A Somerset jewelry store pleaded guilty to 10 violations of state cash-for-gold consumer protection laws and must pay more than $5,000 in fines and court costs. Venus Jewelers, Rutgers Plaza, was one of five Somerset County jewelry stores caught earlier this year in a joint sting operation run by the state Attorney General’s Office, the state Division of Consumer Affairs …

Nov. 15 Maureen Ogallo of North Brunswick told police that as she was driving down Hamilton Street, intense sun glare prevented her from seeing that the car ahead of hers, driven by Michaelle LaPointe, also of North Brunswick, was slowing. Ogallo’s car rear-ended LaPointe’s.

The weekend of Nov. 22-25 is going to be a busy one for Franklin Township Pop Warner supporters. On Nov, 22, the organization will celebrate its 40th anniversary with an “adults only” evening from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Bridgewater Manor, 1251 Route 202/206, Bridgewater.

The comedy “Arsenic & Old Lace” will be presented at the Theatre at Franklin High School, 500 Elizabeth Ave., Nov. 22 and 23. Written by Joseph Kesserling in 1939, the show is about a drama critic who on his wedding day learns that his aunts are murderers, and that his family is insane.

Photo courtesy of Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School. Mayor Brian Levine was on hand recently to help the Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School, Cortelyous Lane, honor its first marking period award winners.

More than 50 pounds of excess Halloween candy was collected earlier this month from area children by a Somerset dentist. The candy is bound for American troops serving overseas.

Law enforcement agencies throughout the county are stepping their enforcement of laws banning using cell phones while driving. Traffic patrols will be deployed on a random basis to find drivers talking and texting while driving, according to a press release from Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano, North Plainfield Chief of Police and President of the Somerset County Association of Chiefs of …

Auditions for the musicals “The Last Five Years” and “Little Shop of Horrors” are set for Nov. 16 through Nov. 21 at the Villagers Theatre, DeMott Lane (near the municipal complex), Somerset. Auditions for “The Last Five Years” are set for 3-6 p.m. Nov. 16, with potential callbacks 3-6 p.m. Nov. 23.

The organization that funds the Franklin Township Animal Shelter received a $2,000 donation to help it buy pet food for families in need.

The Franklin Township Food Bank, 60 Millstone Rd., Somerset, is looking for volunteers for the holiday season. Nancy LaCorte of the food bank said that people are needed “to help us direct traffic and help our clients to their cars with our limited number of shopping carts.”