September 4, 2008 RSS feed / Front Page

Soldier remembered as outstanding young man'

Spotswood '06 grad. served in Iraq since early this summer
BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer

ASpotswood resident who was recently deployed to Iraq was killed last week when an improvised explosive device went off in the area where he was working in Baghdad. U.S. Army Spc. More...

Town eyes final stages of work on arts center

BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer

With the outdoor amphitheater at Heavenly Farms, East Brunswick, ready to be used for the first time this weekend, officials expect to soon know when the adjacent arts center will be complete. More...

Borough's taxes go up as state aid goes down

HELMETTA — The Borough Council last week adopted a 2008 municipal budget that absorbs the loss of more than $62,000 in state aid. More...

Steel Mill keeps Asbury sounds of the past alive

Former E Street drummer Vini Lopez finds success playing early Springsteen
BY AMY ROSEN Staff Writer

You can knock steel down, but it is not easily destroyed. In much the same way, Vini "Maddog" Lopez, the drummer for Steel Mill, is still going strong — and some might even say he's better than ever. More...

Cartooning

JEFF GRANIT staff Matthew Taffet, 9, of East Brunswick, colors the hand of a SpongeBob picture he made during a summer camp program at Middlesex County College. More...

It's 'thyme' to smell the roses, and basil, and licorice root

BY SUSANNE MORELLI Staff Writer

SOUTH BRUNSWICK — The New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, part of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County, has updated its "Circle of Thyme" herb garden located in Davidson Mill Pond Park on Riva Avenue. More...

Middlesex county seniors win state contest

Six senior citizens from Middlesex County were among the winners of the 42nd annual New Jersey State Senior Citizens Annual Juried Art Contest and Exhibition. More...

Letters

Spotswood sorely lacking in services for disabled

Iam writing to respond to comments made by local officials at a recent Borough Council meeting and referenced in staff writer Vincent Todaro's article "Resident: More Services Are Needed for Disabled" (Sentinel, Aug. 7). More...

Staying Virus Free,' Vista' talks set at library

"Windows Vista" and "Staying Virus Free" seminars are set for 7 p.m. on Sept. 11 and again at 1 p.m. Sept. 18 at the East Brunswick Public Library, Jean Walling Civic Center. More...

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Opinion

Senator misses a few of state's big problems

New Jersey Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) issued a press release last week calling for action to be taken regarding the practice of school administrators who "obtain degrees from unaccredited and questionable colleges and universities. More...

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Red State / Blue State

Red State/Blue State

Honey, I lost the keys to all of these darned houses
DAVE SIMPSON & GREG BEAN

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. More...

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Schools

Back to school

PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff Left: Parents and students of East Brunswick's Memorial Elementary School take a tour of the former Corpus Christi School in South River during the open house on Aug. 25. More...

Courtesy busing restored for E.B. private schools

Board will appoint panel to look at transportation issue
BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer

EAST BRUNSWICK — The Board of Education has decided to reinstate bus routes for students at two area private schools. The bus service, considered courtesy busing and provided to students at St. More...

SRHS among five most improved N.J. high schools

BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer

SOUTH RIVER — Superintendent of Schools Ronald C. Grygo said he could not be more proud of South River High School's recent achievements. More...

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Photo

ERIC SUCAR staff Heather O'Reilly, sporting the gold medal she won as part of the U.S. More...

One retail plaza denied; another proposed on 33

Zoning Board gives thumbs down to plan for 33, Butcher Road
BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer

W hile Monroe Township recently denied an application for one commercial center on Route 33 amid concerns from residents and officials, another developer has submitted plans for a retail center on the same highway. More...

Turner tribute concert to open amphitheater

Simply the Best to perform free show Saturday at 7 p.m.
BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent

Fans of Tina Turner and live outdoor concerts have something special to look forward to. On Saturday, Simply the Best, a tribute to Turner's music, will perform the first-ever concert at the township's new outdoor amphitheater at Heavenly Farms. More...

Spicuzzo fills council seat; will run Nov. 4

Son of county sheriff described as being 'young, energetic'
BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer

SPOTSWOOD — Charles Spicuzzo has been chosen to fill the Borough Council seat formerly held by Thomas Barlow, who vacated the term when he took over as Spotswood's mayor. More...

