ERIC SUCAR staff A group of young people peruse the grounds of Michael Palughi's annual homemade carnival held at his Edison home July 28. Palughi builds all the rides and games himself and invites the neighborhood for free. Story, page 5. More ... Seniors yell 'Bingo!' as paperwork clears Permits for bingo, 50/50 were hand-delivered to seniors July 20 BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       Judy Gillingham of the Edison Township Health and Senior Services Department said it best: "Bingo is back and we're thrilled." After nearly four months without the ubiquitous Senior Club pastime, the members of the various senior citizen clubs in Edison have their papers in hand and... More ... County fair kicks off Monday in East Bruns. Elvis tribute, circus, pig racing among this year's attractions       Nearly 60,000 people had some fun in the sun at last year's Middlesex County Fair, and organizers are hoping to see even more revelers this year. "That was a great year," said Kirk Bonamici, public relations director for the county fair association. "We had fantastic weather. It... More ... Man reports carjacking on Cutters Dock Rd. Victim says suspect took $200; forced him to drive him around BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - Police are looking for a man in his 30s who allegedly carjacked, kidnapped and robbed a 21-year-old Carteret man on Cutters Dock Road last week. The carjacking occurred at 8:30 p.m. July 26, police said. More ... Firefighter charged with setting fire at Foodtown Colonia firefighter trainee worked there, helped fight blaze BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - Members of the Colonia Fire Department were shocked last week when police arrested and charged one of their own with arson. Elijah James, 18, Colonia, was arrested and charged July 17 in connection with a fire at the Foodtown on Inman Avenue that occurred five days ea... More ... For the Record       A quote in the July 25 issue of the Sentinel "Green Acres controls that money; we have been in touch with Green Acres every step of the way" was misattributed to Robert Spiegel, executive director of Edison Wetlands Association. The quote was from Jerry Barca, Edison Township communications d... More ... Step right up: 12-year-old creates backyard carnival For fifth straight year, boy creates carnival for neighborhood kids BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - If you close your eyes, you can almost smell the funnel cake. Children run from attraction to attraction, throwing balls at the bull's eye in the makeshift dunk tank and winning prizes at the various booths and games. One would think they were at a carnival, and they were. More ... Holt comes to MCC to push for year-round Pell grants Pell grant money would help nontraditional students, Holt says BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - Rep. Rush Holt (D-12) came to Middlesex County College on Monday to urge Congress to pass the College Cost Reduction Act, which would give students access to year-round Pell grants. "It really is a simple message," Holt told members of the college community during a press ... More ... Metuchen Library to host international film fest       The Metuchen Public Library will continue its annual summer foreign film series, the Edna Newby International Film Festival, with the Italian film "I'm Not Scared" on July 30.The festival will run through August 13. Each film will be shown twice, at 2 and 7:30 p.m. on the indicated date. Adm... More ... After the fire, Moose Lodge vows to rebuild Members to hold fundraisers to rebuild lodge lost in fire BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       When Edison Moose Lodge No. 1978 burned down in the early morning of July 22, it seemed all was lost. But less than one week later, the members of Edison Moose Lodge were having a party and vowing to rebuild. "Our building burned down, we're not down and out," said John Giord... More ... Planning Board takes up Ford Redevelopment plan Board could send plan to council in July for approval BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - The plan for the plant is in the hands of the Planning Board. The Ford Assembly Plant Redevelopment plan was presented to the Planning Board on Tuesday evening, laying out guidelines for what the long-anticipated Towne Center property may look like. More ... Convicted rapist gets 40-yr term Addresses victim and proclaims innocence; attorney vows appeal       JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer Despite receiving a 40-year sentence for the home invasion and sexual assault of a 64-year-old woman in 2005, Reginald Roach maintained his innocence during his sentencing in state Superior Court in New Brunswick on July 18. More ...