A Mark Street resident got a scare Nov. 29 when a gasoline can caught fire next to his outdoor fireplace. Police said the resident, who they did not identify, said he was lighting charcoal in the outdoor fireplace in preparation of cooking chicken when the small can caught fire.

Nov. 29, 2013 Bruce Jefferson of Hopewell was told police he was driving down Route 518 when a black footrest fell off a truck traveling ahead of him. Jefferson said that as he was slowing, his car was struck in the rear by one driven by Anthony Gaylord of Plainsboro. Gaylord said he could not stop in time to avoid …

The Gospel Shepherds, a singing group comprised of Franklin Township residents, will perform a free concert at 4 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Middlebush Reformed Church, corner of Amwell and South Middlebush roads. Formed in 1996, the group has toured Sicily and has performed at many local events, according to its Web site.

The final evaluations for the Spring, 2014 Franklin Township Baseball League are set for 4-7 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Rutgers Preparatory School’s lower gym, 1345 Easton Ave. in Somerset. Participation in baseball and softball is open to residents of Franklin, South Bound Brook and Piscataway.

Following are the December events scheduled by the Quail Brook Senior Center, 625 New Brunswick Rd. in Somerset. The center is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call (732) 563-4213.

The First Saturday of the Month recycling drop offs for regular waste and electronics are set for Dec. 7 in Somerset and Bridgewater. Residents with electronics that need to be recycled can bring them between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. to Newtech Recycling, 600A Apgar Dr. The company also accepts “e-waste” weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Township residents who want to learn how to cross-country ski – and use the course available at Spooky Book Golf Course – can do so from 1:30 – 3 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Environmental Education Center, 190 Lord Stirling Rd., Basking Ridge. The course will be taught by a naturalist and is geared to skiers aged 10 years and …

Five young local poets were honored at the Nov. 26 Township Council meeting.

Nov. 26, 2013 Danielle Jackson of New Providence was cited for careless driving after the car she was driving rear-ended one driven by Jacquelin Espinosa of Somerset. Espinosa told police her car was stopped in the Easton Avenue/John F. Kennedy Boulevard jughandle when it was hit.

It was cold, it was windy. And it was cold.