Dancer extols meaning behind the movements Howell's 'White Eagle' performs hoop dance in Thompson Park BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent       American Indian dancer Matthew "White Eagle" Clair held his audience spellbound as he performed a hoop dance at the monthly meeting of the Intertribal Indians of New Jersey Saturday in Thompson Park. More ... Forney House future in hands of the court Two lawsuits pending as citizens group appeals to save house BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       As the ongoing fight over the fate of the Forney House in Milltown headed to court last week, the group hoping to save the historic structure had a new, larger entity in its corner. Even if a judge rules to allow demolition of the approximately 150-year-old house to make way for a bank, members o... More ... Local veterans offer living history exhibit Three share stories of WWII service with Army, Navy BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent       It was a glimpse of World War II history that no textbook could offer. Visitors to the East Brunswick Historical Society Museum on Feb. 10 got to meet veterans Aram "Bob" Bozian, of Old Bridge, and Charles "Chuck" Mickett and Woodrow "Woodie" Tangen, both of East Brunswick. More ... Towns will be sprayed for gypsy moth problem Insects could destroy up to 45,000 acres of trees in N.J. in '08 BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       While environmental destruction can often be attributed to human beings, smaller culprits are doing their part to wreak havoc, and they are multiplying quickly. "The devastation caused by gypsy moth caterpillars in 2007 was apparent last summer, with vast stands of trees left bare and weakened," ... More ... Esteemed dance troupe set to tap into Monroe Tap City includes nat'l treasures Harold Cromer, Mabel Lee BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MONROE - The township's Cultural Arts Commission has some first-class entertainment on tap for Saturday. TonyWaag's Tap City on Tour ismaking its way around North America and will be making a stop in Monroe. "It's just a great family program," commission member Nancy Gunkelman said. More ... Mayor, council told to ease up on tax hikes, spending BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK- The township's fiscal management has come under fire from residents as another municipal tax hike is expected this year. Mayor William Neary took the criticism in stride during the Feb. 11 council meeting, but acknowledged during his recent State of the Township address that the m... More ... Stahl: Town should live within 2.5% spending cap BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - Though a state cap prohibits municipal budgets from increasing more than 2.5 percent from the previous year, the state allows towns to adopt an ordinance raising that limit to 3.5 percent. East Brunswick would like to raise that limit. More ... Couple allegedly misused clients' investment funds BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       ASouth River couple stand accused of stealing $900,000 from clients they worked for at their accounting business. TheMiddlesex County Prosecutor's Office announced the arrest of Janet L. Neely, 53, of Rubin Street, last month, followed by the arrest of her 63-year-old husband, Charles, on Feb. 8... More ... Numerous cars broken into during past three weekends       SPOTSWOOD - Police are investigating a series of vehicular break-ins that occurred during the past few weekends. Police said more than a dozen parked vehicles were entered over the first two weekends of February, and several more break-ins took place last weekend. The suspect or suspects are all... More ... $800K in extra state aid on its way to Spotswood Money will likely go to tax relief, school improvement projects BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       SPOTSWOOD - The school district is expected to receive $800,000 in additional state aid for the next budget, though officials said that amount could be partially offset by a decrease in debt service aid. More ... Collection explores N.J.'s African-American history Project to be unveiled at 6 o'clock tonight at Delta's restaurant BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       NEW BRUNSWICK - When LawrenceWalker got tired of feeling frustration over sub-par television portrayals of African-American history, he decided to do something about it. "It's like someone's not hitting home to the nitty-gritty,"Walker said. "When they tell our story, it's commercialized. More ... County awards $500K for E.B.'s arts center Questions remain about cost of facility, which is under construction BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK- The township will receive a $500,000 county grant to help fund the ongoing construction of its community arts center at Heavenly Farms. Mayor William Neary announced last week that the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders will award the township funding from the county's O... More ... Raceway Park tunes up track for coming season Upgrades include special concrete portion of racing surface BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE - Raceway Park has changed a lot since 1965, when the thenmodest racing venue was realized on a plot of farmland in the middle of nowhere. More than 40 years later, the township landmark is still evolving. "There was nothing there," said Alex Napp, vice president of Raceway Park. "Th... More ... Middlesex County assesses Hispanic outreach programs BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       EDISON- Areport recently released by Middlesex County states that while there are many public services available to Hispanic residents, accessing themcan be problematic. The report's results were released during a forum on Feb. 8 at Middlesex County College. More ... Fire department temporarily unable to rent out its hall       SPOTSWOOD - The fire department's loss of its nonprofit status is curtailing its ability to rent out its hall and bring in any money. The all-volunteer department let its nonprofit status run out, according to Borough Council President Curtis Stollen, and now it cannot rent its building out due ... More ...      PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff Left, Lili Butewicz, of South River, stands near a cherry tree at the New Jersey Flower and Garden Show Friday. Above, Joy Keiles, of Monroe, looks at an arrangement of potted flowers. The event was held through Sunday at the New Jersey Convention and Expo Center in Ediso... More ...