Council lifts freeze on Met. cop jobs; two to be hired Budget concerns had forced mayor, council to freeze hirings in Jan. BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       It took one motion from Councilman Thomas Vahalla and one second by Councilman Richard Dyas at last week's Metuchen Borough Council meeting to reinstate the two police officers, which had been an issue since January. Residents and Policemen's Benevolent Association members, who pack... More ...      SCOTT PILLING staff Brendan McKenna, 18, gets some air at the Edison Township Skate Park on March 22. More ... Six arrested in 9-month burglary spree in Edison P.D. played lead role in investigation of Dunkin' Donuts burglaries BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - After nine months and close to 100 burgled businesses, the Department of Criminal Justice has announced the arrests of six individuals charged with an alleged burglary spree that netted close to $150,000. Known as Operation Coffee Break, the investigation was begun and spe... More ... A tale of tragedy, torture and survival Monroe man recounts his recurring 'luck' in surviving the Holocaust BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       With his deep tan and beaming smile, along with a face that belies his 80 years, Murray Goldfinger looks like someone who has lived the good life. Though he endured the tragic loss of most of his family and narrowly survived the atrocities of the Holocaust himself, the Monroe reside... More ... NJ expo ctr. hosts state's first gay wedding expo For same-sex couples, expo offered comfortable place to plan ceremony BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - When Jimmy Nieves tied the knot last August, planning the wedding was a piecemeal effort done through magazines and the Internet. But now, with the blessing of the New Jersey Supreme Court and the state Legislature, others like Jimmy can plan the wedding of their dreams, a... More ... McGuire's lover tells jury of their affair Dr. Bradley Miller testified McGuire swore she did not kill husband BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       NEW BRUNSWICK - Dr. Bradley Miller told the jury of 12 women and four men that one day his life went from being a partner at a Morristown fertility clinic, married with three children and having a mistress on the side, to being involved in a murder investigation. More ... Cell phone and E-ZPass records shown to jury E-mail sent from mobile phone on the day after suspected disappearance BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       NEW BRUNSWICK - The jury of 12 women and four men last week were shown phone records and E-ZPass records of William and Melanie McGuire and her parents, Michael and Linda Cappararo, that were analyzed by state Investigator Donald Macciocca. More ... Tomaro, Pizzi hold meeting on park Land off New Brooklyn Road being considered for twp. park BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - Council President Charles Tomaro and Councilman Salvatore Pizzi met with residents from the area surrounding New Brooklyn Road on Thursday to float options for creating a township park. The land, which is currently being protected as open space, is a 4-acre swath, mostly c... More ... Healthfest      PHOTOSBY JEFF GRANIT staff At left, Michelle Wakeman, 13, an eighth-grader at Edgar Middle School does sit-ups during an exercise class as part of the Healthfest at the Metuchen Branch YMCA on March 20. Above, Dan Hoffman (l), and Stefan Antosiawicz, both 13, take a spinning class taught by instruc... More ...