A partisan debate over new sidewalks and road resurfacing projects punctuated the introduction of the 2014 budget at the April 8 Township Council meeting. But when the dust settled, the proposed $57 million spending plan – which calls for a 3.6 percent increase in the amount to be raised by taxes – was introduced. Mayor Brian Levine, the lone Republican …

Peter Stavrianidis, owner of Venus Jewelers in Rutgers Plaza, Easton Avenue, will give a free presentation on “Marketing Yourself in Business and in Life” 4-6 p.m. April 17 at the Imperia, 1714 Easton Ave. Sponsored by the Franklin Township Chamber of Commerce and Venus Jewelers, the presentation will be hosted by the Rutgers Chinese Student & Scholar Association. The topics …

A township woman who was reported to be bleeding from her arm was found by police to have inflicted the wounds herself. Police received a 9-1-1 call shortly after 10 a.m. April 8, reporting that a woman was seen walking near Hamilton Street and Franklin Boulevard, bleeding from her arm. Police responded and found the 47-year-old woman, who they did …

Obianuju A. Enworom, a senior at Mt. St. Mary’s Academy in Watchung, is one of 700 students nationwide to win a National Achievement Scholarship. Enworom, whose probable field of study is law, was awarded $2,500 by the program, which is administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Enworom was part of the 2013 Mt. St. Mary’s Mock Trial Team which …

A 3-story hotel, a car care center and a nursing home are just a few of the construction projects planned or underway in the township. Also on tap: a medical office building and the second half of a retail center. Perhaps the most controversial project of the five is the hotel, targeted for 20 Cedar Grove Lane. Developer Rukh Cedar …

Bridgewater, NJ- The Somerset Patriots have announced the signings of right-handed pitchers Kyler Newby, Mike Demark, and Gary Moran. Newby has experience in the Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, and Oakland Athletics organizations, including three seasons at the Triple-A level. Newby was 2-1 with a 3.58 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 27.2 innings pitched in 24 games at Triple-A for the …

The township will be flushing fire hydrants from now until April 25, according to a notice from the Department of Public Works. The flushing will occur between 8 p.m. and midnight. Residents may notice that their tap water is discolored the morning after a flush, but that will soon dissipate, the department said. Residents with questions can call (732) 249-7800.

A township woman was arrested late last month at the Somerset County Courthouse, Somerville, after Sheriff’s Officers found empty heroin folds and prescription medicine in her purse. Beatriz Rivera of Franklin Park was charged on  March 27 with 3rd-Degree possession of a controlled, dangrous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, a disorderly persons offense, according to a release on the …

A New York-based bus company that took over most of the school district’s bus routes has agreed to take on some more. Montauk Transit Service of Medford, N.Y. has agreed to purchase some equipment from and assume some district bus routes held by Mercy Transportation Inc. of Monmouth Junction. The deal, which will affect 1,850 students, is effective immediately, but …

James E. Fair, the first black member of the Millstone Valley Fire Department, was remembered April 5 as a man of great integrity and love for his community. Fair eventually rose to become chief of the department which refused him when he first applied in the 1970s. Fair, 67, died Christmas Day 2013 at The Villages Hospital in The Villages, …