News-pourri

Left to right, Mike Mesaros, Dennis Diken, Marshall Crenshaw and Jim Babjak, the Smithereens, performed Sept. 7 at a benefit for the Franklin Food Bank. In what its organizer hopes will become an annual event, a township farm resonated with the sound of rock ‘n roll on Sept. 7 to raise money for the Franklin Food Bank. The inaugural concert …

Representatives from an East Millstone church were told Sept. 3 that they’d have to make a return trip to the township’s Historic Preservation Commission with more information about an expansion project they’re planning. The group, from Calvary Community Church on Franklin Street, needs to give the commission information on the type of facade materials that will be used, and more …

Children play in the Colonial Park spray park after its official opening on Aug. 30. The long-delayed spray park at Colonial Park finally opened on Aug. 30, and the initial reviews were positive. The opening of the 6,500-square-foot park, located next to the Morgan Pellowski Playground on Colonial Drive, was delayed more than a year due to changes in contractors …

The annual Week of the People back to school event was held Aug. 24 at Naimann Williams Park. The day featured games, food, musical entertainment, presentations by local groups and a student backpack and school supply giveaway. Here are some scenes from the day:

Darrin Russo. The issue of Franklin Township Police officers’ use of “union time” has made its way into the race for Somerset County Sheriff. Republican Sheriff candidate Bill Parenti said in a report published on Aug. 22 that his Democratic opponent, retired FTPD Lt. Darrin Russo, should repay the township for the 273 hours of “union time” Russo took in …

Balloons in honor of loved ones lost to violence are released at the 2017 Week of the People event. (File photo.) The 48th annual Week of the People back-to-school event is set to run from 2-7 p.m. Aug. 24 at Naimann Williams Park on Matilda Avenue. The free event will provide educational essentials to children grades K-12, as well as …

The tour raises money to fund prostate screenings and other outreach efforts. (File photo). There’s still time to register for the annual RCDCU “Bike to Fight Prostate Cancer” bike tour. The event is set from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 21, and will start and finish at Franklin Middle School – Hamilton Street Campus, 415 Francis St. The tour, …

Members of the 1994 Franklin High School state championship football team gathered Aug. 17 for their 25th reunion. Members of the Franklin High School 1994 championship football team, and their coaches, huddled at the Twenty/20 tap house Aug. 17 to mark the 25th anniversary of their taking the state trophy home. Organized by Robert Edmond, one of the team’s three …

Township Manager Robert Vornlocker said he and township attorney Lou Rainone are reviewing information on the FTPD’s use of “union time” paid leave to see if any of it was granted inappropriately. In the wake of allegations of “substantial mismanagement” by the township police department’s former top brass, officials are determining which FTPD officers may have inappropriately used a benefit …

U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12) speaks during the mental health panel discussion July 29 at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens. Better access to mental health services and bringing an end to “systemic and structural racism” and the stress that causes were pegged at a July 29 forum as two key ways to stem the high incidence of suicide …