NFL star surprises student and 'hero' teacher Student's essay lands teacher a visit from one of his favorite players BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer      Eddie Howard considers his work as a teacher at Sayreville's Truman School an opportunity to inspire children to accomplish their dreams. More ... Boro looks to excuse some code violators Mayor unsuccessful in getting moratorium on code enforcement BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer      SAYREVILLE - A citation issued to a soldier in Iraq for an unregistered vehicle in the borough has sparked a debate over the town's code enforcement standards. More ... Group wants 365 reasons to like NJ      EAST BRUNSWICK - You may prefer the miles of white sandy beaches along the Jersey Shore or the mountainous region in the northwestern part of the state. More ... Board learns it can't prohibit billboards The roadside signs will likely be allowed in certain parts of town BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer      SAYREVILLE - Like them or not, billboards could become a permitted use in town in order to avoid litigation. More ... Residents call curbing policy unfair, unsafe Township program only replaces curbs, doesn't build them new BY MARLENE CANTY Staff Writer      OLD BRIDGE - To curb or not to curb. That is the question spawning an ongoing conflict among officials and residents as a months-old dispute about the parameters of a township curbing program went into overtime during last week's Township Council meeting. Residents continued to air complaints More ... Ghosts or not, cast set to conjure spooky fun      For those who dare to enter Lakeview this weekend, there may be more of a scare in store than they bargained for. More ... Fund-raisers      Oct. 26-31 + Pumpkin Patch, sponsored by Simpson United Methodist Church, noon to 8 p.m. Sundays-Fridays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays, at the church, 2095 Route 516 at Owens Road, Old Bridge. All varieties of pumpkins; gourds; Indian corn; cornstalks; candy; baked goods; snacks and beverage More ... Town approves retail uses for Legends site Republican warns area could wind up like Rt. 18 in E. Brunswick BY MARLENE CANTY Staff Writer      OLD BRIDGE - An amended Crossroads Redevelopment Plan will allow future retail uses on a parcel of land owned by Legends Golf Center. More ... Walking for a cause      MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Second-graders Anabella Cacciato, Nicole O'Gormon and Jason Gianotto walk around Truman School in Sayreville Monday during the walkathon to raise funds for Autism Speaks. More ... Autumn amble      MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Truman School kindergartners walk around the Sayreville school Monday during a walk-a-thon to raise money for the Autism Speaks organization. More ... Center to assist American Indians statewide opens      The New Jersey Native American Employment and Training Center recently opened its doors on Bayard Street in New Brunswick. The new program will offer a variety of employment services and supports to American Indians living in New Jersey. More ...      SCOTT FRIEDMAN staff Jimmy Perez, 3, and his sister Marissa, 6, of Carteret, stand beside "The King" tribute car at the classic and modified car show at the ShopRite parking lot in Sayreville Sunday. Proceeds from the event went to the DARE program and other nonprofit organizations in the borough. More ...