CHRIS KELLY staff Avenel Girl Scout Troop 80028 members Rachel, 8, and Alicia, 7, give out water during the 5K Walk to End Domestic Violence held at the Alvin P. Williams Park in Sewaren on Oct. 6. The walk was organized by the Woodbridge Township Domestic Violence team. See story on page 3. More ... Preliminary budget includes 11-cent increase Pensions, insurance, library cited as reasons for growth BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       Woodbridge Mayor John E. McCormac presented the preliminary 2008 municipal budget recently that would increase taxes by $83 for the average homeowner, but state aid could lower the increase to $68. More ... Township will hold breakfast to benefit wounded veteran BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - Township officials are holding a benefit breakfast for a 23- year-old U.S. Army infantryman from Port Reading who was injured by a concealed IED (improvised explosive device) in July. Sgt. Earl McCracken, who joined the Army in January 2003, was leading a platoon in an area of Iraq ... More ... Curbing domestic violence is a community effort Volunteers witnesses harrowing sights, inspiring gains BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - When Linda Squillace joined the township Domestic Violence Response Team in 1993, she didn't fully understand why people would stay in a domestic violence relationship. "After 40 hours of training and my first few cases, I understood why right away," said Squillace, who is the coor... More ... Woman recalls experience in abusive marriage Hopes others can learn from her story BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - A warm touch by a township police officer in 1989 changed Ronnie "Murphy" Welch's life forever. "I can still see his eyes," said Murphy in a purple Domestic Violence Awareness T-shirt as she reminisced about the turning point in her life. More ... Officials say you can't be too cautious with ID theft Detective and postal inspector inform public on common scams BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer       NORTH BRUNSWICK - A hospital employee looks up a patient's personal information and sells it to car companies, affecting their credit. A gas station attendant uses a hand-held device to scan credit card numbers, or he holds the spout near the vehicle without filling up the tank, therefore chargin... More ... Newly formed legal group to provide support, education BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - They call themselves "sisters in law." The newly developed Middlesex County Legal Professional Association held its monthly meeting, which included the installation of officers and the initiation of new members, at the Hampton Inn, 270 Route 9 north, Woodbridge, on Sept. 19. More ...