Sayreville in the 'Money' for places to live Magazine ranks boro No. 47 in best places to live in U.S. BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       Property owners have reason to cheer. Money Magazine has listed Sayreville among the best towns to live in the country. The Time Warner Inc. publication ranked Sayreville No. 47 on its list of the "Top 100 Best Places to Live," which this year was limited to populations betwe... More ... Old Bridge municipal budget keeps taxes stable Councilman says tab relies too heavily on one-time revenue BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       Old Bridge residents can look forward to a municipal budget with no tax increase next year. Mayor Jim Phillips on Monday presented the 2008 fiscal year budget, which would hold the tax rate at 79 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. More ... The eagles have landed, report concludes Report says bald eagles are making a comeback along Raritan River BY JESSICA ALFREY Correspondent       EDISON - The number of bald eagle sightings in Middlesex County since 2000 has steadily been increasing, according to a recent report released by the Edison Wetlands Association and Highland Park Environmental Commission. More ... Learning the ropes      PHOTOSBY SCOTT PILLING staff Above: Old Bridge Police Lt. Robert Moser accompanies Surantha Feldano, 11, as she tries to maneuver a golf cart through the cones while wearing goggles that simulate a drunken-driving experience July 12. The activity was part of the Old Bridge Police Department's Youth ... More ... Registration under way for library teen events       The Old Bridge Public Library Main Branch, Route 516 and Cottrell Road, and the Laurence Harbor Branch, Shoreland Circle, will host several upcoming teen programs. The following events require registration: • July 19 at 7 p.m. at the Main Branch - "Teen Jeopardy! More ... Fundraisers       July 19 • 1-Cent Sale, featuring hard-cover books, paperbacks, magazines, audiobooks and VHS tapes for 1-cent each, sponsored by the Friends of the South River Library, during regular library hours, through Aug. 3 or until stock is depleted, at the library, 55 Appleby Ave. More ... Group takes in beauty of a little-known park Nature walk guide shares knowledge of local ecosystem BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent       EAST BRUNSWICK - Most homeowners know them as a red maple, but to Brian Racin they are acer rubrum. "The same tree might be known by different names depending on the region," he said. "But Latin names avoid all the confusion. More ... Miss New Jersey ready to continue her duties Pageant board decides that photos will not disqualify young woman BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL - A picture of her legs spread in the air while riding in a limousine was one of the photos used in an alleged blackmail attempt to coerce Miss New Jersey, Amy Polumbo, 22, of Howell, to give up the crown she won several weeks ago. More ... OBHS has record number of college-bound graduates BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE - An overwhelming number of the township's high school graduates have decided to give it the old college try. According to Superintendent of Schools Simon Bosco, 91 percent of graduating students are going on to either two- or four-year colleges. The students earned more ... More ... Residents raise safety concerns with road opening Ad hoc committee will look at options for traffic control BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE - A resolution promising traffic control devices on Prests Mill Road was not fulfilled by the time of the road's opening Monday, leaving some nearby residents concerned. More ... E.B. man arrested in Sayreville murder Police: Suspect had over ounce of cocaine on night of shooting BY BRIAN DONAHUE Staff Writer       Police charged an East Brunswick man Monday in the fatal shooting of a 20-year-old man in Sayreville June 28. Telik K. Pittman, 24, of Lois Street, was charged with the murder of Marquis Maing, who was shot while seated in a car with his girlfriend in the parking lot of the Winding ... More ... Matawan to host second SharkFest on Saturday BY JOHN SUTTON Correspondent       MATAWAN - When the word shark was mentioned in Matawan during the summer of 1916, it struck immediate fear and dread in residents. On Saturday, the public will be reminded of the attacks that caused that fear, but this time, it will be with an educational approach. More ... Officials 'won't rest' until complex is safe Boro, owner agree on extra police patrols, more weekend security BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - Though one suspect has been charged in the June 28 murder at Winding Woods, at least one resident and several officials are saying the development is still not as safe as it should be. "We just want to make it a safer place for the people to live," council President Th... More ... Friendly competition      PHOTOS BY SCOTT PILLING staff Above: Melissa Velez, of Monroe, shows her hula-hoop skills during the second annual Community Friendship Games July 11 at Bicentennial Park in East Brunswick. The day of games saw youngsters from Monroe, Old Bridge and East Brunswick competing against one another. At ... More ...