Random thoughts on Christmas to think about today: “Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.” – Janice Maeditere

After more than 40 years of competition, Franklin Township finally has a Pop Warner national championship team. But it’s not who you might think it is.

The Somerset County Park Commission will be accepting natural Christmas trees for recycling from Saturday, December 26, 2015 through Sunday, January 31, 2016 at Colonial Park parking lot F, 156 Mettlers Road. The facility will accept trees from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week.

The township police department will receive $1,347 for the purchase of three body worn cameras under a grant program from the state Attorney General’s Office. Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman announced at a Dec. 21 press conference that $2.5 million has been earmarked for 176 police departments throughout the state. The money comes from criminal forfeiture funds, according to a press …

By Karen Trautmann, Somerset. It’s that time of year where children count down the days to experience the magic of Christmas morning and adults hope for just a few more days to decorate, clean, bake, buy, and wrap to get everything just right for the magical day. Saturday evening was no different. “Mommy, what’s going on?” my three-year old asked …

A Kingsbridge Road man suffered a broken leg and ankle and extensive bruising after he was pinned under his van for about 45 minutes on Dec. 18, according to a press release from the FTPD. Police received a 9-1-1 call at about 10:34 p.m. of a man lying on Kingsbridge and screaming, according to the release.

A Franklin Boulevard home was badly damaged and its owner displaced Dec. 17 after a fire started on the home’s stove. The home’s 78-year-old owner and a 60-year-old aide – neither of whom were identified – escaped the blaze unharmed, police said in a release about the incident.

Two separate applications for gas stations and convenience stores were approved by township boards on Dec. 16 and 17. On Dec. 16, the Planning Board approved an application for a WaWa market and gas station on Route 27, and on Dec. 17, the Zoning Board of Adjustment approved plans for a 7-11 store, gas station and small retail center on …

FHS girls basketball coach Audrey Taylor still chuckles when she thinks of the 2014-15 team’s historic run. The team, which would see Adriana Miller become the programs’ all-time leading scorer, captured the NJSIAA Group IV title and made it to the state Tournament of Champions semifinals, the first time the Lady Warriors had made it that far in tournament play.

The former licensed operator of the New Brunswick water system – from which the township buys drinking water – plead guilty Dec. 17 to lying “hundreds of times” about the results of water tests. Edward O’Rourke, 60, of Brick, plead guilty to 2nd Degree Corruption of Public resources and 3rd Degree violations of the Safe Water Drinking Act, according to …