News-pourri

A female township police lieutenant faced a steady stream of gender discrimination from top police brass and other officials that culminated earlier this year in her being placed on administrative leave after a “manufactured” claim of harassment was lodged against her, according to a recently filed lawsuit. Additionally, the Franklin Township Police officer, Lt. Kristen Durham, charges in the suit …

A 12-year educational veteran was named the first vice-principal of the new Claremont Road Elementary School May 24 by the Board of Education. Madlen Rizkalla will follow her former boss from Franklin Park School to the new elementary school, slated to open in September. She begins her new job on July 1 with a salary of $95,000. “This has been …

The school district’s educators of the year were honored May 24 in an annual breakfast held at the Imperia on Easton Avenue. Each of the district’s eight schools were represented by a teacher of the year and an educational services professional of the year. Introductions were made by building principals, and the awards were handed out by Board of Education …

Township resident Madison Whiting was one of 11 area students to recently receive scholarships from Somerset County 4-H. The 4-H Youth Development Program is part of Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension. Open to members and alumni of the Somerset County 4-H Youth Development program, the 11 winners will receive a total of $21,000 for their continuing education. …

The inaugural Graduation Conference, sponsored by the Warrior For Life Scholarship Foundation and the Franklin Youth Initiative is set for noon to 3 p.m. June 17 at the township Community/Senior Center in the Municipal Complex on DeMott Lane. The event is designed to provide resources to township students and families focused on pre-college programming, post-high school planning, and career readiness. …

Submitted by ZTrek. The annual ZTrek fundraising cycling event is slated to take off July 28 from the ZCC Children’s Christian Ministry Church in Zarepath. ZTrek is a cycling event designed to raise money and awareness for people in need. Started by a small group of dedicated cyclists in 2007 riding 500 miles over several days, the event is now …

Submitted by Raritan Valley Community College. Learn about Raritan Valley Community College’s academic and career programs at a variety of Information Sessions being offered in June at the College’s Branchburg campus. The following events have been scheduled: Health Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science & Career Programs Information Session, Tuesday, June 5, 9-11:30 a.m. (Gym): Learn about the College’s academic programs in …

Dyllan Burrell was remembered May 19 for his faith, his sense of humor and his ability on the football field during his funeral at Eternal Life Christian Center on Franklin Boulevard. Mourners packed the center’s sanctuary to pay their respects to the 14-year-old Franklin High School freshman who died on May 8, after he collapsed during gym class. People representing …

It was delayed by two days because of rain, but the annual St. Matthias carnival formally opened on May 17. The carnival is the largest fund-raiser for the church, the St. Matthias School and various missions supported by the church. The field was a bit muddy is spots from all the rain of the past few days but that did …

Repair work and upgrades to a gas line on Elizabeth Avenue will take at least another two weeks to complete, a PSEG spokeswoman said May 17. The work is being done across the street from Elizabeth Avenue School. Routine monitoring of the site in late April led to the discovery of a gas leak, said PSEG spokeswoman Lauren D. Ugorji. …