The township school district in 2016-17 will receive the highest amount of Pre-K state aid and the second-highest increase in its K-12 state aid in Somerset County, according to figures recently released by the state Department of Education. The district will receive $13,283,157 in K-12 aid, a $129,569 increase from the 2015-16 school year’s total of $13,153,588, according to the state figures …

A Somerset man who was a former deportation officer with Immigration and Customs Enforcement was indicted Feb. 22 by a federal Grand Jury on multiple bribery and immigration-related charges. Arnaldo Echevarria, 38, was charged with seven counts of accepting bribes, one count of harboring an undocumented immigrant and one count of making false statements to immigration authorities, according to a press release …

Submitted by Doreen Clark, Franklin Township Food Bank. The Franklin Food Bank’s annual Tour de Franklin Charity Bike Ride will be held on Sunday, April 24 at Franklin High School, 500 Elizabeth Ave. It is the Franklin Food Bank’s largest fundraiser, with over 660 riders participating in 2015 to raise over $60,000 in a single day. Months of planning, support …

Bridgewater, NJ – The Somerset Patriots have announced the re-signing of right-handed pitcher Kyler Newby. “I am excited for the opportunity to come back to Somerset and pitch again,” Newby said. “I look forward to seeing all of my teammates and all the fans again. It will be fun to defend our championship.” Newby returns to the Somerset Patriots for …

Building on an action it took in the 2015 budget, the Township Council is discussing using more Open Space Trust Fund money to pay for township workers who maintain township parks. The issue arose at the Feb. 16 budget hearing, the second and final such hearing the council has held on the 2016 budget.

More than $12 million in capital improvement and equipment expenses were presented to the Township Council Feb. 16 during its second budget session. The total includes nearly $5 million in projects and equipment, another roughly $5 million in Open Space Trust Fund expenses – including $3.6 million for the design and construction of Phase 1 of the controversial Catalpa Park …

By Domenick Andreini, junior Franklin High School student, Franklin Warrior Co-Editor and Arianna Brody, junior Franklin High School student, Franklin Warrior Staff Two township fire companies tied and last year’s restaurant repeated its victory in the second annual Chili Cook-Off Feb. 5 hosted by the Franklin Township Food Bank.

A North Brunswick man was arrested on drug-related charges Feb. 12 after he allegedly made several drug sales to an undercover detective in the parking lot of a township restaurant. Juan Jose’ Morales-Bustos, 28, was arrested in the parking lot of an unnamed Route 27 restaurant after allegedly selling an undercover detective assigned to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Organized …

A Monroe man suffered potentially life-threatening injuries after being involved in a three-vehicle crash on South Middlebush Road on Feb. 16. South Middlebush Road was closed for about four hours during the investigation.

Tempers flared at the Township Council’s second budget hearing Feb. 16 after one councilman said he’d been “hoodwinked” by his colleagues over sidewalk installation in his ward. Township Councilman Carl R.A. Wright (D-Ward 4) said he was “kinda miffed” that none of the $750,000 included in the 2015 budget plan and earmarked for sidewalk installation in streets around Franklin Middle …