Pretrial hearing of alleged murder suspect postponed Defense attorney gets time to analyze new evidence in shooting deaths BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       NEW BRUNSWICK — The pre-trial hearing of an Avenel man accused of shooting two Russian men to death in 2003 has been moved to next month due to additional discovery presented to the defense attorney. Michael E. Ross II, 23, formerly of Chestnut Avenue, was indicted by a Middlesex C... More ... Teacher indicted for inappropriate behavior BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE — A Middlesex County grand jury has indicted a 31-year-old Colonia High School teacher on three charges that stemmed from an inappropriate relationship he was having with a 17-year-old student. Michael Petak, of Marlboro, was charged with official misconduct, witness tamper... More ... Conrail receives third summons from township Health and nuisance complaints continue at Motiva Rail Yard BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE — Township health inspectors issued a third notice of violation to Conrail charging excessive train noise at the Motiva Refinery yard in Sewaren last week. “I have instructed inspectors assigned to the township health department to conduct around-the-clock monitoring of C... More ... Edison recording has date with space station Shuttle commander & Edison native takes recording aboard BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON — When the Space Shuttle Discovery launched on Saturday night, it had aboard two stowaways — Thomas Edison and Theodore Roosevelt. A recording made by Edison of Roosevelt in 1912 is accompanying the astronauts bound for the International Space Station, courtesy of Discovery C... More ... Assailants tie up owner, rob house BY JAY BODAS Staff Writer       EDISON — Police are looking for two suspects after a Valetta Place residence was burglarized on the afternoon of Dec. 5 while the residents were at home. “After gaining entry sometime between 2:30 and 3:00 p.m., the two suspects bound the 62-year-old female homeowner with duct tape, c... More ... Kazakh boy helps couple create family Couple wanted to give orphan from Kazakhstan a home in America BY JAY BODAS Staff Writer       METUCHEN — One of the borough’s newest residents now calls Metuchen, as well as the entire United States, home for the very first time. Earlier this summer, residents Jonathan and Lisa Miller brought home T.J., a 2-year-old boy from Kazakhstan, adopting him as their own son. More ... What do you want for Christmas?      Left, Krista Kuchie, 6, sits and tells Santa and Mrs. Claus what she wants for Christmas during the photos with Santa Claus event at the Woodbridge Community Center last week. Above, Hadi Alim, 5, whispers his wishes while his little brother, Wasi, 3, waits his turn. More ... Area Taco Bells stepping up sanitation efforts Edison boy infected with E. coli taken out of intensive care BY JAY BODAS Staff Writer       EDISON — No specific food product has yet been conclusively identified as being the cause of a recent multistate outbreak of E. coli infection associated with Taco Bell restaurants, officials said on Sunday. As of then, up to 61 individuals were reported to the U.S. Centers for Dise... More ... Rotary Club remodels camp’s wheelchair ramp BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE — The wheelchair accessible ramp at the Kiddie Keep Well Camp in Edison was really not accessible. “It was narrow and it had no lights,” said Cindy Robertson, who is the camp director at KKWC. “It’s been there for over 15 years. A person in a wheelchair had to have someone ... More ... Pearl Harbor memories remain vivid to veterans Brookdale event looks back at Japanese attack 65 years later BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN — Will you remember Pearl Harbor? Dec. 7, 1941, “The day that will live in infamy,” is steadily being forgotten it seems, remembered only by those old enough to recall the devastating attack. Survivors, of course, remember every detail. More ... Choi raises $100K from campaign fundraiser BY JAY BODAS Staff Writer       EDISON — Mayor Jun Choi added a little over $100,000 to his war chest from a fundraiser held recently at the new Mirage banquet hall on Oak Tree Road. Several hundred people were in attendance, ranging from a few members of the township council to former and current governors James Fl... More ... Grant guru has brought $500K to PD over 4 yrs Patrolman moonlights as grant writer for Police Department BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       METUCHEN — Writing grants has become Patrolman David Liantonio’s specialty. Over the past four years, Liantonio brought in $551,209 worth of state and county grants for the borough’s Police Department. “Dave has been invaluable in that area for the department,” s... More ... Twp patrons arrested after bar fight       WOODBRIDGE — Police were dispatched to a fight at the nightclub 88 Keys on Route 1 north in Iselin, which led to two arrests last week. The incident occurred at 1:47 a.m. on Dec. 11, police said. More ... Stabbing and stomping at area nightclub       WOODBRIDGE — Two men were injured — one stabbed and one stomped on — during a large fight that took place at the Cameo Night Club on Rahway Avenue last week. The incident occurred at 1:13 a.m. on Dec. 10, police said. Police were dispatched to the Cameo on a report of aggravated ... More ... Health Center honored for 50 years of service BY JAY BODAS Staff Writer       EDISON — Making it through last week’s E. coli outbreak was but one more milestone in the 50-year history of the township health center, which was recognized at a recent rededication ceremony. “We have doctors, nurses and other staff who work every day in the trenches,” said John Grun... More ... Gas station attendants robbed at gunpoint       WOODBRIDGE — Police are looking for six black males who robbed two Fords men at gun point near their Tulip Drive apartment in Fords last week. The robbery occurred at 11:17 p.m. on Dec. 1, police said. More ...