Cool colloquium      CHRIS KELLY staff Francis Platas, 11, performs with the school band at St. Thomas the Apostle School in Old Bridge Monday during a colloquium on Africa. Students displayed projects during the event, which also featured African food and a performance by the school choir. More photos, page 20. More ... Board adopts budget with $156 tax hike       Special ed. costs, school improvements, salaries drive budget up 3% BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer Taxpayers can expect to pay about $156 more per year in school taxes if a budget adopted by the Old Bridge Board of Education receives voters' approval. More ... Borough issues permits for school construction       Prior lack of permits for project became a point of contention BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer The Sayreville school district has received the permits needed to move ahead with the $47 million construction project at Sayreville War Memorial High School. More ... Mid State Lanes in its final frame Route 18 alley expected to close in early May BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - When Mid State Lanes shuts its doors next month, it will mark the end of an era. A fixture in East Brunswick for about half a century, the bowling alley at the Mid State Mall, Route 18, is expected to close because its owner was unable to negotiate a new lease agre... More ... Book's proceeds April 12 to help child support fund Woman writes to help others deal with divorce, child support issues BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE - In the minds of some, divorce represents failure. For Christina Rowe, it represented the beginnings of her success. In October, her book, "Seven Secrets to a Successful Divorce," hit shelves for public consumption, and since then, she has received grateful responses fr... More ... Fund-raisers       April 5 + Book Sale, sponsored by the Spotswood Public Library, during regular hours, at the library, 548 Main St. Hardcover books, paperbacks, children's books, audiocassettes, VHS videos. Paperbacks sell for 50 cents each or three for $1, hardcovers for 75 cents and up, VHS videos for... More ... Israeli couple brings kosher cuisine to boro BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - Last year marked the beginning of a new journey of sorts for Yose Malka, a borough resident originally from northern Israel. Malka opened the Falafel Factory near his home on Jernee Mill Road about six months ago, providing glatt kosher food for customers, Jewish or othe... More ... Mayor sends out survey about Old Bridge issues BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE - Mayor Jim Phillips wants to know what you are thinking. In order to find out, he formulated a survey and e-mailed it to 12,000 residents, asking open-ended questions about what issues in town concern them the most. "Old Bridge is 42,000 square miles, and has 64,000... More ... Celebrating Africa      PHOTOSBY CHRIS KELLY staff Old Bridge's Thomas Preteroti, 15, performs African music with the school band at St. Thomas the Apostle in Old Bridge Monday during a colloquium on Africa. A student-built pyramid is one of many projects displayed during the event. More ... Talent time      PHOTOS BY SCOTT PILLING staff Above: Steven Hernandez and Sameen Jafri, of Memorial Elementary School, Old Bridge, give their performance art routine during the fifth-grade dance and gymnastics show Friday. Below: Dante Whipple wheels his way around. More ... Despite options, board recognizes two holidays Schools will remain closed on Veterans Day and Memorial Day BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - Students will continue to observe Memorial Day and Veterans Day with a day off from school thanks to school officials' latest decision. More ... Eggs-ellent      PHOTOSBY DENNIS SYMONS JR. Top: Katie Rose picks up an Easter egg during an egg hunt Saturday outside the Madison Park Elementary School, Old Bridge. ERA Jersey Homes agent Maryann Kelly sponsored the event for the Madison Park Homeowners' Association. Above: Alyssa Perez pauses during the egg hunt... More ... Five arrested in alleged drug distribution rings       SAYREVILLE - - Two unrelated narcotics investigations led to the arrests of five suspects recently and the recovery of some large quantities of heroin and cocaine. The two sets of arrests were the result of investigations conducted by both the Sayreville and Old Bridge police narcotics... More ...