Dec. 18: The state Division on Civil Rights has been notified of the incident by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, an organization spokesman said. The NJSIAA has also asked officials in both schools, plus the officials at the game, to “submit incident reports,” spokesman Mike Cherenson said in an email. “NJSIAA has notified the Division on Civil Rights …

Submitted by Somerset County Public Information. Somerset County has launched Recycle Coach, a free mobile app that is now available to residents. The app is designed to make recycling and solid waste information easily accessible as well as promote the “go green” goal of reducing, reusing and recycling within the community. “Our county is excited to join the Recycle Coach …

This week’s podcast features news about the Township Council’s decision to censure Councilman Rajiv Prasad, news about our presiding Municipal Court Judge and the start of the Franklin High School Lady Warriors’ basketball team’s promising season start. Music is “Winter Sunshine” by pianist Evgeny Grinko.        

The township’s newest health club, the Fitness Factory, threw itself a party on Dec. 14. The occasion was the Cedar Grove Lane club’s grand opening, and owners, staff and club members celebrated with food games and demonstrations of classes offered. On hand to help with the celebration was Deputy Mayor Shanel Robinson, who assisted with the ribbon-cutting. The Franklin Reporter …

By Bill Connell, Somerset. Enough has been written about the situation on the Township Council, but its actions Tuesday raise an interesting question: At what point does the integrity and trust of the institution outweigh common kindness. Township Council, Board of Education, Pop Warner, Little League , recreational coaching, theater and many more are all volunteer positions. They are institutions …

It wasn’t the prettiest of wins, but a win it was as the Franklin High School Lady Warriors opened the 2018-19 campaign Dec. 14 with a dominant 52-29 over the Red Devils of Hunterdon Central High School. From the moment senior guard Tiana Jackson opened up the scoring early in the first quarter with a jumper from just outside the …

An alleged sexually charged quip made from the bench to a defendant has landed the township’s presiding Municipal Court judge in hot water with the state. The state Supreme Court’s Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct on Dec. 12 filed a formal complaint against Judge Hector Rodriguez, charging him with violating three canons of the state’s Code of Judicial Conduct. Rodriguez …

An ordinance that would allow the limited use of digital signs is making its way through the township approval process. The Planning Board got the first look at it during its Dec. 12 meeting. The ordinance will then go to the Township Council, which is expected to introduce it in early January. The proposed ordinance will return to the Planning …

Despite a last-minute attempt to water it down, a resolution censuring Township Councilman Rajiv Prasad was unanimously passed at the Dec. 11 Council meeting. The resolution expresses the Council’s sense that Prasad (D-At Large) has “engaged in multiple actions in his official capacity as an elected official that are improper for a person in his position,” and that the actions …

Jonathan Black passed away on Friday evening while in upstate New York. He was 23 years of age. Mr. Black was born in Pequannock, but was a lifetime resident of Franklin Township. He attended Franklin Township Public Schools and graduated from Bishop George Ahr High School, where he played varsity football and was a varsity wrestler. After graduation he pursued …