Heavenly harmonics      SCOTT FRIEDMAN Patric Durek plucks at the classical guitar Sunday at Trinity Episcopal Church in Woodbridge. More ... Computer yields Internet search about murder McGuire's computer also contains searches for guns, chloral hydrate BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       Someone at approximately 5:44 p.m. on April 18, 2004, typed the words "how to commit murder" into a search engine on the Internet on the McGuires' home desktop computer, according to a New Jersey State Police computer forensics expert. More ... McGuire's colleague testifies in murder trial Testifies the apartment had a bad smell to it, 'like a morgue' BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       NEW BRUNSWICK - Lori Thomas, who was a colleague of Melanie McGuire at the fertility clinic in Morristown, said the day she went to McGuire's Woodbridge Center Plaza apartment at the end of May 2004, it smelled "like a morgue." "It just smelled horrible," said Thomas. "There was a ... More ... Indian culture meets West in artist's work Bhavsar exhibition will run through July at Rutgers museum       NEW BRUNSWICK - The Zimmerli Art Museum has opened an exhibition of more than 50 paintings from one of the most prominent and respected artists of Indian heritage in the U.S. "Natvar Bhavsar: The Dimensions of Color," which highlights 35 years in the career of the abstract painter, w... More ... Barnes III assumes father's Assembly seat Barnes Jr. confirmed by state Senate as chair of Parole Board BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       For Edison Councilman Peter Barnes III, it is nothing but a family thing.Barnes III took the oath of office on March 15, making him the newest member of the New Jersey State Assembly and allowing him to serve out the remainder of his father's term in office. More ... Indian artist showcases landscapes of U.S. BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       METUCHEN - Preeti Sahota takes what she sees in her daily travels as well as travels overseas, and conveys it in her artwork. "I try to show the fall colors in the wide open spaces," said Sahota. "I am moved by the landscape of the area and region. More ... Stringin' along      PHOTOSBYSCOTT FRIEDMAN Above: Patric Durek plucks at the classical guitar on Sunday at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Woodbridge, Sunday. At right: Durek visits with his grandmother Eleanor Schirgir (l) during an intermission of his presentation. Elinor Winsttanley and Terry Barbieri look on. More ... Mayor, seniors honor Marine returning from Iraq Seniors sent care packages throughout Marine's two tours of duty BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - The chaplain spoke proudly of Mark Milik's service to his country. The crowd expressed their happiness as she thanked the Lord for the safe return of "their adopted marine." After two tours of duty in Iraq, Helena and Victor Milik's son Mark has returned home to a p... More ... Children keep history of resistance to Nazis alive Youth opera 'Brundibar' was originally performed in concentration camp BY TAMMY McKILLIP Correspondent       What do 28 children from Holmdel, Colts Neck, Matawan, Keansburg and Middletown have in common with Holocaust survivor Ela Weissberger? A love of music, and a 69-year-old opera. More ... County unveils new driving simulator for police County hopes to limit police accidents through realistic training BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - Practice makes perfect, and Middlesex County Law Enforcement entities now have an opportunity to practice police pursuits in a controlled simulated environment, thanks to new technology purchased by the Middlesex County Freeholders. More ... Zoning Board approves Colonia Walgreens app. Zoning Board members insist Walgreens must 'be a good neighbor' BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - Thirteen-year-old Serena Bidal told James Clarkin III, Walgreen Eastern Co. Inc.'s attorney, at the Zoning Board meeting last week that the Walgreens in Colonia must be a good neighbor to her family and neighbors. And that's what Walgreens at the intersection of Inman ... More ... Suspected bank robber hits Bank of America Police believe suspect is involved in three other robberies in past month BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - An undisclosed amount of money was stolen from a Bank of America branch on Parsonage Road in Edison on Wednesday, March 14, around 9:20 in the morning, according to Lt. Joseph Shannon of the Edison Police Department. More ... South Bruns. wants trucks to hit the road Opposes new state regulations that allow big rigs to use Route 27 BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       South Brunswick officials are planning to fight to get Route 27 exempted from a new set of truck regulations they fear would exacerbate traffic in the area, and hope to enlist some neighbors in their cause. The new state regulations establish a hierarchy of roads consisting of feder... More ...