CHRIS KELLY staff Lexi Bellotti (l), 13, and Alexa Valenti, 15, both of Marlboro, practice their figure skating at the Old Bridge Ice Arena during Sunday's public session. More ... Town rehabbing homes for low-income residents No-interest loans help homeowners fund variety of projects BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       With greater affordable housing obligations on the horizon, Old Bridge officials are working to fulfill them by providing assistance to existing residents in need. More ... Land purchase gets OK on second try New council votes unanimously to acquire site near firehouse BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       Firefighters applauded the Sayreville Borough Council Monday as officials gave the go-ahead to buy land for additional parking next to a local firehouse. The borough will purchase property adjacent to the Melrose Hose Company No. 1, which had sought the land at 255 Oak St. for extra parking. More ... Ice breakers      PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Left to right: Jason (l), 8, and Ann Gora hold hands as they glide amid the throngs of people enjoying the open skating session Sunday at the Old Bridge Ice Arena. Donna Polinski, of Old Bridge, helps Damian, 4, prepare to hit the ice. More ... Sayreville home sustains damage in electrical fire       SAYREVILLE - An electrical short is believed to be the cause of a blaze that rendered a Standiford Avenue home temporarily uninhabitable. The fire was called in by the resident of the home at 5:10 p.m. Jan. 7. Responding police and firefighters arrived to find the fire burning through the roof o... More ... Food delivery person struck       SAYREVILLE - Police are looking for a suspect who allegedly hit a 46-year-old deliveryman with a tire iron at a borough apartment building last week. Police responded to the Lakeview Drive apartment on a report that an aggravated assault occurred there between 9:45 p.m. and 10:58 p.m. Jan. 9. More ... Man gets heroin charge after police respond to 'revving' call       SAYREVILLE - Police charged a borough resident with possession of a controlled dangerous substance outside his QuaidAvenue home last week. Patrolman JohnKwitkoski of the Sayreville Police Department was dispatched to the scene on a report that a motorist was revving the engine of his motor vehic... More ... Middlesex Co. unveils $398 million budget Freeholder director calls for a public convention to assist in tax reform BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer       NEW BRUNSWICK - The Middlesex County Freeholder Board unveiled a $398 million budget proposal on Jan. 10 that calls for the reduction of appropriations to below- 2007 levels and a hiring freeze on nonessential county employees. More ... American Indian winter crafts subject of meeting       JAMESBURG - The public is invited to chase away the midwinter blues and learn about traditional American Indian winter crafts and games at the next meeting of Intertribal American Indians of New Jersey. The meeting will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the log cabin at Thompson Park, off Perrinevil... More ... Adopt a Pet 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 ... Man dies after car hits school bus       OLD BRIDGE - A 78-year-old Ocean County man was killed in a fatal motor vehicle accident on Perrine Road last week. Joseph Baist, of Lavallette, was operating a green 1999 Honda Accord on the westbound side of Perrine Road at 2:55 p.m. Jan. More ... Five homes brightened the holidays in O.B. Decorating contest included winners from 'Themed' to 'Griswold' BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE - During the hustle and bustle of preparing for the holidays, some township residents took the time to bring light to the lives of others ... lots of it. The first annual Holiday House Decorating Contest drew over 40 entrants, and judges had a hard time narrowing them down to the five... More ... Borders closes the books for good at Rt. 18 store Retailer: Location was found to be 'underperforming' BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - Many in the township paid their last respects to an old friend last week. Borders Books and Music, at the Mid State Mall on Route 18, closed its doors Saturday after 15 years of providing everything from classic books to celluloid blockbusters, cool beats and coffee beans. More ...