Guitar Heroes      ERIC SUCAR staff A large group of spectators gathers around Joe Skibar (l), Port Reading, and E.J. Gonsalves as they battle in the Guitar Hero III video game tournament held at the Woodbridge Community Center on Feb. 9. Participants ranged from sixth-graders to college-age students throughout the to... More ... Elections to be held for fire budgets, commissioners Budget in 12 fire districts up for vote BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       Come Feb. 16, Woodbridge Township residents will be asked to vote for the open seats up for fire commissioner positions and vote for the fire budget for each of the 12 fire districts. The voting stations will be set up from 2 to 9 p.m. at each of the individual firehouses. More ... Township adopts $101.6 million budget Citing pensions & library costs, tax levy to increase by 12 cents BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       The Township Council unanimously adopted a $101.6 million municipal budget on Jan. 29 that increases taxes by $98 for the average homeowner. The municipal tax rate will rise 12 cents, from $1.43 to $1.55 per $100 of assessed valuation. More ... N.J.'s racing industry on the brink of collapse Corzine urged to fulfill promises made to remedy fiscal crisis BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       Local members of the harness racing industry had strong reactions to the announcement that Freehold Raceway has reduced its purse structure and that the Meadowlands is expected to follow suit with drastic purse cuts if the Legislature does not quickly fulfill promises to provide a purse supplement... More ... Governor faces boisterous crowd on debt reduction Said that Route 440 toll, Middlesex portion of new rail line, is off the table BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - As Gov. Jon Corzine walked onto the stage at East BrunswickHigh School, a loud wave of boos and hisses issued forth fromthe packed auditorium. While signs, banners and props were specifically prohibited, many in the audience didn't need them to make their displeasure known. More ... Tractor-trailers stolen BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - Vandals swept up six tractor-trailers from a Paddock Street parking lot in Avenel last week. The thefts occurred between 3:30 p.m. Feb. 1 and 4:55 a.m. Feb. 4, police said. More ... Woodbridge and Carteret to share garbage services Agreement will net Woodbridge $1.8 annually over three years BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - After months of negotiation, the townshipmade a dealwith the borough of Carteret last week to lendWoodbridge's services to provide trash and solid waste collection and disposal services for the borough. Township and borough officials said services started on Feb. 4 without any proble... More ... Former Zoning Board member reflects on tenure BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - After serving for three decades under sevenmayors, three interim mayors, and reviewing and voting on approximately 10,000 applications, Robert T. Anderson said it was his time to step down from his seat on the Zoning Board of Adjustment. More ... Skating at the Community Center      ERIC SUCAR staff A large number of children of all ages enjoy some ice skating at the Woodbridge Community Center on Feb. 9. More ... County assesses Hispanic outreach programs BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       EDISON - A report recently released by Middlesex County states that while there are many public services available to Hispanic residents, accessing them can be problematic. The report's results were released during a forum on Feb. More ...