A blue ribbon celebrating the end of a construction project was cut for the second time in two days Nov. 2 at Sampson G. Smith School. This time, the celebration was for the completion of multi-million dollar construction to the school, including renovations to three science labs, creation of a second gym, locker room renovations and new office space.

Warrior Pride was in full effect Nov. 2 at the second annual Franklin High School Homecoming Bonfire. The unseasonably warm weather amplified the heat thrown off the tower of hay and wooden pallets set afire in a fenced-off field next to the football stadium.

Authorities are seeking the public’s help in identifying a man suspected of robbing an Elizabeth Avenue bank on Nov. 1. Township police responded to an alarm activation at the Chase Bank at about 6 p.m., according to a press release from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.

Students, faculty and staff cheered Nov. 1 as a blue ribbon was cut at the entrance of the newly renovated Sampson G. Smith School’s cafeteria. The approximately $850,000 project is another step toward parity between what next school year will be the two township middle schools, a district official said.

A 74-year-old township woman is in critical condition at a local hospital after being struck by a car while crossing John F. Kennedy Boulevard on Oct. 31. Police said Hendrika Houben of Somerset was struck by a 2012 Nissan Maxima driven by by Nada Gilbert, 28, also of Somerset, as Gilbert was making a left turn from New Brunswick Road …

Bridgewater, NJ- The Somerset Patriots have acquired the Atlantic League rights to right-handed pitchers David Carpenter and Cory Riordan, along with the rights to 10-year Major League infielder Alberto Callaspo, through the 2017 Bridgeport Bluefish Dispersal Draft Wednesday morning.  RHP David Carpenter recently concluded his second year with the Bluefish. After posting a 3.28 ERA over 36 relief appearances in 2016, …

625 New Brunswick Rd., Somerset, NJ 08873 (732) 563-4213 Open Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The Quail Brook Senior Center will be closed on Nov. 1, 2 and 3 due to carpet installation. Clientele are invited to attend the Senior Wellness Center at Bridgewater. Quail Brook clients who do not drive will be taken to the Senior …

Another township Boy Scout was inaugurated as an Eagle Scout earlier this month. Morgan Murphy’s Eagle Court of Honor was held Oct. 7 at the township Senior/Community Center, with his parents, friends, fellow scouts from Troop 154 and township officials on hand.

By Daryl Kipnis. A wise New Jerseyan by the name of Albert Einstein once said, “No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.”

By Mayor Phil Kramer. The approaching election is of great importance to New Jersey and to Franklin, and I urge everyone to vote the entire ballot.