Resident seeks testing of Melrose air quality Boro officials are asked for help amid environmental concerns BY JOHN DUNPHY Staff Writer      Something is killing the trees in one Sayreville neighborhood.And at least one man has expressed the concern that the problems could be more serious than dying vegetation. More ... Okun to say goodbye in June after 40 years Superintendent began career as substitute teacher in Old Bridge BY LAUREN MATTHEW Staff Writer      Offering their superintendent two standing ovations and some emotional words of support Tuesday, the Old Bridge Board of Education reluctantly accepted the retirement of Nicole Okun. More ... Lack of OBHS parking creates town dilemma Trespassing, vandalism to cars among complaints presented to O.B. council BY LAUREN MATTHEW Staff Writer      OLD BRIDGE — With the new single high school campus has come a new problem: inadequate parking for students. More ... Little saints PHOTOS BY MIGUEL JUAREZ staff      Top photo, Isaac Mercado, a kindergartner at St. Ambrose School, Old Bridge, and his mother place crayons in a backpack that will go to a child affected by Hurricane Katrina. Above, fourth-graders Lexa Granat and Erin Schneider fill backpacks with school supplies Monday. Below, kindergartner Liam Ha... More ... Comedy club proposed for Cinema 9 building Primetime Sports Bar needs boro approval to extend liquor license BY JOHN DUNPHY Staff Writer      SAYREVILLE — An area sports bar is hoping its bid for comedy doesn’t end in sorrow. More ... DuPont looks to give Sayreville 120 acres Land near nature preserve would be kept mostly as open space BY JOHN DUNPHY Staff Writer      SAYREVILLE — This land is your land. That’s what local officials are hoping will be the case with land owned by DuPont, which has offered nearly 120 acres to the borough for use as open space. More ... Old New York event to help Katrina victims      OLD BRIDGE — Like so many others touched by the devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Kim Guzman felt the need to help. More ... For the Record PHOTOS BY MIGUEL JUAREZ staff      At top, Daniel Williams, a second-grader at Old Bridge’s Carpenter School, places an American flag in front of the school’s memorial for the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Below, Connor Romano holds a flag as students reflect during the Sept. 9 ceremony. The students’ identities were i... More ... Board talks roadwork with Woodhaven reps Hearings continue on plans for 763 homes off Texas Road BY LAUREN MATTHEW Staff Writer      OLD BRIDGE — The Planning Board continued hearings last week on plans to bring 113 single-family homes, 292 townhouses and 358 multifamily homes to property near Texas Road. More ... Woman strives to help some of world’s neediest Karen Brotea invests time, money in helping Ecuadorian community BY JOHN DUNPHY Staff Writer      SAYREVILLE — It takes a village to build a village. More ... Gravity shmavity      Martial arts student Catie Crespo, of Old Bridge, performs a backflip and breaks a board during a demonstration Sunday at Marlboro Day. More ... Flynn, Sinagra vying for 5-year clerk term BY SETH MANDEL Staff Writer      A10-year veteran of the Middlesex County Clerk’s post will be challenged in the Nov. 8 election by a candidate whose past public service includes nine years on his local governing body. More ... Minor injuries reported in bus, truck collision BY LAUREN MATTHEW Staff Writer      OLD BRIDGE — A collision on a Route 9 north access road last week caused several injuries and traffic problems, according to police. More ... Police seek suspect in fireplace poker robbery BY LAUREN MATTHEW Staff Writer      OLD BRIDGE — Police are seeking information regarding a man accused of robbing a township resident Saturday by threatening the victim with a fireplace poker. More ...