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Bill Bowman is an award-winning, 40-year veteran of community news. He has written for weekly and daily newspapers, and state, national and international magazines. His investigations have resulted in the first-in-the-nation state program to purchase thermal imaging cameras for all NJ fire departments and fire academies, the halting of a massive land development deal marred by influence peddling, and the creation of a web-based database charting violations against New Jersey senior-citizen facilities.

Life Story: Timothy ‘Tim’ Marc Weinrich, 62; Avid Flautist

Timothy “Tim” Marc Weinrich, 62, passed away on April 19 at his home in Somerset. Mr. Weinrich was born June 12, 1957 in Parsippany, the son of Erwin and Anna (Gall) Weinrich. He grew up in Wayne and relocated to Highland Park, before settling in Somerset. Tim worked for Rutgers and Princeton Computer Research, before working at Telcordia Technologies as …

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Life Story: Irma Stickel; Longtime Township Resident

Irma M. Stickel passed away peacefully on April 18 of old age at the Parker Care Center on Landing Lane in New Brunswick. She was born in New Brunswick and spent most of her adult years in Franklin Township. Irma was married to Arthur E., and together they had a son, Arthur J., both of whom are deceased. Throughout her …

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Coronavirus Update: Two More Deaths, 24 New Cases

Another 24 township residents have tested positive for COVID-19, and two more have died from coronavirus, the township Office of Emergency Management reported April 19. The newest totals are 663 positive cases, with 45 deaths, according to OEM. The joint Somerset-Hunterdon drive-through testing center at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg will wind up its first round of testing on …

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Coronavirus Update: 28 New Cases, 2 More Deaths

More than two dozen new positive coronavirus cases and two more virus-related deaths were reported in the township, the Office of Emergency Management said April 18. The 28 new patients brings the township’s total to 639, and the two new deaths brings the township’s total to 43. The joint Somerset-Hunterdon drive-through testing center at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg …

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SCBP Launches Healthcare Donation Web Portal

The Somerset County Business Partnership (SCBP) has launched a web portal that will allow businesses and individuals to donate to the SCBP Foundation to support the COVID-19 relief effort. All funds raised will be used to purchase food from local restaurants that will be delivered to medical and administrative staff at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital/Somerset (RWJUH/Somerset), local healthcare workers, …

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Coronavirus Update: 14 New Cases, 1 New Death

The number of township residents infected with the coronavirus grew to 611, and the number of deaths increased by one to 41, the township reported on April 17. Franklin now has about 31 percent of all of the more than 2,000 coronavirus cases in Somerset County, as well as 31 percent of all of the 132 deaths. The joint Somerset-Hunterdon …

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Ravally: School District Considering FHS Graduation Alternatives

Schools Superintendent John Ravally said the district is “certainly” looking at alternatives to the traditional high school graduation. In the wake of Gov. Phil Murphy’s order closing all schools until at least mid-May, the township schools superintendent said April 16 that the district is “certainly” looking at options to the traditional June graduation. Speaking during a virtual Town Hall hosted …

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Vornlocker: Orders Closing Township, County, State Parks Will Be Enforced

Township Manager Robert Vornlocker said at a town hall meeting that rules closing the various parks in the township will be enforced by the police department. (File photo.) The township police department is stepping up its enforcement of prohibitions against gatherings in Franklin, state and county parks, a township official said April 16. Township Manager Robert Vornlocker said in a …

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Coronavirus Update: 27 New Cases, 5 More Deaths, Testing Program Begins

Volunteers check in a person at the RVCC drive-through testing center. Cases of coronavirus among Franklin Township residents continue to increase, with 27 new cases and five additional deaths reported by the township’s Office of Emergency Management on April 16. The new totals are 597 cases and 40 deaths, according to the OEM. April 16 was also the first day …

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Life Story: Stephen Farkas, 90; Member Of New Brunswick High School Sports Hall Of Fame

Stephen Farkas, of Somerset, formerly of Milltown, passed away April 16 after a courageous fight with COVID19. Steve was born July 7, 1929, in New Brunswick, NJ, the son of Joseph (Josef) Farkas and Esther (Ester) Kara Farkas. He graduated from New Brunswick High School and The College of New Jersey (then called Trenton State Teachers’ College). Steve’s career in …

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