General News

The Ukrainian History and Education Center and the Millstone Valley Preservation Coalition were two of eight Somerset County organizations awarded grants recently through the County History Partnership Program. The grants assist organizations with general operating support and special projects. The Preservation Coalition’s $15,500 grant will be used to create a smart phone enabled audio tour of the Millstone Valley Scenic …

A longtime township resident has been named the new Somerset County Chief Financial Officer. Yvonne E. Childress, currently Director of Fiscal Operations at the County, was promoted to the position by the Somerset County Board of Commissioners. Childress replaces former CFO Nicola Trasente. Childress first joined the County in 2007 as Deputy Treasurer, according to a press release about her …

SCOUT’S HONOR – Dalton Vassanella speaks at the conclusion of his Eagle Scout Court of Honor April 2 at St. Matthias Church. Boy Scout Troop 154 formally welcomed its newest Eagle Scout with an Eagle Scout Court of Honor on April 2. Dalton Vassanella, a senior at St. Joseph’s High School in Metuchen, was given his Eagle Scout Court of …

Submitted by the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners. The Somerset County Board of Commissioners is utilizing American Rescue Plan funds to support a second year of Franklin Township YMCA’s Camp SOAR at Colonial Park for under-resourced children from Bound Brook, Manville, Franklin, and South Bound Brook. The Commissioners agreed to fund an additional three weeks in 2023 to extend the Camp SOAR …

NEWEST EAGLE SCOUT – Dalton Vassanella speaks after receiving his commendation from the Township Council. The Township’s newest Eagle Scout received a commendation March 28 from the Township Council. The Scout, Dalton Vassanella, is the son of Township Councilman James Vassanella (D-Ward 5.) The younger Vassanella was awarded his commendation by Mayor Phil Kramer with Vassanella’s father, the Assistant Scoutmaster …

VIVE LES PARTISANS – Michel Mockers speaks after receiving the key to the township from Mayor Phil Kramer. It was 78 years in the making, but Michel Mockers, a member of the French Resistance during World War II, finally received the highest recognition available from his native country at a special ceremony March 21 in the Township Council chamber. Mockers, …

FORE A GOOD CAUSE – The annual St. Matthias Golf Classic will take place at the Royce Brook Golf Club’s west course. (Photo: Royce Brook Golf Club.) The annual St. Matthias Golf Classic is set for May 15 at the private West Course of Royce Brook Golf Club, 201 Hamilton Rd. Hillsborough. The event is held to support the St. …

SHERIFF’S K-9 UNIT – L to R:  Somerset County S/O Edward Pawlick & K9 Mac, S/O Daniel Soffer & K9 Caesar, S/O David Daneker & K9 Patriot, S/O Michael Kromar & K9 Casanova, S/O Justin Nielsen & K9’s Anna and Benning in front.  (Photo: Somerset County Undersheriff Tim Pino.) Three K-9s in the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office will receive donated bullet …

BUDDING HISTORIAN – 13-year-old Markus McParland described parts of his history book on Kingston to members of the township Historic Preservation Commission on March 7. A 13-year-old Kingston resident is putting the final touches on a voluminous history of the Village and is looking for help in tying up some loose ends. Markus McParland, an 8th Grader at the Yinghua …

Franklin Day returns to Colonial Park this year, and organizers are looking for corporate sponsors, food vendors and exhibitors. The annual festival, which hasn’t been in the park for several years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will be held from noon to 5 p.m. September 23 at the park’s Knob Hill Grove near Lot C. More than 20,000 Franklin Township …