ANDREW MILLER staff Five-year-old Kierstin Tierney of Edison enjoyed a pony ride led by All American Ponies employee Nanette Reid of Old Bridge during the 15th annual Edison Fall Family Spectacular on Saturday. For more, see page 14. More ... Man shoots ex-girlfriend, self at mall Girl in stable condition; shooter dies from self-inflicted gunshot BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       A man from South River shot his ex-girlfriend Friday, Sept. 7, at Menlo Park Mall before turning the gun on himself, authorities said. The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office said that at approximately 8:50 p.m. on Friday, Raynell Anaya, 23, of South River entered the Gymboree store at Menlo Par... More ... Man robbed in stairwell of $65K in jewelry, cash BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       METUCHEN - Police are looking for two white males who robbed a 51-year-old New Brunswick man of money and jewelry in the Bridge Pointe office complex on Route 27 last week, police said. The incident occurred in the stairwell at 7:08 p.m. Sept. 6, police said. More ... State corrections officer charged with assault, DUI BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       METUCHEN - A 50-year-old state Department of Corrections officer was charged with aggravated assault by motor vehicle and driving while intoxicated last week in connection with in a motor vehicle accident that occurred in August, police said. More ... Parlin childhood set stage for Diaz's acclaimed works Best-selling author to visit Barnes & Noble in E.B. on Sunday BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       Wsection of Old Bridge from the Dominican Republic in 1974 at age 6, he noticed profound differences from his country of birth. Later in his life, these differences, and his experiences, would become indispensable tools for his celebrated writing. More ... County to get $1.5 million in homeland security money Freeholders to use money to improve interagency communication BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       MIDDLESEX COUNTY - County freeholders announced this week that Middlesex County will receive $1.5 million in Homeland Security funds, the bulk of which will go to improving countywide communication between various emergency agencies. More ... Edison hosts 15th annual Fall Family Spectacular       EDISON - Fried Oreos and Edison Idol, rock walls and inflatable moon bounces - and don't forget the zeppoles. If you're a fan of family fun, these could have been a few of your favorite things. For the 15th straight year, the township's Clara Barton section played host to the quintessential Ed... More ... Man honors cops for saving his life Gives plaque to officers who saved his life after his heart attack BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - Barry Fletcher admits that on May 9 he dropped dead. The UPS employee suffered a heart attack early that morning. He was found without a pulse and not breathing. But Barry Fletcher isn't dead, and he has two Edison police officers to thank for it. More ... Residents oppose plan for county landfill expansion Middlesex County to add three cells at Edgeboro Rd. site BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       Vermin, foul odors, garbage blowing all over. This is what neighbors of the Middlesex County Landfill, Edgeboro Road, say they've been putting up with for years. A proposal to expand the landfill has those residents wondering just how bad things will get. More ... With 3,500 paper lemons, Rita's helps fund the cure Local Rita's raises $3,500 for cancer research and Alex's Lemonade Stand BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - The Rita's Water Ice store on St. George Avenue came in ninth place out of 470 stores in 15 states across the nation to sell the most paper lemons to support the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. The Rita's Water Ice franchise company, which is headquartered in Trevose, Pa. More ... Seniors keep young at their own Olympic games Woodbridge hosts event for the first time; some came from Wash. state BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - With the help of two canes and the crowd cheering him on, 84-year-old Jack Pennington gave it his best in the 100-meter race held at the John F. Kennedy Memorial High School's track in Iselin during the Senior Olympic Games over the weekend. More ... Prison locked down after string of violent incidents Dept. of Corrections is investigating to see if incidents are related BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - Two separate incidents involving seven corrections officers and 11 inmates caused officials to lock down the East Jersey State Prison on Rahway Avenue during the three-day Labor Day weekend. Another incident occurred Sept. 6 at 6 p.m., involving an inmate assaulting an officer, offi... More ... Edison turns teal for Ovarian Cancer Month First in county to join, town has survivor resident to thank BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - The next time you're on Amboy Avenue, look to the trees. On them, you'll find ribbons of teal tied to the trunks - a symbolic gesture common since the days of Tony Orlando and Dawn. But this time, it is something new. More ...