General News

The woman who hopes to replace U.S. Rep. Rush Holt in Congress paid a visit Aug. 16 to the township Democratic organization. State Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, (D-Mercer) stopped by the Franklin Democrats’ annual picnic in Colonial Park. Watson Coleman is running for the NJ 12th Congressional District seat being vacated by Holt. She faces Republican Aleita Eck in the …

Here’s a little bit of trivia for ya: From 1972 to 1975, the township was home to the Big Man and his family. The Big Man being, of course, Clarence Clemons, long-time saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band. Clemons eldest son, Clarence Clemons III – who goes by Nick – has fond memories of his time in Somerset, even …

Patrick Colligan, a 23-year veteran of the township police department, was installed July 15 as the president of the state Policemen’s Benevolent Association. The ceremony took place at The Pines in Edison. Colligan was the delegate for PBA Local 154 – the township’s chapter – for 12 years. He has served on several committees at the state level, and has served as …

It was a week late, but residents came out anyway on July 11 to celebrate Independence Day with music, food, games and, of course, fireworks. The event was held in the municipal complex off DeMott Lane. Along with the vendors, various township organizations set up tables and distributed literature and give-aways. The celebration was delayed a week because of inclement …

It was delayed by a few hours, but the 79th annual Middlebush Volunteer Fire Department July 4 parade went off without a hitch. The parade route started at the firehouse on Olcott Street, wound around Railroad Avenue and up South Middlebush Road to Amwell Road, where a left turn brought it back to Olcott. Besides the host company, participating were units from …

“Tripod” is a three-legged cat who had been missing since May 23. He’s mainly white, but has dark spots on his tail and face, and two round dark spots on one side. He’s been found, and is happy at home with his family.

Florine Magee, a resident at Parkside Senior Housing, got a shock one recent morning when she went to ride the elevator. “It was about 5:20 in the morning, and I was going to the gym to work out,” she said. “The elevator door opened, and there was a young man in the elevator. I said, ‘Do you live here?’ and he …

Dogs of all sizes and shapes gathered May 4 at Colonial Park for the 7th Annual “Paws for a Cause” fundraiser for Second Chance for Animals. The organization supplies volunteers for and funds the Franklin Township Animal Shelter on DeMott Lane. Event organizer Tom Young said he was happy with the turnout, even though the numbers might have been suppressed by …

As it has for the past several years, the Township Council has declared April 27 as “Sierra Leone Day” in Franklin. The proclamation designating the day was approved at the council’s April 22 meeting. April 27 is the African nation’s independence day. Mayor Brian Levine (R) noted that the township has one of the largest Sierra Leonean communities in the …

A township military couple wed by Mayor Brian Levine in 2011 surprised the Mayor at the April 22 Township Council meeting with a commemorative plaque from Afghanistan. Army Sgt. Santos Avilez and his wife, Air Force Sgt. Grisselle Avilez, presented Levine with the plaque during the meeting’s public portion. The plaque includes a flag flown in a combat mission over …