For the Record

While Gen. George Washington's troops encamped on the Miller farm in Monroe on June 27, 1778, Gen. Charles Lee and Major Gen. Marquis de Lafayette stayed at the Story farm, on the western edge of Englishtown. More...

Nonprofit group seeks cultural understanding

East Brunswick siblings live for weeks in Japan, Argentina
BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent

For teenagers with a hankering for faroff places, an organization called Youth for Understanding could give them the trip of their dreams while providing a cultural education they won't forget. More...

Acclaimed author pays visit to his hometown

Ureneck's 'Backcast' tells of adventure with his teenage son
BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent

SPOTSWOOD — Patrons of the borough's library were treated last week to an appearance by a native son who went on to become an esteemed journalist and, more recently, an award-winning author. More...

Elks event raises $15K for Carness/Mustafa fund

The East Brunswick Elks Lodge recently coordinated a major fundraising event on behalf of the Lesley Carness and Jon Mustafa Scholarship Fund. More...

Dog was officer's trusty companion for 13 years

Black lab was able to sniff out narcotics during searches
BY CHRIS MURINO Staff Writer

SAYREVILLE — For almost 13 years, Detective Joe Wolski had a four-legged partner on the police force. Cody, a black Labrador who could detect drugs, was that partner until the pooch retired in May 2007. He died this summer at the age of 14. More...

Bulletin Board

Tickets available for Wine-Tasting Social

St. Bartholomew Columbiettes will host its first Wine-Tasting Social 7-10 p.m. Sept. 19 in St. Bartholomew's Parish Hall, 460 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick. Cost is $10 per person and includes tasting, snacks and dessert. More...

Golf-outing proceeds will aid rescue squads

Volunteer rescue squads in nine New Jersey communities will receive proceeds from the fifth annual Chelsea Senior Living and Inglemoor Rehabilitation and Care Center Golf Outing set for Sept. More...

Rummage Sale to aid yeshiva high school

Moshe Aaron Yeshiva High School, South River, will hold a Rummage Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 14 at 34 Charles St., South River. Giftware, toys and gently used clothing will be available at bargain prices. More...

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Columns

Coda

City could have avoided fight with a better offer
GREG BEAN

Ihave never met the Rev. Kevin Brown, the guy the city of Long Branch is trying to evict from his apartment and his church so that a group of private developers can tear the building down to make way for the Broadway Arts Center redevelopment. More...

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Obituaries

Raymond J. Cushing Jr.

Mr. Cushing, 52, of Rahway, died Aug. 17, 2008, in Raritan Bay Medical Center, Perth Amboy division. Born in Bayonne, he resided in South Amboy for 25 years before moving to Rahway two years ago. More...

Angela "Dolly" Smith

Mrs. Smith, 79, of Old Bridge, died Aug. 19, 2008, in Raritan Bay Medical Center, Old Bridge division. She was a Middlesex County committeewoman and a member of the Youth Guidance Committee and Rent Stabilization Board, all Old Bridge. More...

Thomas Intoccia

Thomas Intoccia, 76, died Aug. 18, 2008. Born in Jamaica, N.Y., he resided in East Brunswick and Woodbridge for many years. His 46 years of service to Northwest Airlines included a term as general chairman of IAM Air Transport District No. 143. More...

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Sports

Soccer stars

PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff U.S. Women's Olympic Soccer player Heather O'Reilly signs a ball for a young player at the East Brunswick Soccer Club's Labor Day Tournament Saturday. More...

EBHS football will face tough schedule in 2008

Bears take on numerous playoff-caliber teams after a 5-5 season
BY JEFF APPELBLATT Correspondent

East Brunswick High School's football coach Marcus Borden could be worried as he enters the 2008 season. H is team is young — the Bears have only three seniors and have nine underclassmen on the defensive end. More...

Monroe football has hands full heading into new season

Young squad, difficult schedule for Falcons in '08
BY JEFF APPELBLATT Correspondent

As the high school football season nears, many coaches are eager to get their teams on the field. Seventeen days before Monroe High School's first game, first-year head coach Chris Beagan could not have felt different. More...

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