The HOWELL Times
Vol. 21 - No. 45
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Basketball Rebels Make History DRAMA UNFOLDS IN GOP PRIMARY R ACE
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 8-9
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 12
Inside The Law Page 14
Classifieds Page 15
April 13, 2024
The Rebels backed each other up and showed good teamwork. By Chris Christopher HOWELL – It was a historic season for the Howell High School girls basketball program. The Rebels, who began play in 1972 (Howell opened in 1964 as Southern Freehold), won their first NJSIAA sectional title in program history. The second-seeded Rebels downed top-seeded Hightstown
48-25 in the Central Jersey Group IV championship game. “Our section has historically been extremely competitive,” ninth-year coach Joseph Santopietro said. “It’s the second time in school history that Howell has played in a sectional final.” Senior Gabrielle Carpenter paced the Rebels with 14 points and
Photos courtesy Howell Rebels added two assists, two steals and one rebound in the final. Led by freshman forward Kylee Beam, who scored the game’s first six points, the winners were up 12-0 after eight minutes. “Kylee’s play started to let us know we could score inside - even against Hightstown’s dominant (Rebels - See Page 2)
By Stephanie Faughnan HOWELL – The upcoming June 4 local primary election is already becoming a political rollercoaster. With the impending end of Mayor Theresa Berger’s second term, the race to succeed her appears marked by controversy and concerns over the fairness of the electoral process. On one side of the aisle, Democrat candidate Matthew Filosa stands unopposed, virtually guaranteed a spot on the General Election ballot. However, it’s the Republican field where the real drama continues to emerge, with three candidates poised to battle it out for the mayoral seat. Sitting council member Fred Gasior and Deputy Mayor Ian Nadel, alongside John Leggio, a member of the Howell Planning Board, form the trio of contenders vying for the Republican nomination. Part of the unfolding dynamics of the contest mirrors concerns voiced by Democrats in a lawsuit advocating for a fairer ballot system. New Jersey’s electoral system uniquely grants preferential ballot treatment to candidates endorsed by county political organizations, traditionally placing them in the same line or row. Nevertheless, Leggio bypassed the screening process with the local Republican organization, opting instead to file the necessary petitions for inclusion on the Republican primary ballot. When Thomas Russo resigned as Deputy (Drama - See Page 4)
Fire Safety Program Captures Seniors’ Attention
By Alyssa Riccardi HOWELL – As seniors at Howell High School gear up and prepare for college, they learn about the importance of situational awareness through the “After the Fire” Program. On January 19, 2000, Shawn Simons and Alvaro Llanos’ lives changed forever. They were college freshmen at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ – roommates on the 3rd floor of Bolan Hall. On that day, the two were trapped and severely burned when a fire was intentionally set in their dormitory on
the campus. The fire resulted in three fatalities, and multiple injuries. Shawn and Alvaro were in the burn unit at St. Barnabas for several months, and experienced years of rehabilitation. Now, the duo travels the country telling their story of survival and perseverance. They recently made their way to Howell High School, where they’ve been presenting their program for the past eight years in collaboration with the Howell Township Fire Bureau and the Howell (Safety - See Page 7)
Photo courtesy Howell Township Fire Bureau Shawn Simons and Alvaro Llanos pictured with Alliance Coordinator Christa Riddle and members of the Howell Fire Bureau.
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