News-pourri

Legislation sponsored by state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17) that would expand medical parole for non-violent inmates and cut costs at jails was signed into law Sept. 13 by Gov. Chris Christie. The new law supplants one that granted limited medical parole for inmates who were deemed to have six month sor less to live.

It’s all speculation at this point, but there is a possibility that if a YMCA is built in the township, it could have both an indoor and an outdoor swimming pool. That was the word Sept. 19 from Township Manager Robert Vornlocker, who was speaking at the monthly Open Space Advisory Committee meeting.

A variety of events await visitors to the fourth annual Franklin Day Festival, set for noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 23. Last ear’s event, held in Colonial Park, drew more than 10,000 visitors, and organizers say they expect more this year.

Submitted by Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders. The Somerset County Commission on the Status of Women is conducting its eighth annual “Project Warm Your Heart” to collect new or gently-used coats, mittens, gloves, scarves and hats for children only. Donations are requested by Oct. 31.

Two historic homes in the township have been added to this year’s “Weekend Journey Through the Past,” a Somerset-County wide celebration of county history. Sponsored by the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, the event is set for Oct. 14 and 15 at various locations in the county.

More than 200 cyclists – a new record – showed up Sept. 16 for the annual RCDCU Ride Against Prostate Cancer. The ride, sponsored by Renaissance Cyclists Defeating Cancer United, began and ended at Franklin Middle School.

Township Councilwoman Shanel Robinson (D-At Large) is among a group of area community leaders spearheading an effort to gather items needed by survivors of Hurricane Henry in Texas. Robinson is joined on the Somerset-Middlesex county steering committee by New Brunswick City Council President Glen Fleming, community advocate Tormel Pittman and philanthropist Ashton Burrell of Highland Park.

Township officials, faith leaders, first responders and others on Sept. 12 honored the six township residents who were killed in the terrorist attacks in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. The Franklin Township Police Department’s Honor Guard and members of St. Matthias Cub Scout Pack 195 led the Pledge of Allegiance, and welcoming remarks were given by Township Councilman …

The Franklin Reporter & Advocate recently asked readers of our Facebook page to share with us their most prominent memory of the terrorist attacks on Sept 11, 2001. We preset them here, in commemoration of the 16th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

About 1,000 tiny plastic “paratroopers” landed in the outfield of TD Bank Ballpark Sept. 10, for a good cause. The Basilone Memorial Foundation, established to honor Raritan-born-and-bred John Basilone for his service in the U.S. Marines during World War II, held the event as a fundraiser.