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.