The Board of Education at its August 22 meeting approved a new set of goals for the 2024-25 school year. The Board adopts new goals each school year.

GETTING SET FOR SCHOOL – Nearly 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies were distributed August 18 at the Community Day Festival at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens. More than 1,200 people showed up to the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens on Route 27 Agust 18 for what has become an end-of-summer tradition. The Zakee Bowser Enrichment Foundation and …

AWARD-WINNING COACH – Caylia Wallace, coach of the FHS Dance Team, talks about the team at a recent gathering. It’s only their second season as a team, but the Franklin High School Dance Team has qualified to compete in the Universal Dance Association Nationals in Orlando, Fla, early next year. The 20-member strong team, led by FHS alumna Caylia Wallace, …

The Township Council at its August 13 meeting approved $2,713,737.06 in contracts for various goods and services. The contracts awarded were:

Gloria J. Kowalski, 86, passed away peacefully at her home in Somerset on August 18, surrounded by the warmth and love of her family. Born on April 22, 1938, in New York City, Gloria grew up in Newark and raised her family in Edison before settling in Somerset. A devoted mother, grandmother, and friend, Gloria was well-known and beloved in …

Catherine Murphy, 80, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, on August in Franklin Park. Born on November 9, 1943, in Elizabeth, Cathy was the cherished daughter of the late Francis and Catherine McGowan. Raised in Elizabeth, she moved to Franklin Park with the love of her life, her late husband Bill Murphy. She spent 58 wonderful …

A 31-year-old Bound Brook man suffered a serious head injury August 15 after the motorcycle he was riding collided with a car on the Manville Causeway, near Weston Canal Road. Police said they received a 9-1-1 call about the crash at 7:36 p.m.

CRASH AFTERMATH – The remains of a 2007 Audi Q7 after it was involved in an early morning crash on August 27 on Route 27/Somerset Street. A former Edison police officer was sentenced August 14 to two concurrent 15-year prison terms for a 2023 crash on Somerset Street which killed two people, including a township man. Township resident Amitoj Oberoi …

FIRE COMMISSIONER – Sherrod Middleton, chairman of the Fire District 3 Board of Commissioners, at the August 13 meeting. The Township government may step in if a contract impasse between East Franklin Volunteer Fire Department and the Fire District 3 Commissioners is not broken by the new September 30 deadline. That was the word on August 13 from Mayor Phil …

HUSAIN DAY MESSAGE – Amir Ahmed Atozai, representative of the Pakistani Consulate, delivers his message during the Husain Day commemoration at Masjid-e-Ali mosque. Muslims from around the region gathered at Masjid-e-Ali on Cedar Grove lane August 10 for their annual commemoration of Husain Day. The day memorializes Imam Husain, the grandson of the Muslim Prophet Muhammad, who was killed along …