Franklin middle school basketballers gathered at the Franklin Youth Center march 15 for the finals of the annual Medley’s March Madness basketball tournament. The day featured basketball skills competitions, a dunking contest, giveaways and, of course, basketball. Don’t Miss Out! No other media outlet covering Franklin Township brings you the depth of information presented by the Franklin Reporter & Advocate. …

MULTI MILLION DOLLAR BUSINESS – Bloc Somerset, located in the Village Plaza shopping center on Easton Avenue, recorded more than $6 million in sales in 2024. (File photo.) The 12 cannabis retailers operating at least part of 2024 in Franklin generated nearly $400,000 in sales taxes paid to the Township. Cannabis retailers pay 2 percent of their receipts to the …

PROJECT EXPLAINED – Bruce Klein of T&M Associates, speaks about the proposed improvements to a 1.7-mile stretch of Hamilton Street on March 12. Reducing the number of lanes on part of Hamilton Street from four to three, and making Home Street a one-lane street to ease turns onto Hamilton, were two of the many safety improvements to part of Hamilton …

TALKING CHICKENS – Township Councilmember Ed Potosnak discusses the proposed residential-area chicken regulations at the March 11 Council meeting. An ordinance governing the keeping of chickens in residential areas was introduced at the March 11 Township Council meeting. Councilmember Ed Potosnak (D-Ward 2), who introduced the ordinance, said chickens can serve several purposes, including being “great entertainment.” Don’t Miss Out! …

SIGN CONTROVERSY – This sign in the front yard of a DeMott Lane home has sparked a response from Mayor Phil Kramer, Councilmember Ed Potosnak and state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen. A DeMott Lane resident is once again causing controversy with a sign placed on his front yard. The sign pictures a small boy under the large text: “Boys have a …

VIRTUAL HEARING – The Township Council held its first virtual budget hearing for the 2025 spending pan on March 10. The first of two municipal budget hearings was held virtually March 10 by the Township Council. During the hearings, the Township’s various department heads appear to present their proposed 2025 budgets. Council members are given the chance to question the …

FOOD BANK FUNDRAISER – Derek Smith, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Bank, center, speaks to two attendees during the seventh annual Empty Bowls fundraiser at the DoubleTree Hotel. It was all smiles among the Franklin Food Bank officials March 9 after the seventh annual Empty Bowls fundraiser for the Franklin Food Bank, held at the DoubleTree Hotel. The event …

David Samuel Thompson passed away quietly at his home in Somerset on March 3. Born on June 17, 1956, in Somerville, David was raised in his hometown of Somerset. He received his education within the Franklin Township Public School system, graduating from High School. Shortly after his graduation, David enlisted in the United States Army where he served as a …

CELEBRATING WOMEN – Township Councilwoman Kimberly Francois, Somerset County Commission Director Shanel Robinson, Somerset County Surrogate Tina Jalloh, and Township Deputy Mayor Shepa Uddin (left to right) talk to attendees at the March 7 Thinai America International Women’s Day celebration at the Township Library. Celebrating the successes of local women in politics was the theme of the International Women’s Day …

Three men were arrested in February and charged with committing house burglaries in Franklin and Hillsborough in late 2024. Arrested were a 42-year-old Bridgewater man, a 35-year-old Manville man, and a 30-year-old Elizabeth man, according to a press release from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office. Don’t Miss Out! No other media outlet covering Franklin Township brings you the depth of …