SCOTT PILLING staff Julian Beal plays Danny in the James Monroe Elementary School's production of "Grease" on March 30 in Edison. More ... Woman dead in fatal fire on Lydia Lane       Fire in master bedroom left one dead and two officers hospitalized BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer A fire in the master bedroom of a Lydia Lane home in Edison has resulted in the death of one woman and the hospitalization of two Edison officers, according to township ... More ... Alleged purse snatcher arrested in Roosevelt Park Suspect was in custody five minutes after robbery was reported BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - Township police responded quickly to a purse snatching in the parking lot of the Menlo Park Mall on Thursday evening, arresting a suspect within five minutes after the robbery was reported, according to Edison police Lt. Joseph Shannon. More ... Wellness Center provides cutting-edge exercise Metuchen High School and YMCA to use $250,000 in new equipment BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       METUCHEN - The new $250,000 state-of-the-art Wellness Center has opened and is becoming an athlete's haven. The smell of sweat and new equipment emanates from the facility that sits in the old wrestling quarters behind Metuchen High School's gymnasium. More ... List of online gambling busts reaches over 50 Former assemblyman among those charged as part of $500M operation BY KARL VILACOBA Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - On the eve of NCAA basketball's Final Four, a former New Jersey Assembly member joined dozens of state residents charged for their involvement with an Internet-based gambling ring that thrived on pro and college sports wagers. More ... Operation Thunderbird arrests (as of Friday)       The following Monmouth County residents were arrested on March 28: Richard Neale Sr., 52, of West Long Branch; Chester Zdunek, 77, of Colts Neck; Joseph Mariconda, 59, of Freehold; Kenneth Murphy, 81, of Oceanport; Mike Demetropoulis, 84, of Matawan; Robert A. More ... Trash bags consistent in Melanie McGuire case Bags found with victim are similar to those containing his clothing BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       NEW BRUNSWICK - Thomas Lesniak of the New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Science, who specializes in tool marks and trace evidence, testified that the large black plastic bags that contained William T. McGuire's body matched the six large black plastic bags that contained his c... More ... Scout renovated Madison Intermediate courtyard Eagle Scout planned 1,600-sq.-ft. project; honored by mayor BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - Walter Cronkite, Bill Bradley and President Gerald Ford, Jimmy Stewart, Steven Spielberg and 11 out of 12 men who walked on the moon were all serious Boy Scouts. Many of them attained the highest honor a Scout can receive - the rank of Eagle Scout. Jeff Miele can be counted amo... More ... Metuchen woman walking to fund suicide prevention All-night charity walk to raise money/awareness for depression/suicide BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       METUCHEN - Sometimes it is in the darkest of hours that healing begins. That is the theme of the "Out of the Darkness" walk, a 20-mile jaunt through New York City from sundown to sunup in the city that never sleeps, to raise money and provide solidarity for people who have dealt w... More ...      PHOTOS BY SCOTT PILLING Staff Above: Danielle Buzy (l) and Hope Walsh play Sandy and Frenchie, respectively, in the James Monroe Elementary School's production of "Grease" on March 30. Right: Jamal Terry (l) and Code Rapacki stand back-to-back in a scene from the musical. More ... Old railroad station first on panel's agenda Committee seeks support for relocation, restoration of depot BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MILLTOWN - The borough's newly formed Historic Preservation Advisory Committee is looking to save a piece of the Raritan River Railroad's legacy. One of the last standing stations on the historic line, the Washington Avenue depot has become a recent focus of the committee's efforts... More ...