REMEMBERING HIS SON – Dr. Joseph Apuzzio remembers his late son, Kevin, at the 20th anniversary memorial of the younger Apuzzio’s line-of-duty death on April 11. Looking on is East Franklin Fire Chief Dan Krushinski. Two decades have passed since Kevin Apuzzio ran into a burning home to rescue a stranger, but for those gathered …

The post Fallen East Franklin Firefighter Kevin Apuzzio Remembered 20 Years Later appeared first on The Franklin Reporter & Advocate.

THE PEP TALK – Township Environmental Commission member Stan Jaracz speaks to volunteers April 11 at the start of the annual John Clyde Memorial Stream Cleanup at Seeley’s Run. Armed with grabbers and garbage bags, dozens of volunteers gathered in the morning of April 11 to scour the banks of Seeley’s Run for the annual …

The post Groups Partner On Annual John Clyde Memorial Stream Cleanup appeared first on The Franklin Reporter & Advocate.

CATCHING THEIR BREATH – Members of the Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School VEX IQ Elementary Team, X-Stream, who have qualified for the 2026 VEX Robotics World Championship.The 2026 VEX Robotics World Championship will take place from April 21–30, 2026, at the America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis, Missouri. Students and faculty at Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School have logged a …

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The Rutgers Prep Argonauts exacted a measure of revenge April 9 against the Franklin High School baseball team, defeating the Warriors 15-2 just days after a similarly lopsided win against Rutgers Prep by Franklin. With the loss, the Warriors evened their early record at 1-1 overall and 1-1 in the Skyland conference. Don’t Miss Out! …

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PEP TALK – The Franklin High School Lady Warriors flag football team had an impressive outing against rival Piscataway on April 8. Gianna Mattia threw two touchdown passes and scored another on the ground, and the Franklin High School girls flag football team rolled past Piscataway 44-0 on April 8 in a dominant performance that …

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Gary J. Unterman of Somerset passed away on April 7, at the age of 83. Born in New Brunswick and raised in Highland Park, he lived in Metuchen with his family before moving to Somerset, where he resided for more than 30 years. He worked as a computer consultant for more than four decades, predominantly …

The post Life Story: Gary J. Unterman, 83; Founded Computer Resources Corporation appeared first on The Franklin Reporter & Advocate.

DESIGN EXPLANATION – Architect Bill Feinberg talks about the materials that will be used on the proposed shopping center at Route 27 and Clover Place. A proposed shopping center and restaurant on a site that once housed Somerset County’s first courthouse drew scrutiny from the Township Historic Preservation Advisory Commission on April 7, with members …

The post Historic Commission Calls for Archaeological Survey, Design Changes Before Supporting Shopping Center appeared first on The Franklin Reporter & Advocate.

ON THE RUN – Lady Warrior April Ho is on her way to second base April 7 during Franklin’s softball game against Warren Hills. 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 …

The post Lady Warriors Rout Warren Hills, 15-1, Behind Balanced Offensive Attack appeared first on The Franklin Reporter & Advocate.

03/01/2026 A Somerset resident was the victim of a theft in the area of JFK Blvd. during the overnight hours. The unknown suspect(s) stole the victim’s motor vehicle and left evidence of broken glass behind in the area of the parking stall. The vehicle was entered stolen into a national database. The vehicle was later …

The post FTPD Police Log: March 1-7, 2026 appeared first on The Franklin Reporter & Advocate.

MAN SENTENCED – Police in February blocked off several streets while looking for Kenneth James, who was sentenced March 11. The 34-year-old Somerset man captured in February by police after being on the lam since the summer of 2025 was sentenced to 11 years in state prison for crimes of which he was convicted last …

The post Somerset Man Sentenced To 11 Years In Prison For Weapons, Drug Offenses appeared first on The Franklin Reporter & Advocate.

EXPLAINING THE NEED – Somerset Bible Baptist Church Pastor Brian Fisher tells the Zoning Board why the church needs the proposed gymnasium at the April 2 hearing. Variances that would help pave the way for construction of a 1-story gymnasium behind the Somerset Bible Baptist Church on Cedar Grove Lane were approved April 2 by …

The post Zoning Board Approves Variances For Church’s Proposed Gymnasium appeared first on The Franklin Reporter & Advocate.

STREAM CLEANUP SET – You never know what you’re going to find dumped near a stream. The township Environmental Commission has set the date for the annual John Clyde stream cleanup at Seeley’s Brook. (File photo.) The Franklin Township Environmental Commission’s annual John Clyde Stream Cleanup is set for 9 a.m. to noon on April …

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SPEGG-TACULAR – One of the many children who took part in the April 4 Easter Egg Hunt at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens on Route 27. Two local organizations — a volunteer fire department and a church — welcomed hundreds of children April 4 for Easter egg hunts open to the entire community. Don’t …

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STUDENTS HONORED – Students from Cedar Hill Prep School were honored at the March 24 Township Council meeting for their extra-curricular academic achievements. The Township Council honored students from a local private school for regional, national and international academic achievements, and marked the upcoming 20th anniversary of a line-of-duty firefighter death at its March 24 …

The post Township Council Honors Fallen Firefighter, Celebrates Student Achievers appeared first on The Franklin Reporter & Advocate.

The Board of Education at its last meeting approved a number of contracts. Approved at the March 34 meeting were: 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. …

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SIGN DETAILS – Clint Ehlers of Fast Signs talks about the positioning of a car wash sign on Route 27 at the April 2 Zoning Board meeting. The township Zoning Board of Adjustment April 2 approved a setback variance or a freestanding sign at the Wash King Car Wash on Route 27, with much of …

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RIBBON-CUTTING – The Sensory Dispensary on Davidson Avenue entered the crowded Franklin cannabis market in late 2025 and posted strong 4th Quarter earnings. (File photo) Eighteen township cannabis businesses generated an estimated $30.1 million in gross sales during 2025, an approximate 50% increase over 2024. Don’t Miss Out! No other media outlet covering Franklin Township …

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Elie Kuan (SCVTHS) Elie Kuan, a Somerset resident and junior enrolled in the Academy for Health and Medical Sciences at Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School, was recently named the Principal Cellist, or First Chair, for the New Jersey All-State High School Orchestra. Kuan’s selection as Principal Cellist follows other accolades, including being named …

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MAKING THE CASE – Engineer Michael Ford, foreground, testifies for a minor subdivision application at the April 1 Planning Board hearing. The township Planning Board on April 1 approved a minor subdivision application that will carve out a 1-acre residential lot from a preserved farm along Skillman’s Lane, though not before a lively exchange over …

The post Planning Board Approves Request To Subdivide One Acre From Preserved Suydam Farm appeared first on The Franklin Reporter & Advocate.

TALKING CRICKET – Parks & Recreation Director Stephen Dahl discusses the lack of cricket fields at the April 1 Advisory Recreation Council meeting. Township recreation officials are struggling to meet surging demand for cricket fields as leagues multiply across Central New Jersey, leaving many teams without a place to play. Don’t Miss Out! No other …

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