The HOWELL Times
Vol. 23 - No. 27
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
December 13, 2025
“The Last Tree Lighting Kicks Off Christmas Season Secretary Of Education” Visits Local School
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Photo by Andrew Rice Secretary of Education Linda McMahon gives her History Rocks presentation to the students at Cedar Drive Middle School.
Government Page 6
Community News Pages 8-9
Inside The Law Page 12
Classifieds
The Rebelation Choir performs at the tree lighting ceremony. By Andrew Rice HOWELL - The Township hosted its tree lighting ceremony to kick off the Christmas season. Citizens and families of Howell gathered together singing Christmas songs, playing winter/Christmas-themed holiday games, drinking hot cocoa, and eating cookies, all before Santa Claus visited them by arriving on a fire truck. The event featured several performances by various musical groups from Howell High School and the Memorial Elementary School fifth-grade
Photo by Andrew Rice
chorus, who sang Christmas songs to get event attendees into the holiday spirit. One of these musical groups that performed was the Howell High School Band. They played well-known Christmas songs such as “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “Joy To The World.” The Howell High School Band is directed by Dr. Anthony Limaldi, who spoke about what it means for him, his program, and the students to be able to perform at an event like this. (Tree Lighting - See Page 3)
Page 16
Teacher’s Illness Delays Sex Crime Case
By Stephanie Faughnan FREEHOLD - The criminal prosecution of former Freehold Intermediate School teacher Allison Havemann-Niedrach was delayed on December 8 after the 44-year-old Jackson resident failed to appear in court for a hearing intended to determine whether the case would resolve through a plea agreement or proceed toward trial. Before Judge Jill O’Malley, attorney Matthew Mordas appeared on
Havemann-Niedrach’s behalf. After meeting in chambers with Mordas and Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Danielle Zanzuccki, O’Malley confirmed that medical documentation had been submitted verifying the defendant was ill and formally excused her absence. “The court is satisfied, based on documents received, that she is not available for today,” O’Malley said from the bench. The December 8 hearing had been
GOLD Exceeds $4,000 an Ounce! OVER 20 YEARS IN BUSINESS
HIGHEST RATED CASH FOR GOLD STORE IN OCEAN COUNTY
scheduled as a formal plea cutoff date. Until now, court proceedings revealed that a medical report was pending, without clarification as to whether it addressed physical health issues, psychological claims, or both. At earlier appearances, counsel indicated the findings could be tied to a potential diminished capacity argument. O’Malley confirmed that the final report is expected from the psychologist (Teacher - See Page 2)
SILVER Nears $50 an Ounce!
90% SILVER • MEDALLIONS FLATWARE • SCRAP • JEWELRY TEA SETS • TRAYS • PITCHERS CANDELABRAS
By Andrew Rice COLTS NECK - Secretar y of Education Linda McMahon made an appearance at Cedar Drive Middle School in Colts Neck as part of the nationwide “History Rocks!” tour, which aims to promote civics and American history education. The visit is tied to the America 250 Civics Education Coalition, a partnership involving the U.S. Department of Education and dozens of national organizations, including the America First Policy Institute, Turning Point USA, Hillsdale College, Moms for Liberty, and others. The Colts Neck Board of Education, and in particular, President Angelique Volpe, is credited with reaching out early, which helped bring national recognition to the district. The
tour will visit schools in all 50 states by the time it is finished. During her visit to the school, McMahon and her team participated in a school-wide assembly, visited individual classrooms and toured several student showcases, and met with select district officials, teachers, and students. The assembly itself included a present at ion of the colors by Colts Neck High School’s ROTC program, the playing of several pat r iotic songs like “America the Beautiful” by the Cedar Drive Middle School band, a speech by McM a h o n , a n d games for the students, where they asked basic questions about American history to the whole school. A reporter voiced concern to McMahon that
(Secretary - See Page 3)
RATED 5 STARS - OVER 1000 POSITIVE REVIEWS!
156 RT 37 EAST • TOMS RIVER, NJ 08753
609-781-6559