The Franklin Township Police Department has become more diverse over the past several years, but it still has a ways to go before it reflects the demographics of the township, township officials said on February 23. Demographic statistics of the department were reviewed during the Township Council’s virtual meeting by Councilwoman Crystal Pruitt (D-At Large).

The seniors on the Franklin High School cheer squad were honored in a ceremony on February 24. The five seniors are Jennifer Ayube, Captain/Base; Juliana Ciccone, Captain/Base; Karalyn Cornell, Captain/Flyer; Declan Gordon, Unified Cheer, and Joe Wood, Unified Cheer.

Eligible Somerset County senior citizens now have a wider selection of places they can go via the Somerset County para-transit services. As of March 1, eligible seniors will be provided transportation to businesses that provide personal services such as pharmacies, banks, credit unions, salons, and barbershops.

Local businesswoman Shepa Uddin was named the newest member of the Township Council on February 23. The newest Township Council member is a local businesswoman who owns a catering business with her husband. Shepa Uddin was chosen by the Township Council on February 23 from three candidates selected by the township Democratic Party to fill the unexpired term of former …

Another 23 Franklin residents have tested positive for the coronavirus, the township Office of Emergency Management reported on February 23. That brings to 4,463 the number of Franklin residents who have tested positive for the virus since mid-March, OEM reported. The deaths of 194 Franklin residents have been attributed to the virus, OEM reported. Note: These are the latest reported numbers …

Lady Warrior Kyierah Dempsey-Toney shoots between two Gil St. Bernard’s defenders during the February 23 game. The Lady Warriors nearly ended the Gil St. Bernard’s unbeaten streak on February 23, but in the end fell just a bit short, losing in overtime, 44-42. With just about 17 seconds left in the game, and the Warriors down 36-34, junior Christina Midgette …

Lady Warrior Morgan Jones was one of four members of the girls basketball team honored at the February 22 Senior Night. The four members of the Franklin High School Lady Warriors basketball team who are seniors were honored in a ceremony before the February 22 game. Fêted were team manager Claire Bochaberi and players Kyierah Dempsey-Toney, Erica Jackson and Morgan …

Five new Franklin Township Police command staff members were ceremonially sworn in during the Township Council’s February 23 virtual meeting. “These men and women excel,” township Public Safety Director Quovella Spruill said during the meeting.

Participants are being sought for a study to determine if airborne contaminants in the homes of COVID-19 patients can be dissipated by portable air purifiers. The study is being conducted by the Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute.

Christina Midgette powers through a pack of St. Thomas defenders during the Lady Warriors’ February 22 game. Buoyed by a barrage of three-pointers, the St. Thomas Aquinas Trojans handed the Lady Warrior basketball team its second consecutive loss February 21, 68-53. The Lady Warriors had no answer for St. Thomas’ three-point game, with the Trojans scoring nearly half of their …