Spotswood welcomes alumni back from war Vets tell students about experiences serving in Iraq BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       Three Iraq War veterans are home for the holidays. The Spotswood High School alumni paid a visit to the History Club at their alma mater after school Dec. 20 to share stories about their experiences at war. "It's just so good to be home," Army National Guard Lt. Mike Lacertosa said. More ... Zoning Board rejects plan for 90 condo units Builder made case over the course of six well-attended hearings BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       One of the most controversial building applications facing East Brunswick in recent years has been denied. The township's Zoning Board of Adjustment last week gave thumbs down to Arbor Ventures' plan to build 90 age-restricted condominiums on Ryders Lane. More ... GOP gets Dems' vote to OK electric rate hike Council votes 4-2; increase is due to new bulk energy purchase BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SOUTH RIVER - Borough residents will face a 67 percent increase in their electric rates. The Borough Council voted 4-2 last week to adopt an ordinance increasing the rate. The vote was not completely along party lines: two Democrats opposed the measure, and one voted in favor of the hike along w... More ... Grant funds resources for autism kids, families       EAST BRUNSWICK- The township's library and schools will be able to better serve the local autism population, thanks to a $10,000 grant. The grant, from the regional library cooperative Infolink, will allow the library and school district to create "welcoming spaces," as the program calls them, fo... More ... Holiday fun      SCOTT FRIEDMAN Jeremey Edelstein, 5, of Monroe, takes a lick of a reindeer ice sculpture carved by Metuchen taxidermist Johnny Shersick at the neighborhood family holiday party at Express Automotive in Metuchen on Dec. 19. More ... A taste for books      DANIEL HULSHIZER staff Howard Melman pours a sample glass of wine for Jennifer Fraley, of East Brunswick, during a Dec. 6 wine-tasting fundraiser for the South Brunswick Public Library at theMiele Showroom in the Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick. More ... Stahl: Important info withheld on Golden Triangle BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - A township councilman accused the administration of keeping council members in the dark on information regarding the Golden Triangle redevelopment. More ... Toll Brothers divulges redevelopment details Builder says housing, timeline will depend on market conditions BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - Toll Brothers came before the Planning Board last week to discuss its plans for the Golden Triangle site on Route 18. And though the developer is still seeking approval for the retail and residential uses outlined in its redevelopment plan with the township, it acknowledged that... More ... Girl, 5, helped save mom after collapse Local woman learns of heart condition; now has message for others BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - The actions of a quick-thinking 5-year-old girl led to her mother's rescue and the discovery of a dangerous underlying health problem. Sophia Sampson was able to help save her mother, Mercedeh, 35, a seemingly healthy mother of two and a teacher at East Brunswick High School, on... More ... Off-duty officer arrests driver on DWI charge BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       An off-duty South River police officer arrested an alleged drunken driver whowas driving his car in thewrong direction on a major highway. Police charged Dominik Mazurkiewicz, 26, ofWallington, Bergen County,with driving while intoxicated and use of force against law enforcement in the incident a... More ... Senior Center      DANIEL HULSHIZER staff Barber Mike Simone, of East Brunswick, gives a haircut to Bob Feretich, of North Brunswick, at the North Brunswick Senior Center on Friday. More ... Volunteer helps students with visual impairments BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK- Not being able to see is not a barrier to "reading" books, thanks to the special efforts of a statewide group and a local volunteer. More ... Szegeti, Sliker, Dembinski say thanks as terms end Three Democrats will be replaced by Republicans Jan. 1 BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SOUTH RIVER - Three Democrats who have been among the most prominent figures in borough government in recent years expressed thanks to the town during the final meeting of their terms. Mayor Robert Szegeti, council President David Sliker and Councilwoman Joanne Dembinski had their final Borough ... More ... Police seize $30K in items during raid at Rt. 18 market       EAST BRUNSWICK - Police seized hundreds of allegedly counterfeit, trademarked items from three vendors during a raid last week at the Route 18 IndoorMarket. Township police, with assistance from Abacus Security, raided the market at 12:30 p.m. Dec. More ... SICA calls for photos for book, exhibit       The Shore Institute of the ContemporaryArts in Long Branch is announcing a two-part call to artists for photographic submissions for two projects. The first is a planned publication titled "Roadside Sculptures and Topiary Delights [as created by the Utility Companies]. More ... Wetlands issues prevent land's use as ballfields BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       SPOTSWOOD - Some 10 acres of land that was being given to the borough for use as ballfields is too wet for active recreation. The land, owned by Schweitzer Mauduit paper manufacturer, is largely wetlands, according to Borough Council President Curtis Stollen. More ... Middlesex County buys Old Bridge land for $2M Repubs say Dems arranged deal to fill gap in budget BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE- Middlesex County officials are one step closer to building a 180-bed extended-care facility on a portion of the Crossroads redevelopment tract. The Township Council voted recently to approve the sale of 14.8 acres to the county for $2 million. More ... Golfers grin and 'bear' cold weather Polar Bear golf outing supports golf program, New. Bruns. fire dept. BY CHRIS MURINO Staff Writer       PLAINSBORO - About 40 people ignored the cold temperatures and rainy conditions to play golf for charity at The Meadows at Middlesex Golf Course in Plainsboro Dec. 14. Half of the proceeds from the Polar Bear Golf Challenge went to The First Tee ofMiddlesex and Somerset Counties, while the other... More ...