EWA finds carcinogens in Raritan River Group alleges chemical facility is discharging chemicals into river       An area environmental group has alleged that a significant amount of the carcinogens benzene and 4-chloroaniline have been discharged into Raritan River near the Edison Township Boat Basin. More ... Jury hears from best friend in Melanie McGuire case Friend testified he saw Weider-brand weights in the McGuires' basement BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       NEW BRUNSWICK - John Rice testified last week that he had hoped the body parts that were found in three separate matching suitcases floating down the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia in 2004 were not of his best friend, William McGuire. More ... Business to raise $100K in April for African doctors Learning is an Art to donate all profits to train doctors in Eritrea BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       METUCHEN - Jennifer Fong, the co-founder of Learning is an Art with her husband, John, has teamed up with Physicians for Peace to raise $100,000 for the children of Eritrea. More ... Amy Rosen       Around Town Dr. Spock never mentioned juggling When kids come into our lives, wouldn't it be nice if they brought along an instruction manual? Although there are plenty of books on the subject, each parent has their own style. I suppose we all develop our individual style base... More ... ILR landfill Planning Board meeting postponed Concerns continue over unclean fill observed being put on landfill BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - A special Planning Board meeting set to continue a contested application for a 500,000-square-foot warehouse to be built on the ILR landfill was postponed Wednesday. The application is being brought forth by JERC Partners VII, a development company, who has leased the prope... More ... County ranked eighth in child well-being report BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       A new report released last week by the Association for Children of New Jersey puts Middlesex County slightly better than middle-of-the-road when it comes to child well-being. More ... Captive contestants      PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff Above: A security guard wheels "inmate" Jesse Cinquegrana of Woodbridge on a cart during a radio station contest in which contestants compete against one another inside a "prison" in the mall. Left: Jack Tirone, a contestant in the contest, sits inside a "prison" at the m... More ... Three Dem. slates emerge for council nomination Slates backed by mayor, '05 mayoral candidate to challenge incumbents BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - As the deadline passed to file for a spot on the June 5 Democratic primary ballot for four contested council seats Monday, three slates have emerged, ranging from relative newcomers to political veterans. More ... Residents will be asked to approve $26M budget BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       METUCHEN - Residents will go to the polls on April 17 to vote on a $26,278,575 tax levy and choose three candidates for the three available seats on the school board. If the tax levy on the $28,431,451 school budget is approved, the school tax rate will rise to $2.97 for each $100 of... More ... New resource available for parents of teenagers Millstone resident helps launch monthly online magazine BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer       It is an era when parents need to know about cell phones, instant messaging (IM) and "gap" years following high school. More ... Prodigal Foundation plans annual scholarship dinner       Prodigal Foundation Inc. will hold its seventh annual scholarship dinner for high school seniors affected by cancer, at Colonia Country Club on April 26. Prodigal Foundation reaches out to enhance the quality of life of children who have been adversely affected by cancer. More ...