By John Felix, Somerset. In March 2019, the Franklin Township Warrior Education Foundation (FTWEF) was conceived as a not-for-profit organization with the stated mission of “providing support to the Franklin Township Public Schools as they work to provide equitable, enriching learning experiences for all students”.

VETERANS’ DAY OBSERVANCE – One of the many township veterans who attended the annual Veterans’ Day observance at the Municipal Complex on November 11. The Township Council chamber and veterans Memorial Park in the municipal complex were once again the venues for the annual Veterans Day celebration on November 11. Featured speakers during the ceremony were Army veteran Shirley Pietrucha, …

A potential multi-year improvement project along Easton Avenue from Franklin Boulevard to Worlds Fair Drive has entered its first phase, and officials are looking for public input. The Local Concept Development Study for the Easton Avenue corridor, conducted by Somerset County, the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority and the state Department of Transportation is designed to investigate options for improving …

Student proficiency rates in English Language Arts, Science, and Math are approaching pre-pandemic levels, but there still are some gaps that need to be addressed, school district officials said recently. Proficiency rates took a hit from the 2019-2020 school year – the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic – through the 2020-2021 school year when all students were learning at home …

HUG FROM MOM – Iyanna Cotten receives a hug from her mother, Ty-Wanna, after signing commitment letter for St. Peter’s while dad Derek looks on. It’s official: Iyanna “YaYa” Cotten will play basketball for the St. Peter’s University Peacocks in Jersey City next year. Cotten signed her commitment letter to the NCAA Division 1 university November 8 at Franklin High …

Mary Ann Selenko of Somerset passed away after a prolonged illness, on November 5. She was 93 years old. Mary Ann was born in the Bronx and was raised in Jersey City. She graduated from St. Dominic Academy and then attended secretarial school. During the Korean War, she worked as a secretary for the Army in purchasing. In the early …

CHECKING THE NUMBERS – Board of Education candidates Bill Grippo and Erica Inocencio check the tally board at Par2Play on November 7. The Democratic Mayoral and Township Council slate, and a slate of Board of Education candidates which includes an incumbent, appear to be on the road to victory in the November 7 General Election. The candidates enjoyed leads in …

CLASS PICTURE – Members of the Leadership Somerset class of 2022 at Patriots’ Ball Park. (Photo: Leadership Somerset.) Adults aged 18 years and older who live or work in Somerset County and would like to make a positive impact in their community through the Leadership Somerset program have until November 11 to apply. Programs such as Leadership Somerset “build skills …

FALL CLEAN-UP – Volunteers help a Somerset County senior prep their yard for another winter during Somerset County’s Annual Volunteer Fall Clean-Up. (Photo: Somerset County Office of Volunteer Services.) Senior and disabled homeowners who need help with annual fall leaf-raking and other yard work should contact the Somerset County Office of Volunteer Services at (908) 704-6301 or email JDambeck@co.somerset.nj.us by November 9. …

By Bill Connell, Somerset. I read the article about the Board of Ed middle school suspensions report for last year. The board seemed surprised it was high. I was surprised it was not more. Regardless, those are just the headline-makers. There are probably a whole lot more that exasperate the teacher and slow down the momentum of the class but …