News-pourri

Franklin native Jasmin Bonner leads hundreds of protest marchers through the streets of Franklin in a Black Lives Matter-sponsored event on May 31. Hundreds of protesters – possibly up to 1,000 – took to the streets of Franklin on May 31 to call for for an end to institutionalized violence against African-Americans. Organized by Black Lives Matter, the protestors gathered …

School officials are making changes to what the Franklin High School Class of 2020 graduation will look like in the wake of Gov. Phil Murphy’s approval of modified in-person celebrations. What was originally scheduled for two weeks in June – namely, a drive-through, socially distanced ceremony – will now be held the week of July 13, according to a district …

High schoolers are invited to apply to Somerset County Youth Leadership Somerset program, which runs from September 2020 through May, 2021. The sessions are held one Saturday a month and last four to six hours. Applications must be received by May 31, and candidates will be selected by the end of June. Those accepted to the program will receive a …

The FHS Class of 2020’s graduation observance will be unlike any other. The Franklin High School Class of 2020’s graduation will be much different than in years’ past, and will include a short visit to the campus and a virtual reality presentation by an alum. Details of what the graduation observance will be were included in a letter to parents …

Schools Superintendent John Ravally is working with superintendents across the county to devise re-opening plans for schools in September. (File photo.) School officials are planning how buildings will reopen come September, and are making contingency plans if they don’t. Schools Superintendent John Ravally is working with other Somerset County superintendents and the Somerset County Executive Superintendent of Schools to devise …

The Franklin High School Class of 2020’s graduation will look different this year. (File photo.) Franklin High School’s graduation ceremony will be part virtual, part in-person, Project Graduation is cancelled, but there is hope for the senior prom. Those are a few of the elements of the end of the school year observances for the FHS Warrior Class of 2020 …

Franklin may indeed have a farmers’ market this summer. A lack of vendors interested in participating in this year’s planned market caused it to be cancelled earlier in the year. But, as Township Manager Robert Vornlocker said on May 14, there is renewed hope.

The two winning designs in the Venus Jewelers Mother’s Day design contest. (Photo: Venus Jewelers). A 9-year-old township girl was one of two winners in a Mother’s Day jewelry design contest sponsored by a local jeweler. The contest, run by Venus Jewelers in the Rutgers Plaza on Easton Avenue, was held on Facebook, where viewers were invited to vote for …

Although Colonial Park remains open, new rules have been applied to its use. Starting May 9 and continuing on weekends and holidays until further notice, Colonial Drive – the road that runs through the entire park – will be closed to vehicles, according to a press release from the Somerset County Park Commission.

Business and property owners in the Hamilton Street Business District will not be charged an assessment this year, thanks to action taken April 28 by the Township Council. Business and property owners in the Hamilton Street Business District will not have to pay an additional assessment this year, thanks to action taken by the Township Council on April 28. The …