December 20, 2007 RSS feed / Front Page

County awards $500K for Mundy Ave. Park

Safer area, better equipment in works for Spotswood park

The largest park in Spotswood will get a $500,000 face-lift thanks to a county grant. More...

Christmas comes early for hospitalized children

Children in the pediatric ward of Saint Peter's University Hospital, New Brunswick, received a special treat this week, courtesy of some giving students in Spotswood. More...

Farmers' feed-the-needy effort survives setback

EAST BRUNSWICK - A local farm may be able to give food to New Jersey's poor after all. More...

Girls, ages 15 and 16, charged under E.B.'s new drinking law

EAST BRUNSWICK - Four township girls were charged under a new township ordinance that prohibits the consumption and possession of alcohol by underage people on private property. The arrests were made at 9:45 p.m. More...

Milltown man gets drug charges

MILLTOWN - A 22-year-old borough man was arrested last week on drug distribution charges following a police investigation. Joseph A. Primiano, of Blueberry Drive, was charged Dec. More...

Repeated false burglary alarms wasteful for town

EAST BRUNSWICK - Township officials are considering an increase in fees for people whose burglary alarms repeatedly go off without justification. More...

Four to receive Eagle rank after community projects

EAST BRUNSWICK - No fewer than four members of Boy Scout Troop 61 will be officially promoted to the rank of Eagle Scout next month. More...

Exxon Mobil to seek LNG facility off Jersey coast

COA opposes offshore gas terminal

SEA BRIGHT - After Exxon Mobil Corp. announced plans Dec. More...

Plastic surgery practice opens East Bruns. office

EAST BRUNSWICK - The Plastic Surgery Center, based in Shrewsbury, Monmouth County, is expanding its operations by relocating to a new office at 561 Cranbury Road. More...

New children's hospital specializes in rehab care

NEW BRUNSWICK - Children's Specialized Hospital has expanded to include a 60-bed pediatric rehabilitation center on Somerset Street. More...

Alleged robber arrested after running toward cop

Sayreville man, 37, charged in purse theft, store robbery

SAYREVILLE - A borough man has been charged with robbery after being caught by an officer who police say was in the right place at the right time. More...

Letters

Residents came together to pass referendum

Approximately 13 years ago my husband, Joe, and I bought a house and moved to Milltown with our 3- year-old son. It didn't just happen - it was a conscious decision to live in a small town and give our child a place to grow and flourish. More...

Long-awaited high school will serve students and community

Dec. 11, 2007, was an exciting and great day for the students and community members of Monroe Township. More...

Team vows honesty, integrity, accountability

This is an open letter to the residents of Milltown. We were humbled by the tremendous support you showed us on Election Day. Be assured that the trust you place in us is well-founded. More...

Obituaries

Mary Iannotta

Ms. Iannotta, 87, of South River, died Nov. 6, 2007, in Raritan Bay Medical Center, Old Bridge division. Prior to her retirement, she was employed as a seamstress with Brodsky's, South River, where she worked for many years. More...

Virginia Wihlborg Patterson

Mrs. Patterson, of Sayreville, died Nov. 17, 2007, at home. More...

Edward Martino Jr.

Mr. Martino, 56, of East Brunswick, died Dec. 16, 2007, in Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick. More...

Photo

SCOTT FRIEDMAN Asciolla sisters Taylor (l), 9, and Gianna, 7, meet Santa Claus at Helmetta's holiday party Sunday at the Holy Trinity Church hall, Main Street. The event also included a magic show. More...

A breakthrough year for revitalization effort

Coalition moves forward with historical markers, park archway

As the Jamesburg Revitalization Coalition reflects on a productive past year, it is also looking toward the future. More...

Unsightly area near dam to get cleanup, walkway

SPOTSWOOD - The borough will use a county grant to construct a new walkway from DeVoe Avenue to the dam behind the American Legion building. More...

Prisoners tell local kids realities of crime, jail

Four inmates share how their lives changed due to drug use

EAST BRUNSWICK - Four state prisoners met with a group of local youngsters recently, telling them to "choose freedom." During a "Straight Talk" presentation sponsored by the East Brunswick Police Youth Services program Nov. More...

Holiday hooray

SCOTT FRIEDMAN At Helmetta's holiday party Sunday at the Holy Trinity Church hall, Emily Collins (from right), 8, of South Brunswick, got a cool scrapbook; Patrick Caputo, 8, of Old Bridge, received a woodburning kit; Ryan Collins, 6, scored some Leg More...

Christmas spirit

PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff Above: Ryan McLaughlin, 12, of Spotswood, helps his mom, Cathy, wrap a gift for a family in need Dec. 13 at the Polish American Hall. More...

Ho ho ho!

SCOTT FRIEDMAN Children are in awe as Santa Claus makes his entrance at the Holy Trinity Church hall during Helmetta's holiday party Sunday. More...

Family works to bring all a brighter holiday

Visitors invited to walk display of lights, animation

OLD BRIDGE - When the sun sets, the fun starts at the Apruzzi house on Central Avenue. Every night, gingerbread boys and girls jump on a trampoline, ride down the slide, and play on the swings and seesaw. More...

The pied piper of book lovers

Pat Squire's book talks draw a loyal following

When Pat Squire retired from teaching third grade in suburban Philadelphia, the energetic "60- something" signed up for water aerobics, joined a chorus, took a class in bird watching, volunteered as an after-school tutor, taught a Bible class, visi More...

Fight poverty, join AmeriCorps VISTA

Anew public service campaign has been launched to enlist New Jersey residents in joining Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), the Ameri- Corps program that fights poverty. More...

State fund helps pay for children's medical needs

On Dec. 13 Gov. Jon S. Corzine announced more than $3.3 million in financial grants awarded by the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund Commission (CICRFC) to help families dealing with their children's extraordinary medical expenses. More...

Bulletin Board

Toys for Tots giveaway planned at S.R. church

Union Baptist Church, 76 Washington St., South River, will hold its second annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Distribution at 1 p.m. on Dec. 23. The church will offer free toys to children, infants-teens, on a first-come basis. More...

Registration ongoing for ESL adult-school classes

The South River Adult School is registering students for English as a Second Language (ESL) classes set for 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays through April. More...

O.B. salon sponsoring food drive for needy

Vogue Hair and Nail Studios, Ticetown Square Mall, intersection of Route 9 and Ticetown Road, Old Bridge, is conducting a food drive through Dec. 23 to benefit the Community Food Bank of New Jersey. More...

Opinion

Coda

'Tis the stressful season for us 'guerrilla shoppers'

There was a time not long ago when my wife said one of the most surprising things she's said in over 25 years of marriage. More...

Red State/Blue State

Great thoughts from celebs on political endorsements

A political discussion between Red State conservative Dave Simpson - a former reporter, editor, publisher and columnist - and Greg Bean, Blue Stater and executive editor of Greater Media Newspapers. Let us know what you think. More...

Sports

Sayreville boys looking for big results in the new year

Coach is looking for defense to lead the way

After a disappointing loss to Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) White Division foe Monroe on Tuesday, the Sayreville High School boys basketball team is 1-1 heading into this evening's game at South Plainfield. More...

SJV coach says his team is ready for big season

The St. John Vianney High School boys basketball team struggled during its opening-night loss to Rumson-Fair Haven, but coach David Emery believes his Lancers will be in the thick of things once the state and Shore Conference tournaments get going. More...

Monmouth Roundup

Monmouth University's men's basketball team (2-8, 0-1 NEC) fell to the visiting Rider Broncs (7-4, 1-1 MAAC), 76- 55 on Saturday night in Boylan Gym. More...