SCOTT FRIEDMAN Gavi Goodman, 3, gets a helping hand while making a candy menorah during the Hanukkah Carnival sponsored by Bris Avrohom at Old Bridge High School on Sunday. More ... Religious group plans campus next to racetrack Raceway Park says location is bad choice for spiritual group BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       Meditation involves quieting the mind and bringing oneself to a place of peace and serenity, where outside thoughts and distractions can melt away. Members of Dayalbagh Radhasoami Satsang Association of North America, an Indian spiritual movement, are willing to try the ancient practice in close ... More ... Boro wants more cops at apartment complex Mayor, council say Winding Woods needs added security BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       Sayreville officials are asking the owner of the Winding Woods apartment community to hire off-duty police officers for security in light of ongoing reports of crime. Borough Business Administrator Jeffry Bertrand said he sent a letter Friday to the owner of the development, accompanied by a list... More ... Honoring Pearl Harbor      PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff Clockwise from top: John Nawoj of American Legion Post 211, Sayreville, marches along Main Street Friday morning to commemorate the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, which occurred shortly before 8 a.m. on Dec. 7, 1941, some 66 years earlier. Rich Swan of Post No... More ... Kaplan seeks townhomes for final LaMer sections Builder's proposal would change character of 399 housing units BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - The developer of the LaMer community has some changes in mind for the development's final phases. Michael Kaplan, the former president of Kaplan Cos., told the Planning Board about the firm's proposed changes during an informal hearing recently. More ... Data center zoning OK'd despite concerns Data storage campus proposed for 300 acres of Crossroads property BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE - Township officials amended the Crossroads redevelopment plan Monday to allow for a controversial corporate campus of data storage centers. "It looks like we actually have the prospect of providing tax relief," Township Council President Pat Gillespie said. "We'd be foolish not to pu... More ... Light treats      SCOTT FRIEDMAN Sarah (from left) and Rachel Platensky, ages 9 and 6, of Edison, and Chaya Mushka, 8, of Brooklyn, N.Y., prepare edible menorahs with graham crackers, Marshmallow Fluff and candy corn during Bris Avrohom's Hanukkah Carnival at Old Bridge High School Sunday. More ... Gunman robs Quick Chek       SAYREVILLE - An armed robber stole an unknown amount of money from a borough convenience store yesterday. The suspect entered the Quick Chek on Main Street at 2:35 a.m., pulled out a silver handgun and demanded money from the clerk, according to Sayreville Police Detective Mathew Bandurski. More ... Jersey bands pay tribute to Johnny Cash Saturday       SAYREVILLE - The music of the "man in black" will be celebrated Saturday during a benefit concert at the Starland Ballroom, Jernee Mill Road. The Johnny Cash tribute, an all ages, seated show, will feature the central New Jersey-based Michael Patrick's Ring of Fire band and several other acts. More ... Old Bridge man, 21, dies in jump from Rt. 35 bridge       SAYREVILLE - A 21-year-old Old Bridge man jumped to his death from the Victory Bridge at 8:42 a.m. Dec. 4. According to police, Francis Lawrenz Ancheta parked his 2001 Nissan Altima on the shoulder of the road, engaging his emergency lights. A motorist noticed the vehicle and slowed down to offe... More ... Cool new car for DARE      Old Bridge DARE Officer Michael Korygoski and Police Chief Thomas H. Collow stand beside the department's new DARE car. The 2006 Dodge Charger was seized as a result of a narcotics arrest. Collow said that police also used funds seized from narcotics-related arrests to convert the vehicle into a ful... More ... Old Bridge man robbed at home; shot 3 times BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE - A 68-year-old man was shot three times by two men who invaded his Emerald Lane home last week, taking cash and jewelry. The suspects, two middle-aged white males, allegedly went to the victim's home posing as police officers around 8:30 p.m. Dec. 5. More ... Ancient Chinese culture presented in holiday show BY GENEVIEVE LONG Correspondent       This holiday season, two local residents are bringing new wonders to their neighbors - "Holiday Wonders," that is. "Holiday Wonders" is a variety show of traditional Chinese dance, music and singing that will kick off its East Coast tour from New York City on Dec.18. More ... Legislators debate need for capital punishment BY CHRIS MURINO Staff Writer       People on both sides of the death penalty debate are striving to have their voices heard as the New Jersey Legislature inches toward abolishing capital punishment. On Dec. 3, after a hearing on the issue, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee approved a bill by a vote of 8-4 that would a... More ... In the Service       Air Force Airman Judith H. Shingledecker, daughter of Carolyn Dahl of Old Bridge and granddaughter of Lucy Dahl of Howell, recently graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. More ... Human remains found in woods       OLD BRIDGE - Two off-duty township police officers discovered the remains of a township resident in a wooded area near Route 9 last week. The officers, Jerry Palumbo and Greg Goy, found the body while they were hunting, roughly 50 yards deep into a wooded area off Route 9 and Perrine Road at 11:... More ...