Coronavirus

Gov. Phil Murphy Gov. Phil Murphy’s decision announced May 4 to not re-open the state’s schools for in-person teaching was taken in stride by the township’s school district administrators. In announcing his decision on Twitter, Murphy said he took the action “to protect the health of our children, our educators, and their families. Guided by safety and science, this is …

The township has passed the 1,000-cases mark for residents testing positive for the coronavirus, according to county health officials. The Somerset County Health Department reported May 4 that 1,022 Franklin residents had tested positive for the virus, with 85 deaths attributed to it. Those totals put the township’s mortality rate at 8.3 percent, slightly lower than the county’s 9 percent …

There are now 996 Franklin residents who have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the Somerset County Health Department. Two more deaths attributed to the disease bring the township’s total to 82, the Department said on May 2. County and township parks opened on a limited basis May 2, in keeping with Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive order opening state …

From Your PublishersBill Bowman & PJ Parker These are scary times. A deadly virus is making its way among us, indiscriminately striking young and old, fit and infirm with a speed and ferocity that we have not seen before. This insidious virus is particularly deadly to our elders, to those with respiratory issues, and those with compromised immune systems. At …

Township parks will reopen May 2. Now that they have the blessing of Gov. Phil Murphy to do so, county and local officials have decided to open their respective parks for passive recreation only. But those openings come with a host of rules, all of which mimic the guidelines set by Murphy in opening state parks in his Executive Order. …

The number of Franklin Township residents who have tested positive for the coronavirus inched closer to 1,000, county and local health officials said on April 29. A total of 933 residents have tested positive for the virus, while 77 have died from it to date, according to the Somerset County Health Department and the township Office of Emergency Management. Both …

Business and property owners in the Hamilton Street Business District will not be charged an assessment this year, thanks to action taken April 28 by the Township Council. Business and property owners in the Hamilton Street Business District will not have to pay an additional assessment this year, thanks to action taken by the Township Council on April 28. The …

The township’s Memorial Day parade is one of the social casualties of the coronavirus. (File photo.) Celebrations for Memorial and Independence days will not look the same as they have in past years, a township official said April 28. And while those celebrations will most likely be much different – if they’re held at all – residents who use the …

The number of Franklin residents testing positive for the coronavirus reached 907 on April 28, and the number of deaths reached 75, according to county health officials. The numbers were reported on the Somerset County Board of Health’s web page. Long-Term Care Facilities Bear Brunt Of Township COVID-19 Deaths According to the township Office of Emergency Management, the best way …

About 66 percent of the 73 Franklin residents who have died from the coronanvirus since mid-March contracted the disease in a long-term facility in the township, according to state and county records. That’s an increase of six percentage points from April 20, when the state Department of Health first publicly released statistics about coronavirus’ impact on long-term care facility patients. …