Imaginative Parlin girl is 'just like you' Fighting spirit of 5-year-old thrills parents, doctors BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent       'Thomas the Monster" is an imaginary friend of 5- year-old Naiya Newton. He is also the title character in a children's book she and her mother Nikki have written. Many children have helped their parents write stories, but Naiya has autism, which makes her involvement in the creation of "Thomas t... More ... O'Brien, Republicans sweep in Sayreville Incumbent mayor defeats Pollando to win third straight term BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       For the first time since 2003, a Republican has won in Sayreville. In fact, all the Republicans won. Incumbent Mayor Kennedy O'Brien, who had become the last Republican on the borough's governing body, was re-elected to a fouryear term on Tuesday. More ... County Freeholders remain Democratic Incumbents Dalina, Rafano and Valenti given another 3-year term BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer       NORTH BRUNSWICK - Stephen "Pete" Dalina, Christopher Rafano and Blanquita Valenti were re-elected to the Middlesex County Freeholder Board, defeating their Republican counterparts Geoffrey Champion, Daniel Kerwin and John Rucki during elections on Tuesday. More ... 'Team Old Bridge' wins mayoral, 2 council seats Republican Cahill wins first term on town council BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE - Democratic incumbents took the majority of the seats up for grabs in Tuesday's election. Mayor Jim Phillips won his second four-year term, and Township Council members Patrick Gillespie and Ed Testino were both re-elected. More ... Election results Read the Story... Plan calls for 'signature' building up to 13 stories Would include hotel, conference center visible from Raritan bridges BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - A developer was recently designated to build an eight- to 13- story building at the entrance to the former National Lead property. The Sayreville Economic Redevelopment Agency (SERA) unanimously approved a resolution Oct. 29 designating Surrey Equities, LLC, as the conditional redev... More ...      SCOTT FRIEDMAN The Fallon family, of Old Bridge, enjoys a hike through the woods of Cheesequake State Park in Old Bridge on a cool fall afternoon Sunday. More ... Town invests in computer software to save on paper BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE - Taxpayers and trees will have township officials to thank. Township Council agenda packets will soon be distributed through an Internetbased system, eliminating the expense and environmental impact of using paper. More ... Senior Fashion Show      PHOTOS BY SCOTT FRIEDMAN Sally Polce shows some new styles, courtesy of local businesses, during the first-ever Senior Fashion Show at the Old Bridge Senior Center on Oct. 25. Township seniors modeled fashions from a handful of Old Bridge retailers. More ... Three proposals pitched for Robert E. Lee site BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - Three firms have expressed interest in redeveloping a 4-acre parcel of waterfront property formerly home to the Robert E. Lee Inn. More ... Dog will accompany student in high school Golden retriever will signal for help in event of seizure BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       SPOTSWOOD - A borough high school student will soon be accompanied by a service dog in school to help her in the event of an epileptic seizure. The Board of Education has voted to allow Katlin MiIler, a 16-year-old Spotswood High School junior, to have the dog with her at school. The dog will kn... More ... Marching unit takes top honors       SAYREVILLE - It was hooray for the home team during a recent statewide band competition. During the USSBA New Jersey State Championship event Oct. 27 at Sayreville War Memorial High School, some 40 bands from three groups, or categories, competed from all over for the state title. More ...