News-pourri

Jersey Cyclone co-owner Jan Chwiedosiuk collects freshly poured cans of Resilience beer in preparation for the February 28 fundraiser. With their backgrounds in two fire services, the owners of Jersey Cyclone brewery on Worlds Fair Drive didn’t have to think twice when they heard of a fundraiser to aid victims of last year’s Australian brush fires. Jan Chwiedosiuk and Brian …

Township library director January Adams, right, speaks to the Board of Education while Board of Trustee member Nicholas Ciampa looks on. The Board of Education February 27 approved the sale of a parcel of land near Franklin Park School to the Franklin Township Library Board, for the use of a new library branch. The planned 5,000-square-foot building will replace the …

Anita and Obiora Okagbue outside their new home. (Photo: Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity.) Submitted by Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity. On a crisp, sunny Saturday morning – the day after Valentine’s Day – a large group gathered on the front lawn of Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity’s 53rd home, to celebrate and congratulate their newest partner-homeowner family, the Okagbues.

An artist’s rendering of the proposed “Shirdi in America” temple planned for a 25-acre tract on South Middlebush Road. A hearing on an application to build a nearly 29,000-square-foot Hindu temple on South Middlebush Road is set to be heard by the Zoning Board of Adjustment on March 5. The project, called “Shirdi in America,” is targeted for a 25-acre …

Architect Dan Simon points out features of the proposed townhouse development to Zoning Board members. A 50-unit townhouse development targeted for a Cedar Grove Lane tract received final site plan approval February 20 from the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The project, known as Promenade at Somerset, received a use variance from the board last year.

Developer Paul Brown talks about his proposed self-storage facility and fast-food restaurant targeted for the Frank’s Building Supply site on Route 27. A four-story self-storage facility targeted for the Route 27 location of Frank’s Building Supply was approved February 19 by the township Planning Board. The board also gave preliminary approval for a proposed fast-food restaurant on the site. The …

The Somerset County Democratic Committee Black Caucus (SCDCBC) will be hosting its Fifth Annual Scholarship Luncheon Fundraiser in honor of future political leaders from 2-6 p.m. March 7 at the Bridgewater Manor, 1251 Rout 206, Bridgewater. Tickets for the event are $65.

Felix and Nucky, left to right, at their “wedding” on Valentine’s Day. It’s not too often you hear a wedding officiant end a ceremony by telling the happy couple that, “you may now sniff each other,” but that’s just what Mayor Phil Kramer found himself doing on Valentine’s Day. Kramer ended his day of conducting weddings at the Municipal Complex …

Tickets are on sale now for the second annual Empty Bowls fundraising event to benefit the Franklin Food Bank. (File photo.) Tickets are now on sale for the second annual Empty Bowls event, set for March 22 at the DoubleTree by Hilton at 200 Atrium Drive in Somerset. Empty Bowls is a community effort to raise both money and awareness …

Rider registration and event sponsorships are now being accepted for the 2020 Franklin Food Bank Tour de Franklin. (Photo: Franklin Food Bank.) Submitted by the Franklin Food Bank. The Tour de Franklin Charity Bike Ride will be held this year on Sunday April 26, at Franklin High School.