ERIC SUCAR staff Marlboro Police Lt. Pete Pezzullo plays the role of a victim during a defense tactics course Friday at the Old Bridge Black Belt Academy on Route 516. The facility's certified instructors hold quarterly seminars for officers from Old Bridge, Sayreville and other towns to work on the... More ... Residents plead for help as homes slide downhill Seven homes built on fill placed over marshlands BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       Some Old Bridge homeowners are sinking to lows they never imagined possible. Their seven homes, all on Boulevard West of the Knollcroft development in Cliffwood Beach, are sliding downhill as a result of being built on garbage in the early 1960s, according to the owners. More ... Dems, GOP announce candidates for council Field of four will seek seats currently held by Grobelny, Zach BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       There will be no incumbents in this year's race for two Sayreville Borough Council seats. With councilmen Dennis Grobelny and Rory Zach choosing not to seek re-election, the Sayreville Democratic Organization has nominated Lisa Buchanan Eicher and Jorge "George" Gonzalez to seek the three-year te... More ... 'Oliver' and company      PHOTOS BY GREG HOLMES From left to right: The kids' chorus sings "Consider Yourself" during a rehearsal for the classicmusical "Oliver." Arnie Chinich, as Fagin, and Noah Fishbein, as Oliver, rehearse a scene in Fagin's lair. Cast members act out a scene in dress rehearsal last week. The Main Street... More ... Veteran detective retires from boro police dept. Kelly looks back on police career, military service BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - Detective Kenneth Kelly's 31 years of service with the Sayreville Police Department are coming to an end this month. But he is not looking to end his public service. Kelly will run on the Republican ticket this November for a seat on the Borough Council. More ... Worker, 48, dies in machinery accident Plainfield resident was longtime employee of Sabert Corp. BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - A machine operator died in an apparent accident while working at a borough factory last week. Gonzalo Mera, 48, of Plainfield, an employee of Sabert Corp., died around 7:50 p.m. April 9 after suffering a traumatic blow to his head while he was in the process of fixing machinery. More ... Cars broken into in Melrose       SAYREVILLE - Police are investigating six recent incidents of theft from motor vehicles in the borough's Melrose section. All of the vehicles burglarized had been left unlocked by their owners while parked in their respective driveways. Therefore, no forced entry was involved. More ... Police: Man, 19, robbed, hit with gun at motel BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - A 19-year-old Lakewood man was the victim of an armed robbery at a Route 35 motel recently, according to a police report. The robbery took place at the Gallery Holiday Motel, located on the northbound side of the highway, at 3:53 a.m. Saturday, police said. More ... Police: Man arrested with knife at OBHS       OLD BRIDGE - Police arrested a 19- year-old man accused of showing up at Old Bridge High School with a knife. Gregory Landix, 19, of Old Bridge, was charged with possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon with an unlawful purpose, possession of a weapon at a school, aggravated assault with a... More ... Fundraising dinner-dance to benefit Cooper Fund       The Chris Cooper Scholarship Fund will hold a Coop's Jukebox Dinner and Dance, featuring music of the '50s, '60s and '70s, from 7 p.m. to midnight on May 2 at Palms Plaza Caterers, Park Plaza, Route 34, Old Bridge. Highlights will include dinner, dancing, raffles and a scavenger hunt. There will ... More ... Elks dance to feature food, karaoke contest       South Amboy Elks Lodge No. 784 will hold a Spring Fling Dance on April 25 at the lodge, Washington Street. Cost is $25 per person and includes food, beer, wine, soda and music. There will be a karaoke contest. Prizes will be awarded. More ... Martial arts family helps police with free training Certified instructors offer quarterly seminars at Black Belt academies BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       A local family is using its knowledge of martial arts to give back to the police who protect their communities. The McInerney family opened its first martial arts school in the Parlin section of Sayreville about 20 years ago and has since expanded McInerney's ATA Black Belt Academy to include t... More ... Newspaper group takes home 30 awards in NJPA contest       Greater Media Newspapers received 30 awards from the New Jersey Press Association for excellence in writing, photography and advertising in the NJPA's Better Newspaper Contest for 2007. More ... Families honor couple's memory, one year later Parents support bill, start scholarship fund in memory of victims BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent       Expressions of affection usually found in high school yearbooks are scrawled across two crosses that mark the East Brunswick site where Jon Mustafa, 18, and Lesley Carness, 16, died on April 8, 2007: "We had amazing times," "Best friends always," "Love you forever," "I'll never forget you. More ... Family Fun Night      Third-grader Rebecca Lisi and mom Annmarie join hands for a skate at the Family Fun Night for Old Bridge's Southwood Elementary School April 3 at United Skates of America in Woodbridge. Below: First-grader Grace Bucca (from left), third-grader Emma Tilley, thirdgrade teacher Tina Prachar and third-g... More ... Comedy club event set to benefit E. Bruns. man, 18       EAST BRUNSWICK - A series of fundraisers to help Tommie Lukowski, an 18-year-old township resident recovering from cancer treatments, will begin with an April 27 comedy show at the Stress Factory in New Brunswick. Those interested in obtaining more information about the fundraising events should... More ... Museum improvements stress interactivity, community Plans for Menlo Park Museum expansion presented to residents BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       Plans for a vast expansion to the Menlo Park Museum in Edison, which is dedicated to the life and work of famed inventor and township namesake Thomas Alva Edison, were introduced to the public during an April 3 meeting at the municipal building. More ...