Franklin High School was the scene Dec. 8 of a holiday festival, courtesy of a Newark-based foundation. The Three Doctors Foundation, a group created to promote a message of health, education and youth mentoring, brought its annual Positive Peer Challenge and Holiday Health Basketball Benefit to Warrior Country.

A 23-year-old township man was killed Dec. 7 in a snowmobile accident in upstate New York. Jonathan Black was ejected from his snowmobile on a trail in Webb, N.Y. after it failed to negotiate a turn, according to a published report.

Mrs. Wilhelmina Goldwire passed away peacefully on Dec. 5 at St. Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick. Wilhelmina ‘Red’ was born in Whiteville, North Carolina and lived for a time in Jersey City prior to moving to Somerset in 1990. She earned her college degree from Phoenix University and was employed for many years as a Postal Handler for the …

The 2018 holiday season is well underway in the Eight Villages, as demonstrated by two events Dec. 7. First was the annual holiday tree lighting in the municipal complex, followed by a celebration in the Senior/Community Center.

By Bill Connell, Somerset. It is clear from the comments made to me that far more people read these Speak Out pieces than I realized.  When asked why I have not written anything on the Township Council, I say I am giving up.  All I have accomplished is now the  Democratic Party treats me like Scientology treats Leah Remini.  This …

Township Councilman Rajiv Prasad in September appeared to ask for the township manager’s help in fixing several parking tickets issued to parishioners of an East Millstone church. In a response email, Township Manager Robert Vornlocker blasted Prasad, telling him it was “inappropriate” for Prasad to be involved in the matter.

After more than 40 years as a pharmacist, Jim Forino is finally putting away his mortar and pestle. The Somerset father of three spent the bulk of his career at the Somerset Park Pharmacy on Easton Avenue before moving on to the Shop Rite on Elizabeth Avenue, ending at the Shop Rite location in Stirling.

By PJ Parker. Temple Beth El on Amwell Road was the site Dec. 4 of the traditional lighting of the Menorah candles to commemorate the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah.

A 90-year-old tradition was carried on Dec. 2 with the lighting of the holiday tree in the East Millstone Square. Sponsored by the Millstone Valley Fire Department, the lighting ceremony featured the annual reading of “The Night Before Christmas” and a reception thrown by the East Millstone First Aid Squad.

Ocean State Job Lot celebrated the grand opening of its Franklin Park store Dec. 1 by giving gifts to local organizations. The Rhode Island-based discount retailer opened its 133rd store in the country and fifth store in New Jersey at the Franklin Towne Center, at the corner of Route 27 and South Middlebush Road.