News-pourri

The forecasters had the snow starting after 10 a.m., but Mother Nature had other plans. Small flakes began falling several hours before that, and by 8:30 a.m., there was already the beginnings of a coating on the streets. The snow just intensified after that, and by mid-afternoon was falling heavy and fast. The initial forecast for our area called for …

More than 160 telephone lines owned by Verizon were damaged June 14 by water, causing phone service outages to homes, businesses, the Board of Education and the police department. Phone service at Hillcrest Elementary School was restored by late in the afternoon of Jan. 15, said district spokeswoman Mary Clark. Also affected was the district’s buildings and grounds department. Verizon …

The state Assembly on Jan. 13 gave final approval for a new vanity license plate for the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, which suits Township Councilman Carl R.A. Wright (D-Ward 4) just fine. “I love the idea,” Wright said. Wright makes no secret of his affection for his college fraternal organization. At the Jan. 1, 2014 council reorganization, Wright sported a …

Measures co-sponsored by state Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula, D-17, that support granting Filipino nationals Temporary Protected Status in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan and would allow for pediatric respite facilities in the state saw action recently. The Assembly on Jan. 6 passed a resolution that would urge the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to grant the TPS status to …

The Family Dollar Store on Hamilton Street will sport a new, larger sign when it reopens. The Zoning Board on Jan. 9 approved the placement of a new sign on the store that is about 13 square feet larger than the previous sign. The increase is due to a change in the corporate logo, said Ira Weiner, the store franchisee’s …

It was known last year as “Bike Without Fear” day, but this year the popular Canal Road event will be called “Canal Road Walk and Roll.” And, it will be held twice: the first time on May 18, with a rain date of June 8, and teh second time on Sept. 7, with a rain date of Sept. 14. Township …

The Zoning Board had Como Drive residents on its mind Jan. 9 when it approved a proposal to build a 3,935-square-foot church at the street’s intersection with Cedar Grove Lane. The unanimous approval came with a laundry list of restrictions: Church services can only be held on Sundays and Thursdays The church parking lot cannot be used for outdoor festivals …

The Planning Board on Jan. 8 approved applications for Trap Rock Industries to build a concrete plant, balconies for a Somerset Street housing development and an outdoor storage plan for a Randolph Road water tank manufacturer. Trap Rock got the OK from the board to construct a 2,400-square-foot concrete manufacturing plant on its property off Kingston-Rocky Hill Road in Kingston. …

U.S. Rep. Rush Holt, D-NJ/12, will hold “community Office Hours’ from 5-7 p.m. Feb. 20, 2014, at the Franklin Township Library, 485 DeMott Lane. Members of Holt’s staff will be available to assist residents who are having problems with Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, the VA, U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services, or any other federal agency, according to a release about …

An application for a controversial digital billboard near Grant Street and Davidson Avenue was approved Dec. 18 by the Planning Board, but that’s not the final word in the matter. That’s because the issue of the Constitutionality of a township ordinance banning digital billboards is making its way through the state Appellate Court system, with a decision not expected to …