News-pourri

Pillar of Fire International won Zoning Board approval December 3 of a plan to enlarge its church parking lot. The church, located in Zarephath off Weston Canal Road, sought to add 224 new spaces to the rear of the church building.

The Somerset County Park Foundation is providing an opportunity to create a lasting memory in one of the Somerset County parks through the purchase of a Commemorative Brick, Legacy Tree, or Tribute Bench. Purchases support the valuable programs funded by the Park Foundation and offered by the Somerset County Park Commission. The bricks, benches, and trees provide individuals and organizations …

Michael Smith. Update 3: Final certified results were posted on November 20, with no changes in the preliminary results. With 65,996 votes counted in the Board of Education race, the final results were as follows:

A project touted to help reduce the utility bills for township low- and moderate-income families is expected to receive the Township Council’s support. The project was introduced to the Council’s Public Works Committee by representatives from Manhattan-based Dimension Renewable Energy, who propose installing solar arrays on some of the township’s larger warehouse buildings, Township Councilman Ted Chase (D-Ward 1) told …

Township Manager Robert. Vornlocker told teh Township Council that municipal building employees have been hit hard by the coronavirus. (File photo.) Township employees are working modified shifts in an effort to quell a surge in coronavirus infections in the municipal building. Township Manager Robert Vornlocker told the Township Council at its November 24 virtual meeting that the number of employees …

Oscar Rodriguez cuts a ribbon on a van partially purchased with money raised from the community. The van is used for transporting his son, Matthew, foreground, to his doctors’ appointments. Looking on is Nicolas DiMeglio. Family members of a township boy who was nearly killed when he was struck by a car last year gathered together on November 11 to …

The annual Franklin Woman’s Club Tricky Tray fundraiser had to be cancelled this year, but the club developed an online auction in its place. (File photo). The Franklin Woman’s Club is holding an online auction through November 8, as a substitute for the annual Tricky Tray that was cancelled due to the pandemic. The auction features beautiful themed gift baskets, …

Schools Superintendent John Ravally said the fact that nine students and staff tested positive for the coronavirus in October was not the “direct reason” the district started an in-school testing program. (File photo). Update: An outside contractor in contact with the district’s alternative program has tested positive for the coronavirus, district spokeswoman Mary Clark said on November 2. Original Story: …

Former Gov. Chris Christie established this Cameo page to help raise money for the Center for Great Expectations. Former Gov. Chris Christie recently established a Cameo.com page to raise money for the township-based Center for Great Expectations, a fact which came as a surprise to the center’s founder and executive director. “That is so cool,” exclaimed Peg Wright, the center’s …

The winners of the 2020 Trails Advisory Committee’s “Take A Photo From A Trail” photo contest have been announced. The annual contest is open to children and adults and seeks to publicize the benefits of Franklin’s many trails. The categories are each of the areas which host trails.