Council and public hear Hartz Mountain proposal Council argues need for closed session meetings; residents vet redev. plan BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - After several months of relative quiet, representatives of Hartz Mountain Industries presented their vision for the former Ford Motor Co. site to the township council and the public at a special meeting on Feb. 8. Walter Smith, of Hartz Mountain, emceed a mutli-media prese... More ... Honest Abe       JEFF GRANIT staff Abraham Lincoln, portrayed by Robert Costello, chats with Fred Wolke after a presentation at the Stelton Community Center. Lawrence Margolin and son Avi, 8, look on. More ... IRS says be wary of fraudulent tax preparers Nation's tax collectors warn about scam artists promising high returns BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - Special Agent Alan Drucker from the Internal Revenue Service wants you to know there may be more constants in life than just death and taxes. More ... Sudanese refugee recounts a slave's life to students Forced into slavery at the age of 8, Sudanese man pleads for action BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       METUCHEN - Simon Deng carries with him the scars of his past, quite literally. The forehead of this Sudanese refugee who became a stateside activist is etched with the marks of his tribe - scars meant to denote manhood and initiation. More ... Creative cards       SCOTT PILLING Staff Parents and kids designed Valentine's Day cards and gifts for seniors at the Metuchen Public Library on Feb. 10. More ... Role playing       PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff Above: Robert Costello stepped into the role of Honest Abe at the Stelton Community Center on Feb. 7 in observation of Presidents' Day and Lincoln's birthday. More ... Jury to hear secret phone conversations Judge rules secret tapes admissible with slight paring for language BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       NEW BRUNSWICK - A Middlesex County jury will get a chance to hear secretly taped telephone conversations between a 34-year-old former fertility clinic nurse accused of murder and her close relatives and friends. Melanie McGuire is accused of killing her husband in their Woodbridge ... More ... Armed suspects rob bank Police looking for two black males who may have left in a blue Corolla BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - Police are looking for two armed gunmen who stole an undisclosed amount of cash from the Wachovia Bank on Inman Avenue in Colonia last week, police said. The robbery took place at 5:52 p.m. on Feb. 8, police said. More ... A little change can mean homes for the homeless Local group, businesses collect change to benefit homeless BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       METUCHEN - People, who don't know what to do with their pesky pennies can now put them to good use. "No one wants to collect change," said Karen Sherbine, who has been a volunteer at the Making It Possible to End Homelessness [MIPH] in New Brunswick for three years. More ... PBA still heated over proposed police cuts Even after tax reform passes, questions loom over two-cop cut BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       METUCHEN - Mayor Edmund O'Brien said the borough is in much better shape than it was a month ago, with the state Senate's approval of the 51-page property tax reform last week. However, it has still left the borough with an unpredictable future for the next calendar year. More ... Council, public hear Hartz Mountain proposal       Council argues need for closed-session meetings; residents vet redev. plan BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer After several months of relative quiet, representatives of Hartz Mountain Industries presented their vision for the former Ford site to the Edison Township council and ... More ... With love in their hearts       SCOTT PILLING Staff Carly Manfre and her friend Rebecca work together on Valentine's Day cards at the Metuchen Public Library. The cards will be sent to senior citizens for Valentine's Day. More ... Celebrating the Year of the Pig Teachers explain the stories/customs behind Chinese New Year BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       As the second new moon arrives, the Chinese get ready to welcome a new year. Chinese New Year is one of the biggest holidays for the Asian population in the Central Jersey area, and its celebration has become more popular as the Chinese population has grown in recent years. More ...