Maurice Mesulam passed away peacefully on April 23 in Somerset. He was 95 years old. Mr. Mesulam was born in Istanbul, Turkey. He served as an officer in the Turkish Military and played on the Turkish Maccabiah Basketball Team. Mr. Mesulam came to The United States at the age of 31 and resided with his aunt Lena and uncle Max …

Rolando Chavez passed away on April 23 at The Regency Heritage Care Center in Somerset. He was born in Cuba and served as a General in the Cuban Armed Forces. He also was a professional baseball player in Cuba. He came to the United States and resided in West New York. He was employed as a cook and also worked …

A series of blue lights – one representing every township resident killed by the coronavirus – is hung at the township’s cultural gazebo. (Photo: Michael Steinbrück.) A memorial of blue lights for township victims of the coronavirus was virtually unveiled April 23 during Mayor Phil Kramer’s “town hall” meeting. The lights were proposed by the Franklin Township Interfaith Council. The …

The total number of township residents who tested positive for the coronavirus has increased to 800, according to the township Office of Emergency Management. The number of township residents whose deaths were attributed to the virus increased by four, to 65, the OEM reported on April 24. An additional 26 residents tested positive. Township officials have said that the number …

Betty Edfort, 96 of Somerset passed into Eternal Rest on April 21. She was born February 16, 1924 in Pringle PA. She was the daughter of James and Elizabeth Handley and attended Pringle High School. Betty was a homemaker when her family was young but then entered the workforce in the garment industry in the Kingston PA area which was …

The number of township residents testing positive for the coronavirus increased to 756 and the number of deaths attributed to the disease grew to 54, township officials said April 22. The township Office of Emergency Management reported 37 new positive test results and four more deaths. According to the township OEM, the best way to protect yourself and your family …

The Razi Foundation has donated 4,000 KN95 masks earmarked for local hospitals and first responders. (Photo: Razi Foundation). The Franklin Township Interfaith Council has launched a fundraising campaign to help purchase Personal Protective Equipment for local hospitals, other health care facilities and first responders. Alex Kharazi, the Council’s president, said that more than 4,000 KN95 masks have been donated by …

Franklin passed the 700 mark in residents with confirmed coronavirus cases, the township Office of Emergency Management confirmed April 21. With 39 new confirmed cases reported, the total case number is now 719, according to OEM. There were no new deaths reported, so the number of fatalities stands at 50, according to OEM. According to the OEM, the best way …

The food is donated to staff in local hospitals who are treating coronavirus patients. (Photo: Venus Jewelers.) Submitted by Venus Jewelers. Like many businesses in Franklin Township, family owned Venus Jewelers closed its doors temporarily to do its part to help stop the spread of Covid-19. Down but not out, Dr. Peter and team have been working from home trying …

A township resident is among the first wave of winners in the 65th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Megha E. Thomas, a student at Princeton Day School in Princeton, won the National Merit S&P Global Scholarship, given by S&P Global to children of its employees, according to a press release from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Thomas was one of …