Disaster averted due to community effort Rising waters nearly kept Milltown powerless for weeks BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       As the rapidly rising waters threatened to wreak havoc Sunday night, Milltown officials banded together to avert a major disaster. The nor'easter posed a serious problem for Milltowners as water levels from the Mill Pond and Lawrence Brook rose to the point of potentially causing ma... More ... Tamarack Hollow land to be preserved County, town buy properties slated for 56-home development BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       Fought by residents, denied by East Brunswick and ultimately approved in court, the Tamarack Hollow development will never be built after all. Township officials and Middlesex County will purchase the roughly 230 acres located on four separate parcels off Fresh Ponds Road and Church... More ... Bodall takes Morales' spot on J'burg council New councilman, 22, has served as volunteer for many groups, causes BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       JAMESBURG - - The youngest Borough Council member in the town's history has been appointed to succeed an Iraq war veteran who stepped down from his second term on the council. Tom Bodall, 22, who is also the borough historian, was chosen to fill the unexpired term vacated by Carlos... More ... Owner gunned down in front of Rt. 18 diner       EAST BRUNSWICK - Authorities continue to investigate last week's shooting death of Seville Diner co-owner Frank Lagano, but little information about the homicide has been made available. Lagano, 67, of Tenafly, was shot at 3:20 p.m. April 12 in the parking lot outside the Route 18 dine... More ... Old school building could go up for sale Town could generate revenue from sale of vacant property BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - A majority of township officials are expressing support for selling the old McGinnis School. The vacant, township-owned building at the corner of Dunhams Corner Road and Hardenburg Lane could be sold for revenue and would be restricted for use as an educational fac... More ... Heavy rains PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff       The backyard of a home on Main Street in Helmetta was transformed into a lake due to the heavy rains on Sunday and Monday. More ... Prodigal Foundation plans annual scholarship dinner       Prodigal Foundation Inc. will hold its seventh annual scholarship dinner for high school seniors affected by cancer at Colonia Country Club on April 26. Prodigal Foundation reaches out to enhance the quality of life of children who have been adversely affected by cancer. More ... County inspects food vendors       MILLTOWN - In the wake of Sunday's nor'easter, Middlesex County Health Department (MCHD) officials visited retail food outlets in the borough to ensure that food was kept at proper temperatures because of the townwide power loss. An inspection division strike team from the Health Depar... More ... New ethics standards in place in Monroe Citizens' group commends officials on seven new laws BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MONROE - - Seven ordinances adopted by the Township Council will provide stringent ethical standards for local officials. And one of them is the first of its kind in the country, according to the Citizens' Campaign. "Tonight we're sending a very strong message," Mayor Richard... More ... More services to come with expanded library Officials detail plans for bigger, better facility in Monroe BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MONROE - Residents can expect a bigger, better and more beautiful library by fall 2008. Plans for the expansion and upgrades were unveiled recently before a group of residents, many of them seniors from communities such as the adjacent Greenbriar at Whittingham. More ...