thursday, April 14th, 2011.  Click for more information.