News-pourri

Kids can decorate pumpkins at the FTPD’s Community Relations Bureau from 3-6 p.m. on October 23. The coronavirus has put a damper on many things, but township police and the recreation department are trying to put some “normal” back into Halloween. The cops and rec department have teamed up for “Crafts With Cops,” a two-day program ending October 23 through …

Township officials, members of the FTPD and representatives from the ITServe organization at the check presentation. A $5,000 donation made October 21 by a consortium of more than 1,400 IT companies from around the country will be used to help Black students in the township. The donation was made to the Franklin Township Police Department’s Community Relations Bureau, and was …

Members of the FTPD unload food at the Community Relations Bureau on Hamilton Street. (Photo: Franklin Township Police Department). The Franklin Township Police Department and the North Bridge Foundation distributed more than 1,400 boxes of food to township residents on October 19. Operating out of a truck parked at the FTPD’s Community Relations Bureau on Hamilton Street, members of the …

SOMERVILLE – The Franklin Township Police Department joined six other Somerset County law enforcement agencies in wrapping a vehicle in pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The seven agencies displayed their cars in an event October 15 in front of the Somerville Court House, here. Among those representing the FTPD at the event were Public Safety Director Quovella …

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 …

Township Councilwoman Crystal Pruitt was named to InsiderNJ’s 2020 Insider 100 Millennials List. Four Franklin Township residents have been recognized in two lists of statewide political players. The lists – Insider NJ’s 2020 Insider 100 Policymakers and Insider NJ’s 2020 Insider 100 Millennials – were compiled by InsiderNJ.com, a publication read by state politicos and those interested in state politics. …

Capt. Sean Hebbon is the first Black Captain in Franklin Township Police Department history. He is pictured here in 2013 after being sworn in as a Sergeant. The Franklin Township Police Department’s first Black Captain is set to be formally sworn in to his post during the October 13 virtual Township Council meeting. Capt. Sean Hebbon, a nearly 24-year veteran …

An artist’s rendering of the 21,000-square-foot temple proposed for a parcel on South Middlebush Road. In a virtual meeting cut short because of recurring technical difficulties, the Zoning Board of Adjustment on October 1 began hearing testimony about a proposed 21,000-square-foot temple on South Middlebush Road. The board generally takes testimony past 10 p.m., with a 7:30 p.m. start time. …

Franklin resident and state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17) kicked off a winter clothing drive on October 1. The “Head To Toe” drive, which will run through February 15, 2021, will collect hats, scarves, mittens/gloves, and socks for children aged 3 to 16 years. “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were unable to host our annual backpack drive this year,” Danielsen …

The Empty Bowls- Franklin Pottery and Craft sale will be held outdoors on Oct. 3. A modified Empty Bowls Pottery and Craft sale fundraiser for the Franklin Rood Bank has been set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. October 3. The event will be held at 34 Rue Chagall, in Somerset. Available for purchase will be hand-made pottery and other …