MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Dolores Hode shows a jacket and shirt during Monday's fashion show at the South River Senior Center. The benefit for the Senior Citizen Trust Account was organized by the local Red Hat Society, the Rambling Rosettes. More ... Bank OK'd on site of old Forney Clinic Board: Historic nature could not be factored in decision BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       After more than six months of hearings, Valley National Bank has won approval to build on the site of the nearly 150-year-old Forney Clinic building. The Milltown Zoning Board of Adjustment voted to approve the bank branch on the North Main Street site at its March 7 meeting. More ... E.B. school tax hike proposed at 36.6¢ Officials say budget has little in the way of discretionary spending BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       Taxpayers would see a 36.6-cent increase in the school tax rate based on a tentative budget introduced Tuesday by the East Brunswick Board of Education. Though the 2007-08 budget will be discussed further and could be changed in the coming weeks, the tax hike, as it stands, would tr... More ... Police, canine thwart hardware store burglary       JAMESBURG - Police trapped and arrested a burglary suspect inside a Gatzmer Avenue business Monday night after being tipped off by an off-duty state trooper. The suspect, Joseph F. Dillon, 32, of Jamesburg, was arrested after being injured by a police dog during a search of the buildin... More ... Rambling Rosettes       Above, South River Office on Aging Director Amy Burg models clothing during a benefit fashion show held Monday at the Senior Center. The event was organized by the local Red Hat Society, the Rambling Rosettes. Below, Jean Zdanowicz, a member of the Rambling Rosettes, takes in the fashion show... More ... Photo contest captures favorite places in N.J.       The next photo you take anywhere in New Jersey impressive enough to don a picture frame might also make its way into the New Jersey Countryside Magazine and on their Internet Web site. The New Jersey Office of Travel and Tourism has partnered with New Jersey Countryside for a statewide ... More ... 'Mad Hot Ballroom' next up for film festival       The Spring International Film Festival at the East Brunswick Public Library, Jean Walling Civic Center, will continue on March 27 with 1:30 and 8 p.m. screenings of "Mad Hot Ballroom." The 2005 documentary is rated PG. Running time is 105 minutes. More ... Safe-boating course coming to Sayreville       Coast Guard Flotilla Auxiliary 2-1, 167 Main St., Sayreville, will offer "America's Boating Course" from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays, April 2-11. The cost is $50, including textbook. A New Jersey Boating Safety Certificate will be issued upon successful completion of the c... More ... Just two candidates file for 3 open seats Family obligationskeep current board members from running BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MILLTOWN - Two incumbents on the Board of Education chose not to seek re-election, leaving just two candidates for three open seats. Incumbent Board President Barbara Pietanza is running in the April 17 school election to hold on to her post, and resident Linda Harold, who ran and ... More ... Committee to recommend grant funding recipients BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - The township is expecting to receive $125,000 this year through a federal Community Development Block Grant to fund various projects. More ... Celtic sounds      PHOTOSBY SCOTT PILLING staff Above: Bobby Durning, 15, of Milltown, plays the bagpipes at the borough's public library Tuesday evening. The event, "A Celtic Music Journey," was an early celebration of St. Patrick's Day, which arrives Saturday. Below: Acclaimed performer Heather Mulvey performs for t... More ... Police nab suspect after attempted motel robbery       EAST BRUNSWICK - Police arrested a man accused of attempting to hold up a township motel recently. The arrest of Michael K. Smith, 32, of Baltimore, Md., came after police responded to Studio 6 motel, on Route 18, on a report of an attempted armed robbery at the front desk at 12:27 p.m... More ... Nature walk next up for environmental panel       The Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership (LBWP) will offer a nature walk from 2-4 p.m. on March 18 at Rutgers Gardens, Cook College campus of Rutgers University, New Brunswick. Herve Barrier, a biologist and LBWP member, will guide the 2- to 3-mile walk through the gardens and areas nea... More ... Holt bill would demand paper record of votes Once defeated, proposal getting a second look with new Democratic majority BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       A new bill put