School tab would bring 11.7-cent tax rate hike Old Bridge board votes 6-2 to introduce budget for 2007-08 BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       Homeowners would see an average tax increase of about $168 under a tentative school budget approved by the Old Bridge Board of Education. Thanks to a 3 percent increase in state aid and the refinancing of the school district's debt, the proposed tax increase is lower than the one re... More ... Residents fear health effects of black dust Neighbors of mill say material continues to blanket homes, cars BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       Black dust that collects on properties near a Sayreville factory is reported to contain hazardous materials. Timothy Eppinger, who lives on Wilbur Terrace near the Gerdau Ameristeel plant, said a sample he collected was tested at STL Edison, which provides environmental analytical s... More ... Busing out of budget; school tax to increase Courtesy busing will again be voted on as separate question BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - A tentative school budget adopted by the Board of Education calls for a tax increase and more than $2 million in cuts needed to meet the state's cap. Courtesy busing, though initially included in the budget after being removed last year, is back out. More ... For the Record       Board of Education member Thomas Biesiada was referring to the municipal budget when he said in a March 1 article that taxes are proposed to increase by approximately $210 on a household assessed at the borough average of $143,100. He was not referring to the board's budget or the school tax. More ... Cheer champs      MICHAEL ACKER The Morgan Panthers Junior Midget cheerleaders pose with their coaches and Sayreville officials at Monday's Borough Council meeting. The squad was commended for their first-place finish in the Central Jersey Pop Warner Cheer Competition and for competing in the Pop Warner National Chee... More ... Bargain Book Sale will mark 33rd year       The 33rd annual Bargain Book and Media Sale, sponsored by the East Brunswick Friends of the Library, will take place from March 19-25 in the J.C. Penney court at Brunswick Square Mall, Route 18, East Brunswick. Hours on opening day, March 19, will be 7-9:30 p.m. The sale will continue M... More ... Mother-Son Sports Night on tap at OLL       Our Lady of Lourdes (OLL) School, 44 Cleveland Ave., Milltown, will host a Mother-Son Sports Night on March 23. Doors will open at 6 p.m.; dinner and refreshments will be available for purchase. Music and games are set for 7-9 p.m. More ... Bone-marrow drive set for temple member       Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple will hold a drive to find a possible bone-marrow donor for temple member Alan Rubinfeld from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 11 at the synagogue, 222 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick. Rubinfeld has leukemia that has resisted chemotherapy. He is left with only one opt... More ... Crafts and More Show coming to St. Thomas       The St. Thomas the Apostle HSA Spring Craft and More Show is planned for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 10 in the school auditorium, Route 18 south, Old Bridge. The event will feature handmade crafts, a bake sale, tricky trays, a 50/50, photos with the Easter Bunny and shopping with select v... More ... Reading with Rutgers      JEFF GRANIT staff Rutgers University football player Kevin Haslam reads a Dr. Seuss book to students at the Alan B. Shepard School in Old Bridge Thursday as part of the Read Across America celebration. More ... Historic Trolley Treks planned for March 11       The Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission will sponsor March 11 Historic Trolley Treks to the East Brunswick Museum and the South River Historical and Preservation Society. More ... Parreott Ensemble to appear at library       The Dorian Parreott Ensemble will perform in a bistro-like setting at 6:30 p.m. on March 11 at the East Brunswick Public Library, Jean Walling Civic Center. The group will offer a variety of musical sounds, including jazz, blues, rock and soul. More ... New members sought for OLV Knights       Our Lady of Victory (OLV) Knights of Columbus Council No. 2061, Washington Road, Parlin section of Sayreville, is seeking new members. Call (732) 257-2061 for more information and membership requirements. More ... Three board members bid farewell this April Prez., vice prez. and board veteran decide not to seek re-election BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE - The Board of Education is in for a change, as none of this year's three incumbents are seeking re-election. Long-time board members Barbara Rossi and Linda Ault McLaren, and current Board President John Allen will leave their seats, which four newcomers are seeking to ... More ... Citizenship workshop coming to E.B. Library       The East Brunswick Library, Jean Walling Civic Center, will host a free citizenship workshop from 7-9 p.m. on March 14. Guest speaker Debby Alter, director of immigration and refugee services at Jewish Family and Vocational Services of Middlesex County, will discuss the citizenship-appl... More ... Holt bill would demand paper record of votes Once defeated, proposal getting a second look with new Democratic majority BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       A new bill put forth by U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (12th District) would mandate that all electronic voting machines produce a voter-verified paper trail, but some critics have voiced concern over security and funding. The bill itself, called HR811, was originally proposed and defeated by ... More ... Hazardous waste drop-off days scheduled       The Middlesex County Division of Solid Waste Management recently set the following household hazardous waste drop-off days schedule: + March 17 at the Middlesex County Division of Highways, 750 Jernee Mill Road, Sayreville; + April 21 at the Middlesex County Highways Department, A... More ... Evening at Friday's to benefit bowling team       The Sayreville War Memorial High School Bombers Bowling Team will sponsor an Evening at T.G.I. Friday's from 5-9 p.m. on March 15 at Friday's, Route 9 north, Old Bridge. Diners should tell their server they are there to support the bowling team. More ... 