News-pourri

Two Congressional candidates have weighed in on Pres. Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin, and, as expected, their reactions are split down party lines. Township resident Daryl Kipnis is the Republican challenger to Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman for the state’s 12th Congressional District seat in the House. Trump on July 16 held a controversial meeting …

Hundreds of Franklin Food Bank supporters gathered July 16 at the Palace at Somerset Park for the organization’s annual “Gathering for Groceries.” The event was the second half of a two-pronged fundraiser, the first being “Golf for Groceries,” held earlier in the day at the Royce Brook Golf Club in Hillsborough. The day-long event is the food bank’s largest fundraiser …

Preparations are underway for the annual backpack and school supply drive run by state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17). School supplies will be collected through Sept. 7, according to a press release from Danielsen’s office. “The collective kindness and generosity shown by the wonderful residents, businesses, and social organizations brings unity to our community, which I am proud and humbled to …

Submitted by the Somerset County Planning Board. SOMERVILLE – Somerset County Freeholder Director Patrick Scaglione announces the launch of an exciting initiative to improve bike and trail path connections throughout Somerset County. “The goal is to make our county’s bike paths and trails more user-friendly, more accessible, and safer for our residents,” he said. “We are also encouraging residents to …

There were no surprises for district school officials July 13 when the state released the final aid numbers for the 2018-19 school year. The district will receive $13,966,339 in state aid for teh coming school year, according to information release by the state Department of Education. That represents a $477,486 – or 3.5 percent – increase over the state aid …

RPM Development received Planning Board approval for changes to facades for a project in the township’s Churchill redevelopment area. A package of changes in appearance in one of the township’s redevelopment projects was among the applications approved June 11 by the Planning Board. The board also approved an application that will allow a developer to build two single-family homes on …

A crack in the Naaman Williams Park pool has forced its temporary closure, but the township does have a Plan B. Township Manager Robert Vornlocker told the Township Council July 10 that children who were signed up for programs at the pool will be bused to and from Warrenbrook Pool in Warren and the Bridgewater YMCA pool at no charge. …

It was a siren-wailing, horn-honking, candy throwing group who participated in Middlebush Volunteer Fire Company’s annual July 4 parade through the village. Embarking from the front of the fire house on Olcott Street, and with the accompaniment of patriotic songs blaring from the Middlebush Reformed Church, the marches made their way down Olcott, turned left onto Railroad Avenue, made another …

It looked iffy during the day, but Mother Nature cooperated July 3 and allowed the township to hold its annual Independence Day celebration. Hundreds of people showed up to the municipal complex on DeMott Lane and were greeted by food, games and music. The fireworks display went off as scheduled, with attendees staking out their viewing spots early in the …

The topic of placing a “Peace and Nonviolence” memorial on township open space was once again the topic at a Township Council meeting, with residents telling the council on June 26 that they do not support the proposal. The idea of placing statues and busts of Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Nelson Mandella and Martin Luther King, Jr. on …