ERIC SUCAR staff Caitlin Giacomoni of Malaga, Gloucester County, greets some passers-by at the Civil War re-enactment held at Parker Press Park in Woodbridge on Aug. 4. The Civilian Village included living-history participants, crafts, cooking and a daily re-enactment. Story, page 9. More ... Second floor planned for new animal shelter Twp. reviewing $650K bid to renovate Sewaren building, add story BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       Woodbridge Township is planning to expand the public animal shelter, expected to be up and running by the end of the year, by adding a second floor. "The second floor is going to be retrofitted to help neighboring towns such as Carteret and Perth Amboy that have expressed interest i... More ... Funds for P.D. upgrades clears House committee U.S. Rep. Ferguson said police are closer to $220K in federal funds BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - The township police department's radio system is one step closer to getting a much-needed upgrade. U.S. Congressman Michael Ferguson [R-12] announced last week that the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee approved his request for $220,000 to upgrade the p... More ... Coaster fan offers teens summer full of thrills Local man makes it his business to tour theme parks across the U.S. BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       Going to multiple amusement parks in the course of a week or two no longer has to be confined to a child's imagination. Ira Gordon, of East Brunswick, has made sure of that, with his 3-year-old business, ThrillCoaster Tours, which is based on Route 9 in Woodbridge. More ... Civil War alive and well for re-enactors in Woodbridge Living-history group brings Civil War to life BY JESSICA ALFREY Correspondent       WOODBRIDGE - The Civil War may have ended nearly 150 years ago, but that does not mean that a bit of history cannot come alive in Woodbridge. It did just that this past weekend at Parker Press Park when the Robert E. Lee Civil War Round Table of Central New Jersey sponsored the Civ... More ... Planning Board sends Ford plan back to council Unanimously passed with key suggestions for council consideration BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - The Planning Board put its seal of approval on the Ford Plant Redevelopment plan on July 31, sending it back to the Township Council for final adoption. The plan lays out parameters for what a prospective developer can and cannot build on the site and in what size or ratio... More ... Soup kitchen gets cold cash to serve hot meals Local business donates $5,000 to soup kitchen for upgrades BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - A local business donated $5,000 to the Trinity Episcopal Church soup kitchen to replace some of its old kitchen equipment. "We would love to replace everything," said Fran Kurtz of Sayreville, who has been volunteering for the soup kitchen for seven years. More ... For Edison girl, volunteerism is alive at any age 15-year-old organizes cleanup of Papianni Park BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer       EDISON - When Ashleigh Barral sought a position volunteering with the township, she ran into an age-old problem: she was too young. But the ambitious teenager was eager to do her part, despite not meeting the township's minimum age requirement of 16 years. More ... State open-space funding question will go to voters Environmental groups will lobby hard for GSPT renewal in months head BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       New Jersey voters will determine in November whether to issue $200 million in bonds to fund the state's Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT) for one more year. More ... Residents dispute liquor at McLoone's Fords location Upscale eatery wouldbe part of off-trackwagering facility BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - Many residents said they didn't mind restaurateur Timothy McLoone bringing in lobster Wellington and pistachio-encrusted halibut at his new McLoone's location at Favorites in Fords, but they questioned the need for a liquor license at the restaurant. More ... Tommy Toolbox will tool around town all year Full-time handyman hired to help seniors with home repairs BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - When Steve Meszaros' Avenel home needed a minor repair on its leaking gutter, he called Tommy Toolbox. Township officials introduced Tommy Toolbox - an alias for Carl Grillo - at Meszaros' home on July 27. More ... Board says 300 students are still unverified Board to send out fourth letter for re-registration of students BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - When the township school district started the verification process last year, they found that 2,100 children may have been enrolled in the township schools illegally. The children's status was in question because their parents or guardians had not reregistered their ch... More ...