Update: William Shaw has been charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, careless driving and two counts of having open containers of alcohol within a motor vehicle, according to township police. Original Story: Three people were injured in an automobile accident Feb. 6 that closed part of Easton Avenue for more than five hours.

Six members of the Franklin High School athletics staff were commended Feb. 9 by the Township Council for their actions in saving the life of their colleague. Athletic trainer Matthew Ellmyer and gym teachers Scott Burd, Anthony Racioppi, Dan DiColo, Chris McEvoy and JaMon Dunn were praised by the council for their “selfless act of bravery and heroism” in saving the life …

The Township Council Feb. 9 took the first step in creating a youth center when it introduced an ordinance permitting the acquisition of a Lewis Street property. The property is located at 429 Lewis Street, which was the home of the Somerset Community Action Program before it moved to Hamilton Street.

Bridgewater, NJ – The Somerset Patriots have announced the signing of left-handed pitcher Matt Bywater. He enters his first season both with the Somerset Patriots and in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.  

The police department needs a captain to help with the rejuvenation of the Hamilton Street business district, among other things, the Township Council was told Feb. 8. Police Chief Lawrence Roberts told the council during its first 2016 budget hearing that unlike neighboring police departments, Franklin’s has no captains.

Update: The Sampson G. Smith Players have extended its run of “The Lion King, Jr.” by one weekend. Performances will be held at 7 p.m. on Feb. 12 and 13 at the school. Tickets are $8.

Several hundred members of the Sri Lankan community gathered Feb. 7 at the Ukranian Orthodox Cultural Center for a double celebration. They were celebrating the 68th anniversary of Sri Lanka winning its independence from Great Britain, and the 60th anniversary of Sri Lanka being admitted to the United Nations as a member state.

Bridgewater, NJ – The Somerset Patriots have announced the re-signing of infielder Greg Hopkins.  

The developer of the Canal Walk active adult community on Feb. 3 won approval for the final phase of the housing project. The Planning Board, with one dissenting vote, approved a change in the project’s General Development Plan and also gave preliminary site plan approval for the construction of Enclave II, a 3-building, 62-unit condominium/apartment development near the project’s Schoolhouse Road …

Under the watchful eyes of his mother, father and grandfather, Franklin High School football defensive tackle Brandon Harrison signed his Letter of Intent to attend Pace University in New York City. The first person in his family to attend college on a sports scholarship, Harrison said the day “feels great.”