News-pourri

Photo courtesy American Planning Association – NJ. The historic village of East Millstone has been named a “Great Neighborhood” by the New Jersey chapter of the American Planning Association. The award is one of several given out by the association, according to its web site. East Millstone and the other designees will be feted at an awards ceremony, slated for …

Money and food were raised by the Sodhani Foundation and the Indo-American Association of Canal Walk. A local foundation partnered with a Canal Walk-based group to raise nearly $1,400 for the Franklin Food Bank to help it widen its offerings to its clients. Representatives of the Sodhani Foundation and the Indo-American Association of Canal Walk gathered Oct. 24 at the …

The candidates gave their views on a wide variety of topics, and got in a few digs at their opponents. Topics ranging from government transparency to economic development were discussed at an Oct. 24 forum for the Township Council and Mayoral candidates. Held at the Somerset Run clubhouse, the forum was moderated by the League of Women Voters. Running for …

Franklin Township native son Vito Mistretta, in blue shirt, was honored with his own day at the Oct. 22 Township Council meeting. Oct. 22 was officially declared “Vito Mistretta Day” by the Township Council, in honor of a lifelong township resident credited with helping start the Hamilton Street redevelopment. Mistretta, owner of Vito’s Head Shop on Hamilton Street, is an …

Assistant Superintendent Dan Loughran talks about student achievement at the Oct. 17 Board of Education meeting. Student achievement is on the uptick in literacy, while math skills still need to be improved, the Board of Education was told at its Oct. 17 meeting. Dan Loughran, the district’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, told the board that assessment tests showed …

The second iteration of the Franklin Township Police Department’s “pink car” was officially unveiled Oct. 10. Representatives from the police department, township officials and members of the Sister2Sister Network – the non-profit organization benefiting from the FTPD’s “Pink Patch” fundraising program – were on hand for what’s become an annual event. The pink car is an FTPD detective’s vehicle that …

U.S. Marine recruit Daniel DeAngelis, left, credits FTPD Sgt. Ariel Almora with turning his life around. Franklin Township Police Sergeant Ariel Almora has been acting as a drill instructor in the Somerset County and FTPD youth police academies for years. Although he deals with dozens of young men and women in those sessions, he said he’s never sure if he’s …

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. Musical and cultural groups also presented shows on two …

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. Speakers included Rabbi Eli Garfinkel of Temple Beth El, Mayor Phil Kramer, Somerset County Freeholder …