SCOTT FRIEDMAN James Porter, Somerset, reflects on his charitable deed at the Poker Run motorcycle event at Sport Honda in Metuchen on Sunday afternoon. Porter and other riders participated in a ride, and proceeds went to Rawhide Rescue animal shelter. More ... Rec Dept. raises fees, hits back at school board       A letter to parents puts blame for increased rates on board's usage fees BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer The Edison Recreation Department hit back against the Board of Education this week, after the board decided to impose school use fees for the first time. More ... Township plans to rezone CIC site for open space Ordinance for rezoning of property expected by Sept. BY JESSICA ALFREY Correspondent       Edison Township is planning to rezone the former Chemical Insecticide Corp. land to recreational use from light industrial, hoping to preserve the land for open space. The site, formerly a hazardous area, underwent a complete cleanup that ended in 2005 and cost approximately $50 mil... More ... Bank robbed at gunpoint in Raritan Center on Friday Police are looking for three men in a grayor silver Lexus BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - Police are looking for three black men who are believed to be involved with the armed bank robbery in Raritan Center on Friday. According the Edison Police Sgt. Robert Dudash, two unidentified gunmen entered the Columbia Bank on Raritan Center Parkway at 12:23 on Friday af... More ... Man hit by train along Inman Ave.       EDISON - An unidentified man was struck by a train and killed early morning last Wednesday. According to Edison Police Sgt. Robert Dudash, at approximately 2:10 a.m. on July 12, a man clad in a bathrobe was seen on the tracks of the Norfolk Southern Rail line near Inman Avenue in Ediso... More ... Precocious kids liven up congressman's library visit Rep. Mike Ferguson read to youngsters at Woodbridge Library BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - Kids say the darnedest things. Congressman Michael Ferguson [R-12] learned that firsthand when he received an earful of questions and random facts from a roomful of kids ranging in age from 4 to 7 during a pit stop at the Woodbridge Public Library on July 20. More ... Drug arrests running high in Metuchen Police say borough is on pace for 80 arrests by year's end BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       METUCHEN - The borough has seen a spike in drug arrests since 2004, according to police. "Over the course of April, May and June, we have had 37 drug arrests [which include adults and juveniles]," said Detective Sgt. David Irizarry. "We had the highest in June with 21 drug arrests. More ... Four of a kind      SCOTT FRIEDMAN By collecting four aces, Bob and Annie McHugh had a tough hand to beat at the Poker Run sponsored by Sport Honda in Metuchen on Sunday. Participants travel a course receiving a playing card at each stop. Proceeds went to Rawhide Rescue animal shelter. More ... McGuire gets life for murder, dismemberment She will be 101 years old when she is eligible for parole BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       Melanie McGuire, a 34-year-old former fertility clinic nurse who was found guilty in the first degree of killing her husband, William McGuire, in their Woodbridge Center Plaza apartment in April, was sentenced to life in prison July 19. More ... Defense attorneys vow to appeal verdict Melanie McGuire was sentenced to life for the murder of her husband BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       NEW BRUNSWICK - Defense attorneys for Melanie McGuire said they are optimistic about her appeal process. "We have full confidence that we can win this," Joseph Tacopina said. McGuire was sentenced July 19 for the murder and dismemberment of her husband, William McGuire, in 20... More ... Anticipation the name of the game at Potter party Hundreds gather at bookstore to get hands on final installment BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - If you're reading this, you may already know what has happened. You may have already learned of the mystery and excitement, death and sorrow that has surrounded the final chapter in a decade-long adventure. More ... Council approves ordinance for former Stop & Shop site Setbacks remain at 15-20 feet despite concern from residents BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       METUCHEN - The Borough Council voted in favor of the land development ordinance for the D-1 Downtown Development District last week; however, some residents were concerned about the ordinance's vague language. "No changes were made to the setback standards in the ordinance that [th... More ... Woman opens doors on first community DNA lab DNA testing service offers customer service and scientific testing BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       METUCHEN - Visitors downtown can now get more than a double half-caf mocha latté and a great panini. Peace of mind is being served in Metuchen. So says Mary Sullivan, the owner/operator of New Jersey's first community-based DNA testing service - that's right, DNA, as in the b... More ... A.G. has come a long way in a short time East Brunswick native shares her goals for law enforcement effort BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       Growing up in East Brunswick, Middlesex County, in a family steeped in public service, Anne Milgram knew early on that she would follow a similar path. "I definitely grew up in a family that strongly valued public service," said Milgram, who took office last month as New Jersey's at... More ... Casting call      Edison's Liam Rhinow, 6, auditions during an open casting call by the Youth Commercial Division at Don Buchwald and Associates, New York, held at the Freehold Gardens Hotel, on July 20. More ...