Mrs. Joan Gerace died on Thursday morning at her home in Somerset. Joan was born in Lackawanna, N.Y., and lived in the Tonawanda, N.Y. prior to moving to Somerset in 1965. She was a long-time parishioner at St. Matthias Catholic Church in Somerset. Joan looked forward to entertaining family and friends, particularly around the holidays. Her family will miss her fine …

Adam Joseph Latanzio, 98, passed away peacefully on Oct. 7th. Born and raised in Franklin Township with his 12 siblings, Adam was a successful second-generation builder in Central Jersey. Adam was a World War II veteran, serving in the United States Marine Corps 1st Division (The Old Breed), with amphibian landings in Guadalcanal, Peleliu, New Britain and New Guinea. He was …

Proposed bills co-sponsored by state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen that would ban steel animal traps and allow terminally ill people to end their lives were recently approved by Assembly committees. The bills, A-2451 and ACR-25, now face votes by both houses of the state Legislature.

The state’s largest police and fire unions have endorsed a retired township policeman in his bid to become the Somerset County Sheriff. The New Jersey State PBA, the New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives endorsed former township Lt. Darrin Russo during an event Oct. 5 at The Palace at Somerset …

Submitted by Sue Kafas.

Joan Rossell passed away on Sunday afternoon at her home in Jamesburg. She was 74 years old. Mrs. Rossell was born in Perth Amboy to Anthony and Rose Badessa. She lived in New Brunswick and Somerset before moving to Jamesburg where she has lived for close to 50 years. She loved to bowl and trips to Atlantic City where she …

Submitted by Imam Syed Rizwan Rizvi. Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is held to be the most sacred of all the months, excluding Ramadan. The tenth day of Muharram is the Day of Ashura, which to Shīʿah Muslims is part of the Mourning of Muharram.

A township resident was recently honored by Citizens Financial Group for 25 years of service. Sushvet Kantesaria’s name was inscribed on a brick that will be installed outside Citizens’ headquarters at One Citizens Plaza, according to a press release from the company. Kantesaria was one of 75 Citizens employees so honored.

Dogs and cats and Guinea pigs and a snake received blessings Oct. 2 at the annual St. Matthias Catholic Church’s Blessing of the Animals ceremony. The ceremony is held each year on the Sunday closest to the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals, said Deacon Russ Demkovitz, who conducted the blessing.

Five people were injured – and two had to be extracted – in a late-night automobile accident Oct. 1 on Route 27. Police said that shortly before 10 p.m., Miguel Salazar-Maediola, 30, of Fort Lee, was driving a 2002 GMC Denali north on Rt. 27 when he attempted to make a left turn onto Village Drive. The Denali was stuck by a 2003 GMC …