General News

FTPD Lieutenant Jolanda Lacewell is the first female Black police lieutenant in township history. A bit of township history was commemorated at the December 8 Township Council meeting when the FTPD’s first female Black lieutenant was among 11 command-level officers who received their ceremonial swearings-in. Lt. Jolanda Lacewell, a 24-year veteran with the Franklin Township Police Department, and her 10 …

Coronavirus restrictions have resulted in changes to some in-person polling places for the November 3 election. The changes are as follows: Kingston Presbyterian Church, Griggstown Fire House, Wynnefield Club House, and Beacon Hill Club House have been changed to Griggstown Fire House, 1037 Canal Road, South of Bunker Hill, for Districts 1 through 7.Society Hill III Club House, the Board …

FTPD Captains Phil Rizzo, Brian Regan and Sean Hebbon, clockwise from top left, were formally sworn in at the October 13 Township Council meeting. The three newest Captains in the Franklin Township Police Department were formally sworn in at the October 13 virtual Township Council meeting. Included in the trio was Capt. Sean Hebbon, the first African-American to rise to …

Natalia Minkovsky, Carla Ulbrich and Mary Mcginley, left to right, at the DeMott Lane Post Office during the “Save The Postal Service” day of action. Three area women stationed themselves in front of the U.S. Post Office on DeMott Lane August 25 as part of a national effort to show support for the embattled Postal Service. The “Save the Postal …

A township resident will serve as the Vice-Chairman of the Somerset County Republican Organization beginning July 23. Ravikanth “Ravi” Kolla, a long-time township resident, is running on the “Unity 2020” ticket, which is unopposed at the July 23 SCRO executive board election. “Ravi has put Franklin GOP and the Somerset County GOP on the social media map,” incoming Somerset GOP …

Six Mile Run Reservoir Site could be open to privatization under a plan approved by the Murphy administration. (Graphic: NJ Trails Association.) The Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park and Six Mile Run Reservoir Site could be part of a program included in a stop-gap budget measure that will open state parks to privatization. Both areas fall within Franklin’s boundaries. …

Update: The group showed up again on July 2, but township police shut the meeting down shortly after it started. FTPD Lt. Phil Rizzo said the department “received several complaints about the group including loud music and ‘rowdy’ behavior. Upon arriving and speaking with the group they left without incident.” Original Story: A large gathering of self-described car enthusiasts suddenly …

Protestors hold up their signs during a rally before the march to the police station. Hundreds of people marched up DeMott Lane June 4 in a continuing protest against police brutality and for racial justice. The march, as was the one earlier in the week in Franklin and others ocurring around the world, was spurred by the killing of Minneapolis …

High schoolers are invited to apply to Somerset County Youth Leadership Somerset program, which runs from September 2020 through May, 2021. The sessions are held one Saturday a month and last four to six hours. Applications must be received by May 31, and candidates will be selected by the end of June. Those accepted to the program will receive a …

Franklin may indeed have a farmers’ market this summer. A lack of vendors interested in participating in this year’s planned market caused it to be cancelled earlier in the year. But, as Township Manager Robert Vornlocker said on May 14, there is renewed hope. During Mayor Phil Kramer’s “virtual” town hall, Vornlocker said that Somerset County is lending a hand. …