Students at the Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School recently heard from a Kung-Fu expert on bullying, and donated books and sports equipment to an NFL charity drive. Sifu Karl Romain, a member of the United International Kung Fu Hall of Fame, made his second visit to the Cortelyous Road school on Jan. 9, bringing a message of self-confidence and bullying …

The Jan. 6 schools closing over the bus contract crisis used the last of the district’s four “snow days,” schools Superintendent Edward Seto said in a message to parents. If schools need to be closed for the remainder of the school year, the district will have to take away scheduled vacation days, he said in the message, posted Jan. 10 …

Measures co-sponsored by state Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula, D-17, that support granting Filipino nationals Temporary Protected Status in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan and would allow for pediatric respite facilities in the state saw action recently. The Assembly on Jan. 6 passed a resolution that would urge the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to grant the TPS status to …

The Villagers Theatre, 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset, will hold auditions for its March performances of “Emma and the Lost Unicorns” on Jan. 13 and 14. Callbacks as necessary will be held Jan. 16. The show will be directed by Jerome John, produced by Marie Fiorello and staged managed by Laura Christine. According to the Villagers’ Web site, the story is …

Local artists are invited to submit pictures of up to five samples of their work for consideration of inclusion in the Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services‘ spring art exhibits. The exhibits will run from Feb. 3 to May 30 at the Quail Brook Senior Center on New Brunswick Road and the Somerset County Senior Wellness Center in …

The Family Dollar Store on Hamilton Street will sport a new, larger sign when it reopens. The Zoning Board on Jan. 9 approved the placement of a new sign on the store that is about 13 square feet larger than the previous sign. The increase is due to a change in the corporate logo, said Ira Weiner, the store franchisee’s …

It was known last year as “Bike Without Fear” day, but this year the popular Canal Road event will be called “Canal Road Walk and Roll.” And, it will be held twice: the first time on May 18, with a rain date of June 8, and teh second time on Sept. 7, with a rain date of Sept. 14. Township …

The Zoning Board had Como Drive residents on its mind Jan. 9 when it approved a proposal to build a 3,935-square-foot church at the street’s intersection with Cedar Grove Lane. The unanimous approval came with a laundry list of restrictions: Church services can only be held on Sundays and Thursdays The church parking lot cannot be used for outdoor festivals …

The Planning Board on Jan. 8 approved applications for Trap Rock Industries to build a concrete plant, balconies for a Somerset Street housing development and an outdoor storage plan for a Randolph Road water tank manufacturer. Trap Rock got the OK from the board to construct a 2,400-square-foot concrete manufacturing plant on its property off Kingston-Rocky Hill Road in Kingston. …

A plan for a township agricultural heritage center on Jan. 8 crept a little closer to being included in the township’s Master Plan. Two members of the township’s Historical Preservation Advisory Commission – Barbara Lawrence and Andrew Gurian – appeared before the Planning Board to ask that it include their project in the plan. Doing so, they said, would give …