SCOTT PILLING staff Matt Forte, 14, of Central Jersey Skate and BMX, gets some air during a demo at the senior center. The demo was set up by the Metuchen Police Department to educate the public about bicycle safety. More photos, page 13. More ... Naked cop could soon be back in blue Judge orders Mpletsakis reinstated. Suspension: time served BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       The Edison police officer who lost his job last year for leaving the scene of an accident in the nude could soon be back in uniform. New Jersey Superior Court Judge Marvin L. More ... Avenel girl, 12, killed in train accident Avenel Station wall is adorned with makeshift memorial to girl BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - A 12-year-old Avenel girl, who was just three weeks shy of her 13th birthday, was struck and killed by a North Jersey Coast Line NJ Transit train as it passed through Avenel last week. More ... Edison Police Dept. breaks up alleged illegal poker ring 14 arrested during midnight raid; two held on $50,000 bail       EDISON - The police department's Vice and Narcotics Squad raided an allegedly illegal gambling establishment on Brunswick Avenue on June 20, leading to the arrests of nine gamblers and the five alleged ring leaders, officials said. According to Lt. Joseph Shannon, the Edison police c... More ... Girl Talk Pre-wedding dinner brings back memories of little boy Clare Marie Celano       Like most little boys tell their moms, when my son was very young, he told me he wanted to marry me. "I wish I had a tape recorder to play those words back to you when you grow up," I'd respond. More ... Pols put positive FACE on campaign Some candidates have already qualified for public funding BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       Legislative candidates in District 14 mostly have reported satisfaction with the way the Fair and Clean Elections (FACE) Pilot Project has so far shaped their campaigns. The program is an experiment in the use of public funds for political campaigns with the goal of minimizing the i... More ... Zoning Board forced to approve cell tower Township chooses tree over flagpole as venue for 120-foot cell tower BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - The only choice Colonia residents received was whether they wanted a 120-foot-tall flagpole or a 120-foot-tall tree designed as a telecommunications tower. In the end, the 50 or so residents who attended the Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting on June 21 reluctantly cho... More ... JFK Medical Center named comprehensive stroke center Designation makes JFK second in state to meet criteria BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - JFK Medical Center has become the second hospital in the state to be designated a Comprehensive Stroke Center by the state Department of Health and Senior Services. The hospital, long a leader in brain trauma treatment, was given the designation on June 15 after a three-mo... More ... Breeders' Cup could place $60M into N.J.'s economy BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       Monmouth Park in Oceanport is gearing up for the richest day ever in the history of horse racing. That's what Greg Avioli, the Breeders' Cup president, called Oct. 27, when the 24th running of the thoroughbred championships will be held in New Jersey for the first time. The event is ... More ... Advocates host meeting on emissions concerns Residents, officials hash out issues with steel mill BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - Residents shared concerns they have about a steel mill that is at the center of a controversy over dust emissions, during a meeting June 13. An area environmental group known as Edison Wetlands Association (EWA) hosted the public meeting at the American Legion Post 211... More ... Wawa traffic expert says effect would be minimal Residents concerned about effects on library and school on Division St. BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - Traffic on Route 27 was the biggest concern voiced by residents and Zoning Board members June 19 when the board resumed hearings on a pending Wawa application. The convenience store giant has proposed building a modern Wawa Food Market and filling station on the corner of ... More ... Ministry reaches out to care for Ugandan village BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - Members of SONrise Missions are on a mission - to help the people of Northern Uganda have a better quality of life. Over the past five years, the men of the nonprofit, Christian missions group have made the journey to Uganda seven times, and will be going again in Octo... More ... Group seeks pledge from Corzine on toll road sale 15 towns have passed resolutions against monetization of roads BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - A public interest research group has called on Gov. Jon Corzine to pledge not to sell the state's toll roads if the deal does not adhere to a series of monetization principles. More ... Bicycle safety      PHOTOS BY SCOTT PILLING staff Left, Max Garris, 5, takes his bike for a ride through an obstacle course, designed by the Metuchen Police Department to educate the public about bicycle safety, at the Metuchen Senior Center, Saturday. Right, Louis Orth, a "flatland"-style rider, performs at the senior... More ... Fergie's Verizon tour hits Woodbridge Center mall Pop star discusses being a role model, technology in entertainment BY JESSICA ALFREY Correspondent       WOODBRIDGE - Fergie, singer from the hip-hop group Black Eyed Peas, made a stop at the Woodbridge Center mall last Wednesday, performing her solo hits and meeting 500 fans. The tour, designed to promote her debut solo album, "The Dutchess," consists of seven small personalized perf... More ...