Author: VASHTI HARRIS, Staff Writer
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East Brunswick resident plans Father’s Day bike ride to fundraise for cancer research
EAST BRUNSWICK–Using his passion for bicycle riding to help raise money for cancer research, resident Jeffrey Blivaiss will hold a Father’s Day Bike Ride for the Pan Mass Challenge. The Pan Mass Challenge (PMC) is an annual bike-a-thon that is usually held the first weekend in August. Donations from the PMC support lifesaving cancer research…
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East Brunswick police chief discusses race and law enforcement during virtual town hall
EAST BRUNSWICK–In response to the death of George Floyd and the ongoing nationwide protests, the East Brunswick Human Relations Council (EBHRC) held a virtual East Brunswick Police Department (EBPD) Town Hall. Floyd was an unarmed African American man who died after Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on the back of his neck for almost…
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South River high schoolers organize march voicing opposition to police brutality
SOUTH RIVER–Equipped with signs, their voices and protective masks, more than 200 protesters attended the #BlackLivesMatter march/protest on June 5 to bring local attention to police brutality. South River High School sophomores Mariana Bernardino, Samantha Oliveira, Fernando Cruz-Pena and Beatriz Carvalho co-organized the protest with help from the South River Police Department. On May 25,…
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Four South River candidates will race for two open seats on the borough council; primary day is July 7
SOUTH RIVER–Four candidates will face off to secure two three-year terms on the South River Borough Council on Election Day in November. Primary Election Day is July 7. Former council members and Democrats Shawn Haussermann and Julie Meira will face incumbent Republican James Gurchensky, along with newcomer and Republican David Rein. Gurchensky, 71, is a…
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Lost Souls Public Memorial Project holds virtual recitation of slaves’ names; connection made to modern-day issues of racism
EAST BRUNSWICK–More than 200 years ago, Middlesex County Judge Jacob Van Wickle used his political power to steal and sell nearly 200 African Americans into slavery. To honor those who were enslaved, the Lost Souls Public Memorial Project held its third annual Recitation of Names event to continue honoring Van Wickle’s victims. Founded in 2017,…
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Matawan Recreation Department holds contest to honor veterans, first responders
MATAWAN – What started as an idea to find a safe, creative way residents could honor veterans during a time of social distancing has become the Matawan Recreation Department’s “Paint the Borough Red, White and Blue” contest. The weekly contest will run through July 4. Residents are invited to decorate their home in appreciation of…
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East Brunswick Democrats seek re-election to council
EAST BRUNSWICK–Four candidates are running for two available seats on the East Brunswick Township Council. Incumbent Democrats Sterley Stanley and Michael Spadafino will face off against newcomer candidates Olga Miller and Suzanne Blum, who are Republicans, for the four-year terms in November. Primary Election Day is July 7. Blum, 53, was born and raised in…
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South River council will reorganize inactive borough committees
SOUTH RIVER–Spearheading an initiative to reactivate the borough’s inactive committees, Councilman Tony Ciulla spoke about a proposed plan for restructuring the boards. The borough currently has 14 boards/committees/commissions. The Borough Council discussed the proposed plan to reorganize the committees on May 26 during the council meeting via video conference. Ciulla said he wants some of…
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Jamesburg borough council adopts $6.12M municipal budget
JAMESBURG – The Borough Council has adopted a $6.12 million municipal budget to fund the municipality’s operations and services during 2020. The council adopted the budget on May 20 during a meeting held via video conference. The $6.12 million budget will be supported in part through the collection of a $4.38 million local tax levy…
