MAYBE NEXT YEAR – Environmental Commission member Stan Jaracz brought up the idea of substituting a drone show for fireworks at next year’s Independence Day celebration at the July 6 meeting. Members of the Township Environmental Commission on July 6 discussed the possibility of replacing the township’s annual Fourth of July fireworks display with a …

The post Environmental Commission Floats Drone Shows as Alternative to July 4 Fireworks appeared first on The Franklin Reporter & Advocate.

06/07/2026 A business located in the area of Somerset St. was the victim of a shoplifting during the early morning hours. An unknown male exited the store without paying for merchandise valued at $50. An employee attempted to stop the suspect and a scuffle ensued, which escalated the incident to a robbery. The suspect fled …

The post FTPD Police Log: June 7-13, 2026 appeared first on The Franklin Reporter & Advocate.

POWER LISTER – Acting state DEP Commissioner Ed Potosnak, a former Township Councilmember, has been named to a statewide power list. (Photo: Insidernj.com). Former Township Councilmember Ed Potosnak has been named to a statewide power list of out LGBT residents. The list – the 2026 LGBT Out Power 100 List” – was compiled by Insidernj.com, …

The post Former Councilmember Potosnak Named To ‘LGBT Out 100 Power List’ appeared first on The Franklin Reporter & Advocate.

Fourteen township residents were among the 147 members of the Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School Career and Technical Education programs and the Academy for Health and Medical Sciences who graduated last month. Township resident Malavika Malanthara was Salutatorian for the Academy for Health and Medical Sciences. Don’t Miss Out! No other media outlet …

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GOLD MEDALISTS – Members of the 2026 National Gold Medal winning SkillsUSA Quiz Bowl team from SCVTHS (left to right): Akshaj Kalepalli (Bridgewater), Abhay Naidu (Bridgewater), Aarav Patel (Hillsborough), Pari Malla (Branchburg), Tanvi Patel (Warren), Daniel Yuh (Somerset). Photo: RVCC. Two Somerset students earned medals at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference, helping Somerset County …

The post Somerset Students Bring Home Gold, Silver From SkillsUSA National Competition appeared first on The Franklin Reporter & Advocate.

Seniors looking to celebrate the Country’s 250th Anniversary in Somerset County can discover engaging activities, learn about local history, and explore historic sites throughout the month of July.  “In addition to each senior center’s in-house activities, the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission also offers an array of history-based programs and events that are available for …

The post Quail Brook Senior Center July Schedule appeared first on The Franklin Reporter & Advocate.

Backpacks and school supplies for those students in need for the upcoming school year are being collected by state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17). The drive is on from now through August 21. Donations can be dropped off at a variety of sites throughout the 17th Legislative District, including: Don’t Miss Out! No other media outlet …

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Holly Attanasio graduated from the University of Rhode Island on May 15, 2026, with a Bachelor of Science in Textiles, Fashion Merchandising, and Design, and a minor in Business of Digital Media.  URI celebrated its Spring Commencement on the Kingston Campus from May 15-17, conferring more than 4,000 undergraduate and graduate degrees. A total of …

The post Warriors On The Academic Move appeared first on The Franklin Reporter & Advocate.

Franklin Township is ringing in America’s 250th anniversary year with its annual Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks at 6 p.m. July 2 at the Franklin Township Municipal Complex, 475 DeMott Lane This free event is open to the general public and will culminate with a spectacular fireworks display at 9:15pm. Don’t Miss Out! No other media …

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A total of 32 school district retiring employees – including schools Superintendent John Ravally – were acknowledged at the June 23 Board of Education meeting. Ravally, who served as Superintendent for 11 years, and Franklin High School Class of 2026 vice principal Rod Brundidge, who was with the District for 24 years, received separate commendations …

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The Board of Education at its June 23 meeting approved contracts worth $757,526.83. The contracts approved are: Don’t Miss Out! No other media outlet covering Franklin Township brings you the depth of information presented by the Franklin Reporter & Advocate. Period. We are the only truly independent media serving the Eight Villages. But we can …

The post School Board Approves $750K In Goods And Services Purchases appeared first on The Franklin Reporter & Advocate.

