Final demolition begins at snuff mill Developer expects some housing units occupied in early '08 BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       As bricks from a warehouse building of the snuff mill tumbled to the ground, it marked the end of one era, and the beginning of a new one. Mayor Nancy Martin, members of the Helmetta Borough Council and representatives of Kaplan Cos. came together at the mill Tuesday to herald the f... More ... Testimony heats up on senior housing plan Builder seeks board approval for 90 units on Ryders Lane site BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - Arguments and questions centered on traffic and other impact issues during a three-hour-plus hearing last week on a plan to build 90 age-restricted housing units on Ryders Lane. The Zoning Board of Adjustment held the first of what could be several hearings on the ... More ... Guns & Hoses      Clockwise from top left: Drew Walsh pitches for the East Brunswick police team during Saturday's annual Guns & Hoses charity softball game at Bicentennial Park, Riva Avenue. Mikayla Helmold (l) and Allison Mee, both of East Brunswick, get ready to have some fun. Mikayla, who has Ewing's sarcoma, was... More ... Memorial Day services set for this weekend       Local communities are gearing up to honor those who have fought for their country with a host of events this weekend, including parades and more solemn services. Residents are invited to attend the Memorial Day ceremonies, watch the parade or simply do their part by reflecting on those ... More ... Teen accused of threat to shoot people at EBHS 16-year-old arrested for alleged posting on Internet Web site BY BRIAN DONAHUE Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - A 16-year-old student at East Brunswick High School was arrested Monday for allegedly telling an Internet forum that he intended to shoot 35 people at the school before detonating himself. The male student, who was not found to possess any weapons or means of carry... More ... Squad seeks residents' help with fundraising BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MILLTOWN - Typically, when the rescue squad pays a visit to a resident's home, it is to offer a helping hand. This month, the volunteer first-aiders are going door to door reaching out for assistance from those they serve. "The community has been very, very good to us," Milltow... More ... Helmetta funds police dept. efficiency study Officials tell packed room they do not intend to dissolve police force BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       HELMETTA - Borough officials told a room full of concerned citizens last week that they are not looking to dissolve the town's police force. Many residents attended the May 17 meeting of the Borough Council out of concern that the governing body was considering doing away with the ... More ... Police warn motorists of increased seat-belt patrols       Police in East Brunswick, Monroe and South River are among the local departments participating in the nationwide "Click It or Ticket" campaign, which runs through June 3. The program, which began Monday, involves increased enforcement and education of the state's seat-belt law. More ... Sprint looks to get in on water tower space BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       SPOTSWOOD - A fourth wireless communications company may be able to install antennas on the borough's water tower, bringing more revenue and improved cell phone reception to the borough. The Borough Council last week voted to accept a bid from Sprint Spectrum to lease the tower space... More ... NJTransit vote gets usual mixed reviews MOM rail line to be studied further in light of tunnel proposal       Citing the need for transit investments to be made in Ocean and Monmouth counties, officials in both counties praised NJ Transit's recent decision to provide additional funding to study a proposed passenger rail line. In Middlesex County meanwhile, Freeholder Director David B. More ... Program hits the right notes at cancer center Live music used to relieve stress, lift spirits of patients BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - - Patients at the Central Jersey Oncology Center are getting some extra treatment that doesn't come from medicine. Every few weeks, patients are treated to live musical performances in the waiting room and offices from a variety of local artists. The live music has... More ... Candidate opts against recount in board election BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SOUTH RIVER - Board of Education candidate Shenetta Turner-Smith has decided not to seek a recount of the April school election, in which she was edged out by six votes. Turner-Smith was among five candidates seeking three seats on the board. She took fourth place with 648 votes, fin... More ... Resident says budget lateness affected vote BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - Township officials were questioned last week as to why the municipal budget was presented to the public only after the school election. Resident Bernard Prohaska last week approached the governing body to ask why it held back on releasing the 2007 municipal tab until... More ... Middlesex bird population an example of diversity Report: county is home to 308 species of birds, some rare, endangered BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       It turns out, the human population isn't the only thing that is diverse in Middlesex County. According to a report released by the Edison Wetlands Association, an Edison-based grassroots environmental organization, Middlesex county is the home to more than 308 different species of b... More ... Forsgate set to open new sports complex       MONROE - Forsgate Country Club will host a grand-opening celebration June 1 to commemorate the opening of its new sports complex. The day's festivities will kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the private club's Board of Advisors, officials from Forsgate Country Club ow... More ...