A $160 million spending plan carrying a 2.6 percent tax hike for the 2015-16 school year was unanimously approved May 7 by the Board of Education. The budget carries with it a total school portion tax rate increase of about 4 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, from $1.43 to $1.47 per $100. That translates to a $163.95 increase in …

Updated: On May 8, Fennes pleaded not guilty to the charges in state superior Court, Somerville. Fennes remains in custody in the Somerset County Jail, Somerville, in lieu of $100,000 bail. Original Story: A former 1st Grade teacher at Cedar Hill Preparatory School on Cedar Grove Lane faces charges that he sexually assaulted one of his former students.

John A. Ravally was unanimously approved as the district’s new schools Superintendent at the Board of Education’s May 7 meeting. Ravally, currently the superintendent in the Point Pleasant Beach and Bay Head school districts, will start his new post on July 1. His contract with Franklin runs through June 30, 2020.

Changing the way in which mental health services are delivered is the goal behind a recently opened facility on Davidson Avenue. Anew Wellness, 270 Davidson Ave., opened its doors in December 2014 to offer treatments for adolescents and adults suffering from mental and behavioral issues, and also those whose problems are exacerbated by drug addiction.

John A. Ravally is expected to be appointed the new schools Superintendent at the Board of Education’s May 7 meeting. Ravally’s salary will be the state-mandated cap of $177,500, which is the base $175,000, plus $2,500 because the district has a high school, said board president Ed Potosnak.

A 37-year-old Somerset resident was killed early in the morning of May 5 when his vehicle apparently left the road and crashed into the Delaware River, according to New York State Police. State troopers reported that Stephen J. Maikisch, III, was found dead in his 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The Somerset County Park Commission Horticulture Department will present “Flower Buds – Children’s Garden Workshop” on Saturday, May 16, 2015 from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon (Rain date Saturday, May 23, 2015). The program will be held at the Colonial Park Morgan Pellowski Playground, Parking Lot C, Somerset, New Jersey. Children age 5 to 8 will join Horticulture staff and …

Hundreds of job seekers descended upon The Imperia on Easton Avenue May 5 for a job fair. The fair, sponsored by state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17) and the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce, was “phenomenal,” Danielsen said.

Sugar Land, TX – The Sugar Land Skeeters (8-5) defeated the Somerset Patriots (6-5) 7-1 Wednesday afternoon from Constellation Field.  

Sugar Land, TX – The Sugar Land Skeeters (7-5) defeated the Somerset Patriots (6-4) 3-1 Tuesday evening from Constellation Field.