Central Jersey College Prep Charter School has been named a 2016 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. The school, located on Schoolhouse Road, is one of 279 public and 50 private schools being so named, according to a press release from the school.

As a boy growing up in Korea, Taehoon “Ted” Kwalk was repeatedly told by his teachers that he had a natural talent for drawing and painting. He pursued the hobby through elementary and high school, but then dropped his pens and brushes when he came to the United States, more than 40 years ago.

By Bill Connell, Somerset. I have taken fancy to a new song by Ian Hunter, “Fingers Crossed.” It is about a real life pirate, asking himself at the time of his hanging, am I really a victim of circumstance? This is what was in the back of my mind as listened at the school board meeting…and listened and listened and …

A 26-year-old township man was among two who admitted their roles in a “pay to stay” scheme unraveled by a federal sting. Harpreet Sachdeva, 26, of Somerset, and Sanjeev Sukhija, 35, of North Brunswick, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark federal court to separate informations charging them each with one count of conspiracy to commit …

Lillian Bartlett, 80, passed away surrounded by her family on Monday, September 26th, at her home in Somerset. Mrs. Bartlett was born December 12, 1935 in Elizabeth, the daughter of Edward and Mary (Boselli) Merlo. She lived in Somerset and was previously from Roselle and Springhill, FL. Lillian was in cosmetic sales for Steinbach’s, where she worked for a many …

Franklin Middle School students cheered Sept. 26 as a ceremonial blue ribbon was cut in front of the newly remodeled cafeteria kitchen. The ribbon was cut by Board of Education president Ed Potosnak, surrounded by school and district administrators.

Adults who live or work in Somerset County are invited to apply by Oct. 31 for the Leadership Somerset Class of 2017. Benefits of the program include networking with community leaders, discovering Somerset County resources, exploring capacities of positive leadership, enhancing team and leadership skills and making an impact in the community.

Hillcrest Elementary PTO won an honorable mention in the “Recycled Playground Challenge,” sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive, ShopRite and TerraCycle. Hillcrest Elementary PTO earned a total of 907 Playground Credits by recycling waste and through online voting to place in the contest. The honorable mention prize winner will receive a $150 Shoprite Gift Card, 500 Colgate kids’ toothbrushes, and 500 Colgate kids’ toothpaste tubes.

The 3rd annual Franklin Day Festival in Colonial Park was the biggest by far, both in what was offered and the number of attendees. The festival, held Sept. 24, attracted an estimated 10,000 people, said Township Councilwoman Roz Sherman (D-Ward 2), head of the event’s organizing committee and its creator. In addition to food and craft vendors, non-profit organizations and township …

The face of Hamilton Street underwent a subtle change Sept. 23 with the opening of the township police’s Pat Gianotto Memorial Community Policing Center. Located at the corner of Hamilton and Main streets, the office will initially be manned four hours a week – from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and 4-6 p.m. on Thursdays – by officers Steven Ellmeyer …