News-pourri

CORNERSTONE DONATION – Pastor Sung No of Praise Presbyterian Church presents Derek Smith, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Bank, with a $50,000 donation. (Photo: Franklin Food Bank.) Praise Presbyterian Church of Cedar Grove Lane recently donated $50,000 to the Franklin Food Bank’s “Franklin Cares Capital Campaign.” The donation is considered a cornerstone donation in the Food bank’s campaign to …

In celebration of International Dark Sky Week – April 13–20 – the Franklin Township Astronomy Club is leading a series of community-focused events aimed at raising awareness about light pollution and inspiring practical action at the local level. With the support of the Franklin Township Environmental Commission, FTAC has submitted a proclamation request to the Township Council recognizing International Dark …

FOOD GIVEAWAY – Volunteers wait for the next cars to come in the March 31 food distribution at Franklin Middle School – Hamilton Street Campus. A large-scale food distribution, set to serve up to 500 families, was held March 31 at the Franklin Middle School – Hamilton Street campus. Don’t Miss Out! No other media outlet covering Franklin Township brings …

EXPLAINING THE DESIGN – Shaun Joseph, an architectural consultant for VDS Development Partners & Advisors, explains aspects to the company’s conceptual plan to finish the Renaissance 2000 project along Route 27 to the Redevelopment Agency on March 30. The company that wants to take over the unfinished Renaissance 2000 development project along Route 27 introduced itself to the township Redevelopment …

MAN OF THE HOUR – Schools Superintendent John Ravally was honored at the March 29 Warrior For Life Scholarship Foundation Sneaker Ball, held at The Imperia by Dhaba. Outgoing schools Superintendent John Ravally was honored on March 29 for his 11 years of service to the school district at the Warrior For Life Scholarship Foundation Sneaker Ball at the Imperia …

LIVING HISTORY – “Deborah Sampson,” a woman who disguised herself as a man to fight in the American Revolution, tells her story at the “Could You Have Done It?” event March 28. A special Franklin 250 Committee program honoring Women’s History Month was held March 28 at Franklin Middle School – Sampson G. Smith campus. Don’t Miss Out! No other …

Township Councilman Shubhendu Singh was the only person to file a petition for the Ward 1 Council seat for the June primary. Singh was appointed to the seat in February. Former Councilmember Ed Potosnak resigned in January following his nomination as Commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Protection by Gov. Mikie Sherrill. Don’t Miss Out! No other media outlet …

WELCOME ABOARD – Corey Cohen, the District’s new Supervisor of Elementary Special Education, and Janet Warbeck, the District’s new Supervisor of ESL and Bilingual Education, speak to the school board at the March 24 meeting. Two new educational supervisors were introduced at the March 24 Board of Education meeting. Don’t Miss Out! No other media outlet covering Franklin Township brings …

The Franklin Township Police Department is partnering with Goya Foods and several civic organizations March 31 in a large-scale food giveaway to as many as 500 families in need. The event is set to take place from 4-6 p.m. at Franklin Middle School – Hamilton Street Campus, 415 Francis Street. Don’t Miss Out! No other media outlet covering Franklin Township …

EXPLAINING THE NUMBERS – Stephen Fried, the school district’s business administrator, reviews the 2026-27n preliminary budget at the March 24 school board meeting. A $221 million general fund preliminary budget for Fiscal Year 2027 was introduced March 24 by the Board of Education. The $220,518,992 preliminary budget is powered by a $194,391,315 tax levy, an 8.3% increase over the FY …