CHRIS KELLY staff Rabbi Yossi Kanelsky, representing Bris Avrohom of Old Bridge, gives a brief speech to the audience gathered for Old Bridge Township's Christmas tree and menorah lighting ceremony Monday at the municipal center. More ... Driver gets 18 years for death of woman, 21 Corey Bieniek was driving drunk, speeding at time of accident BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       Ajudge sentenced Corey Bieniek to 18 years in prison last week for causing the death of 21-year-old Samar Seliem, who had been backing out of her driveway when Bieniek's speeding vehicle hit her car. Bieniek, 20, of the Cliffwood Beach section, had been driving while intoxicated when he hit Selie... More ... Sayreville offers $231K for Washington Rd. site Democrats, GOP have opposing views on land acquisition BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       Sayreville is pursuing the purchase of open space off Washington Road, despite concerns raised by Republicans and residents at recent meetings. The Borough Council voted Nov. 19 to make an offer of $231,000 to the owner of the 3- acre lot, which is near the borough's 9/11 memorial. More ... Adopt a Pet Other kittens & cats available       Sayreville Pet Adoption Center 1400 Main Street Sayreville, NJ 08872 (732) 727-3895 www.sayreville.petfinder.org Hours: Mon., Tues., Wed., Fri., Sat. noon- 5 p.m.; Thurs. non - 6 p.m.; Sun. noon - 3 p.m. More ... A Christmas story      PHOTOS BY SCOTT FRIEDMAN Clockwise from top left: Robert Galvin, of Matawan, portrays an angel during A Drive Through the Christmas Story outside the Sayre Woods Bible Church, Route 9 south in Old Bridge, on Saturday night. The display will continue from 7:30-9:30 p.m. tomorrow and 5-9:30 p.m. Satur... More ... Club patrons arrested       OLD BRIDGE - Police arrested three Manalapan men after a fight broke out at a local nightclub recently. After being dispatched to the Breakfast Club, on Route 516, at 1:25 a.m. Nov. 22, police arrested Eric J. Gladstein, 24, on charges of aggravated assault, resisting arrest and disorderly condu... More ... Car stolen despite effort of victim       SAYREVILLE - A 58-year-old Parlin resident was the victim of a recent carjacking, according to police. The incident took place in the parking lot of a business on the 400 block of Ernston Road at 8:20 a.m. Nov. 23, according to the report. The victim had left his gray 1999 four-door Nissan Maxim... More ... Students show true colors: black, purple BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE - The principal of Old Bridge High School has stepped up efforts to create a larger sense of school spirit among students. Perhaps most notably, Jim Hickey joined the drill team in a step routine at a fall pep rally, met with applause and chants of "Hickey! Hickey! More ... Parents will light candles to remember children Sayreville couple, Spotswood group among those participating BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - Parents around the world will light a candle this weekend for their children who have passed away. Elizabeth and Victor Dubinin are among the couples who will participate in this remembrance. Their Sayreville home is adorned with pictures of their 19-yearold daughter, Sara, who died... More ... Township says thanks to a dedicated volunteer Old Bridge resident heavily involved with CERT, DARE programs BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE - Arthur Rhodes has been giving to the township for more than two decades. By honoring him with the 2007 Volunteer of the Year award, township officials are doing their best to give something back to Rhodes for all of his hard work. More ... Show of gratitude      Sayreville school officials stand with members of the borough's Police Benevolent Association 98 during a plaque presentation at a recent Board of Education meeting. The board presented the plaque to the PBA in recognition of its contribution of a memorial flagpole at Sayreville War Memorial High Sc... More ... Holiday lights      CHRIS KELLY staff Janay MacDonald, 7, of the Laurence Harbor section of Old Bridge, checks out the giant Christmas tree while attending the annual tree and menorah lighting at the Old Bridge municipal center Monday evening. More ... Kindness of many makes Wishing Place possible Community heralds start of construction on Make-A-Wish building BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       MONROE - Children living with serious illnesses joined volunteers and local officials at a ceremony last week marking the start of construction on the Make-A-Wish Foundation's New Jersey headquarters. Tom Weatherall, president and CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey, hosted the event... More ...