Four treasures arrive in time for Christmas Healthy quadruplets born to couple after 29 1¼2 weeks in womb BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       Kristin and Anthony Liamero got their Christmas presents early this year.At 2:30 p.m. Dec. 21, Kristin gave birth to quadruplets — Natalie Kate, 3.1 pounds, Anthony Peter Jr., 3.8 pounds, Melanie Patricia, 2.15 pounds, and Corinne Lillian, 2.10 pounds. More ... Pretrial hearing of alleged murder suspect postponed Defense attorney gets time to analyze new evidence in shooting deaths BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       NEW BRUNSWICK — The pre-trial hearing of an Avenel man accused of shooting two Russian men to death in 2003 has been moved to next month due to additional discovery presented to the defense attorney. Michael E. Ross II, 23, formerly of Chestnut Avenue, was indicted by a Middlesex C... More ... Police want to find out who’s naughty at sites       SOUTH BRUNSWICK — ’Twas a few days before Christmas, and in Kendall Park some creatures were stirring in the holiday dark. While decorations were placed on front lawns with care, four residents were faced with developments unfair. While the occupants were nestled all snug in their beds... More ... Library schedules programs for adults       The Old Bridge Public Library will offer a variety of programs for adults at the Library Main Branch, Route 516 and Cottrell Road. The schedule is as follows: Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. More ... Mental illness to be topic at meeting       NAMI-Middlesex, an affiliate of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, an organization for family and friends of the mentally ill and dedicated to helping those with mental illness and their families, will hold the next of its general membership meetings and speaker-series events f... More ... B’nai B’rith reservations due Jan. 5       The B’nai B’rith Ketubah married couples unit will meet for dinner Jan. 7 at 5:30 p.m. at The Pine Tavern, Route 34 and Cottrell Road, Old Bridge. Cost is the price of the individual’s meal. Prospective members are welcome to attend. More ... Alzheimer’s group to hold caregiver meetings       The Alzheimer’s Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter will hold caregiver support group meetings beginning Jan. 4 at 7 p.m. at The Cranbury Center; 292 Applegarth Road, Monroe Township. A meeting will be Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. at Oak Woods Senior Housing; 700 Woods Lane, Monmouth Jun... More ... Boro allows billboards, but only on two roads BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE — Billboards will be permitted in the borough, but only on its busiest highways, Routes 9 and 35. Despite a reluctance to allow billboards anywhere besides industrial areas, the Borough Council on Dec. 18 amended its zoning ordinances to permit the roadside signs as conditi... More ... All about the moment for this one-man band Monroe guitarist/singer will play at Stone Pony on New Year’s Eve BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MONROE — If the audience at a Keith Kenny show were to close their eyes for the performance, they would swear that there was a full band on the stage. Kenny’s fans, however, are too busy dancing to the one-man act’s layered guitar riffs, singing, blues harp, percussion and even simu... More ... Bris Avrohom to host teen, women’s events       Bris Avrohom of Old Bridge, 770 Madison Gardens, will offer several activities during the month of January. A teen event is set for 7 p.m. on Jan. 8. Participants will explore “The Land of Israel” with Rabbi Yossi Kanelsky. Dinner will be served Israeli style, and teens will make ... More ... Kids’ visits home make for a special Christmas Siblings take a few days off from Peace Corps, Army to be with family BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MONROE — Though their remarkable lives have taken them far from their parents and younger sister, Andrew and Tara Grillos agree that there is no place like home for the holidays. The siblings were able to take a little time off to come back to Monroe and spend Christmas with their f... More ... Dentist accused of practicing without license since 1989       SAYREVILLE –– A borough man was arrested last week on allegations he was practicing dentistry without a license. James L. Weisfeld, 71, was charged Dec. 21, according to David Wald, communications director for the New Jersey Consumer Affairs Division. More ... Portrait gift shows essence of Christmas Artists’ generosity allows kids to cheer up mom with unique gift BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent       MILLTOWN — Nicholas Eucaliptus wanted to give something really special to his mother this Christmas. The 12-year-old noticed that his mother, Catherine, was feeling sad and wanted to cheer her up. He would discover one afternoon on Van Liew Avenue just how he could accomplish that. More ... Buildings provide snapshot of town’s first 116 years Historians document mill site and salvage artifacts left behind BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       At a glance, one might think the workers left yesterday afternoon to resume work the next day. Production machinery sits poised for action, powdery snuff lying in wait. A packaging machine is loaded with empty tins to be finished and filled. Rolls of cardboard sit near another machi... More ... People Who Make a Difference      Historian and researcher James Shackleford walks the Titus farm, where slave-turned-landowner Thomas Titus is said to have been buried hundreds of years ago. The farm was recently approved for a historical marker from Middlesex County. More ... Honoring the legacy of a slave-turned-landowner Historian’s devotion to a life lived centuries ago gains county’s support BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       A man centuries dead will receive a memorial for his life’s accomplishments, thanks to the efforts of a South Brunswick historian. On Dec. 7, James Shackleford, of Dayton, was the recipient of a large bronze plaque that will mark the site where Shackleford believes a former slave-tu... More ... 2006 in photos      JEFFGRANIT staff Sayreville’s Shaune Thomas dives to block an extra point attempt during the 28th annual North-South All-Star Game at Rutgers Stadium in July. More ... Council’s lone GOP member bids farewell Melillo wraps up second and final term on Borough Council BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE — Six years of service to the borough will officially come to an end for John Melillo when the Borough Council reorganizes Monday. Melillo, who for the past year has been the council’s only Republican member, attended his last meeting on the dais Dec. 18. More ... Hometown hero gets a community farewell Firefighter, 43, recalled for devotion to serving his town BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE –– The community last week mourned the passing of a borough firefighter who gave 25 years of service to the borough. A full firefighter’s funeral and burial were given for Joseph Zonak, 43, on Dec. 20. The Melrose Hose Company No. 1 member died of a massive heart attack D... More ... Taking the gift of human kindness on the road       In the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, Holiday Express delivers music, food, gifts, financial support and friendship to those with the greatest need for human kindness. This year, the traveling “party” made 51 visits. More ... Board will fight court ruling on Wawa plan BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE — The township’s Zoning Board of Adjustment has decided it will not let residents be inconvenienced by the construction of a Wawa convenience store at a busy intersection. The board will appeal a Superior Court judge’s reversal of the board’s original decision to deny the s... More ... Holiday rush      PHOTOSBYSCOTT PILLING staff Above: Linda Hilton, of Monroe, was among the countless people doing some last-minute Christmas shopping at Wal-Mart, Route 9 in Old Bridge, Friday. Below: Many local people had to wait in long lines like this one to buy their holiday gifts. More ...