UTG is 55/13/1.5 over 50 hands or so.
How is pf/flop/turn?
I have a little more than a pot sized bet left on the river, do I check/call since UTG has shown a bit of strength? I can't bet/fold, right? To me, bet/call or just shoving river seems like the best action considering villian and stack sizes.

Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players
The Official 2+2 Hand Converter Powered By DeucesCracked.com

UTG+1: $50.00
MP1: $35.90
MP2: $9.25
CO: $9.00
BTN: $58.35
Hero (SB): $50.00
BB: $82.35
UTG: $59.35

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is SB with 9 8
UTG calls $0.50, 5 folds, Hero calls $0.25, BB checks

Flop: ($1.50) 6 8 8 (3 players)
Hero checks, BB checks, UTG bets $1.50, Hero raises to $5.25, BB folds, UTG calls $3.75

Turn: ($12.00) J (2 players)
Hero bets $9, UTG calls $9

River: ($30.00) 3 (2 players)
Hero requests TIME, Hero?

bet 24. call raise. I can't really see anything else but bet calling this type of villian.

Make a strong value bet. The only haands that beat you are random sets and the case eight, and it's just a cooler if he has you beaten. The draws all missed. You could still get paid off by a jack, a pair or such. Just bet about $20-$22 and puke-call if he shoves.

We are going to value town. Bet/call a shove against this guy.

another line would be to lead at flop. I do that alot.

That actually is an effective line to take sometimes, because NL50 villains seem to never want to give any bet at a paired flop credit. You'll get raised by two overcards as often as not.