Firms make pitches for Nat'l Lead project Proposals call for housing, retail, offices, sports, rail and a ferry BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       A dozen firms seeking to redevelop the former National Lead site presented their concepts to Sayreville officials this week, all agreeing the riverside location that straddles three major highways is highly desirable. The public presentations were made over the course of two special... More ...       Erin Handy, 6, readies the ground for a tree planting at Cheesequake State Park in Old Bridge Saturday. Brownie Troop 729, which is working toward badges in ecology and planting, took part in the park's Arbor Day activities. More ... Town looks at ways to diversify OBPD Squad's 104 officers include two women, one African American BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       In an effort to create more diversity on the police force, officials are looking to make changes to Old Bridge's police hiring ordinance. Proposed changes include allowing for the chief of police to recruit officers from other municipalities on a limited basis, and heightening requi... More ... Several arrests made after melee at Abyss Police from four towns respond to club for major disturbance BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - A large fight at a Route 35 nightclub resulted in six arrests last weekend. Police were called at 1:35 a.m. Sunday for a disturbance involving hundreds of people in the parking lot of Club Abyss. The fracas spilled out onto the northbound side of the highway, sto... More ... Newspaper group boasts banner year for awards Latest tally is 28 awards in state press contest       It was an exceptionally good year for Greater Media Newspapers, when the New Jersey Press Association awarded the group 28 awards for writing, photography, advertising and circulation excellence in its Better Newspaper Contest for 2006. More ... Remains found of woman, 24       SAYREVILLE - The skeletal remains of a 24-year-old Perth Amboy woman who was missing since Sept. 29 were found on borough land near the Raritan River Saturday. Police did not have a cause of death for the woman, identified as Ziomara Rivera. However, an autopsy conducted Sunday s... More ... Teacher plans youth day camp for charity June 18-22 camp will raise funds for fight against cancer       SAYREVILLE - A borough high school teacher is planning a weeklong children's day camp this June to raise funds for a cause near and dear to his heart. The Super Activities Camp will benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) in its fight against cancer and its mission to inspire an... More ... Funds may soon surge for work on South River Work designed to protect residents in Sayreville, South River from floods BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       Years of efforts to provide flood protection for residents of South River and Sayreville are paying off. The U.S. House of Representatives recently approved a water resources development bill that authorizes $79.5 million in federal funding for the South River Flood Damage Reduction... More ... Boro sees string of car break-ins over weekend BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - Eleven motor vehicles were hit last weekend during a spree of burglaries in the borough. The car break-ins took place in the neighborhoods known as White Oaks, Main Street Town Homes and President Park, according Sayreville Police Sgt. Sean O'Donnell. More ... Celebrating the unique heritage of the Shore       The unique history and culture of the Jersey Shore is the subject of a new exhibit that opens Sunday at the Cornelius Low House Museum in Piscataway. "Down the Shore: The Coastal Heritage of New Jersey" will run through June 15 at the museum, located at 1225 River Road. More ... Asian heritage festival returns to Manalapan BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - The second annual Asian Heritage Festival will be held May 5 from 1-5 p.m. at Manalapan High School, Church Lane, off Tennent Road. More ... Up in flames       An office building on Old Matawan Road in Old Bridge was ravaged by a fire around 3 p.m. April 25, creating plumes of smoke seen for miles and clogging traffic on nearby Route 18. Reports indicate the fire may have been started by a discarded cigarette butt in a smoking area adjacent to t... More ... Cty. makes Tamarack Hollow purchase official       EAST BRUNSWICK - Middlesex County officials have taken the necessary actions to preserve the 232 acres that were previously proposed for the Tamarack Hollow housing development. The county Board of Chosen Freeholders entered into a contract April 19 to purchase the land for the county'... More ...