News-pourri

The annual Franklin Day Festival drew sunny skies and thousands of visitors Sept. 28 to Colonial Park. Along with the usual craft vendors, township booths and food vendors, there were kids’ games, an antique car show and a visit from New Jersey National Army Guard soldiers via a Blackhawk helicopter landing.

Firefighters, EMTs and their supporters gathered at St. Matthias Church on John F. Kennedy Boulevard Sept. 11 to once again honor first responders who died in the terrorist attacks 18 years ago. Participants came from departments across the township to hear the names of the firefighters, EMTs and police officers killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon …

The township on Sept. 10 held its annual Patriot Day Memorial Ceremony, remembering the six Franklin residents who died in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The event was held at the township’s 9-11 Memorial Garden, next to the main branch of the township library.

Left to right, Mike Mesaros, Dennis Diken, Marshall Crenshaw and Jim Babjak, the Smithereens, performed Sept. 7 at a benefit for the Franklin Food Bank. In what its organizer hopes will become an annual event, a township farm resonated with the sound of rock ‘n roll on Sept. 7 to raise money for the Franklin Food Bank. The inaugural concert …

Representatives from an East Millstone church were told Sept. 3 that they’d have to make a return trip to the township’s Historic Preservation Commission with more information about an expansion project they’re planning. The group, from Calvary Community Church on Franklin Street, needs to give the commission information on the type of facade materials that will be used, and more …

Children play in the Colonial Park spray park after its official opening on Aug. 30. The long-delayed spray park at Colonial Park finally opened on Aug. 30, and the initial reviews were positive. The opening of the 6,500-square-foot park, located next to the Morgan Pellowski Playground on Colonial Drive, was delayed more than a year due to changes in contractors …

The annual Week of the People back to school event was held Aug. 24 at Naimann Williams Park. The day featured games, food, musical entertainment, presentations by local groups and a student backpack and school supply giveaway.

Darrin Russo. The issue of Franklin Township Police officers’ use of “union time” has made its way into the race for Somerset County Sheriff. Republican Sheriff candidate Bill Parenti said in a report published on Aug. 22 that his Democratic opponent, retired FTPD Lt. Darrin Russo, should repay the township for the 273 hours of “union time” Russo took in …

Balloons in honor of loved ones lost to violence are released at the 2017 Week of the People event. (File photo.) The 48th annual Week of the People back-to-school event is set to run from 2-7 p.m. Aug. 24 at Naimann Williams Park on Matilda Avenue. The free event will provide educational essentials to children grades K-12, as well as …

The tour raises money to fund prostate screenings and other outreach efforts. (File photo). There’s still time to register for the annual RCDCU “Bike to Fight Prostate Cancer” bike tour. The event is set from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 21, and will start and finish at Franklin Middle School – Hamilton Street Campus, 415 Francis St.