Officials rally to fight school consolidation Mayors stand against state bills that would combine schools BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       The signs that several Metuchen parents toted in front of the local television cameras at the bipartisan press conference rally against the state's proposals for consolidation last week said it all. Some of the signs read "Metuchen Is Not for Sale," "Metuchen - We Like It This... More ... Naked cop exonerated by Superior Court judge His future with Edison police hinges on outcome of departmental charges BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - A state Superior Court judge overturned the conviction of former Edison Patrolman Ioannis Mpletsakis on Jan. 3, nullifying a conviction for hindering apprehension in Dunellen Municipal Court in June. Judge Melvin L. Gelade overturned the conviction on appeal, citing that ... More ... South Amboy man kidnapped, beaten Three charged in Dec. 26 incident; two still at large BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - - Three men are in custody after allegedly kidnapping a 20-year-old South Amboy man, holding him for seven hours, beating him and eventually extorting his family out of $1,000, according to police. On Dec. More ... Delivery truck robbed at gunpoint       WOODBRIDGE - Police are looking for two males who robbed $5,400 worth of money and boxes of cigarettes at gunpoint outside of an Exxon gas station in Iselin last week. The incident occurred between 10:30 a.m. and 10:40 a.m. on Dec. 29, police said. More ... Mayors expected to officiate civil unions Most mayors cite legal compliance as reason for conducting ceremonies BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       Middlesex County mayors mostly approve of the bill that allows same-sex couples to enter civil unions, which are legally similar to marriage. The mayors of North and South Brunswick as well as Woodbridge, Metuchen and South River all said that they will officiate a civil union cere... More ... Civil unions end at the New Jersey border BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       While the civil union bill has given same-sex couples a plethora of additional rights and responsibilities, its effects stop short at the federal level, according to legal and financial experts. Felice T. More ... Freeholders sworn in at reorganization meeting Crabiel gets nod for 12th consecutive year as freeholder director BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer       John Pulomena and H. James Polos and were sworn in as Middlesex County freeholders and David B. Crabiel resumed the position of board director for the 12th consecutive year during a reorganizational meeting held at the Middlesex County College Performing Arts Center on Friday. More ... Mock debate offers lessons in civic duty State Sen. Buono moderated event at Herbert Hoover BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - The kids have the facts, and they are voting yes. Students at the Herbert Hoover Middle School conducted a mock debate over a law banning cell phones in schools as part of the "Legislators Go Back to School" program Thursday. More ...