March 15, 2007 RSS feed / Front Page

E.B. school tax hike proposed at 36.6¢

Officials say budget has little in the way of discretionary spending

Taxpayers would see a 36.6-cent increase in the school tax rate based on a tentative budget introduced Tuesday by the East Brunswick Board of Education. More...

Police, canine thwart hardware store burglary

JAMESBURG - Police trapped and arrested a burglary suspect inside a Gatzmer Avenue business Monday night after being tipped off by an off-duty state trooper. The suspect, Joseph F. More...

Photo contest captures favorite places in N.J.

The next photo you take anywhere in New Jersey impressive enough to don a picture frame might also make its way into the New Jersey Countryside Magazine and on their Internet Web site. More...

Just two candidates file for 3 open seats

Family obligationskeep current board members from running

MILLTOWN - Two incumbents on the Board of Education chose not to seek re-election, leaving just two candidates for three open seats. More...

Celtic sounds

PHOTOSBY SCOTT PILLING staff Above: Bobby Durning, 15, of Milltown, plays the bagpipes at the borough's public library Tuesday evening. The event, "A Celtic Music Journey," was an early celebration of St. Patrick's Day, which arrives Saturday. More...

Holt bill would demand paper record of votes

Once defeated, proposal getting a second look with new Democratic majority

A new bill put forth by U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (12th District) would mandate that all electronic voting machines produce a voter-verified paper trail, but some critics have voiced concern over security and funding. More...

Fundraisers

March 15 + Evening at T.G.I. Friday's, sponsored by the Sayreville War Memorial High School Bombers Bowling Team, 5-9 p.m., at Friday's, Route 9 north, Old Bridge. More...

Councilman proposes no drop/no knock law

MILLTOWN - Councilman Michael Skarzynski often takes to the streets of the town on foot for enjoyment, but last Saturday's walk found him on a sort of paper chase. More...

Redevelopment mulled for Snowhill St. area

Boro may seek review of area with dilapidated buildings

SPOTSWOOD - With the goal of sprucing up some blighted properties in town, borough officials are considering a redevelopment project. More...

Expert shares do's and don'ts of online selling

NORTH BRUNSWICK - One man's trash is another man's treasure. The popular auction Web site eBay allows buyers to sift through items that sellers are looking to part with. More...

Lowe's and others keep retail vacancy rate low

Studies detail changes along Rts. 18, 1 and 9 in Middlesex, Monmouth

EAST BRUNSWICK - Large retail companies absorbed vacant retail space along Route 18 over the past year, demonstrating a high demand to locate along the busy corridor. More...

Board narrows field to 8 super candidates

Successor sought for retiring top administrator

JAMESBURG - The borough's next superintendent of schools is expected to be hired by May and be on the job in July. More...

Town needs properties for Summerhill project

EAST BRUNSWICK - Before work to improve Summerhill Road can begin, the town must purchase some land from nearby property owners. More...

Letters

Explanation may have fooled board, shouldn't fool voters

According to the attorney from Wilentz, Goldman and Spitzer, residency is where you place your head most often. The most important part of that description of residency is something the attorney never explained. More...

Fair organizers aim to bring towns together

This letter is in response to the letter to the editor from Pete Trabucco, "St. Ambrose Carnival Will Truly Be Missed," that appeared in the March 1 issue of the Sentinel. The carnival at St. More...

Candidate displays integrity, honesty, decorum

I received a phone call from my good friend, Carol Bjornsen, to announce her candidacy for the Monroe Township Board of Education. I have to say I was thrilled and elated. More...

Obituaries

Obituaries

Anna Pawlus Bay Mrs. Bay, 87, of South River, died March 12, 2007, in CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. She was predeceased by her first husband, John Dragula, and by her second husband, Stephen Bay. More...

Schools

Molly Magier

School Days A spring break away with friends? Not yet Spring break is coming. That means a trip to the swim shop, day dreams of somewhere warm, and a very patriotic yearn for freedom - from school. More...

Photo

MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Dolores Hode shows a jacket and shirt during Monday's fashion show at the South River Senior Center. The benefit for the Senior Citizen Trust Account was organized by the local Red Hat Society, the Rambling Rosettes. More...

