General News

FOOD BANK FUNDRAISER – Derek Smith, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Bank, center, speaks to two attendees during the seventh annual Empty Bowls fundraiser at the DoubleTree Hotel. It was all smiles among the Franklin Food Bank officials March 9 after the seventh annual Empty Bowls fundraiser for the Franklin Food Bank, held at the DoubleTree Hotel. The event …

CELEBRATING WOMEN – Township Councilwoman Kimberly Francois, Somerset County Commission Director Shanel Robinson, Somerset County Surrogate Tina Jalloh, and Township Deputy Mayor Shepa Uddin (left to right) talk to attendees at the March 7 Thinai America International Women’s Day celebration at the Township Library. Celebrating the successes of local women in politics was the theme of the International Women’s Day …

Two township-based businesses are among 23 throughout the state recently awarded a total of $1.7 million in state grants for developing technology, therapeutics, and other solutions to address maternal and infant health challenges. The businesses, both located in Somerset, are Primo PharmaTech, which creates novel drug delivery technology, and MedifVu, which develops technologies to help determine the nest treatment plans …

CDBG INFORMATION – Deborah Mitchell, the Township’s CDBG Program Administrator, talks about this year’s program at the Township Council’s February 25 meeting. Uncertainty in the federal government over what programs, if any, will be funded has begun to seep into official Franklin Township. Between the aggressive cost-cutting efforts of the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency and wrangling in Congress …

SINGING FOR RAMADAN – Members of the Little Nasheeds Girls of New Jersey sing during the annual Ramadan Lighting Ceremony held February 23 at the Township Senior/Community Center. The Township’s fifth annual observance of the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan was held on February 23 at the Franklin Township Senior/Community Center. The highlight of the observance was …

STARTING THE EVENT WITH SONG – Jamar Anderson sings “Lift Every Voice and Sing” to begin the Franklin Township Cultural Arts Commission’s Black History Month BASH at the Senior/Community Center. Dance, singing and poetry were the focus of a Black History Month celebration held February 22 at the Franklin Township Senior/Community Center. Sponsored by the township Cultural Arts Commission, the …

MOTHER LANGUAGE CELEBRATION – Performers from the S&R Band & Friends prepare for a song during the International Mother Language Day celebration on February 22. The 25th annual International Mother Language Day was celebrated with speech and song February 22 at the Franklin Township Library’s main branch on DeMott Lane. Created by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization …

The Somerset Community Action Program (SCAP) and Franklin Township are offering a construction and carpentry certification training program to Franklin Township residents affected by the Covid pandemic. The program begins March 3, with courses offered 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays at the Franklin Township Board of Education administration building, 2301 Route 27. The Civil Construction Program is …

CLOTHING FOR A CAUSE – FHS students collect clothing donations February 8 at FMS-Sampson G. Smith campus. Dozens of bags of gently worn clothing were dropped off February 8 at the Franklin Middle School’s Sampson G. Smith campus for the semi-annual clothing drive to benefit Project Graduation. The drives are held in the Winter and Spring, and are among the …

GOING TO BAT FOR HOA – Paul Schneier, a principal with Fleet Franklin, testifies at the February 7 Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing. A township homeowners’ association was given permission by the Zoning Board of Adjustment on February 6 to not build a part of its development included in its 2019 approval. The permission came in the form of a …