Council rejects approval of Oak Tree Road grant Mayor to seek exception from state to avoid losing grant money BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       The Edison Township Council narrowly rejected the approval of a $50,000 state Smart Growth grant on May 9 to study future parking and pedestrian planning along Oak Tree Road. More ...       Ready to ride, more than 400 police officers stopped to rest May 9 in the parking lot of the Palace Hotel in Edison before continuing on the Police Unity Tour in honor of officers lost in the line of duty. More photos, page 13. More ... Sheriff releases sketch of suspect of child luring case Another man cleared of wrongdoing in two other incidents, police say BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       The Middlesex County Sheriff's Office Composite Unit has released a sketch of the man who attempted to lure a sixth-grade Edgar Middle School student into his car last month. On April 10, an 11-year-old student got off the school bus around 1:50 p.m. at the intersection of Norris an... More ... With a hacksaw and a dream, man goes green Re/Cycler uses old bikes to reinvent the two-wheeler, help environment BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - Before you toss that old Schwinn, Huffy or Mongoose to the curb this spring, give it a chance for resurrection. Call John Maurer. Known to his friends as "Chopper Johnny," Maurer, a marketing manager for a chemical distribution company, takes old bicycles and breathes new ... More ... Man found shot on Rte. 1 still unidentified Police seek to ID man, who is in critical condition BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - Police are seeking the public's help in identifying a black man who was found on the shoulder of Route 1 north near the entrance to the Garden State Parkway on May 12, with a gunshot wound. Woodbridge police received a call from the New Jersey State Police about a pos... More ... Woman found dead in police holding cell BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - A 20-year-old Hispanic woman, under arrest for attempting to steal a car, was found dead in her jail cell Friday morning, according to police. Belkis Buezo-Lopez, of Plainfield, was found by an Edison detective at 7:25 in the morning apparently having hanged herself fr... More ... Runner on pace for 'Feat of Change' Former gang member, running across country, stops in Woodbridge BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - With only two pairs of running sneakers and a minivan nicknamed "Big Red," Gabriel Ramos set on a personal cross-country journey to inspire youths to boldly take on their dreams and make them into realities. On April 29, Ramos, 25, departed Montauk State Park in Long I... More ... Officials frustrated by new rash of false threats Since Virginia Tech, area schools have received bomb, shooting calls BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       A rash of bomb and shooting threats at local schools has emerged in the wake of the Virginia Tech rampage, and while the alarms have so far been false, officials are growing increasingly irritated over the lost instructional time. More ... Unity Ride       Above, more than 400 police officers made their way into the Palace Hotel parking lot in Edison after a long ride from Watchung during the Police Unity Tour on May 9. At right, officers Brian Gallagher and Meg Plank of California take a rest at the Palace Hotel during the tour. More ... Undercover operation foils attempted robbery Detectives got tip from restaurant owner, had minutes to formulate plan BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - Police may have put an end to a rash of robberies of Chinese food deliverymen on Thursday with a daring undercover arrest of two men, police said. Khamar L. Watson, 21, of Edison, and William A. More ... Metuchen Dem mayoral candidates will not debate Councilman Vahalla more interested in going door to door BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       METUCHEN - If you're waiting for a debate between Metuchen's two Democratic candidates for mayor, you might have to wait a little longer. Councilman Tom Vahalla said that he would not debate fellow councilman and bearer of the Metuchen Democratic Committee's endorsement for mayor T... More ... Dem org.'s mailing lacked 'paid for by' language Chairwoman said letter supporting Dacey for mayor was not political BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       METUCHEN - A letter sent to registered Democrats in Metuchen on April 25 from the Metuchen Democratic Organization supporting Councilman Tim Dacey for mayor may have violated the Election Law Enforcement Commission's (ELEC) rules on political identification statements. More ...