September 11, 2008 RSS feed / Front Page

Councilman arrested on Internet sex charge

Allegations against Bodall shocking to fellow officials

Jamesburg Councilman and historian Thomas Bodall was arrested last week on charges he initiated sexually explicit dialogue on the Internet with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl. More...

Councilman recalls 'surreal' day on 9/11

Plane struck tower shortly after he arrived at his 14th-floor office

Michael Trenga is thankful each and every day that he is alive to tell his story seven years after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. "That day is as vivid as yesterday … it was so surreal," said the South River councilman. More...

Local towns pay tribute to those lost on Sept. 11

On the seventh anniversary of the 9/11, local towns are showing that they have not forgotten the victims who perished in the terrorist attacks. Communities are coming together once again to memorialize and honor those who lost their lives. More...

Family celebrates life, and the unexplainable

Monroe woman twice diagnosed with cancer defies odds ... and logic

MONROE — Though Michelle Rogala, a cancer survivor, cannot explain how her good fortune came about, she is thankful it did, and she wants to spread the word. "It is an unexplained miracle," Rogala said. More...

Walkathon will benefit teacher injured in crash

OBHS grad would have begun career at Sandburg last week

OLD BRIDGE — Though Mike Wojcik suffered injuries that prevented him from starting off the school year teaching at Carl Sandburg Middle School, the community is keeping him close in spirit, rooting for his recovery. More...

Senior gamers

The Wii game console has become popular with retirees at the Chelsea assisted living residence in East Brunswick. The facility received the Wii console and accessories, worth $500, as a donation from the Rotary Club of South River-East Brunswick. More...

Builder will seek approval for 12 homes off Dunhams

EAST BRUNSWICK — The Planning Board will soon hear testimony on a proposed new housing development off Dunhams Corner Road. More...

Town, mourners pay respects to soldier, 20

See slideshow on gmnews.com

This story contains a video SPOTSWOOD More...

Letters

Super thankful to officials in E.B., So. River

O n Sept. 3 I felt very fortunate to be standing at the new South River home of Memorial Elementary School, welcoming students and staff. This would not have been possible without the help of so many people. More...

State leads in services for disabled adults

T his letter is in response to the letter to the editor regarding the lack of services for disabled adults within Spotswood that appeared in the Sept. 4 issue of the Sentinel. More...

Food-allergic kids long to have normal days

With the impending arrival of school comes numerous rituals: back-to-school shopping and well-child exams, with perhaps a few vaccinations thrown in, and maybe a last series of family day trips while the weather is still warm. More...

Red State / Blue State

Red State/Blue State

Seeing Sarah through two completely different lenses

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...

Sports

South River football must replace 17 grads from '07 team

Defending division champs open against Highland Park

The South River High School football program finds itself in a very unfamiliar position heading into the 2008 season. More...

Art Official joins greats as Cane Pace winner

Art Official joined the greatest standardbreds in the sports history when he won the $392,850 Cane Pace at Freehold Raceway on Labor Day. His driver, Millstone's Ron Pierce, has put his name alongside the greatest drivers in the sport's history. More...

Golden Grand Prix concludes

The Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix series of road races came to a close on Labor Day with the Pier Village 5K in Long Branch. More...

Police: Memorial School fire considered ‘suspicious’

EAST BRUNSWICK More...

Photo

JEFF GRANIT staff Family members of U.S. Army Spc. Michael Gonzalez follow his casket outside the Spotswood Reformed Church during funeral services Saturday. Gonzalez, 20, died Aug. 28 while serving in Iraq. More...

Police: Memorial School fire considered 'suspicious'

Electrical cause ruled out in ongoing investigation

T he fire that caused extensive damage to Memorial Elementary School July 10 has now been labeled suspicious, and East Brunswick police are looking for those responsible for setting it. More...

Mat maneuvers

Top: Grace Morris (top) and Riya Desai, both 6, practice a mat maneuver as instructor Greg Ruggiero stands by during Monroe Township's recent Judo Camp at the Community Center. Ruggiero Bros. More...

Construction can begin on large sports facility

Indoor/outdoor tennis, basketball courts on way to Perrineville Rd.

MONROE — By next year, area athletes will not have to let inclement weather stand in the way of their sporting pursuits. More...

Ballfield to be built for special-needs kids

Middlesex County expected to award $1.5M for project

EAST BRUNSWICK — Middlesex County officials are planning to allocate $1.5 million to help the township build a new playing field for children with special needs. More...

New parking garage weeks from opening

EAST BRUNSWICK — The new Transportation and Commerce Center (TCC) is scheduled to open in early October. The six-story commuter parking deck has been under construction for about a year at the Golden Triangle site on Route 18. More...

Dunkin' Donuts gets OK' to add drive-thru

EAST BRUNSWICK — The Planning Board has given conditional approval for Dunkin' Donuts to build a drive-through area and make other renovations at its existing shop on Route 18 north near Edgeboro Road. More...

E.B. temple to present two traveling exhibitions

EAST BRUNSWICK — Temple B'nai Shalom will host two exhibits simultaneously on Israel starting today. One is an exhibit and sale of Israeli art from Safrai Gallery; the other is a New Jersey-Israel Commission photo and documentary exhibit. More...

Those with Big Hearts to walk for little ones

OLD BRIDGE — Local residents are invited to enjoy the boardwalk in Spring Lake while helping children with heart defects Sunday. More...

Sayreville man admits to running steroid lab

SAYREVILLE — A borough man pleaded guilty this week to operating a steroid manufacturing operation out of his home, and to the illegal possession of two firearms, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced. More...

Bulletin Board

M'town to hold Sept. 11 candlelight ceremony

Milltown Department of Recreation will hold a Sept. 11 candlelight ceremony 7 p.m. at American Legion Pavilion, JFK Drive, Milltown. The public is invited to attend, and is encouraged to bring a candle to light. More...

Scout Pack 3 recruitment night slated for Sept. 24

Cub Scout Pack 3, Monroe Township, will hold a recruitment and registration night 7- 8:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at Monroe Township Recreation Center, Monmouth Road. Scouts are involved in camping, archery, swimming, crafts, sports and other activities. More...

Old Bridge Library hosts Caribbean Night

A Caribbean Night Travel/Passport Expo will be held 6 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Central Branch of the Old Bridge Public Library on the corner of Route 516 and Cottrell Road. Representatives from St. Maarten/St. Martin Tourist Office, the Bermuda Dept. More...

Columns

Coda

For Mr. James Wasser, the fat lady is singing

When my brothers and I were young, our mom was our greatest supporter, but she never let us get too big for our britches. More...

Obituaries

U.S. Army Spec. Michael L. Gonzalez

Spec. Gonzalez, 20, of Spotswood, died Aug. 28, 2008, in Iraq of injuries sustained when an improvised device exploded. He was assigned to the 18th Military Police Brigade, 95th Military Police Battalion, of the 340th Military Police Company. More...

Clara McGarry

Mrs. McGarry, 79, of Old Bridge, died Aug. 22, 2008, in Raritan Bay Medical Center, Old Bridge division. Prior to her retirement in 1994, she worked for J.C. Penney Co., East Brunswick. She was predeceased by her husband, Michael J. Sr. More...

Alice M. Mulhall Corcoran Wollmann

Mrs. Wollmann, 86, died Aug. 25, 2008, in Reformed Church Home, Old Bridge. She was predeceased by her first husband, Raymond Corcoran Sr., who died in 1966; her second husband, Leonard Wollmann, who died in 1998; and by a son, Raymond Corcoran. More...