The HOWELL Times
Vol. 22 - No. 24
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Thousands Gather For Tug-Of-War Fundraiser
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 8-11
Dr. Izzy Sound News Page 15
Inside The Law Page 16
Classifieds Page 19
Photo courtesy Manasquan Inlet Tug of War Point Pleasant Beach and Manasquan are currently tied after six years of competition. By Alyssa Riccardi POINT PLEASANT BEACH – A friendly rivalry between two local towns has grown into a major fundraising event at the Jersey Shore. The annual Manasquan Inlet Tug-of-War has been going strong for six years. Thousands came out to watch Manasquan and Point Pleasant Beach go head-to-head pulling a 1,200-foot rope across the Manasquan Inlet, which stretches to about 500 feet. “The event was fantastic. The weather could not
Local Author Teaches Empathy For Neurodiverse Children
By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER - Alyssa Lego, a 22-year-old Boston College senior from Toms River, is on a mission to raise awareness about autism. Inspired by her brother Michael, who is nonverbal, Alyssa has dedicated time and creativity to telling stories
that foster understanding and empathy around neurodiversity. “My younger brother is 19 and on the autism spectrum,” Alyssa shared. “Michael is two and a half years younger than me, and growing up, I realized that he experienced a lot of ableism, (Author - See Page 3)
have been better,” event chairman Geoff Brown from the Manasquan Recreation Department said. “Every year we’re bringing in new people and it’s exciting. A tremendous event for both towns and both communities had a great time.” The event consisted of about nine heats, with over 200 tuggers participating for the cause. “For this year, we’ve probably had the best weather we’ve ever had. That resulted in an absolutely fantastic turn out. According to police estimated it (Tug-Of-War - See Page 5)
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Alyssa Lego displays the books she wrote.
November 23, 2024
Officials Respond To Potentially "Deadly" Road By Liz Ciocher HOWELL – Following reports from a concerned citizen of Howell, new traffic signs have been added alongside Western Drive with the intention of increasing drivers’ awareness of their surroundings. Chelsea Cella, a mother of a child with severe autism, spoke at a recent council meeting with concern of what she called a ‘deadly traffic issue’ on Western Drive. “My child can run at any point into the street, and I just consistently watch people that pass her school bus [in their cars],” she said. “People ignore us standing there.” She also spoke of a speed st udy that was conducted on her road, which estimated some vehicles reaching over 65 mph in their commute. Cella’s daughter has a rare genetic mutation which causes her to face behaviors similar to children with autism and ADHD, along with behaviors similar to people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. According to her public comment at the meeting, Cella has been living in Howell
Township for twelve years and was promised police presence on her road to control the negligence and speeding of drivers, but has not seen them. Along with concern for her own daughter, Cella spoke about fear she was experiencing for two other disabled children and family pets that live on Western Drive because of the excessive speeding. “If something isn’t done with this street, there is going to be a dead child or a dead person. I am begging you to do something about it,” Cella said. Joe Clark, Howell Township manager, reassured Cella he would make speaking with the police and the traffic division his top priority the mor ning following the council meeting. Days later, the Traffic Safety Unit of the police de pa r t ment analyzed and considered the facts of Cella’s st atement s and installed traffic signs stating “Autistic Child.” “After consideration of the facts and the unique circumstances sur rounding the homeowner’s situation, Public Works (Road - See Page 5)
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