MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Nicholas Zades, 5, of East Brunswick, welcomes Santa Claus to his room at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick, on Friday. East Brunswick police, including (l-r) Sgt. Dan Melnick, dispatcher Rich Akens (as Santa) and Patrolman Mike Tota, brought gifts to children at t... More ... Portrait gift shows essence of Christmas Artists’ generosity allows kids to cheer up mom with unique gift BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent       Nicholas Eucaliptus wanted to give something really special to his mother this Christmas. The 12-year-old noticed that his mother, Catherine, was feeling sad and wanted to cheer her up. He would discover one afternoon on Van Liew Avenue in Milltown just how he could accomplish that. More ... Cost increase for new high school unknown       School will cost more than was approved; new figures coming in Jan. BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer School officials in Monroe remain unsure about the exact cost of the new high school as they await a detailed estimate that will be completed sometime next week. More ... Lone Republican bids farewell to council Calvano says she brought more open dialogue to meetings BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK — It’s been a long four years for Councilwoman Christi Calvano, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t pleased with some of the things she’s accomplished. Calvano, who decided not to seek re-election this year, will wrap up her council service this week. More ... Stahl: Too much $$ being spent, too soon Councilman calls for blanket hiring freeze on municipal positions BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK –– It’s never too early to start worrying about the next year’s budget. But it can be too early to spend money for a budget year that has not yet arrived. Such issues are at the forefront of an ongoing discussion between members of the Township Council and admin... More ... Officials say Rt. 1 bridge project lacks foresight BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer       NORTH BRUNSWICK — Residents attending an informal workshop regarding the replacement of the Route 1 bridge between Ryders Lane and Milltown Road were upset to learn the design process is in its final phases. Although an information session was held on Dec. More ... Caroling      CHRIS KELLY staff Weldon Reed, of Monroe, holding 5-month-old daughter Rubie Elizabeth, sings along during the recent holiday lantern tour of downtown Freehold. More ... Teens charged in thefts that spanned six weeks BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MONROE — Three juvenile males have been charged in connection with a recent string of burglaries and thefts. Two Jamesburg boys, ages 16 and 17, and one Monroe boy, 16, were arrested Dec. 19 after police connected them to three separate thefts, two of which took place at Monroe Townsh... More ... Mental illness to be topic at meeting       NAMI-Middlesex, an affiliate of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, an organization for family and friends of the mentally ill and dedicated to helping those with mental illness and their families, will hold the next of its general membership meetings and speaker-series events f... More ... All about the moment for this one-man band Monroe guitarist/singer will play at Stone Pony on New Year’s Eve BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MONROE — If the audience at a Keith Kenny show were to close their eyes for the performance, they would swear that there was a full band on the stage. Kenny’s fans, however, are too busy dancing to the one-man act’s layered guitar riffs, singing, blues harp, percussion and even simu... More ... New Milltown panel will focus on the old Mayor and council soon to name members of historical committee BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MILLTOWN — The long-awaited Historic Preservation Advisory Committee is expected to be formed in early January. The Borough Council adopted an ordinance creating the panel at its Dec. More ... Kids’ visits home make for a special Christmas Siblings take a few days off from Peace Corps, Army to be with family BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MONROE — Though their remarkable lives have taken them far from their parents and younger sister, Andrew and Tara Grillos agree that there is no place like home for the holidays. The siblings were able to take a little time off to come back to Monroe and spend Christmas with their f... More ... Volunteers serve up food and friendship All are welcome at South River church for Thursday meals BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SOUTH RIVER –– As they have every Thursday for the past 12 years, high school students and church volunteers could be found last week serving up a hot meal at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Their generosity is appreciated by the many who come out to the community dinners, including ... More ... Youth bring joy to seniors      PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff Above, fifth-graders Jessica Ospina (l-r), Annie Zhang and Tania Ghazar introduce themselves to Dot Cornell, of East Brunswick’s Sunrise Assisted Living, during the Dec. 13 “Winter Peace” program at the Chittick School, East Brunswick. Students performed skits and songs f... More ... Mitzvah Day      PHOTOSBYSCOTT FRIEDMAN From top to bottom: Brandon Lillian, 10, of East Brunswick, takes some apple sauce for his latkes at Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple in New Brunswick Monday. Those involved with the temple paid visits to a battered women’s shelter and the Ronald McDonald House as part of the annua... More ... Roadwork, curbs come with three new homes       SPOTSWOOD –– Improvements to Outcalt Avenue will be made with borough funds as well as by a developer building homes there. The Borough Council recently approved a resolution authorizing the award of a $24,762 contract to Mario’s Concrete and Paving Co. Inc. for curb work on the road, w... More ... 2006 in photos      MIGUELJUAREZ staff In his Milltown home, Hugo Stockburger, 99, who as a young state trooper in 1934-35 guarded the convicted killer in the Lindbergh baby murder, recounts stories from his lengthy career. More ... Rubbed the wrong way, mother invents solution Smudge Guard stops the annoying ink smears for left-handed writers BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       SOUTH BRUNSWICK — They live in a system not made for them, where items as innocuous as a pair of scissors can lead to awkward and frustrating experiences. They are left-handers. More ... Helmetta gets $168K for Maple St. project BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       HELMETTA — The borough will receive a grant from the state Department of Transportation for long-awaited road work on Maple Street. Mayor Nancy Martin said the $168,000 grant will pay for road reconstruction and curbing. Maple Street, which runs through the snuff mill property, ... More ... Reservations due Jan. 5 for B’nai B’rith dinner       The B’nai B’rith Ketubah married couples unit will meet for dinner Jan. 7 at 5:30 p.m. at The Pine Tavern, Route 34 and Cottrell Road, Old Bridge. Cost is the price of the individual’s meal. Prospective members are welcome to attend. Reservations are required by Jan. 5 and may be made b... More ... Four treasures arrive in time for Christmas Healthy quadruplets born to couple after 291¼2 weeks in womb BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE — Kristin and Anthony Liamero got their Christmas presents early this year. At 2:30 p.m. Dec. 21, Kristin gave birth to quadruplets — Natalie Kate, 3.1 pounds, Anthony Peter Jr., 3.8 pounds, Melanie Patricia, 2.15 pounds, and Corinne Lillian, 2.10 pounds. More ... Annual toy giveaway      MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Santa Claus leads the way as Sgt. Dan Melnick (front, right) and Lt. Alan Quercia haul gifts for children at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick Friday. The annual toy giveaway is sponsored by the FOP Lodge 98, East Brunswick. More ... Billboard sends sobering message on drunk driving Metuchen student, killed in 2004 accident, featured on Rt. 130 sign BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer       NORTH BRUNSWICK — A billboard featuring a student killed two years ago by a drunk driver has been placed on Apple Orchard Lane and Route 130 to try and deter drinking and driving, especially during the holidays. Michael V. Partipilo, a presidential high school honor student at St. J... More ...