JEFF GRANIT staff Rich Toogood, an environmental field scientist with Severn Trent Labs, Edison, takes a sample of dust material from the front windowsill of a home on Modzelewski Terrace, Sayreville. Homes in close proximity to the Gerdau Ameristeel mill were tested last week for dust emissions. More ... 'Black dust' samples taken from residences Steel mill reps meet with residents as labs test material BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       Workers from two environmental firms collected samples of "black dust" from more than a dozen Sayreville properties last week to learn more about the material and its origins. More ... Colosseum shut down due to repeated fights Boro action comes after police respond to more violence at club BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       Another night of fighting and alleged gunfire at the Sayreville Colosseum nightclub has prompted the borough to revoke its liquor license. Early Monday morning, just eight days after police responded to fighting at the Routes 9/35 nightclub, Sayreville and South Amboy officers r... More ... Boro: Thumbs down on land sale near bridge Developer interested in county property off the South River BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - Borough officials are opposing the potential sale of Middlesex County-owned property near the South River-Sayreville Bridge to a private developer. A buyer recently expressed interest in purchasing the 2.19-acre site located between Washington Road and the bridge. Coun... More ... Worker, 45, dies in fall from Driscoll Bridge BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - A 45-year-old construction worker died Saturday morning when he fell while working on the Alfred E. Driscoll Bridge. Thomas W. Oset, of Manville, Somerset County, was carrying 2-by-4 planks that were 12 feet in length when the boards that formed a temporary walkway broke... More ... Officials: No progress on bringing ballpark Marketplace idea lost momentum; Rt. 33 panel stopped meeting BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MONROE - Despite township officials' efforts to cover all bases in planning for a ballpark complex on Route 33, bringing the project to fruition has proven to be a whole other ballgame. "At some point, it just didn't make any sense," said Township Council President Gerald Tamburro.... More ... Academy commuters vent over bus issues Riders complain that full buses pass by and no options are available BY ERIN O. STATTEL Correspondent       The commuters are restless and unhappy. Last week they let someone know that. State Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth and Mercer) held a forum on Aug. More ... August: Act III begins       Have you ever dreamed of glorious spring and summer flowering bulbs, a garden awash in color and unique shapes? Now is the time to look at your bulb catalogs and devise a planting strategy, which offers the most varied show imaginable, with a minimal effort on your part. Order your bulbs by m... More ... O.B. ushers in start of work at Mannino BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE - Township officials have stepped up to the plate on two Little League fields and other components of a pentaplex at Peter A. Mannino Park, Route 516. An Aug. 6 groundbreaking ceremony marked the beginning of phase one of the park development project, which will cost about... More ... Cut-a-thon      JEFF GRANIT staff Johnny Sapata, 3, of South River, sits patiently as Lisa Dill cuts his hair at Hair Together on Bordentown Avenue, Parlin, during Monday's cut-a-thon. The salon donated all funds from the day's cuts to Couture for Cancer, which donates custom-made human hair replacement systems to ... More ... County transportation group offers services on the Web       NEW BRUNSWICK - Keep Middlesex Moving, the transportation management association for Middlesex County, recently enhanced its interactive Web site to assist commuters who work in the county. The nonprofit organization's site, www.kmm. More ... Family histories told in unique biographies Attorney leaves firm after 5 years to start unique creative venture BY LAURA KOSS Correspondent       Matthew Litt has done what many people spend countless hours at their desks daydreaming about. This 29-year-old Manalapan native stopped dreaming and left his career as a Manhattan attorney to start his own business, Bridge Biography. More ... College educ. won't be required to join P.D. Proposal will allow chief to recruit cops from other towns BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE - A newly proposed police hiring ordinance will change the requirement for college credits in an effort to give more candidates a chance to join the force. More ... Salt Water Day PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff      Top to bottom: Willy Noriegn, of Newark, makes a popular treat, zeppoles, during Salt Water Day in the Laurence Harbor section of Old Bridge Saturday. Colleen Stitzel, 4, has fun firing a hose at targets set up for the day. Christopher Maldonado, 5, of the Bronx, N.Y., takes a plunge into the water ... More ... Fundraisers       Aug. 16 • "Community Savings" Book Sale, sponsored by Sayreville War Memorial High School Bombers Basketball. Discount price: $10 per book, two for $15. Proceeds benefit Bombers basketball programs. More ... Collectible dolls, bears to be sold for charity       EAST BRUNSWICK - A local businessman has come up with a unique way to raise funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities. For two weeks, from Aug. 18 through Sept. 1, Barry Blank of National Estate Jewelry Buyers Ltd. will have more than 500 collectible dolls and teddy bears available for... More ... Busy hands      ERIC SUCAR staff A plethora of youthful hands stay busy during the "Be Puzzled" program Aug. 6 at the Old Bridge Public Library. More ... GOP: Stop signs went up without approval Republicans also say boro stage was lent out without proper OK BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - Republicans are charging that in two recent cases, the borough failed to follow the proper procedures regarding the use of borough property. Republican Party Chairman Ronald Green approached the council with his concerns on Aug. 6. More ... Art off the wall (& out of the saloon) BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer       An exhibition opening at the Art Alliance of Monmouth County in Red Bank today by Wayne Turback is his first since selling the South Amboy bar where for many years he had a venue for his paintings and assemblages. "The bar was my gallery pretty much," said Turback, a member of the Art... More ... Four proposals under review for Nat'l Lead Council again rejects mayor's attempt to be SERA commissioner BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - Borough officials are reviewing proposals from four potential redevelopers of the 400-acre National Lead site. As commissioners on the Sayreville Economic Redevelopment Agency (SERA) began looking at the newly filed "formal proposals" last week, members of the Borough ... More ... Change at mill reduces risk of deadly release Plant listed as potential terror target is storing less chlorine BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       SPOTSWOOD - The Schweitzer Mauduit paper mill, once considered a prime terrorism target, has reduced its potential danger by switching away from the storage of large amounts of chlorine. The New Jersey Public Interest Research Group (NJPIRG) announced that the manufacturer, located... More ...