SCOTT PILLING staff Greta Anderson of the Printmaking Council of New Jersey helps Evan Zelesnick pull his print from the etching press yesterday at Appleby Elementary School in Spotswood. Students in Jennifer Kardos' art classes worked with various forms of printmaking throughout the day. More ... Board hopefuls debate high school decisions Monroe candidates also weigh in on No Child Left Behind BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       While three incumbents are looking to hold on to their seats on the Monroe Township Board of Education, four others are trying to work their way in. Current members Amy Speizer, Carol Haring and Lew Kaufman are being challenged by newcomers Russell Boyd, Ken Chiarella and Ira Tessle... More ... Boro demands fix-ups at abandoned building Spotswood began issuing fines against owner in November BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       What is referred to in Spotswood as the old Asbury Fuel building is in violation of borough codes, and officials want it repaired or torn down. The building, at 47 Snowhill St., was home to the Asbury Fuel Co. and other businesses over the years but has fallen into disrepair, and bo... More ... Plenty of local residents down for the bird count BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - Township residents came up big during the recent nationwide Great Backyard Bird Count. East Brunswick submitted 46 checklists, second only among New Jersey towns to Highland Park, which compiled 48, according to township Environmental Commission member Richard Wolfer... More ... Barnes III assumes father's Assembly seat Barnes Jr., confirmed by state Senate as chair of Parole Board BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       For Peter Barnes III, it is nothing but a family thing.Barnes III became the newest member of the New Jersey State Assembly March 15 and will serve out the remainder of his father's term in office. The Edison resident will represent the 18th Legislative District, which includes East Bruns... More ... Traffic delays expected at Main, DeVoe       SPOTSWOOD - Residents and motorists are being warned to expect "heavy traffic delays" in the area of Main Street and DeVoe Avenue through the end of this week and early next week. Construction will be taking place at the intersection from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, tomorrow and Monday, ac... More ... Stillness of life is show's focus       SPOTSWOOD - A new exhibit at the Academy of Music on Main Street focuses on the works of New Jersey photographer Grazina Strolia. "Life. Still." opened Sunday and will run through June 20. Strolia, of Highland Park, began her love of photography at an early age when she was given... More ... Amy Rosen       Around Town Being kind is not a major operation I've always secretly wanted to be a singer, but don't have the voice to follow through. I'm told I recently had my five minutes of fame when I got to sing in front of others, but just my luck, I remember none of it. I was under s... More ... Field expresses views on board, school issues BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MONROE - Three incumbents and four challengers running for Board of Education recently discussed their qualifications and what they plan to bring to the board if elected. The group is vying for three seats on the nine-member board in the April 17 school election. More ... County tried to solicit requests for funding Crabiel: Spotswood's welcome to apply for rec. facility grants       Middlesex County Freeholder Director David B. Crabiel says the county is not to blame for the absence of grants to Spotswood from the county open space fund. More ... Police nab suspect, 19, in burglary of E.B. store       EAST BRUNSWICK - Township police arrested a South River man after responding to a burglary in progress at a cell phone business Friday. Officers arriving at Fast Link Communications Inc., located at 27-B Prospect St., at 12:53 a.m. found a broken window and were able to gain entry to t... More ... Driver issued summonses after roll-over       EAST BRUNSWICK - A one-car accident Tuesday on Route 18 southbound resulted in fire department personnel having to use extrication tools to free the driver from the wrecked vehicle. A police investigation determined that 19-year-old Justin Jackson, of Hamilton, was driving at a high ra... More ... Boro taps water surplus to fund library project Expansion work expected to begin later this year BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SOUTH RIVER - A proposed $5.5 million library expansion will get under way this year with funding help courtesy of the borough's water budget surplus. Whether the long-anticipated project would receive full funding this year was a question until the surplus came into play. More ... Fundraisers       March 29-April 5 + Book Sale, sponsored by the Spotswood Public Library, during regular library hours, at the library, 548 Main St. Hardcover books, paperbacks, children's books, audiocassettes, VHS videos. Paperbacks sell for 50 cents each or three for $1, hardcovers for 75 cents and u... More ... NJ expo ctr. hosts state's first gay wedding expo For same-sex couples, expo offered comfortable place to plan ceremony BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - When Jimmy Nieves tied the knot last August, planning the wedding was a piecemeal effort done through magazines and the Internet. But now, with the blessing of the New Jersey Supreme Court and the state Legislature, others like Jimmy can plan the wedding of their dreams, a... More ... County unveils new driving simulator for police County hopes to limit police accidents through realistic training BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - Practice makes perfect, and Middlesex County Law Enforcement entities now have an opportunity to practice police pursuits in a controlled simulated environment, thanks to new technology purchased by the Middlesex County Freeholders. More ... Section of Spotswood eyed for redevelopment       SPOTSWOOD - The Asbury Fuel building and the surrounding area is a part of town that borough officials have been considering for redevelopment. The section of Snowhill Street between Adirondack Avenue and Main Street could benefit from new businesses and the removal of some eyesores, a... More ... Jamesburg board holds line on school taxes       JAMESBURG - In a day and age when steep school tax hikes are the norm in New Jersey, the borough's school district is looking at its second straight year without an increase. The school tax rate actually dipped by 4 cents for the current school year, and now the Board of Education is p... More ... Residents complain of discolored water BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       SPOTSWOOD - Water discoloration continues to be a problem for residents in some areas of town. Officials said several residents complained of brown tap water during the middle of March, believed to be the result of iron and other materials mixing with the water. The unsightly water i... More ... Old railroad station first on panel's agenda Committee seeks support for relocation, restoration of depot BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MILLTOWN - The borough's newly formed Historic Preservation Advisory Committee is looking to save a piece of the Raritan River Railroad's legacy. One of the last standing stations on the historic line, the Washington Avenue depot has become a recent focus of the committee's efforts... More ... Cops: Man threatened to start fire       MONROE - A township man was charged with making terroristic threats March 13, as he allegedly told police that he planned to set a bar on fire. Police arrested Frank Baranoski, 40, of Tyndale Avenue, at 1:10 a.m. after a police officer on routine patrol on Spotswood Englishtown R... More ...