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Bill Bowman

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.

Unity Bank Employees Donate Time To Local Organizations

Unity Bank employees donated more than 220 volunteer hours to two organizations under the bank’s recently introduced Employee Volunteer Program. The two organizations were  America’s Grow-A-Row  and NORWESCAP received from 40 bank employees, according to a press release from the bank. Unity Bank has a Franklin branch on Cedar Grove Lane. “We launched the employee volunteer initiative to strengthen our …

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Regal Bank To Open Somerville Branch

Regal Bank will open a Somerville branch at 151 Adamsville Rd. on Jan. 9. The branch will occupy the former PNC Bank building, according to a release from Regal Bank. Regal has a Franklin Township branch on Elizabeth Avenue and Pierce Street. “The opening of the Somerville branch gives us a strong presence in central Somerset County, making Regal Bank’s …

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School Board Retains Leadership, Swears In Election Victors At Reorganization

The Board of Education welcomed one new member and retained its leadership at the Jan. 5 reorganization meeting. The board for the third consecutive year voted in Ed Potosnak as president and Nancy LaCorte as vice president. Newly elected board member Ardaman Singh was sworn in, as were LaCorte and Danielsen, the other two winners in the November election. While …

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Central Jersey College Prep Charter School Wins Approval For New Home

Central Jersey College Prep Charter School received approval to move into a Mettlers Road building, but it had to temporarily give up a new gym to do so. The charter school received Zoning Board of Adjustment approval for the site at 101 Mettlers Road at the Jan. 5 meeting, This was the second consecutive meeting during which the board entertained …

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Montauk Bus Company Gets Permission To Use Route 27 Lots As Staging Area, Parking Lot

The Long Island-based company that transports the school district’s children received approval Jan. 5 to store its buses on two Route 27 lots. Montauk Transit Service – which became the school district’s largest bus contractor just about three years ago when the previous contractor suddenly closed up shop – will be able to base at least 130 buses on the …

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Life Story: Jonathan Reidy, ‘Kind, Beautiful Soul’

Jonathan was a kind beautiful soul, who should be remembered for his charismatic personality, his infectious smile and his gentle nature. He was a hero to his sister Mollie and a source of strength to his mother. He was her rock, her heart and soul. He brought joy and laughter to all those around him. Left behind: his loving mother …

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Township Man Charged With Attempted Burglary Of Home

A 19-year-old township man has been charged with the Jan. 4 attempted burglary of a Cheshire Court home. Edward A. Rowe Jr. was charged with 3rd Degree Attempted Burglary and Criminal Mischief, according to a press release from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office. Township police received a 9-1-1 call at about 10:54 a.m. on Jan. 4 reporting that a man …

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Mayor’s Wedding Fees Go To The Dogs … And Cats

Weddings officiated this year by Mayor Phillip Kramer have been a boon to the Franklin Township Animal Shelter and the organization that funds it, Second Chance for Animals. That’s because the wedding fee – $50 each – goes to the group through a trust fund established by the township. As of Dec. 30, the date of the 89th and last …

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Updated: Police Investigating ‘Shots Fired’ Report Around Dewald Avenue

Update: A 31-year-old man was injured in a shooting on Dewald Avenue the evening of Jan. 3, according to teh Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office. The man, who was not identified, was found outside a Dewald Ave home with a non-life-threatening gunshot to one leg, according to a press release from the prosecutor. Responding officers performed first aid on the man’s …

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American Institute Opens Cottontail Lane Campus, Offers Several Vocational Programs

High school and college graduates looking to learn a vocation have another choice in the township. The American Institute formally opened its doors with a Jan. 4 ribbon-cutting at its new school, located at 80 Cottontail Lane. The institute, which has two other schools in New Jersey and five in total, will offer courses in dental and medical assisting, computer …

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