The HOWELL Times
Vol. 21 - No. 51
In This Week’s Edition
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 8-11
Inside The Law Page 14
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 15
Classifieds Page 18
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HiGh ScHoOl StUdEnTs, AlUm TaKe HoMe FiLm AwArDs
By Alyssa Riccardi HOWELL – As the school year begins to wrap up, students in the Music, Video, & Production (MVP) track of the Fine & Performing Arts Magnet Program saw a shining success at local film festivals. The MVP Program allows students as freshmen and sophomores to take part in classes with both music and production, and video production, for two years. At the end of their sophomore year, they get to choose between focusing on video or music production. “As the students progress through the grade levels, the projects get a little more complicated and artistic. We start Photos courtesy Scott Napolitano off with things like learning Sophomores Kaitlyn Thomas, Hayden Vigdor, Emma Rodriguez, Will shot sizes and camera move- Alsager and Nick Rescigno after placing second in Video Production in ments. In the senior year they the TSA State Competition. do more experimental work, like longer-form narrative, animation, poetry. Most recently we did a noir project where the students had to work with shadow and light,” said Head Video Production teacher Scott Napolitano, whose been at Howell High School for 12 years. “We cover all different kinds of genres. With the junior and senior classes, we Seniors from the Class of 2024 before the program’s annual Eve of get to meet around one to two MVP - An Evening of Music, Video and Production. (Film Awards - See Page 3)
$500M Monmouth Mall Redevelopment Breaks Ground By Alyssa Riccardi EATONTOWN – Demolit ion ha s beg u n on the site of the for mer Monmouth Mall in Eatontown, which will be replaced by an open-air residential complex. The controversial developer, Kushner, officially broke ground May 9 on “Monmouth Square.” The over $500 million project
will transform the area into 900,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. According to the developer, the facility will feature an expansive public green, a network of pedestrian pathways, 1,000 residential units, and medical office space; in addition to a Whole Foods Market. Monmouth Square reflects Kushner’s initiative
to “de-mall” the historic Monmouth Mall. With shifting retail trends and c o n s u m e r s ch a ng i ng their shopping preferences, these key points have influenced the decision to redesign the mall. Joining in the commencement of the projPhoto courtesy Kushner e c t wa s Se n at or Vi n Principals of Kushner and state and local officials Gopal (D-Monmouth), (Ground - See Page 4) mark groundbreaking of Monmouth Square.
May 25, 2024
Former Police Chief Admits To Obstruction Charges
By Stephanie Faughnan FREEHOLD – Retired Howell Police Chief Andrew Kudrick chose to forgo indictment and instead pleaded guilty to accusations of obstructing justice. The charges stemmed from allegations he lied about a sexual relationship with a subordinate during a township investigation. During the proceedings before Superior Court Judge Paul X. Escandon, Kudrick, 50, admitted to giving false statements about the affair to special counsel during an official investigation conducted by Howell Township. Kudrick acknowledged he was unaware, at the time of the questioning, that his statement was part of a criminal investigation. He further admitted that providing false information violated several provisions of the Howell Township Police Department rules and regulations. “The state has agreed to not take any position with regard to any action instituted against the defendant’s pension,” said Escandon. “But the state objects to civil reservation.” Kud r ick’s at tor ney, Rober t A. Honecker, said the Pension Board is independent and can take their own action regarding the retired police chief’s pension. “We applied for civil reservation meaning that what he said here today, and his guilty plea, can’t be used against him if Howell Township or someone else decides to fi le a civil lawsuit against him,” Honecker said. As par t of the plea deal to the fourth-degree offense, Kudrick will have a criminal record and is permanently barred from holding any public office in New Jersey. He faces up to 18 months in jail and a $10,000 fi ne, although prosecutors are recommending non-custodial probation. Sentencing is (Charges - See Page 4)
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