VALEDICTORY ADDRESS – Rohan Amin, the Franklin High School Class of 2026 Valedictorian, at the June 26 graduation ceremony in Warrior Stadium. Franklin High School sent off its Class of 2026 on June 26 with a commencement ceremony at Warrior Stadium, where the Salutatorian challenged graduates to push past the “what ifs” that come with looking …

The post FHS Class Of 2026 Told To Push Past ‘What Ifs’ appeared first on The Franklin Reporter & Advocate.

CLASS SPEAKER – Denise Harper, president of Franklin Middle School – Hamilton Street campus 8th Grade, speaks during the FMS Moving Up Ceremony June 26 at Franklin High School. Students from Franklin Middle School’s Hamilton Street and Sampson G. Smith campuses gathered at Franklin High School on June 25 for their 8th Grade Moving Up …

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A 28-year-old Highland Park woman was arrested for hindering apprehension during a trespassing investigation at a business located in the area of Somerset St. She was found inside of a business after hours and provided a false name to the investigating officers. She also had outstanding warrants out of New Brunswick. She was processed and …

The post FTPD Police Log: May 31 – June 6, 2026 appeared first on The Franklin Reporter & Advocate.

HAVIN’ A PARTY – Township Councilman Ram Anbarasan announced on June 23 that a FIFA final game watch party will be held at Franklin High School. A watch party for the final championship game of the FIFA World Cup will be held from 3-6 p.m. July 19 at Franklin High School. Don’t Miss Out! No other …

The post FIFA Final Watch Party Set For FHS Auditorium appeared first on The Franklin Reporter & Advocate.

EXPLAINING THE CHANGES – Township Manager Robert Vornlocker describes the changes to the Township’s cannabis regulations at the June 23 Township Council meeting. Operating a cannabis business in Franklin Township is about to get more expensive. Don’t Miss Out! No other media outlet covering Franklin Township brings you the depth of information presented by the …

The post Township Council Introduces New Cannabis Business Regulations, Including Annual Fees appeared first on The Franklin Reporter & Advocate.

LATE HUSBAND HONORED – Linda Williams, left looks on as Township Councilwoman Kimberly Francois reads a proclamation about her late husband, Earl C. Williams, at the June 23 Council meeting. The 1971 National League Rookie of the Year was honored June 23 by the Township Council, which voted to rename the township street he lived …

The post Winston Drive Honorarily Named For Earl C. Williams, 1971 NL Rookie Of The Year appeared first on The Franklin Reporter & Advocate.

END-OF-YEAR CELEBRATION – Board of Education members, district officials, teachers, and students gathered June 23 at Franklin Middle School – Hamilton Street campus for the annual Road To Success program celebration. The Township school district’s Road to Success program held its annual end-of-year celebration June 23 at the Franklin Middle School’s Hamilton Street campus, honoring …

The post Franklin Township’s Road To Success Program Celebrates 43 Students, 14 Graduating Seniors At Year-End Event appeared first on The Franklin Reporter & Advocate.

FOOD BANK POETRY SLAM – Derek Smith, executive director of the Franklin Food Bank, speaks during the 2026 “Rising Tides of Hunger” poetry contest finals, June 16 at Franklin Middle School – Sampson G. Smith campus. More than a dozen students from across the school district won prizes recently in the second annual Rising Tides …

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KEYNOTE SPEAKER – State Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez speaks to the Central Jersey College Prep Charter School Class of 2026 during their June 18 graduation ceremony. Central Jersey College Prep Charter School sent off 121 graduates on June 18, continuing a 16-year streak of 100% graduation and 100% college acceptance as speakers urged the Class of …

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