By Sue Goldman It is April and, once again, it is an important time to promote autism awareness and acceptance through National Autism Awareness Month.

by Jaye Lane Age wise, I am a senior citizen although I don’t consider myself one. Until a series of physical ailments began to negatively impact my life. Then I had to leave my home and life in Maryland and move to New Jersey to live with my son.

Lynn Smith, a Cinema & Photography major at Ithaca College, was one of over 150 IC students to be named to the Empire 8 President’s List. In order to be considered for the President’s List, a student-athlete must earn a 3.75 grade point average or higher while participating in a conference-sponsored sport. In addition, the student-athlete must display positive conduct …

It looks as though the answer to the question of whether the township will be declared a “sanctuary city” is no, at least for now. That’s because the Township Council at its April 11 meeting was told by police officials that doing so would have no real effect.

Reginald O. Davenport has resigned as principal of Franklin Middle School. The resignation was effective April 3. Nick Solomon, the Sampson G. Smith vice-principal, has been named interim FMS principal.

Submitted by Lisa Krueger, Leadership Somerset Assistant Program Director. Youth Leadership Somerset, a leadership development program for Somerset County youth entering grades 9-12, is accepting applications for the 2017/2018 program year, which runs September through May. Classes are held one Saturday per month for approximately four to six hours. The application deadline is Monday, May 15.

Bridgewater, NJ- The Somerset Patriots have announced the re-signing of left-handed pitcher Jeremy Bleich and the signing of right-handed pitcher Dave Kubiak for the 2017 season.  

Bridgewater, NJ- The Somerset Patriots announced an All-Star partnership between RWJBarnabas Health and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey to present the 2017 Atlantic League All-Star Game to be played at TD Bank Ballpark on Wednesday, July 12th.

Softball teams from Franklin, Manville and Florence Township high schools gave a local teenager a tremendous birthday present on April 8. Called the “Strike Out Cancer” tournament, the girls joined at the FHS playing fields to raise money for the Lymphoma Research Foundation to support one of their own.

After days of rain, the skies finally cleared April 8, allowing for the sightings of some sure signs of Spring. The annual Bunny Jamboree, sponsored by the township department of Parks and Recreation, and the kickoff of the spring season for the Franklin Township Soccer Club were highlights of the windy, chilly day.