Dianne L. (Merlo) Senko of Belle Mead, NJ, died early morning on Saturday, July 25, surrounded by loved ones, after a four-year battle with Multiple Myeloma. She was 70.

The Russian School of Mathematics (RSM) brought together more than 1,300 students, parents, and teachers across New Jersey at its annual award ceremony, recognizing 320 students for their achievement in mathematics and their participation in national and international competitions. Among them were 136 students from RSM Princeton, RSM's largest New Jersey location, including many students from Montgomery.

A 20-acre vacant lot at Route 206 and Scarborough Road in Belle Mead is one step closer to becoming a 196-unit community known as Thrive at Montgomery. The Planning Board approved the developer’s minor subdivision and final major site plan at its July 27 meeting. This development has been "in the works" since early 2014.

Zoning evolves based on foundational planning principles, economic shifts, public needs, and legal obligations. One property, a 154-acre parcel located at Scarborough Road and Route 206 in Belle Mead, has a fascinating zoning history that illustrates the evolving needs and priorities of a community over a 65-year period. In is now zoned for senior citizen continuing care facility.

The terms of the following Montgomery School Board representatives will expire in December: Christina Harris, Vanita Nargund, and Victoria “Cookie” Franco-Herman. As of the July 27 deadline at 4 pm, nine people had filed petitions with the Somerset County Board of Elections to run for the board. Harris, who has served on the board since February 2019, was the only incumbent to file.

Answering a call across two and a half centuries, Benjamin Franklin was guest of honor at a well-attended reading of the Declaration of Independence in Rocky Hill Borough Hall on July 8, just prior to the monthly borough council meeting. Dr. Franklin (portrayed by reenactor Donald Crouthamel of Sellersville, PA, a family friend of borough resident Gina Sciaraffo), smilingly acknowledged the cheers and shouts of “Huzzah!” as he entered the room.

Siddartha Prasad Surapanani, 18, of Belle Mead is charged with 2nd degree vehicular homicide after an accident in Raritan, just north of Hillsborough, on Monday, July 27, police said.

In 1980, a company widely called “the first independent software vendor,” Applied Data Research, built its headquarters at 23 Orchard Road in Skillman. By the time the campus had grown into a 234,000-sq-ft, 44-acre office property, it had become a critical part of Montgomery’s business identity. Later, Johnson & Johnson filled its halls. Today, those halls are mostly empty.

Over the past several months, one topic has generated considerable discussion throughout Montgomery Township’s business community: the upcoming opening of Montgomery Promenade. The MBA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting local businesses, promoting economic growth, encouraging residents to shop locally, and fostering connections between businesses, residents, schools, nonprofit organizations, and local government.

Members of the audience chanted "speech," after the Montgomery Township Committee unanimously appointed Douglas Herring at its July 16 meeting to fill a seat recently vacated by former deputy mayor Vince Barragan. Herring, who is a local attorney, photographer, and an active volunteer with the Montgomery Emergency Medical Services (MEMS), complied.

Montgomery leaders are expected to appoint a new township committee member tonight, replacing Vince Barragan who resigned in June and moved to Princeton. The Montgomery Democratic Organization with assistance from the the Democratic County Committee selected three candidates for consideration: Amanda Baumunk, Brian M. Cige, and Douglas Herring.

Simon Duryee was born November 30, 1757 of Joost Duryee and Maritie Van Liew. He was baptized Seymen Derye the next year. He grew up on what we know today as Washington Well Farm on what is now Route 518 in Skillman, NJ. He is buried in the Duryee family burying ground at that site. Simon’s early military career remains elusive.

Peter Michael Ryan, 64, died at home in Phoenix, AZ, in June. He was born in Brooklyn, NY and he grew up in Belle Mead, NJ. He graduated from St. Paul’s Elementary School in Princeton and Notre Dame High School in Lawrence Township, and he earned a bachelor’s degree from University of Vermont.

The Rahma Center and the Montgomery NJ Muslim community celebrated Eid al-Fitr on a quiet Wednesday in late May, amid a spirit of gratitude, and unity. In an era where faith-based communities across the United States navigate a landscape of growing trepidation, the atmosphere in Montgomery felt markedly different—defined by a deliberate, visible embrace of local security and neighborly grace. The celebration was a testament to a partnership between the township’s Muslims and

As electric bicycles continue to grow in popularity, the Montgomery Township Police Department is encouraging all residents to become familiar with New Jersey's updated e-bike laws and to make safety their highest priority.

Montgomery Township, NJ, quietly agreed to pay $80,000 to resolve a lawsuit by a longtime police officer who alleged retaliation after complaining about anti-Jewish comments made by a police sergeant, according to a July report posted by TransparencyNJ.

Each month, Montgomery High School Athletic Director Kris Grundy polls local coaches to select a female and male scholar athlete to spotlight on this page. In addition to a feature article, each athlete receives gift certificates to The Tiger’s Tale and Beniamino's Cucina and Pizza. Emma Scrudato and Jacob Chang are The Montgomery News July Athletes of the Month.

Heading into the South Jersey, Group IV finals, Jacob Chang had already solidified his place on the Montgomery High School, NJ, golf team. The senior earned the captaincy back in the fall, had regularly shot under 80 for head Coach Joe Bassford’s group, and was the model of honesty. Then Chang shot an 83 at the sectional final, a score most can only fathom but one that bumped him out of Bassford’s top four as they headed to the state championship.

Emma Scrudato thought she had fallen in love with lacrosse too late. Until 8th grade, she played goalie in middle school and for Ultimate Lacrosse in Princeton. After that, she became an avid ice hockey player. However, by junior year, the strain of travel hockey had worn on her (and her car’s tires), swaying the pendulum back to lacrosse. It’s never too late to fall in love.

Montgomery Township NJ Police Officer Troy Gonzalez recognized for his professionalism, teamwork, and commitment while assisting an individual experiencing a mental health crisis earlier this year.

A 15-year-old girl suffered a traumatic injury after a fall from a horse at Princeton Show Jumping in Skillman on July 5 at 9:29 am, according to Somerset County dispatchers. Initial reports stated the patient was unresponsive, and the horse may have fallen on her, according to the dispatch. Montgomery firefighters established a landing zone, but the patient regained conscious when the helicopter touched down. The local EMS transported her to the hospital.

Montgomery Township's annual fireworks display was a little different this year. In addition to the live band, dancing, and colorful explosions in the sky, Gen. George Washington and Comte de Rochambeau attended on horseback. Revolutionary War musician William Stives played his fife while Wonder Woman and Captain America greeted the children in attendance on a cool summer evening at Montgomery High School on June 25.

Students who are training peers to recognize signs of mental health struggles got a warm reception at the Township Committee, a contrast to the debate that accompanied the program's school board launch in the fall. Hope Squad, a national peer-to-peer suicide prevention program, launched chapters across Montgomery schools this year. Faculty advisors and student members presented a progress update at the committee’s June 4 meeting.

Van Harlingen Historical Society (VHHS) began a project last year to research and identify soldiers who lived in Western Precinct (known as Montgomery Township since 1798). After countless hours of research, VHHS so far has discovered and confirmed 123 previously unknown soldiers (see names below). And there may be dozens more.