Bank OK'd on site of old Forney Clinic

Board: Historic nature could not be factored in decision

After more than six months of hearings, Valley National Bank has won approval to build on the site of the nearly 150-year-old Forney Clinic building. More...

Rambling Rosettes

Above, South River Office on Aging Director Amy Burg models clothing during a benefit fashion show held Monday at the Senior Center. The event was organized by the local Red Hat Society, the Rambling Rosettes. More...

'Mad Hot Ballroom' next up for film festival

The Spring International Film Festival at the East Brunswick Public Library, Jean Walling Civic Center, will continue on March 27 with 1:30 and 8 p.m. screenings of "Mad Hot Ballroom." The 2005 documentary is rated PG. More...

Safe-boating course coming to Sayreville

Coast Guard Flotilla Auxiliary 2-1, 167 Main St., Sayreville, will offer "America's Boating Course" from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays, April 2-11. The cost is $50, including textbook. More...

Committee to recommend grant funding recipients

EAST BRUNSWICK - The township is expecting to receive $125,000 this year through a federal Community Development Block Grant to fund various projects. More...

Police nab suspect after attempted motel robbery

EAST BRUNSWICK - Police arrested a man accused of attempting to hold up a township motel recently. The arrest of Michael K. More...

Nature walk next up for environmental panel

The Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership (LBWP) will offer a nature walk from 2-4 p.m. on March 18 at Rutgers Gardens, Cook College campus of Rutgers University, New Brunswick. More...

Handlin: Make corrupt pay legal fees

MIDDLETOWN - Assembly-woman Amy Handlin (R-Monmouth/Middlesex) plans to propose a bill that would require public officials convicted of crimes, not taxpayers, to be responsible for paying the legal fees associated with their defense. More...

Sound skills have area native up for an Emmy

JAMESBURG - If Jennifer Emens is doing her job, you won't notice her work. A sound engineer and designer, Emens creates audio background for TV commercials such as Yoplait yogurt, Right Guard deodorant and Gillette Mach 3 razors. More...

Parents get drug charges after no-show at bus stop

EAST BRUNSWICK - Police arrested a schoolchild's parents last week on numerous drug charges after they failed to pick up their 6-year-old son at the bus stop. More...

New offerings pump up membership at YMCA

EAST BRUNSWICK - - The new Raritan Valley YMCA, located on Tices Lane, is largely complete with the addition of a wellness center. More...

Bringing a rare smile to sick, homeless kids

Spotswood faculty member describes her two weeks in Uganda

SPOTSWOOD - Like many people, Melissa Pokrywa decided to spend part of her break in a warmer climate. But this was no resort, and certainly no vacation. More...

Bulletin Board

Italian Night Buffet will aid Police Unity

The East Brunswick Police Department will sponsor an Italian Night Buffet from 5-9 p.m. on March 23 in the cafeteria at East Brunswick High School, Cranbury Road. More...

Registration under way for April 21 A.C. trip

Helmetta Recreation will offer an April 21 bus trip to Resorts Casino, Atlantic City. The bus will depart at 1 p.m. from borough hall, Main Street. Return is set for approximately 11 p.m. More...

Tickets on sale for March 25 trip to A.C.

The Spotswood High School Band Parent Association will sponsor a March 25 bus trip to Showboat Casino, Atlantic City. The bus will depart at 11 a.m. from the high school parking lot, Summerhill Road. More...

Opinion

Greg Bean

Coda An election where the few spent the money of many The next time you think your vote doesn't count, just look at the recent Fire District No. More...

Court decision boosts N.J. residents' rights

The New Jersey Supreme Court struck a blow for the rights of Garden State citizens last week when it delivered a unanimous ruling that people have a right to videotape public meetings. More...

Sports

Brookdale women off to NJCAA tournament

To call the Brookdale Community College women's basketball team a group of overachievers wouldn't do them justice. More...

Middlesex coach sees success on the horizon

EDISON - "March Madness" came a little early for the Middlesex County College men's basketball team this season. More...

Sports Shorts

Women golfers are cordially invited to attend the Tamarack Women's 18-Hole Golf Association's opening spring breakfast meeting, which is scheduled for Tuesday, March 27 at 9:30 a.m. at the Seville Diner on Route 18 south, East Brunswick. More...