Community Corner
Basking Ridge's Year In Review: The Biggest Stories Of 2017
The 600-year-old historic oak tree is cut down, quarry plan unveiled, multiple student deaths: there was plenty to talk about in 2017.

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — The year is almost in the books and needless to say, 2017 had some notable stories.
From the 600-year-old historic oak tree being cut down, the quarry plan being unveiled, multiple student deaths and the township allowing the mosque to be built, there was plenty to talk about in the Basking Ridge area this year.
Below are 10 of the biggest stories from Basking Ridge over the past calendar year:
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10. Former Mayor Among 5 Basking Ridge Women Honored By County
Former Bernards Township Mayor Carol Manuele Bianchi is among five women in the township to be selected as the 2017 Outstanding Women in Somerset County award winners.
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9. Basking Ridge Artist Designs T-Shirt To Commemorate Oak Tree
Sixth grade Hannah Shen artistic talents will forever be highlighted as her design is now featured on T-shirts to celebrate and remember the beloved historic Oak Tree.
8. Basking Ridge Local Saves Man's Life Who Collapses In Store
Carola Stern of Basking Ridge is a very modest, humble and a "low key" person. But her heroic actions on June 13 were something that couldn't be ignored. She performed CPR on a man who collapsed at the Stop & Shop in Basking Ridge.
7. Residents Not Happy With Proposed Quarry Plan In Basking Ridge
Residents shared their opinions and concerns over the draft Quarry Redevelopment Concept Plan that was unveiled in October. The Bernards Township Committee meeting lasted close to three hours as 28 residents took to the microphone, the majority of whom were against the proposed plan.
6. Dolce Basking Ridge Hotel Sells for $30 Million
The Dolce Basking Ridge Hotel, a 171-room, full-service, AAA Four Diamond award-winning hotel and executive conference center was sold for $30 million.
5. Mosque Will Be Built In Basking Ridge, Town Must Pay $3.25M
Bernards Township will allow the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge to build their mosque and also must pay $3.25 million as part of the settlement agreements.
4. Tears Flow As 600-Year-Old NJ Tree Is Being Cut Down
Residents looked on in horror and sadness as one by one the branches of the 600-year-old mighty oak tree in Basking Ridge was taken down in April. "That's so sad." "That's horrible." "It's heartbreaking."
3. Sorrow at Ridge High School After Sophomore, An 'Angel' Who Changed Lives, Dies
She was an angel who was so young. But she was mature beyond her years. Because, even though Kyra O'Dwyer was only a sophomore at a New Jersey high school, she "changed lives forever," friends say.
2. Basking Ridge Middle School Student Dies
Gage Dobson, an eighth grader at William Annin Middle School, died in February.
1. 'Choking Game' Claims Life Of Student
What is known as the "choking game" among students has been linked to the death of one of Bernards Township School District's students within the past year, Superintendent of Schools Nick Markarian wrote in a letter to parents.
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