News-pourri

FOOD BANK FUNDRAISER – Derek Smith, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Bank, center, speaks to two attendees during the seventh annual Empty Bowls fundraiser at the DoubleTree Hotel. It was all smiles among the Franklin Food Bank officials March 9 after the seventh annual Empty Bowls fundraiser for the Franklin Food Bank, held at the DoubleTree Hotel. The event …

CELEBRATING WOMEN – Township Councilwoman Kimberly Francois, Somerset County Commission Director Shanel Robinson, Somerset County Surrogate Tina Jalloh, and Township Deputy Mayor Shepa Uddin (left to right) talk to attendees at the March 7 Thinai America International Women’s Day celebration at the Township Library. Celebrating the successes of local women in politics was the theme of the International Women’s Day …

Two township-based businesses are among 23 throughout the state recently awarded a total of $1.7 million in state grants for developing technology, therapeutics, and other solutions to address maternal and infant health challenges. The businesses, both located in Somerset, are Primo PharmaTech, which creates novel drug delivery technology, and MedifVu, which develops technologies to help determine the nest treatment plans …

TRAFFIC TALK – Matthew Seckler, the traffic engineer for a two-warehouse project on Veronica Avenue, testifies to the Planning Board at the March 5 hearing. Two warehouses measuring 75,000 square feet each were approved by the Planning Board for a tract of land on Veronica Avenue on March 5. The two warehouses will be located on a 17-acre site next …

BUDGET NEWS – Schools Superintendent John Ravally speaks about the challenges the District faces in creating the Fiscal Year 2026 budget at the February 27 Board of Education meeting. The school district is facing a certain 3 percent reduction in state aid and an uncertain amount of federal aid in the run-up to creating the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Figures …

NEW HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL – Genesi Miles speaks to the Board of Education February 27 after being named the new Franklin High School principal. A 5-year veteran of the district school system was named the new Franklin High School principal at the February 27 Board of Education meeting. Genesi Miles is currently the Pine Grove Manor elementary school principal, a …

CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION – State Assemblyman Joe Danielsen has introduced a bill that could lead to women’s reproductive rights being codified in the state Constitution. Saying the state needs to take a “bold and proactive step” to protect women’s reproductive rights in New Jersey, state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen recently made the first move toward codifying that protection in the state Constitution. …

NEW FTPD OFFICERS – Capt. Brandon Domotor and Captain Vincent Wilson, left to right, are ceremonially sworn into their new positions while Public Safety Director Quovella Maeweather holds the Bible at the February 25 Township Council meeting. Seven Franklin Township Police patrol officers were ceremonially sworn in and eight FTPD senior officers were promoted at the February 25 Township Council …

CDBG INFORMATION – Deborah Mitchell, the Township’s CDBG Program Administrator, talks about this year’s program at the Township Council’s February 25 meeting. Uncertainty in the federal government over what programs, if any, will be funded has begun to seep into official Franklin Township. Between the aggressive cost-cutting efforts of the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency and wrangling in Congress …

SINGING FOR RAMADAN – Members of the Little Nasheeds Girls of New Jersey sing during the annual Ramadan Lighting Ceremony held February 23 at the Township Senior/Community Center. The Township’s fifth annual observance of the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan was held on February 23 at the Franklin Township Senior/Community Center. The highlight of the observance was …