Pumping iron      CHRIS KELLY staff Port Reading's Brad Rondena, 30, works out in the new strength room on the first floor of the Woodbridge YMCA at the Woodbridge Community Center on Aug. 27. Story, page 15. More ... Riots result in calls for club's closing After two riots in four days, officials seek permanent closure BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       After two riot incidents within two days of each other last week, Woodbridge Township officials have called for the permanent closing of the Studio 9 restaurant and cocktail lounge on King Georges Road. "The burden on the police department is too great," said Mayor John E. McCormac. "We need to k... More ... Police: Blunt force trauma caused toddler's death Child's day-care facility closed until further notice BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       An 11-month-old Carteret boy died while in the care of a 64-year-old Iselin woman last week, police said. Police received a 911 call at 12:54 p.m. on Aug. 23 that an infant, Tahir Francis, was unconscious and having difficulty breathing, police said. More ... Kids spend summer renovating vandalized park Grade-school kids clean graffiti, fix equipment; township follows suit BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - Five youngsters from the Port Reading section of the township took it upon themselves to take back from vandals the Fourth Street Park they love to play in. "Whenever we would come to the park, it was always dirty," said Joseph Wendowlowski, 9, who came up with the idea to clean up ... More ... Township makes pair of appointments Cahill named CFO; Genty will head Municipal Drug Alliance BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - Township officials named their new chief financial officer [CFO] and new program coordinator for the township's Municipal Drug Alliance Program last week. Mayor John E. McCormac announced the appointment of Richard P. Cahill as CFO on Aug. More ... Woodbridge Rangers poised to hit the ice this season Sled hockey team allows kids with disabilities to take to the ice and play BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - Two ice hockey sticks, a sled, and a game face are all each member of the United Spinal Youth Rangers sled hockey team needs. The 11 members on the roster, ages 8 to 18, finished their last summer practice on Aug. 25 before their fall season, which runs from the end of September to ... More ... Construction commences on long-anticipated shelter For residents, clanging and sawing marks end of five-year wait BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - After years of promises and false starts, construction has begun on the state-of-the-art public animal shelter at the former Sewaren pumping station at 189 Woodbridge Ave. The loud clanging and the buzzing of saws could be heard coming from the nearly 70-yearold building, which has... More ... YMCA unveils new, improved wellness center Strength-training equipment is designed for the entire family BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - YMCA members can now use the facility's new wellness center and strength-training room. "The center provides a better quality workout area for our members," said Kim Affeldt, who has been the YMCA's wellness director for the past year. "We were limited in what we could provide to ou... More ... Artists find welcoming reception at Arc gallery BY AMY ROSEN Staff Writer       Anyone who frequents the Freehold Raceway Mall in Freehold Township has noticed there are many new and exciting structural changes going on at the mall. Some of those changes go much deeper than the interior and exterior construction projects and actually touch the people of the community on a dif... More ...