Panos: Contract award part of 'political game' Concerns hold up storm sewer project BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE - - A plan to thwart flooding in one section of town has been put on hold due to concerns from a councilwoman who feels the town is awarding too much money to the same engineering firm. The Township Council twice tabled a resolution to award a $176,000 contract to CME As... More ... Mr. Big       Employees at ShopRite in Sayreville took up a collection last week to buy a 12.5-pound lobster that was delivered to the store for sale. The store, which usually sells lobsters weighing a couple of pounds, expects to turn the large crustacean over to an aquarium or return it to the ocean. Und... More ... Code official cited his own boss for violation Boro's case against employee open to public at defendant's request BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - A borough employee will get his wish to have his own disciplinary hearing open to the public. Borough Labor Attorney Robert J. Merryman told the Suburban that the borough has agreed to open the hearing of Michael Gianotto, a code enforcement and construction department... More ... Supplies low, demand high at food bank, soup kitchens       NEW BRUNSWICK - Officials from Middlesex County's emergency food network have issued a plea for food donations to help meet increasing demand from the county's neediest residents. More ... Next up for food bank, 'Souper Bowl Sunday'       OLD BRIDGE - The hard work of caring volunteers and the generosity of local residents enabled the Old Bridge Food Bank to assist 721 families last year. "No one in town should ever go hungry," said Mayor James Phillips. "We are most thankful to, and proud of, our volunteer staff. Witho... More ... For the Record       The Old Bridge Public Library coordinated a recent event for Project Linus NJ Inc., not the national Project Linus organization based in Illinois, which is separate but has the same mission. Since 1999, PLNJ Inc. has been distributing handmade blankets to fragile children across New Jersey. T... More ... Peter Matseur and Carla Zackson Heller rehearse a scene Read the Story... All-day kindergarten recommended in O.B. Officials tout benefits of program despite its expense BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       Old Bridge school officials are considering bringing full-day kindergarten to the district and could hold a referendum on the matter as early as this fall. The full-day program was discussed in detail Tuesday at a meeting of the Board of Education's Strategic Planning Committee. More ... Start of commuter lot construction hailed Will bring 300 spaces, most designated for Sayreville residents only BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       A $1.6 million project to bring some much-needed commuter parking to Sayreville is officially under way. Officials held a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday at the future site of the commuter lot on Raritan Street, and Defino Contracting Co. Inc. was expected to begin construction immedi... More ... Park and ride      MICHAEL ACKER Borough Councilman Dennis Grobelny speaks of the new park-and-ride facility being constructed on Raritan Street behind Dunkin' Donuts at a press conference Tuesday. Sitting down to the left of Grobelny are borough Councilman Daniel Buchanan (left) and council President Thomas Pollando ... More ... Boy, 11, dances his way to TV sets nationwide Ballroom dancer has won numerous contests, scholarships BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE - Austin Joson has danced his way into the heart of the nation, and he's hoping to make it to the top of the world. After starting to dance only two years ago, the 11-year-old sensation has earned himself the title of USA Dance Sport Pre-teen National Champion in the cat... More ... Resident wants schools to act on graffiti issue BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - Tired of seeing graffiti around town, borough resident Barbara Kilcomons is hoping school officials will step up efforts to prevent what she believes is the work of teenage students. "What upsets me around the community is the increase of graffiti being done by young stu... More ...