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Bill Bowman

Bill Bowman is an award-winning, 40-year veteran of community news. He has written for weekly and daily newspapers, and state, national and international magazines. His investigations have resulted in the first-in-the-nation state program to purchase thermal imaging cameras for all NJ fire departments and fire academies, the halting of a massive land development deal marred by influence peddling, and the creation of a web-based database charting violations against New Jersey senior-citizen facilities.

Historic Commission Calls for Archaeological Survey, Design Changes Before Supporting Shopping Center

DESIGN EXPLANATION – Architect Bill Feinberg talks about the materials that will be used on the proposed shopping center at Route 27 and Clover Place. A proposed shopping center and restaurant on a site that once housed Somerset County’s first courthouse drew scrutiny from the Township Historic Preservation Advisory Commission on April 7, with members calling for ground-penetrating radar surveys, …

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Lady Warriors Rout Warren Hills, 15-1, Behind Balanced Offensive Attack

ON THE RUN – Lady Warrior April Ho is on her way to second base April 7 during Franklin’s softball game against Warren Hills. Don’t Miss Out! No other media outlet covering Franklin Township brings you the depth of information presented by the Franklin Reporter & Advocate. Period. We are the only truly independent media serving the Eight Villages. But …

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FTPD Police Log: March 1-7, 2026

03/01/2026 A Somerset resident was the victim of a theft in the area of JFK Blvd. during the overnight hours. The unknown suspect(s) stole the victim’s motor vehicle and left evidence of broken glass behind in the area of the parking stall. The vehicle was entered stolen into a national database. The vehicle was later located, unoccupied, in an outside …

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Somerset Man Sentenced To 11 Years In Prison For Weapons, Drug Offenses

MAN SENTENCED – Police in February blocked off several streets while looking for Kenneth James, who was sentenced March 11. The 34-year-old Somerset man captured in February by police after being on the lam since the summer of 2025 was sentenced to 11 years in state prison for crimes of which he was convicted last year. Don’t Miss Out! No …

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Zoning Board Approves Variances For Church’s Proposed Gymnasium

EXPLAINING THE NEED – Somerset Bible Baptist Church Pastor Brian Fisher tells the Zoning Board why the church needs the proposed gymnasium at the April 2 hearing. Variances that would help pave the way for construction of a 1-story gymnasium behind the Somerset Bible Baptist Church on Cedar Grove Lane were approved April 2 by the township Zoning Board of …

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Stream Cleanup Set By Township Environmental Commission

STREAM CLEANUP SET – You never know what you’re going to find dumped near a stream. The township Environmental Commission has set the date for the annual John Clyde stream cleanup at Seeley’s Brook. (File photo.) The Franklin Township Environmental Commission’s annual John Clyde Stream Cleanup is set for 9 a.m. to noon on April 11 at Seeley’s Run at …

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Two Township Organizations Hold Easter Egg Hunts For The Community

SPEGG-TACULAR – One of the many children who took part in the April 4 Easter Egg Hunt at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens on Route 27. Two local organizations — a volunteer fire department and a church — welcomed hundreds of children April 4 for Easter egg hunts open to the entire community. Don’t Miss Out! No other media …

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Township Council Honors Fallen Firefighter, Celebrates Student Achievers

STUDENTS HONORED – Students from Cedar Hill Prep School were honored at the March 24 Township Council meeting for their extra-curricular academic achievements. The Township Council honored students from a local private school for regional, national and international academic achievements, and marked the upcoming 20th anniversary of a line-of-duty firefighter death at its March 24 meeting. The council designated April …

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School Board Approves Contracts For Goods And Services

The Board of Education at its last meeting approved a number of contracts. Approved at the March 34 meeting were: Don’t Miss Out! No other media outlet covering Franklin Township brings you the depth of information presented by the Franklin Reporter & Advocate. Period. We are the only truly independent media serving the Eight Villages. But we can only do …

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Zoning Board Approves Sign Variance For Route 27 Car Wash

SIGN DETAILS – Clint Ehlers of Fast Signs talks about the positioning of a car wash sign on Route 27 at the April 2 Zoning Board meeting. The township Zoning Board of Adjustment April 2 approved a setback variance or a freestanding sign at the Wash King Car Wash on Route 27, with much of the discussion centering on the …

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