Female barber happy to be 'one of the guys' After years of cutting hair locally, Holly White opens her own shop BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       Scala's Barber Shop has all the usual accouterments one would expect of such an establishment. These include the tools of the trade, complete with straight razors, the usual banter that occurs among gentlemen, and good, old-fashioned hair-cutting. More ... Spotswood defeated tax hike reduced by 2 cents Bleacher replacements will be forgone to achieve $148,000 cut BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       Spotswood borough and school officials have agreed to trim the school tax rate increase by 2 cents. The Board of Education's proposed 9.7-cent tax rate hike, which was defeated by voters in the April 17 school election, will be brought down to 7.7 cents, saving homeowners about $50. More ... Survey: No evidence park was mission site Advocate disputes findings, nominates land for historic status BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MONROE - An archaeological survey of the proposed high school site in Thompson Park has found no indication that the land was the location of the historic Bethel mission settlement. More ... EBPD Unity Tour team gets $10K contribution       EAST BRUNSWICK - Township police officers getting ready for the upcoming Police Unity Tour hit their bikes for a practice run Friday by visiting all 10 elementary schools in town. The Police Unity Tour, which raises money for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington... More ... Officer charged in theft from youth police post Sergeant accused of stealing from Explorers account BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MILLTOWN - A borough police sergeant stands accused of stealing more than $1,000 from the youth police group for which he served as chief adviser. Police Sgt. Eric Rahn, 41, was charged last week with official misconduct and theft, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Off... More ... County buys up land near Perrineville Rd. Two land purchases come on heels of two others, all in Monroe BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MONROE - Middlesex County officials have approved the purchase of two tracts of land in the township for preservation as open space. The properties, totaling nearly 17 acres, will be added to the county's inventory of approximately 6,000 acres of open space. More ... Newspaper group boasts banner year for awards Latest tally is 28 awards in state press contest       It was an exceptionally good year for Greater Media Newspapers, when the New Jersey Press Association awarded the group 28 awards for writing, photography, advertising and circulation excellence in its Better Newspaper Contest for 2006. More ... Municipal tax rate could go up 16 cents Mayor says budget keeps status quo in face of rising costs BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - Residents would see the largest municipal tax hike in years under a newly proposed 2007 budget. The Township Council last week introduced the budget, which calls for a tax rate increase of 16 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, or $160 for the owner of property a... More ... Ex-teacher pleads guilty to criminal sexual contact       EAST BRUNSWICK - Former East Brunswick High School English teacher Shawn Feeney has pleaded guilty to charges of having sexual relations with two teenage girls who were students of his at the time. The 31-year-old Highland Park resident had "inappropriate relations" with two females, a... More ... Boro may seek grant for open space funding BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       SPOTSWOOD - - Borough officials are hoping to secure what would be the town's first share of open space funding from Middlesex County. More ... '07 will see contests for mayor, council Pucci will defend seat against GOP club president Nothstein BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MONROE - After a year off from local elections in 2006, the township will see a contest this November for the mayor's seat and the Township Council's two at-large terms. The Democrats are running all three incumbents, while Republicans are looking to change the status quo. More ... Funds may soon surge for work on So. River Work designed to protect residents in Sayreville, South River from floods BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       Years of efforts to provide flood protection for residents of South River and Sayreville are paying off. The U.S. House of Representatives recently approved a water resources development bill that authorizes $79.5 million in federal funding for the South River Flood Damage Redu... More ... Funds may soon surge for work on So. River Work designed to protect residents in Sayreville, South River from floods BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       Years of efforts to provide flood protection for residents of South River and Sayreville are paying off. The U.S. House of Representatives recently approved a water resources development bill that authorizes $79.5 million in federal funding for the South River Flood Damage Redu... More ... Teacher plans youth day camp for charity June 18-22 camp will raise funds for fight against cancer       SAYREVILLE - A borough high school teacher is planning a weeklong children's day camp this June to raise funds for a cause near and dear to his heart. The Super Activities Camp will benefit the Lance Armstrong Founda-tion (LAF) in its fight against cancer and its mission to inspire a... More ... Mayoral race will pit Bradford v. Skarzynski Council incumbents will seek new terms in November election BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MILLTOWN - While two council members will try to hold on to their seats this fall, a third will challenge Mayor Gloria Bradford in her bid for re-election. Bradford, a Republican, will face Democratic Councilman Mike Skarzynski for the four-year term. More ... Mayoral race will pit Bradford v. Skarzynski Council incumbents will seek new terms in November election BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MILLTOWN - While two council members will try to hold on to their seats this fall, a third will challenge Mayor Gloria Bradford in her bid for re-election. Bradford, a Republican, will face Democratic Councilman Mike Skarzynski for the four-year term. More ... Boro may lease more space on water tower BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       SPOTSWOOD - - The borough may soon increase the number of cellular antennae on the town's water tower. At present, three cell phone carriers lease space on the tower, and bids were due in this week from any company interested in placing another antenna there. The Borough Council appr... More ... Asian heritage festival returns to Manalapan BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - The second annual Asian Heritage Festival will be held May 5 from 1-5 p.m. at Manalapan High School, Church Lane, off Tennent Road. More ... Celebrating the unique heritage of the Shore       The unique history and culture of the Jersey Shore is the subject of a new exhibit that opens Sunday at the Cornelius Low House Museum in Piscataway. "Down the Shore: The Coastal Heritage of New Jersey" will run through June 15 at the museum, located at 1225 River Road. More ... County reaches deal to preserve 149-acre farm       SOUTH BRUNSWICK - A 149-acre tract, known as the Barclay Farm, that grows Christmas trees, vegetables and fruit trees was entered into the county farmland preservation program Monday, creating a 440-acre contiguous area of preserved land in the township. More ... A magical evening      PHOTOSBYJEFF GRANIT staff Bob Pleis of the Sunshine Magic Circus juggles torches for his audience. More ...