SCOTT FRIEDMAN Dave De Monico, eventual winner of the annual South River Frost on the Pumpkin 10K race Sunday, pulls ahead of the pack early on. More ... Landfill to be sued over river pollution Group claims owner failed to clean, prevent discharge into Raritan BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer      An environmental group is expected to sue the Edgeboro Landfill in East Brunswick on charges it has polluted the Raritan River over several decades. More ... Frost on the Pumpkin Race      SCOTT FRIEDMAN Kendra Russano is congratulated by her kids, Tyler, 6, Abbey, 4, and Trent, 3, as she finishes the 10K run at the South River Frost on the Pumpkin Road Races Sunday. More ... Township, commuters grapple with new tax 7% state sales tax amounts to 28¢ a day for some commuters BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer      EAST BRUNSWICK -- Commuters already worried about the prospect of the township increasing municipal parking rates are now facing a hike courtesy of the state. More ... Classmates still cheering for SRHS, 50 years later      SOUTH RIVER - It's a half-century since they bid farewell to South River High School, but the members of the class of 1956 still share an appreciation for their alma mater and its football team. More ... Tickets available for storytelling fest      John McCutcheon will be the featured performer at the East Brunswick Friends of the Library's 14th annual James Hess Folklore and Storytelling Festival set for 8 p.m. on Nov. 18 and 2 p.m. on Nov. 19 at the library, Jean Walling Civic Center. Tickets are on sale at the library circulation desk. More ... Craft fair on agenda at E.B. Senior Center      The annual East Brunswick Senior Center Craft Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 4 at the senior center, Jean Walling Civic Center Drive. More ... Musicians to rock for a cause Saturday South River benefit features Spook Handy, seven other artists BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer      SOUTH RIVER - Local musicians will perform this weekend for a developmentally disabled man who recently underwent costly surgery. More ... Bear stroll      MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Erin Lortz and Teresa Thorne, inside the bear, check out some of the scarecrows lining the street in downtown Jamesburg Oct. 21. More ... Donations sought for winter coat drive      Monroe Chiropractic Care and Fiddlehead's Restaurant and Elks Lodge No. 2180, both Jamesburg, are collecting clean, new or gently used coats for Jersey Cares, the New Jersey-based arm of New York Cares, made famous by the television commercial of the Statue of Liberty shivering. More ... Monroe woman, 81, dies after fire      MONROE - An 81-year-old township woman whose clothing caught fire when she was taking food out of her oven Oct. 19 has died. More ... Holt calls for immediate withdrawal of troops      Incumbent U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-12) says that America needs to get the troops out of Iraq right now and develop more diplomatic ties, and that alternative energy sources must be found before it's too late. More ... Fund-raisers      Nov. 2 + Pasta Dinner, sponsored by the Spotswood High School Touchdown Club, to benefit the Charger Star program, 5:30-7:30 p.m., in the cafetorium at the high school, Summerhill Road. Seatings: 5:30, 6, 6:30, 7, 7:30 p.m. Three Charger Star families receive all proceeds from the event. Cost More ... Dems pledge to improve efficiency, education Incumbents Pulomena, Polos say they're proud of their accomplishments BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer      Constituents, then county, then party. That is the order of priority the current Middlesex County Democratic freeholders say they have taken when handling their position. More ... GOP: We'll be board's 'badly needed conscience' Geoffrey Champion, Andrew Tidd seek freeholder seats BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer      The Republican candidates for Middlesex County freeholder are looking to restore a system of checks and balances to the board with their election Tuesday. More ... East Brunswick Township Council      What new programs or projects would you endorse and work on as a council member over the next four years? More ... South River Borough Council      What is your stance on the borough's efforts to redevelop properties in town, and what would you advocate for future redevelopment? More ... Helmetta Borough Council      At stake: Two three-year council terms and one-year unexpired term More ... Milltown Borough Council      At stake: Two three-year terms on the Borough Council More ... Jamesburg Council      At stake: Two three-year terms on the Borough Council More ... East Brunswick Township Council      At stake: Three four-year terms on the Township Council More ... Wetlands park will be created next to 41 homes BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer      MONROE - Some 41 single-family homes will be built alongside 71 acres of preserved open space under a development plan approved last week. More ... Milltown cleanup scheduled for Nov. 5      The Milltown Environmental Commission, the Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership, New Jersey Community Water Watch and Milltown Girl Scouts will sponsor an environmental cleanup around the borough waterways beginning at noon on Nov. 5. More ... Sinagra: U.S. must finish important work in Iraq      Joe Sinagra says that he's just an ordinary guy, and thus he understands the issues important to the ordinary guy. More ... Father of E.B. shooter likely to serve 5 years BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer      EAST BRUNSWICK - The father of the boy who shot and killed his 12-year-old friend last June is expected to serve prison time after pleading guilty last week to endangering the welfare of a child. More ... 'Tribute to the Count' next up at music center      The Imperial Band will present "A Tribute to the Count," a concert honoring legendary musician Count Basie, from 2-4 p.m. on Nov. 5 at the Imperial Music Center, 48 Appleby Ave., South River. More ... Music, TV students team to make DVD for troops      SPOTSWOOD - Students at Memorial Middle School and Spotswood High School teamed up recently to create a DVD that will be shipped to troops overseas. More ... S.R. railroad crossing will get major upgrade      SOUTH RIVER - A deteriorated railroad crossing just south of the Wawa convenience store on Willett Avenue will be getting a much-needed upgrade next month. More ... Some press on in battle to quell restaurant noise BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer      SPOTSWOOD - Despite a recent court decision, neighbors of the Kabaret say noise from loud music continues to be a problem. More ... First-aiders will run in NYC for ambulance Team of four from rescue squad raising funds for new vehicle BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer      EAST BRUNSWICK - Volunteers with the township's rescue squad will run in the New York City Marathon this weekend to raise funds for a badly needed new ambulance. More ...