Franklin is in a “very good, strong financial position,” the Township Council was told at a Feb. 19 special budget meeting. That prognosis of the township’s revenue position came at the end of the meeting – the second budget meeting in eight days – from township auditor Andrew Hodulik. And as far as debt is concerned, Township Manager Robert Vornlocker …

Several township figures are considered among the state’s African-American power elite by a statewide political publication. InsiderNJ.com‘s “2019 African American Political Power List” includes people as varied as state Education Commissioner Lamont Repollet, former Township Councilwoman and current Somerset County Freeholder Shanel Robinson, longtime Councilwoman Kimberly Francois, entrepreneur Randall Pinkett and the Rev. DeForest “Buster” Soaries of First Baptist Church …

Submitted by the Franklin Township Task Force on CS206 & NESE. It’s bad enough that we’ve been told not to worry about the dangers of the NESE Project even though we often hear about leaks and explosions of natural gas pipelines and compressor stations. It’s a fact that the NESE Project will add greenhouse gases and toxic chemicals to the …

Junior Keona Schenck scored her 1,000th point Feb. 19 in the Lady Warriors’ 51-39 win over Gil St. Bernard’s. The contest was the quarter-final game in the Somerset County Tournament. With the win, the Lady Warriors continue their undefeated season to 24-0. The Lady Warriors’ next match-up in the tournament will be against Ridge High School on Feb. 21. Franklin …

Submitted by the Franklin Township Task Force on CS206 & NESE. We’ve worked for years to stop the NESE Project, and now we are in the home stretch.  We are calling on Governor Murphy and the NJDEP to deny the water permit applications so that Compressor Station 206 and pipeline near and under Raritan Bay are not constructed. In honor …

​Bridgewater, NJ- The Somerset Patriots have re-signed four-year Major League left-handed pitcher Brett Oberholtzer for the 2019 season. “I’d like to thank Somerset for bringing me back on board again,” said Oberholtzer. “This gives me another great opportunity to move my career forward.”  Oberholtzer technically enters his first season with the Somerset Patriots and first in the Atlantic League, though he …

Exhibitions of black culture, calls for continued social justice activism and an appearance by the state’s Lieutenant Governor highlighted the annual Black History Month celebration Feb. 16 at the township Community/Senior Center. Sponsored by the Somerset County Democratic Black Caucus, the day also featured a number of speakers, including state Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, Mayor Phil Kramer, Somerset County Freeholder …

Submitted by the Franklin Township Task Force on CS206 & NESE. Have you felt things shake when Trap Rock blasts?  Do you remember the recent gas pipeline explosions and fires in Massachusetts? The final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) Project was published by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on January 25, 2019, and it’s …

A 25-year-old New York man was arrested on burglary and theft charges Feb. 15 in connection with a break-in at the township Municipal Building on DeMott Lane. Police said that Rasheem Robinson was charged with 3rd Degree Burglary, 3rd Degree Theft, and Criminal Mischief, a disorderly persons offense. According to a Franklin Township Police Department press release, police were notified …

Margaret (Mazza) Oreka passed away on February 15, at her residence in Monroe. She was 92 years old. Marge was born in Anita, PA and lived there before moving to the New Brunswick area with her parents and family when she was fourteen. She later lived in Franklin Township where she and her husband, Anthony, raised their two daughters, Margie …