WHEN IN THE COURSE OF HUMAN EVENTS – Mayor Phil Kramer reads part of the Declaration of Independence July 8 during the township’s participation in a nationwide event commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration’s first reading. Twenty township residents took part in a national exercise on July 8: the reading of the Declaration of Independence. Don’t Miss Out! No …

NEW PLAN DETAILS – Bill Feinberg, the project’s architect, told the Commission of the changes made to the plan during the July 7 hearing. The township’s Historic Preservation Advisory Commission on July 7 approved a certificate of appropriateness for a two-building retail center planned for Route 27, on the site of Somerset County’s original courthouse, clearing the way for a …

SHOWING THE PLAN – Architect Robert Grimaldi on July 7 takes the Historic Preservation Commission through the plans for converting the former McDonald’s in Village Plaza into a Popeye’s. The township’s Historic Preservation Advisory Commission voted unanimously July 7 to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness for the conversion of a former McDonald’s in the Village Plaza on Easton Avenue into …

MAYBE NEXT YEAR – Environmental Commission member Stan Jaracz brought up the idea of substituting a drone show for fireworks at next year’s Independence Day celebration at the July 6 meeting. Members of the Township Environmental Commission on July 6 discussed the possibility of replacing the township’s annual Fourth of July fireworks display with a drone light show, citing air …

06/07/2026 A business located in the area of Somerset St. was the victim of a shoplifting during the early morning hours. An unknown male exited the store without paying for merchandise valued at $50. An employee attempted to stop the suspect and a scuffle ensued, which escalated the incident to a robbery. The suspect fled the area on foot. A …

POWER LISTER – Acting state DEP Commissioner Ed Potosnak, a former Township Councilmember, has been named to a statewide power list. (Photo: Insidernj.com). Former Township Councilmember Ed Potosnak has been named to a statewide power list of out LGBT residents. The list – the 2026 LGBT Out Power 100 List” – was compiled by Insidernj.com, a website focused on New …

Fourteen township residents were among the 147 members of the Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School Career and Technical Education programs and the Academy for Health and Medical Sciences who graduated last month. Township resident Malavika Malanthara was Salutatorian for the Academy for Health and Medical Sciences. Don’t Miss Out! No other media outlet covering Franklin Township brings you …

GOLD MEDALISTS – Members of the 2026 National Gold Medal winning SkillsUSA Quiz Bowl team from SCVTHS (left to right): Akshaj Kalepalli (Bridgewater), Abhay Naidu (Bridgewater), Aarav Patel (Hillsborough), Pari Malla (Branchburg), Tanvi Patel (Warren), Daniel Yuh (Somerset). Photo: RVCC. Two Somerset students earned medals at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference, helping Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School …

Seniors looking to celebrate the Country’s 250th Anniversary in Somerset County can discover engaging activities, learn about local history, and explore historic sites throughout the month of July.  “In addition to each senior center’s in-house activities, the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission also offers an array of history-based programs and events that are available for seniors throughout the County,” said …

Backpacks and school supplies for those students in need for the upcoming school year are being collected by state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17). The drive is on from now through August 21. Donations can be dropped off at a variety of sites throughout the 17th Legislative District, including: Don’t Miss Out! No other media outlet covering Franklin Township brings you …