'Nature Shadowbox' next up at Cheesequake       A program titled "Nature Memories Shadowbox" is set to begin at 1 p.m. on March 11 at the Cheesequake Park Interpretive Center, 300 Gordon Road, Old Bridge. Participants, who will create a shadowbox with a nature theme, are urged to bring small items to incorporate into the shadowbox. More ... Sons of Italy to serve homemade dinner       The Order of the Sons of Italy, Sgt. John Basilone Lodge, will offer a homemade dinner on March 20 at the Imperial Music Center, 48 Appleby Ave., South River. The meal will include salad, vegetable soup, sausage, peppers and onions over pasta in a red sauce, dessert, coffee and tea. More ... Donors needed for March 11 blood drive       Our Lady of Victory Knights of Columbus Council No. 2061 will hold a blood drive from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 11 at the council home, 775 Washington Road, Parlin section of Sayreville. Donors are needed. For more information, call (732) 257-2061. More ... Fund-raisers       March 8 + Basketball Game, featuring staff members at Spotswood High School and members of the Spotswood Police Department vs. a team of Spotswood High School seniors, 7 p.m., in the gym at the high school, Summerhill Road. Items donated by the Trenton Thunder, Lakewood Blueclaws and Tr... More ... Dinner-dance to benefit Arthritis Foundation       The Independent Order of Odd Fellows will host its 20th annual Arthritis Foundation Odd Ball from 1-5 p.m. on March 17 at the East Brunswick Chateau, Cranbury Road. Cost is $29 per person and includes a three-course luncheon, music and dancing. Proceeds will go to the Arthritis Foundati... More ... GMN takes 12 awards in national SNA contest       Greater Media Newspapers, Freehold Township, received 12 awards in the 2006 Suburban Newspapers of America contest, including a first place for sports writing, a second place for community service, and eight advertising and promotion awards. The contest is a highly competitive annual competit... More ... O.B. Office on Aging schedules activities       The Old Bridge Office on Aging will offer a variety of upcoming programs at the George Bush Senior Center, Old Bridge municipal complex, Route 516 and Cottrell Road. More ... Night at the Oscars to benefit Cooper Fund       The Chris Cooper Scholarship Fund will hold A Night at the Oscars Dinner from 7 p.m. to midnight on March 16 at the Pines Manor, Edison. More ... Laptops in police cars increase productivity Computers installed in marked, unmarked boro police vehicles BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - More than a dozen laptop computers have been installed in borough police vehicles, and they are already increasing productivity on the police force. Some 13 CF-29 Panasonic laptops and 18 mounting units were recently installed in various marked and unmarked police vehi... More ... Lowe's and others keep retail vacancy rate low Studies detail changes along Rts. 18, 1 and 9 in Middlesex, Monmouth       EAST BRUNSWICK - Large retail companies absorbed vacant retail space along Route 18 over the past year, demonstrating a high demand to locate along the busy corridor. This was the finding of retail real estate brokerage firm The Goldstein Group, Glen Rock, which recently completed it... More ... A look at book art      JEFF GRANIT staff Book art expert Sam Forlenza discusses some of the projects completed by students in the Challenge Class at Carl Sandburg Middle School, Old Bridge, during a reception Feb. 27. The art form uses creative techniques such as nontraditional bindings and media, sculpture, and unfolding... More ... Library Friends to host Mah-Jongg Game Day       The Friends of the Sayreville Public Library will hold a Mah-Jongg Game Day from 2-4 p.m. on March 18 in the conference room at the library, Washington Road. The program is free of charge and open to experienced players and individuals who are interested in learning how to play. Mah-jon... More ... Committee chair's ideas described as unfeasible BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE - Ideas put forth by Board of Education Strategic Planning Committee Chairman Matt Sulikowski to help fund the proposed full-day kindergarten are simply not feasible for the district, school administrators said this week. "There isn't any savings at all from anything he wa... More ... It's the thing to 'do' for 89 high-schoolers Students get hands-on experience in 3-year cosmetology program BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE - A group of students at Old Bridge High School is spending three periods a day learning math, science, chemistry ... and how to give a fierce hairstyle. The three-year cosmetology program, taught by Robin Lecesse and Denise Kopek, is open to students from sophomore to s... More ...