The HOWELL Times
Vol. 23 - No. 28
In This Week’s Edition
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Government Page 5
Community News Pages 6
Inside The Law Page 8
Classifieds Page 12
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Student Recognition Ceremony Held
Snow Brings Winter To Farmers Market
By Andrew Rice HOWELL - The Howell Township Farmers Market held its winter market despite the heavy snowfall that hit the town earlier that same morning. Patrons braved the icy roads and cold conditions to get their fix of locally handmade artisan crafts and food. Instead of hosting the event outside in the bitter cold, the event was moved inside the Echo Lake Pavilion so that the vendors and their customers could resume normal business. The township ensured that the parking lot was properly plowed before the event started. Holiday music was played over a loudspeaker to give the market a festive feel. Many of the local favorites returned for this market, along with a few new businesses that also made an appearance. One of the returning favorites is the Sour Dough Streets, run by Desiree Ruas. The Sour
Photo by Andrew Rice The Winter Market had a number of vendors, such as Feel and Wonder Sensory. Dough Streets is a cottage bakery stand that sells sourdough baked goods. According to Ruas, her stand has become so popular that it usually sells out of product within the first two hours of the market being open. However, this time was different
because of the poor weather, meaning that those who showed up later to the event had a chance to buy some of her product. Ruas bakes all of her products out of her own home, which has become a micro-bakery where patrons can pick up
December 20, 2025
curbside baked goods. Another fan favorite that returned for this market was the Nuts For Birds stand. The owner, Erin Cook, and her son Matthew make Eco-Friendly Gourmet Bird Cakes and Feeders meant to attract (Market - See Page 2)
By Andrew Rice FREEHOLD - The Fr e e h old Reg io n a l High School District’s Student Recognition Award Ceremony saw students from across the district get honored for their incredible feats during the fall semester of the school year. The event was hosted by Freehold Township High School. Several students from Howell High School were honored for their academic, athletic, and other sorts of prowess they showed in after-school activities. Howell High School’s pr i ncipal, Jeremy Braverman, called out all of the academic awards while the supervisor of extracurricular activities, Peter Meehan, called those who were honored in their after-school activities to the stage. The f irst students called to the stage from Howell High School
Fundraiser Launched For Critically Injured Teen
By Jason Allentoff HOWELL - A community fundraiser has been created to support the family of 13-year-old Mia Martinez, who remains in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle outside her home in Howell. According to family friend Arielle Vizzini, who has known the Martinez family for more than two decades, the teenager was crossing the street when she was hit. She was transported to a
trauma center, where doctors determined her injuries were far more extensive than first believed. Mia, one of five siblings, is described by her family as a bright and caring girl who excels in school and loves spending time with friends and relatives. She is also an aunt to a toddler and was eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new nephew. Vizzini said Mia is expected to remain hospitalized for an extended period. She faces multiple surgeries and will
GOLD Exceeds $4,000 an Ounce! OVER 20 YEARS IN BUSINESS
HIGHEST RATED CASH FOR GOLD STORE IN OCEAN COUNTY
likely require long-term rehabilitation, including physical, occupational, speech and cognitive therapy, as well as ongoing neurological and pain management care. “The scope of what lies ahead is overwhelming,” Vizzini said. “There is no way to estimate the total cost right now, but the financial burden will be immense.” The online GoFundMe aims to help (Fundraiser - See Page 5)
SILVER Nears $50 an Ounce!
90% SILVER • MEDALLIONS FLATWARE • SCRAP • JEWELRY TEA SETS • TRAYS • PITCHERS CANDELABRAS
Photo courtesy Martinez Family Mia Martinez
were the five students who achieved national gold in the Technology Student Association (TSA) program. Other academic achievements from the school that were honored at the meeting include several students from Howell who were named National Merit Scholars. The first students to come to the stage to be honored for their achievements in their extracurricular activities were the members of the chorus who earned all-shore status. All-shore status is awarded to students who are considered the best in their specific extracurricular activity within the Shore Conference. One of the girls’ soccer players from Howell, Makenzie Memmolo, was honored for achieving first-team all-shore and thirdteam all-group 4 status. Students from across the district who earned their Eagle Scout rank in Boy Scouts were honored at the ceremony as well. Gabriel Spiegel was the only Howell High School student to achieve the honor. To ea r n h is Eagle Scout, Spiegel completed a project where he helped to refurbish the Pinelander soccer complex. Spiegel’s project included refurbishing the snack (Student - See Page 2)
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