DANIEL HULSHIZER staff Saxophonist Steve Ryden (l), of Milltown, and trumpeter Stan Harrison, of South Plainfield, perform with a jazz band during the Mid-Twentieth Century Christmas celebration Saturday at the Thomas Warne Museum in Old Bridge. The event inaugurated the museum's growing 20th-centur... More ... Slight increase coming in O.B. municipal taxes State aid helps, but rising, mandated costs have town in bind BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       Thanks to state aid, residents will see a smaller tax increase than anticipated in the new Old Bridge municipal budget, approved Monday. Township Finance Director Himanshu Shah said at a Dec. More ... Council rejects $200K for land near firehouse Two vote against party mates due to unknown costs BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       Asplit Sayreville Borough Council voted this week against a $200,000 bond that would allow it to acquire land for parking and congestion relief around a borough firehouse. Monday's vote marked the first time since the Democrats took control of all six seats on the council last January that the co... More ... Family works to bring all a brighter holiday Visitors invited to walk display of lights, animation BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent       OLD BRIDGE - When the sun sets, the fun starts at the Apruzzi house on Central Avenue. Every night, gingerbread boys and girls jump on a trampoline, ride down the slide, and play on the swings and seesaw. Next to them, a Victorian family of ice skaters glides around in front of their old-fashio... More ... Alleged robber arrested after running toward cop Sayreville man, 37, charged in purse theft, store robbery BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - A borough man has been charged with robbery after being caught by an officer who police say was in the right place at the right time. The suspect, Daniel Blazas, 37, of Outlook Avenue, who was wanted in connection with a convenience store robbery, was arrested at 3:19 p.m. More ... Cleaned-up landfill site may be added to park BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE - Township officials are working toward a land purchase that would result in the expansion of Cheesequake State Park. The council voted Dec. More ... New children's hospital specializes in rehab care       NEW BRUNSWICK - Children's Specialized Hospital has expanded to include a 60-bed pediatric rehabilitation center on Somerset Street. The new PSE&G Children's Specialized Hospital, which opened earlier this month, is located on the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital campus. More ... Of Christmas past      PHOTOS BY DANIEL HULSHIZER staff From left to right: Pauline Drake and her husband, Howard, of Cliffwood, watch the band, including trombonist Steve Johnson, perform at the Mid-Twentieth Century Christmas event Saturday at the Thomas Warne Museum in Old Bridge. Pauline graduated in 1941 from the one... More ... Project an annual gift to those in need 4-H teens brighten holidays for many with day of free shopping BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent       The Middlesex County 4-H cabin in East Brunswick was transformed into the North Pole last weekend. Economically disadvantaged parents arriving at the Cranbury Road building on Sunday would find long tables laden with countless gifts to give their children. More ... Holiday spirit      SCOTT FRIEDMAN The sign on the front of a borough truck sends Christmas wishes to all residents at Sayreville's "Parade of Lights" Dec. 9. More ... State fund helps pay for children's medical needs       On Dec. 13 Gov. Jon S. Corzine announced more than $3.3 million in financial grants awarded by the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund Commission (CICRFC) to help families dealing with their children's extraordinary medical expenses. More ... Fight poverty, join AmeriCorps VISTA       Anew public service campaign has been launched to enlist New Jersey residents in joining Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), the Ameri- Corps program that fights poverty. The campaign draws attention to the 37 million Americans who live in poverty and to the changing face of poverty, which ... More ... Council minority called for array of budget cuts Repubs, one Dem oppose filling vacant municipal positions BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE - Not every member of the governing body was satisfied with the new municipal budget approved Monday. "I think we should do more with less," Republican Councilman Rich Greene said. "That's the bottom line. More ... Happy holidays      PHOTOS BY SCOTT FRIEDMAN From left to right: Santa and Mrs. Claus wave to residents at Sayreville's "Parade of Lights" Sunday evening. The procession began at Outlook Avenue and Washington Road and ended at borough hall on Main Street near MacArthur Avenue. The Taylor family anticipates the arrival ... More ... Farmers' feed-the-needy effort survives setback BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - A local farm may be able to give food to New Jersey's poor after all. Recent state cutbacks threatened to end a program whereby farms throughout the state give 1.5 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to 6,000 needy New Jerseyans each year. More ... Prisoners tell local kids realities of crime, jail Four inmates share how their lives changed due to drug use BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent       EAST BRUNSWICK - Four state prisoners met with a group of local youngsters recently, telling them to "choose freedom." During a "Straight Talk" presentation sponsored by the East Brunswick Police Youth Services program Nov. 19, the inmates, all in their 20s, chronicled the decisions they made, s... More ... Exxon Mobil to seek LNG facility off Jersey coast COA opposes offshore gas terminal BY MELISSA KARSH Staff Writer       SEA BRIGHT - After Exxon Mobil Corp. announced plans to seek regulatory approval for a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal off the coast of New Jersey Dec. 11, state officials and local activists are speaking out against the plan. More ...