Forum probes the pitfalls of life as a teenage girl MADD founder tells county students they can change their world BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer       MONROE — Girls just wanna have fun. And learn. And be social. And share their experiences. The third annual Young Women’s Conference, hosted by the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence of Middlesex County and the Middlesex County Substance Abuse Coalition, was the perfect... More ... Store owner keeps beat in prominent blues band Ed Trygar’s Chuck Lambert Band to play in global blues contest BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       The Chuck Lambert Band has got the blues, but it also has reason to cheer, with a recent victory in the 2006 Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation Battle of the Bands. Ed Trygar, a South River resident and hardware store owner, is the drummer for the five-member blues band from cen... More ... Holiday parade      CHRIS KELLY staff Girl Scouts with Troop 716 dress like presents at the holiday parade in Sayreville Dec. 10. More ... Cell tower approved for local cemetery site Omnipoint changed location after residents raised health concerns BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent       OLD BRIDGE –– A cell tower plan that local homeowners began fighting in 2004 will be allowed to go up in a new location: a local cemetery. The Planning Board approved the construction of an Omnipoint cell tower at Mount Hebron Cemetery, which is located in an industrial zone on Morr... More ... CHRIS KELLY staff Santa and Mrs. Claus wave to onlookers during Sayreville Recreation Department’s annual holiday parade Sunday evening on Washington Road. Read the Story... Most on board want busing back in budget Board sees increase in regular, special ed. costs coming in ’07-’08 BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       About 45 parents brought a message to the Sayreville Board of Education Tuesday night: Return courtesy busing for the next school year. And they were pleased to see the majority of the board support that idea. In a tentative 5-3 vote, the board supported funding courtesy busing in t... More ... Breakfast Club OK’d for use of temple lot Popular ’80s-themed club will be allowed to offer valet parking BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent       OLD BRIDGE — The Breakfast Club will be permitted to offer valet parking and use an adjacent synagogue’s parking lot to accommodate its patrons. The Planning Board voted unanimously to approve the plan presented by the Route 516 club. More ... New Jersey’s standardbred industry on shaky ground Breeders call for bigger purses and slot machines at the racetracks BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD — While the annual standardbred horse sale in Harrisburg, Pa., on Nov. 3-8 set record numbers this year, local breeders have concerns about the economics of New Jersey’s standardbred industry. The yearling auction held during the sale’s first two days had total sa... More ... Holiday Parade       PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Above, Devin Markwood, 4, of Parlin, sits between Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Mickey Sedlak Recreation Center following the Sayreville Recreation Department Holiday Parade Dec. 10. Below, the Sayreville War Memorial High School marching band performs. More ... ‘Same sweet kid,’ but now he’s a movie star Jesse Eisenberg, 23, tells local audience about his roles in major films BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent       EAST BRUNSWICK — Fans of the township’s Fine Film series had a special treat Sunday. Jesse Eisenberg, a township native with a growing list of big-screen acting credits, came to the East Brunswick Public Library to chat with the audience before and after a screening of his new film,... More ... Tax increase approved in municipal budget Council votes 7-2 on spending package with average $45 hike BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE — Residents will pay an average of $45 more for municipal taxes for fiscal year 2007. The Township Council, divided along party lines, adopted a $51 million municipal budget on Monday that includes a nearly 3-cent increase in the municipal tax rate, which is only one port... More ... Lego my menorah       PHOTOS BY SCOTT FRIEDMAN From top to bottom: Rabbi Yossi Kanelsky, of Old Bridge, gets a hand in positioning the Lego menorah built by local children Sunday at the Bris Avrohom Hanukkah Carnival, held at Old Bridge High School. Igor Zilberg and his granddaughter, Jean-Renee, 3, ... More ... Trails to be developed at Capik through grant       SAYREVILLE — The borough will receive $25,000 to develop and improve trails in and around the Julian Capik Nature Preserve, Bordentown Avenue. The trails will be the latest amenities at a preserve that already includes a horseback-riding stable, a dog park and opportunities for hiking, ... More ... Police officer found guilty of sexual assault Old Bridge man assaulted stepson over three years, from when boy was 14 BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       After two full days of deliberation, a jury has found Douglas Karlson, a veteran Woodbridge police officer, guilty of sexually assaulting his stepson, 26, beginning when the boy was 14 years old. The assault took place over a three-year period. More ... Programs, tax relief sought through sharing Old Bridge officials look at full-day K, day care, field fix-ups BY BRIAN DONAHUE Staff Writer       A partnership to renovate Lombardi Field, offer commuter parking and provide an early childhood center are all possibilities if school and Old Bridge Township officials join forces. More ...