SCOTT FRIEDMAN Large crowds enjoyed the annual carnival at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, MacArthur Avenue in Sayreville, as seen on June 22, the third day of the event. More photos, page 16. More ... Couple shot in car; man, 20, killed Unknown gunman at large after shooting at Winding Woods BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       A 20-year-old Old Bridge man was killed and his girlfriend critically wounded after an unknown gunman shot the two while they were seated in a car at the Winding Woods development June 28. Marquis Maing was pronounced dead less than an hour after the shooting, according to the Middl... More ... Residents say cancer report was hurried State finds number of cases in Sayreville to be normal for N.J. BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       A state health official told Sayreville residents Monday that there is no reason to believe a cancer cluster exists in the community. Still, many remained skeptical of the report issued by the state Department of Health and Senior Services, and said it was issued too quickly and wit... More ... Women broke free from prisons at home       Editor's note: The following are the stories of three area victims of domestic violence. The names of the victims and others mentioned in their accounts have been changed to guard their identities. Their situations are recounted at times in graphic detail. More ... Abuse often borne out of hunger for control Experts say leaving relationships safely takes planning BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer       Domestic violence will affect one out of four women in their lifetimes.In 2005, the state domestic violence hotline received 1,192 crisis and 1,397 non-crisis calls in Monmouth County, 1,470 crisis and 1,843 non-crisis calls in Middlesex County, 844 crisis and 964 non-crisis calls in Ocea... More ... Group trains counselors for victims of domestic violence Women Aware Inc. seeking volunteers to help victims BY JESSICA ALFREY Correspondent       Domestic violence is generally a problem dealt with by local police departments. But thanks to Women Aware Inc., an average citizen can learn to become a crisis counselor and help victims decide how to best help themselves. More ... If you need help:       The following are some of the area organizations that provide confidential counseling, assistance and resources for victims of domestic violence and their families: Division of Youth & Family Services (800) 792-8610 New Jersey Coalition for Battered Women Domestic Vi... More ... A day at the beach ... what's the cost? Public advocate looks at price of accessing shore BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       State Public Advocate Ronald K. Chen released the second annual beach report last week, citing wide disparities in the cost of accessing the state's beaches. According to Chen's office, beach fees range from a $5 daily fee in Long Branch up to a $17,000 membership in a private Sea B... More ... Five burglaries reported at Crosspointe condos       EAST BRUNSWICK - Police are investigating a series of burglaries that occurred at five township residences in the same condominium complex last week. The five break-ins at Crosspointe, off Tices Lane, all took place between 7:15 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on June 26. One each occurred on Cross... More ... OBPD to offer summer Youth Police Academy       Individuals ages 10-17 are invited to take part in the upcoming Old Bridge Police Department (OBPD) Youth Police Academy. Four sessions are available: + July 9-13 - grades 5 and 6; + July 16-20 - grades 7, 8 and 9; + July 30-Aug. More ... Car wash to raise funds for autism services       A car wash to benefit the New Jersey Coalition for Outreach Services for the Autism Community will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 8 at the South Old Bridge Firehouse, Throckmorton Lane. The event is sponsored by Martial Arts With Hearts, a nonprofit organization made up of mar... More ... Blood donors will earn free car wash at church       St. George's Church, 56 Main St., Helmetta, will host its annual blood drive to support New Jersey Blood Services from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 14 in the church's Ericson Hall. St. George's Youth Ministry group will provide a free car wash for all donors. More ... Breeders' Cup could place $60M into N.J.'s economy $20M in purses up for grabs in Oct. thoroughbred event BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       Monmouth Park in Oceanport is gearing up for the richest day ever in the history of horse racing. That's what Greg Avioli, the Breeders' Cup president, called Oct. 27, when the 24th running of the thoroughbred championships will be held in New Jersey for the first time. The event i... More ... County transit program wins national award       Middlesex County Area Transit (MCAT) was named the 2007 Urban Community Transpor-tation System of the Year by the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA). Past winners of the award include the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority, Orange County (California) Transportati... More ... Old military explosive unearthed in schoolyard Army investigates to ensure no other munitions remain BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - A construction crew working on a new playground at a borough school recently unearthed a military ordnance likely dating to World War I. As a result of the finding at the Samsel Upper Elementary School, the Army Corps of Engineers is searching the property to ensure it... More ... Reaching high      PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Above: Samaad McCray (l), 9, and Dwane Butler, 11, jump for the ball during opening day of the newly formed basketball league June 26 at the Winding Woods apartments in Sayreville. A resident of the community established the league using donations from local residents, bu... More ... Summer fun      PHOTOS BY SCOTT FRIEDMAN Clockwise from left: Tom Hoyt (r), of Sayreville, carefully releases his bowling ball with hopes of winning a prize at the annual St. Stanislaus Kostka carnival on MacArthur Avenue in Sayreville June 22. Madeline Murray whips up some cotton candy. Ed Kaiser, of East Brunswic... More ... Mill is closed for lack of business license Meanwhile, testing under way on 'black dust' collected at 14 homes BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - The borough shut down a slag-related operation at a local steel mill last week at a time when the mill is under scrutiny from neighbors for its "black dust" emissions. International Mill Service (IMS) Inc. More ... Sayreville man, 62, found dead in surf BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE - A Sayreville man was found dead Sunday morning in the surf at the Laurence Harbor beachfront. Police said Thomas J. Newsome, 62, of the Morgan section of Sayreville, was pulled from the Raritan Bay after a witness called police to report a body floating near the shorelin... More ... Monday Morning panel slates July 16 meeting       The Monday Morning Advocacy Network of Middlesex County will hold a special monthly meeting from 1-3 p.m. on July 16 in the community room at the Chuck Costello Housing Complex, 1998 Route 18 north, Old Bridge. More ... Board gives go-ahead to Sabert headquarters Manufacturer to build on Main St. Extension near waterfront BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - A plan for a plastic packaging manufacturer to build its world headquarters in the borough has the borough's seal of approval. Sabert Corp., which already operates a plant in the borough, has received final Planning Board approval to build a warehouse and headquarters ... More ... Enjoying the hoopla      CHRIS KELLY staff Rania Khatab, 7, aims for the hoop during a game of Knock Out at the new Winding Woods basketball courts in Sayreville June 26. More ... Fundraisers       July 6 + Empty Inkjet- and Laser-Printer Cartridge Collection, sponsored by South River High School Class of 2007 Project Graduation. Donations may be dropped off at 19 Leonardine Ave., corner of Garden and Leonardine. Call Debbie at (732) 238-2849. More ...