SCOTT FRIEDMAN Spring may be around the corner, but ice fishing is still going strong in East Brunswick, as could be seen on the frozen Farrington Lake Sunday morning. More ... Residents to vote on construction in Sept. Milltown schools overdue for repairs, improvements BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       School officials are taking action to remedy areas of Milltown's two schools that have been long in need of repair. Residents will be asked in a September referendum to approve construction estimated to cost in the vicinity of $6 million or $7 million, according to Superintendent of... More ... Kaplan gets go-ahead for snuff mill project Planning Board approves site plan for senior housing BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       The redevelopment of Helmetta's historic snuff mill property could begin as early as this fall. The project, which will turn some of the vacant factory buildings along Main Street into a senior condo community called Heritage at Helmetta, received preliminary site plan approval from... More ... Ready, aim, fire      MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Lauren Nolan, 6, of South River, takes aim at the hoop during an annual basketball free-throw tournament at the South River Middle School Feb. 17. The South River Police Department hosted the event along with the South River P.B.A. Local 62 and Ecko Unlimited. More ... E.B. mulls restrictions on business advertising Discussion centers on use of characters to get motorists' eye BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - The Township Council is looking to clamp down on businesses whose advertising practices could pose a safety hazard. Council members on Monday discussed tightening the town's ordinance to prohibit businesses from having characters stand outside their business as an ... More ... Fundraisers       March 2 + A Night at the Races, sponsored by Leroy Cooper School, Old Bridge, 7 p.m. to midnight, post time is 7:45 p.m., at the Holiday Inn, Route 35 south, Hazlet. Horse races, tricky tray, raffles, 50/50, prizes, buffet, cash bar. Cost is $30 per ticket; includes one free sheet of tr... More ... New deal gives teachers annual raises of 4.75% BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - A new contract ratified last week brings an end to a lengthy and at times contentious period of negotiations with the teachers' union and Board of Education. The new deal, officially approved at the Feb. 22 Board of Education meeting, provides a 4.75 percent salary i... More ... Same-sex couples sign up for official unions Area mayors say they have no problem performing ceremonies BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       Since the same-sex civil union law took effect Feb. 20, couples throughout the region are signing up to be officially recognized by the state as a couple. Local mayors who perform wedding ceremonies said they see civil unions as all in a day's work. More ... Yo-yo magic      PHOTOS BYJEFF GRANIT staff Clockwise from top: Pat Cuartero, the reigning yo-yo world champion, works his magic in front of an audience at the East Brunswick Public Library Feb. 16. Lee Rosenthal and son Sean, 8, of East Brunswick, hold their spinning yo-yo. Jake Sacktig, 6, of East Brunswick, has a... More ... Mickey Mouse down, but not out, in Monroe Family seeks justice for destruction of landmark mailbox BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MONROE - For years, Mickey has taken a beating. Vandals and ne'er-do-wells have done their best to destroy the unofficial town mascot with instruments of destruction like firecrackers and even bullets, but had not succeeded - until recently. More ... Town's help is sought to keep parking lot safe Parkview lot can be safety hazard during after-school pickups BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MILLTOWN - School officials want to heighten safety in the Parkview School's parking lot by cracking down on parents who park there when picking up their children in the afternoon. "We're trying to be as safe as possible, but some people think the rules are not made for them," Supe... More ... Negotiations ongoing for undisclosed tract       EAST BRUNSWICK - Another major open space acquisition could be in the township's near future, but where and when remains a question. Mayor William Neary mentioned an ongoing effort to preserve more land in the township during his recent State of the Township address, but he did not off... More ... Of mice and … frogs      PHOTOSBY CHRIS KELLY staff Above, Victoria Mosier (l-r), Mike Buszczak and Leyla Saldana work on one of the scenes from the Churchill Junior High School Drama Club's upcoming production of "Mouse Wars: Attack of the Frogs." Right, students rehearse another scene from the production, which will be pe... More ... Diner ready to open thanks to easement Councilman argues town should charge for use of right of way BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - One final approval needed for the reopening of the Colonial Diner has been granted. The Township Council on Monday voted to grant an easement to the Route 18 diner so that it can use a township right of way for parking, as it did prior to its recent construction pr... More ...