SCOTT FRIEDMAN Music teacher Lori Goldstein leads the second-grade string ensemble in the new cafetorium at Lawrence Brook Elementary School, East Brunswick, during a community open house Saturday to celebrate the completion of additions and renovations. More ... Dems' bike path plan will be in GOP's hands Republicans, who opposed $3.3M project, take over council Jan. 1 BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       Ashift of control from Democrats to Republicans next year could affect plans to create a pedestrian walkway where an abandoned railway now sits. South River officials anticipate receiving more than $1 million in grant funding for the $3.3 million paved trail, which would run along an abandoned ra... More ... Native American history needs retelling Thanksgiving portrays stereotypes that some find offensive BY LINDA DeNICOLA Correspondent       November is American Indian Heritage Month and also the month when people across the country remember the Native Americans who are part of the Thanksgiving story. More ... EB will take time-out to honor retired coach BY BRIAN DONAHUE Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - It's only appropriate that tomorrow the community will say thanks to a man who has given so much to the school district during, and after, his 35-year career at East Brunswick High School *(EBHS). More ... E.B. road named for fallen Army soldier BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - A township road has been renamed after Seth Dvorin, a former resident who was killed while fighting in Iraq. The Township Council voted recently to change the name of David Lane, which is between Appleby Lane and Deerfield Road, to Seth Dvorin Lane, in memory of the fallen U.S. ... More ... Firefighters stop blaze early at Monroe house       MONROE - A house fire believed to have spread from a chimney pipe was extinguished with no injuries reported at a township home last week. Carole and John Harchar, of Carlton Avenue, were home and using their fireplace around 8:08 p.m. Nov. 15 when they noticed a smoke condition and flickering l... More ... Age at center of debate on plan for senior condos BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - The old cliché holds that "the truth lies somewhere in the middle." Such may have lent itself to a discussion held during the most recent Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting on the proposal to build Quail Cove, a 90-unit agerestricted condominium development, at Ryders and G... More ... Junior gets 2nd go-round playing in Macy's parade BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - One of East Brunswick's own will help to lead this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade tomorrow in New York City. Robert Braun, a junior at East Brunswick High School, has been selected to play sousaphone in the band that leads the parade. More ... Wounded soldiers      Dan Mann, president of the Veterans Council of Monroe and Jamesburg, and Congressman Rush Holt talk with veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C., on Oct. 31. A busload of local veterans delivered phone cards collected by area residents and students at Applegarth Middle School, ... More ... Dog shows her worth as H.S. student's helper BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       SPOTSWOOD - The newest guest at Spotswood High School has already made herself welcome. Greta, a canine assist dog used by student Katlin Miller, proved her worth during her first week at school last week, helping Katlin safely endure two epileptic seizures. More ... Monroe to explore idea of facility sponsorships BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MONROE - High school sports teams may find the areas where they play bearing a greater resemblance to those of their major league counterparts. A marketing company recently approached school officials regarding corporate sponsorships for athletic facilities, and after hearing a presentation on t... More ... Club honored for helping to SAVE the environment       EAST BRUNSWICK - Having collected more than 6,000 batteries for recycling over the past two years, students in an environmental club at Hammarskjold Middle School are the proud recipients of a prestigious state award. The Students Against Violating the Environment (SAVE) club received the award ... More ... Birth info not easily obtained by adoptees RegDay serves to inform residents about adoption information hurdles BY CHRIS MURINO Staff Writer       Mirah Riben just wants to educate people, that's all. Riben, a member of Origins-USA, a national nonprofit organization working to support families affected by adoption, tried to do just that on Nov. 10 at a small table at the entrance of the A&P on Milltown Road in North Brunswick. More ...      Milltown resident Daniel Einbinder, 16, accepts a joint legislative resolution from State Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula after achieving the rank of Eagle Scout recently. For his Eagle project, Daniel coordinated an eyeglass collection program for the Milltown Lion's Club International. More ... Thieves bring an ugly start to holiday season Sayreville police have three reports of decoration thefts already BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       As the holiday spirit is beginning to find its way into the hearts of many, it has been stolen from one local family. Dennis Whitford spent Saturday afternoon starting the process of decorating his home, in the Parlin section of Sayreville, for the holidays. With help from his young sons, he inst... More ...