SCOTT FRIEDMAN Christopher Henyecv, 11, of the Laurence Harbor section of Old Bridge, makes his way to the peak of the rock wall during the annual Salt Water Day, held on the beach under sunny skies Saturday. More ... O.B. seeks asking prices on four parcels Land along Rt. 516, Rt. 18 being sought for open space BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       Old Bridge officials are working to cover ground in a quest to acquire and preserve four parcels of open space. Recommended to Mayor Jim Phillips by the Old Bridge Open Space Committee for acquisition, the properties are undeveloped and consist of a total of about 55 acres. More ... Town has new weapon in battle against graffiti BY CHRIS MURINO Staff Writer       Sayreville is beginning to see the benefits of a new graffiti-removal device and they may begin to rent it out to other communities and businesses in town. Earlier this year, Councilman Stanley Drwal spearheaded the purchase of a Farrow System graffiti-removing device for $46,000, half of which w... More ... Two future leaders star at national competition BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OBHS students get 2nd-, 8th-place honors at FBLA event in Atlanta OLD BRIDGE — Two local teenagers have really gotten down to business, taking home top-ranking prizes in the national Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) competition in Atlanta, Ga. More ... Budget vote comes as surprise to some Council puts off adoption of tab with $150 avg. tax hike BY CHRIS MURINO Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE — A municipal budget amendment that would have reduced the tax rate hike from 12.8 cents to 10.4 cents was shot down at last week's Borough Council meeting. The amendment was proposed after the borough found out it would receive $125,000 in state extraordinary aid, Chief Financia... More ... Main Street in Seussville      PHOTOS BY GREG HOLMES Above: Main Street Theatre Co. cast members Nicole Vosk (from left), Daniela Bardesio, Frank Hughes, Joe McCabe, Jake Shatsky, Susan Corrado and Johnny Ragazzo will perform "Seussical the Musical" at 8 p.m. Aug. 15, 16, 22 and 23 and at 2 p.m. Aug. 17. The show incorporates the... More ... DWI crackdown set for next two weeks E. Bruns., Old Bridge, Monroe step up patrols through Labor Day BY BRIAN DONAHUE Staff Writer       East Brunswick, Monroe and Old Bridge are among the local towns whose police departments will step up their patrols over the coming two weeks to crack down on drunken driving. The police departments have received state grants that will fund overtime so that additional police officers can be out o... More ... Boro man charged in stabbing       SAYREVILLE — A man was arrested Saturday for allegedly stabbing and injuring his sister the prior day. Luis Diaz, 44, of Sayreville, had allegedly stabbed his sister Ramona Diaz, 45, of Perth Amboy, around 10 a.m. on Friday, according to Sayreville Police Detective Jeremy Berry. More ... Local group 'catches' a nice break on vacation Giant blue marlin comes with $500K prize for fishermen BY BRIAN DONAHUE Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE — One week later, Robert Lockwood still can't get over it. He and a few friends go down to Ocean City, Md., to relax, enjoy some time off and go fishing. They wind up catching one of the largest blue marlins in state history, and take home a $500,000 prize. More ... Board lauds new system for contacting parents ParentLink will be used for notifications such as early dismissals BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE — Administrators and school volunteers can breath a sigh of relief now that a new system is going to be implemented to notify parents of early dismissals. More ... 'Queen of tween' opens shop in her hometown Boutique will be the first for veteran fashion designer BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MILLTOWN — Area tweens can go back to school in style, now that Sally Miller has come to town. The six-year borough resident and award-winning fashion designer is opening her first retail shop on North Main Street in Milltown, and her trendy signature styles will be unveiled with a ribbon-c... More ... Husband-wife team set for night of Italian opera BY KRISTINE TANGEL Correspondent       MONROE — Soprano Annamaria Stefanelli and her husband, tenor Rory Angelicola, will perform "A Sunday of Italian Opera" on Sunday at Villa Laura Ristorante, Spotswood-Englishtown Road. "It's to recreate the excitement and passion of the opera," Angelicola said. More ... Fun in the sun      Above: Rose Marie Tsamas (from left), 15, Danielle Rossi, 16, Andrea Poppiti, 16, and Katie Sullivan, 16, all of Old Bridge, compete in the potatosack race during Salt Water Day, held Saturday at the Laurence Harbor beachfront. Left: Brielle Schultz, 10, of the Laurence Harbor section, goes for a sp... More ... Among the best       Old Bridge High School graduate Romina Nadin accepts a certificate from Councilman Pat Gillespie, honoring her as one of the top 10 in the 2008 class. Nadin, 10th in her class, will attend McGill University in Montreal. More ...