July 2, 2009 RSS feed / Front Page

Friends rally to help with family's expenses

Barbecue, concert in E.B. will benefit Helmetta boy

Acountry-western barbecue fundraiser on July 19 will benefit the family of chronically ill 2-year-old Zachary Nemeth of Helmetta. More...

E.B. adopts tab with 20-cent tax rate hike

Despite cuts, revenue losses cause tax increase

EAST BRUNSWICK — After months of work by various committees and officials, the Township Council has adopted its 2009 municipal budget, which includes a 20-cent increase in the tax rate. More...

School board's $5.6M financing to be OK'd

Stahl says arrangement saves taxpayers $200K

EAST BRUNSWICK — The Township Council has again postponed a vote on a shared services agreement that would allow the Board of Education to finance $5.6 million in purchases and projects. More...

Helping hands

PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff Beshoy Eskander (l-r), Aaron Kijak, William Fair and Emma Brueckner do their part to help those in need at Spotswood Memorial Middle School June 17 for Elijah's Promise soup kitchen in New Brunswick. More...

Emergency management conducts radio drill in S.R.

SOUTH RIVER — The borough's Office of Emergency Management and the Raritan Bay Radio Amateurs spent the overnight hours last weekend contacting others through radio transmissions across the nation. More...

Photo

KATHY CHANG South River Office of Emergency Management Director Charles Benn participates in the annual Field Day held by the nonprofit National Association for Amateur Radio — American Radio Relay League last weekend. More...

School celebrates Army major's homecoming

Children had maintained contact with officer in Iraq

OLD BRIDGE — Students, decked out in red, white and blue and humming patriotic songs, paraded through the halls of the Goddard School of South Old Bridge on a rainy summer morning. But it was not quite Independence Day yet. More...

Letters

Holiday won't the same without Crabiel

The Fourth of July is always a great day in Milltown. The many volunteers who organize the event work hard year after year to make it a very special day, not only for our residents but for the people who visit our community. More...

AARP providing online aid to avoid 'doughnut hole'

In just a few months, it is estimated that more than 1 million older Americans will fall into the "doughnut hole," the coverage gap in Medicare's prescription drug program that renders individuals responsible for all their own drug costs while stil More...

Councilman responds to criticism, takes issue with letter writer

It was with great disgust that I read the letter to the editor titled "Questions Councilman's PositionRegarding Electric Rates" in the June 25 issue of the Sentinel. The letter was signed by Liz Westbrook of Milltown. More...

Obituaries

Thomas F. Bell

Mr. Bell, 70, of Sayreville, died June 10, 2009, in Cranbury Care Center, Monroe. He was predeceased by his wife, Nora May Sheahan Bell, and by a son, Thomas Jr. More...

Francis "Frank" J. Vetrecin

Mr. Vetrecin, 77, of Spotswood, died June 21, 2009, in Raritan Bay Medical Center, Old Bridge division. He wrote "History of Spotswood. More...

Eugene G. Iko

Mr. Iko, 66, of Effort, Pa., formerly of Helmetta and the Parlin section of Sayreville, died June 9, 2009, in Geisinger Hospital West, Wilkes Barre, Pa. More...

The class of 2009

Above: Spotswood High School graduates do "the wave" prior to receiving their diplomas during the school's 32nd commencement. The ceremony was held June 23 on the high school's football field. More...

Milltown to celebrate nation's b-day in style

Longtime first-aid volunteer will serve as grand marshal

After years of being on call as a rescue squad member during Milltown's Fourth of July festivities, Don Hohner will be able to relax and enjoy himself this year. More...

High school throws dog a ... 'diploma'

SPOTSWOOD — Graduation is a time to celebrate with family and close friends. More...

Mission accomplished

Left: Graduating seniors make their way to their seats for the start of commencement exercises. More...

E.B. secures $475,000 for Harts Lane project

EAST BRUNSWICK — Township officials have successfully lobbied the state for money to repair Harts Lane. More...

Three Scouts celebrate Eagle status together

EAST BRUNSWICK — In true Boy Scout fashion, Shawn O'Grady, Timothy White and Sean Duffy shared the spotlight for their Eagle Court of Honor June 19 at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, Old Stage Road. More...

Giant breed rescue group facing difficult times

Monroe woman volunteers to help find homes for dogs

Tough economic times are not only hurting people, but animals as well. Linda Gress, a New Egypt resident, founded All About Them Giant Breed Rescue (AATGBR) 10 years ago. More...

County introduces program to deter juvenile crime

Anew county initiative called the "Clean Slate" program will give youngsters suspected of minor crimes a second chance to stay out of trouble, while easing the number of cases going to Family Court. More...

Bidding farewell

PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Above left: Spotswood High School Student Council President Bryanna Astor mingles with others from the class of 2009 before graduation June 23 on the school football field. More...

Bulletin Board

Theatre junior troupe will present 'Joseph'

The Main Street Theatre Company Junior Branch will perform the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice rock-opera "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Junior Version" at 8 p.m. July 17, 18 and 24, 2 and 8 p.m. July 25, and 2 p.m. More...

Spotswood teacher wins VFW honor

SPOTSWOOD — Frank Yusko, history teacher at Spotswood High School, has received the VFW Citizenship Education Teacher Award for 2008-09 for New Jersey. More...

Donors sought for July 2 blood drive

The East Brunswick Community Blood Drive is set for 2-7 p.m. July 2 at the East Brunswick Public Library, Jean Walling Civic Center. The drive will be conducted by New Jersey Blood Services. Residents are asked to donate blood to save a life. More...

Columns

Suit that polarized town enters a new chapter

I've written about the Stuart Moskovitz/Manalapan imbroglio a number of times over the last few years, so it's appropriate to note the fact that one chapter of this sorry mess may finally be over. More...

Sports

JFK plays its way to a state baseball title

The John F. Kennedy High School baseball team wrapped up the 2009 season in style by winning its first state championship in school history. More...

Sports Shorts

East Brunswick/Spotswood Golden Bear Chargers are looking for head coaches in their Jr. Pee Wee and Mitey Mite Cheer Levels. Assistant coaches in all levels are needed for all levels to provide discipline and guidance. More...

E.B. student-athletes honored at awards dinner

The dinner program presented to those in attendance at the East Brunswick Sports Award Dinner on June 10 closely resembled a textbook one might use for a course on, say, multivariable calculus. More...