The Franklin High School girls’ and boys’ bowling teams were victorious Jan. 18 against Watchung Hills, with the boys besting their opponents 5-2 and the girls blanking their opponents 7-0. The boys’ effort was led by sophomore Dylan Coker with a 600 (178, 174, 248), followed by senior Kevin Greene, who rolled a total 595 (227, 210, 158). Senior Nicholas …

The Sampson G. Smith Players on Jan. 18 were busily rehearsing their upcoming production of “The Wizard of Oz.” The show will be performed at 7 p.m. on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, 2, 7 and 8, and 2 p.m. on Feb. 2 and 9. The show is directed by Terri Seggio, assistant directed by Tiffany Andrews, with musical direction …

Just barely out of the realm of “startup” itself, a Somerset-based business aims to help fledgling businesses take root, and established firms grow. JuiceTank, 220 Davidson Ave., was started by cousins Mukesh and Charlie Patel, two self-described “serial entrepreneurs.” The company offers a range of services for businesses, from virtual offices to actual office and work space, to introducing entrepreneurs …

They’re just temporary fixes, but crews from the township and Somerset County have been traveling township roads over the past week filling in potholes that seem to appear about this time of year. The mixture of lots of moisture, then cold and warm temperatures, as we’ve had over the last several weeks, makes the perfect recipe for bone-rattling potholes, township …

By Shelby Copeland Correspondent. The Franklin High School girls’ varsity basketball team staged a second-half comeback Jan. 16 to beat the Bridgewater-Raritan High School squad 49-47 at home. The win over the  2009-2010 Skyland Conference champions boosted the Warriors’ record to 9-1. Bridgewater began the game with a strong first quarter, leading 21-8 at the buzzer. But the second quarter …

The Franklin High School girls’ bowling team continued their wining ways Jan. 14 with a 5-2 win over Hunterdon Central at West Hunterdon Lanes in Frenchtown. The Franklin girls won the first and third games with total pin counts of 682-653 and 772-695. Hunterdon Central squeaked by in the second game, edging Franklin 681-680. Junior Alanna Merrit led all bowlers …

The Franklin High School girls’ and boys’ bowling squads defeated Woodbridge High School by identical 3-1 scores Jan. 14 at Brunswick Zone Carolier Lanes, North Brunswick. The boys won the first and third games of their match with scores of 1,088-788 and 1,031-928, respectively. The team barely lost the second game by a score of 987-971. The girls took the …

Township residents may notice a change in the taste ad smell of their drinking water starting later this month, as New Jersey American Water temporarily switches its water treatment process. The company will change from using chloramine to using free chlorine to treat water at several plants, including the Canal Road Water Treatment Plant in Somerset, from about Jan. 21 …

More than 160 telephone lines owned by Verizon were damaged June 14 by water, causing phone service outages to homes, businesses, the Board of Education and the police department. Phone service at Hillcrest Elementary School was restored by late in the afternoon of Jan. 15, said district spokeswoman Mary Clark. Also affected was the district’s buildings and grounds department. Verizon …

The state Assembly on Jan. 13 gave final approval for a new vanity license plate for the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, which suits Township Councilman Carl R.A. Wright (D-Ward 4) just fine. “I love the idea,” Wright said. Wright makes no secret of his affection for his college fraternal organization. At the Jan. 1, 2014 council reorganization, Wright sported a …