Hundreds of pieces of original artwork created by Franklin High School students went on display to the public March 22 in the annual Youth Art Month exhibit. The pieces represented the full gamut of visual arts, from drawings, to paintings, to sculpture, to computer animation and video.

Bridgewater, NJ- The Somerset Patriots have announced that left-handed pitcher Rich Mascheri has been re-signed for the 2017 season.  

Update 2: The Board of Education gave final approval to the 2017-18 school year spending plan at its April 27 meeting. The budget passed unanimously, but board member Pat Stanley said she was doing so with some “reservations.”

Girl Scout Week, National Nutrition Month Hindu and Muslim holidays and Women’s History Month were acknowledged at the March 15 Township Council meeting. The council proclaimed March 12-18 as Girl Scout week in the township in a proclamation that noted nearly 300 township girls participate in the scouting program.

TRENTON – On paper, it wasn’t supposed to happen. But in their hearts, they knew they could do it.

MANVILLE – A borough man suspected of a number of burglaries is in critical condition after being shot by a Franklin Township police officer after allegedly breaking into the officer’s home here. Tyreek Cook, 19, was shot by the off-duty officer shortly after midnight on March 20 after Cook was confronted by the officer in the latter’s home, according to …

Bridgewater, NJ – The Somerset Patriots have announced that right-handed pitcher Scott McGregor has been re-signed for the 2017 season.  

TOMS RIVER – Diamond Miller couldn’t stop smiling. “I just can’t believe we beat them,” the sophomore sensation said. “We did everything we could do to win, and we got it. I’m just so happy right now.”

This week marks the beginning of the 13-day celebration of Norooz, the Persian New Year, a time of visitation and celebration shared by a variety of cultures. The start date of the Persian year 1395 coincides with the vernal, or Spring, equinox, which this year occurs at precisely 6:28:40 a.m. on March 20.

State Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17) figures that he’s collected about $100,000 in the 10 years he’s been a fundraiser for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which funds research into childhood cancer. And although he says that helping kids get a second chance is “the most righteous thing” he’s ever done, this year his fundraising efforts had extra motivation.