forth by U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (12th District) would mandate that all electronic voting machines produce a voter-verified paper trail, but some critics have voiced concern over security and funding. The bill itself, called HR811, was originally proposed and defeated by ... More ... Handlin: Make corrupt pay legal fees BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN - Assembly-woman Amy Handlin (R-Monmouth/Middlesex) plans to propose a bill that would require public officials convicted of crimes, not taxpayers, to be responsible for paying the legal fees associated with their defense. More ... Fundraisers       March 15 + Evening at T.G.I. Friday's, sponsored by the Sayreville War Memorial High School Bombers Bowling Team, 5-9 p.m., at Friday's, Route 9 north, Old Bridge. Diners should tell their server they are there to support the bowling team. Call Debbie at (732) 257-7730 or Nancy at (732)... More ... Sound skills have area native up for an Emmy BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent       JAMESBURG - If Jennifer Emens is doing her job, you won't notice her work. A sound engineer and designer, Emens creates audio background for TV commercials such as Yoplait yogurt, Right Guard deodorant and Gillette Mach 3 razors. She is also now working on a TV series. More ... Councilman proposes no drop/no knock law BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MILLTOWN - Councilman Michael Skarzynski often takes to the streets of the town on foot for enjoyment, but last Saturday's walk found him on a sort of paper chase. The windy weather punctuated the problem of circulars and flyers littering the streets and sidewalks, as well as becomin... More ... Redevelopment mulled for Snowhill St. area Boro may seek review of area with dilapidated buildings BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       SPOTSWOOD - With the goal of sprucing up some blighted properties in town, borough officials are considering a redevelopment project. The Borough Council discussed the possible redevelopment, which would target the Snowhill Street area, during a meeting last week after resident Fra... More ... Parents get drug charges after no-show at bus stop       EAST BRUNSWICK - Police arrested a schoolchild's parents last week on numerous drug charges after they failed to pick up their 6-year-old son at the bus stop. Police charged the parents, Albert and Emelinda Owens, with possessing illegal drugs and alleged that Albert Owens was also inv... More ... Expert shares do's and don'ts of online selling BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer       NORTH BRUNSWICK - One man's trash is another man's treasure. The popular auction Web site eBay allows buyers to sift through items that sellers are looking to part with. Where else can you find a piece of toast that supposedly has the image of Jesus on it? Or how about a jar filled w... More ... New offerings pump up membership at YMCA BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - - The new Raritan Valley YMCA, located on Tices Lane, is largely complete with the addition of a wellness center. Though it has taken some time for the community to take advantage of the new Y, things have started to take off. More ... Lowe's and others keep retail vacancy rate low Studies detail changes along Rts. 18, 1 and 9 in Middlesex, Monmouth       EAST BRUNSWICK - Large retail companies absorbed vacant retail space along Route 18 over the past year, demonstrating a high demand to locate along the busy corridor. This was the finding of retail real estate brokerage firm The Goldstein Group, Glen Rock, which recently completed it... More ... Bringing a rare smile to sick, homeless kids Spotswood faculty member describes her two weeks in Uganda BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent       SPOTSWOOD - Like many people, Melissa Pokrywa decided to spend part of her break in a warmer climate. But this was no resort, and certainly no vacation. Instead, the psychologist for the Spotswood School District spent two weeks recently in poverty-stricken Uganda, helping orphans ... More ... Board narrows field to 8 super candidates Successor sought for retiring top administrator BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       JAMESBURG - The borough's next superintendent of schools is expected to be hired by May and be on the job in July. The Board of Education held a special meeting last week to review the 20 completed applications submitted by prospective superintendents, Board President Donald Peters... More ... Town needs properties for Summerhill project BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - Before work to improve Summerhill Road can begin, the town must purchase some land from nearby property owners. More ...