The Franklin Township Food Bank is one of five beneficiaries of the “Adopt-A-Family” donation program sponsored by the Somerset County Freeholders. Under the program, residents can donate the cost of a Thanksgiving meal and have it earmarked for a needy township family.

Located at 625 New Brunswick Rd., Somerset Open Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 pm

About $7,800 in items and auto parts were reported stolen Nov. 6 from their Elizabeth Avenue storage site. Police said the items belonged to Capitol Landscaping, which was storing items in the rear yard of DeSantis Construction.

Students at the Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School celebrated Diwali, the Indian “Festival of Lights,” during a special presentation Nov. 5. The celebration included dancing, singing and violin playing, said Oguz Yildiz, the school’s principal.

Kumar Boppana of Somerset was cited Nov. 6 for careless driving and driving with an obstructed windshield after his car was involved in an accident with one driven by Meet Desai, also of Somerset. Desai told police his car was stopped in traffic on Westminster Road when it was rear-ended by Boppana’s. Boppana told police that he could not see …

The two township residents running for state Legislative seats had mixed results Nov. 5. Democratic state Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula easily won re-election from the 17th Legislative District with his running mate, Joseph Egan. The two bested Republican challengers Carlo DiLalla of North Brunswick and Sanjay Patel of Piscataway.

Township voters returned to power Nov. 5 the five Democratic Township Council incumbents as well as current Board of Education president Julia Presley. Also elected to the school board were former board member Nancy LaCorte and newcomer Christine Danielson.

Valerio Rodriguez of Somerset was cited for careless driving Nov. 1 after he was involved in a collision with a car driven by Pamela Attanasio, also of Somerset. Attanasio told police that Rodriguez’ school bus made a left turn from Hamilton to Berry streets, directly in front of hers. §

The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office will host the annual American Medicine Chest Challenge from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 9 at the office headquarters, 20 Grove St., Somerville. A sheriff’s officer will be stationed at the entrance to collect medications, according to a press release about the event.

By Julia Presley No determination on any of the ethics complaints filed against me by Mr. Trautmann, Mr. Seamon, Mr. Burton, and/or Ms. Abreu has been found to have any merit.  That is Mr. Trautmann’s opinion.  It is Mr. Trautmann’s intention to mislead and misinform the public; I find this to be disingenuous.  It is also disheartening to publicize their …