Five Things You Need to Know

It’s been a busy week. From snow, to budgets, to groundhogs, here are five things you need to know from this week, and a few things you need to know to make this weekend great.

1. Punxsutawney Phil and Milltown Mel both decided to stay out of their holes this year, which, of course means an early spring. Sure, you may be skeptical given what’s outside your window and what the weather forecast is predicting, but if these four-legged meteorologists can’t predict the weather, then who can?
2. The school board deliberated for almost an hour on Thursday on how to deal with snow days and how not to extend the school year and take days away from spring break. The result? School will now be in session on Feb. 18 and 21, both where originally part of a four-day weekend. After that, you can count on spring break days being eaten and then, finally, Memorial Day being given back. Let’s hope the groundhogs got it right.
3. On Monday, Mayor David Stahl introduced a $55.980 million budget that reduces spending by 1.2 percent, but calls for a tax increase due to a loss in revenue. Rising pension costs are the culprit.
4. The East Brunswick rescue Squad and St. Bart’s Knights of Columns are holding an emergency blood drive Sunday at St. Bartholomew’s Church Parish Hall from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. With area drives canceled because of weather, blood supplies have gone critical, so if you can give, then please do so.
5. It’s the moment football fans have been waiting for all season. Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday. Make sure that no matter what your plans are, you are in front of a television at 6:30 Sunday. The game will be broadcast on FOX and this year’s halftime show will feature the Black Eyed Peas.