NEW COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN – Bob LaCorte was recently named the chairman of a new committee to spearhead Franklin’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States’ founding. (File photo.) The first member of an as-yet-unnamed township committee to guide Franklin’s commemoration of the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026 was recently named. That person, nominated by Mayor Phil Kramer …

Athletes from 16 schools converged on Franklin High School May 29 for the annual NJSIAA Unified Track and Field Meet of Champions. Franklin High School also fielded a team, which was led by Coach Rachel Setek.

ENJOY YOUR BOOK! – A TEECS student selects a book he wants from the school’s new book vending machine. Teachers and administrators at a local charter school are betting their students are willing to trade snacks for books. Students and staff at Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School on Pierce Street unveiled their newest acquisition on May 28, a vending machine …

ENGINEER TESTIFIES – Craig Stires, the applicant’s project engineer, talks about the warehouse extension at the Planning Board meeting. More than 64,000 square feet of warehouse space will be added to a Cottontail Lane building through an approval recently given by the township Planning Board. The Board on May 21 approved the plan for the 64,515-square-foot addition to the building, located …

WANTED ANSWERS – John Baptist, a commercial property owner on Hamilton Street, questions the Township Council on May 27 about the Special Improvement District assessment. The first special assessment in 10 years of commercial property owners in the Hamilton Street Special Improvement District was approved May 27 by the Township Council. The total assessment for the year was $34,268, and …

Spectators lined the parade route along DeMott Lane May 26 for the township’s annual Memorial Day Parade. The parade featured classic cars, the Franklin High School Warriors Marching band, Boy and Girl Scout Troops and many others.

SPORTSMANSHIP WINNERS – (Left to right): SCVTHS Boys Soccer coach Jack O’Neill is joined by student-athletes Daniel Yuh of Somerset and Rohini Routray of Hillsborough and Girls Soccer coach Meghan Welch. Daniel and Rohini were honored at the 2024-2025 Greater Middlesex Conference Dan Hayston Memorial Sportsmanship Awards luncheon. (Photos: SCVTHS). Two township residents were among the Somerset County Vocational & …

EXPLAINING THE PLAN – Shri Kotdawla, the retail/office project’s engineer, testifies to the Planning Board at its May 21 hearing. A developer wanting to erect a two-building mixed-use office and retail center across from the Somerset Run housing development was told by the Planning Board on May 21 to rethink its plans. The plan, submitted by NPH Real Estate, calls …

The annual SGS/HSC Players Alumni Association Cabaret is set for 7 p.m. May 31 at the Franklin Middle School – Sampson G. Smith campus, 1649 Amwell Road. The evening is directed by Terri Seggio.

Mrs. Mary Ann Hrapsky (Warga) passed away on May 15 at her home in Somerset with her devoted family by her side. She was 88 years old. Mary Ann was born November 21, 1936 in Somerville to the late George Warga and Mary Raio (Moore) and raised in Edison. She graduated from St. Peter’s High School in 1955 and married …