Township Councilman James Vassanella speaks about the former K Mart property during the November 10 Township Council meeting. The topic of what’s to be done with the former K Mart building in Rutgers Plaza generated some spirited discussion at the November 10 Township Council meeting. The topic was broached by several members of the Franklin Township Chamber of Commerce, who …

Legislation designed to enhance security at large venues – co-sponsored by state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen – was signed into law on November 14 by Gov. Phil Murphy. The bill – S721 – requires sports and entertainment facilities capable of seating more than 5,000 people, movie theaters capable of seating more than 1,000 people, and places of worship capable of seating …

FTPD Sgt. Ariel Almora speaks during the Township’s Veterans’ Day observance. The Township’s annual Veterans’ Day observance was held indoors this year, but the drizzle outside didn’t dampen the spirits of those who attended. The event was MC’d by U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Steve Gillooly, and featured a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner by PJ Parker and keynote …

Canal Walk resident Kiki Anastasakos reads her group’s wish-list to the Township Council. Canal Walk residents opposed to what they call warehouse sprawl in the township presented the Township Council on November 10 with a “wish-list” of actions they say would protect residents from the ill effects of warehouses. The group, calling itself the Citizens Warehouse Action Group, came together …

Arturo Tlapa. (Photo: GoFundMe.) A 19-year-old township man faces multiple charges – including First Degree Aggravated Manslaughter – in connection with the death of a Freehold man after a November 9 car crash in Old Bridge. The township man and a Marlboro police officer were involved in a car chase at the time of the accident, according to a statement …

Ms. Erlinda “Linda” Bayan passed away peacefully on November 6 at her home in Somerset with her family at her side. She was 73 years old. Linda was born and raised in Bo. Lutucan in Quezon, Philippines. She completed her nursing education at Marian School of Nursing in the Philippines and then decided to relocate to Montreal, Canada to start …

By Andrew Dars. To my fellow voters of Franklin,

An artist’s rendering of the new restaurant’s layout. A 62-seat, 4,400-square-foot McDonald’s targeted for Rutgers Plaza on Easton Avenue was approved November 9 by the Planning Board. The Board, holding a special meeting to hear the application, also approved several variances for the project, including ones allowing for more signs than normally approved, and for a free-standing sign facing Easton …

Election workers bring voting machine tapes to the municipal building. The three Board of Education incumbents were victorious, and the public question concerning energy aggregation was passed in the November 8 election, according to the final results certified by the Somerset County Clerk.

Neil Palmes passed away peacefully on November 5 at his home in Somerset under the loving care of his husband, his cousin and friends. Neil was born and raised in Iloilo City, Philippines. He is the eldest of the three siblings of Rogelio Palmes and the late Trinidad Palmes. The other two siblings are Ramil and Roel Palmes. He completed …