The BRICK Times Vol. 25 - No. 44
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
There Was Real Competition At The Mock Trial
Daylight Savings
March 8th BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Government Page 7
The Brick Memorial Mock Trial Team.
Community News Page 8-11
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 14
Inside The Law Page 17
By Andrew Rice BRICK - The case of Brick Memorial High School vs. MATES was expertly debated on all sides, and after hours of testimony, the verdict for the Ocean County Mock Trial was finally delivered at the historic courthouse in downtown Toms River. The competition saw the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES) defeat Brick Memorial by what was described by judges Francis R. Hodgson JR and Craig L. Wellerson as “the slimmest of margins.” MATES and Brick Memorial are no stranger to facing each other in the finals, as Brick Memorial took down MATES in the Ocean County Finals last
Local Towns Named Safest In State By Stephanie Faughnan OCEAN COUNTY - In a state as densely populated as New Jersey, cracking the top five safest communities is no small feat. For Barnegat, it also comes with national recognition as well. According to newly released 2026 SafeWise crime rankings based on FBI data, Barnegat Township, with a population of 26,000, ranked #4 among the Safest Cities in New Jersey. But the good news didn’t stop there. Barnegat also earned a spot on the national stage, ranking #85 among the 100 Safest Cities in the United States. (Local Towns - See Page 4)
HIGHEST RATED CASH FOR GOLD STORE IN OCEAN COUNTY
year to earn their first county title since 2016. Every year, about a month after the high school year starts, the New Jersey State Bar drops a workbook detailing a criminal or civil case. The type of case alternates every year. This year’s criminal case, State of New Jersey v. Devon Ransom, deals with “swatting.” Swatting is when someone intentionally reports a fake emergency, causing armed police to respond when there’s no real danger. In this hypothetical case, the swatting incident occurred at a coffee shop. Teams are given a statement of facts, stipulations, witness statements and exhibits, to read through and (Mock Trial - See Page 4)
Affordable Housing Debated By Judy Smestad-Nunn BRICK - The governing body voted in favor of three ordinances that would bring the township into compliance with affordable housing mandates, but the vote was split narrowly along party lines. Council Vice President Derrick T. Ambrosino said the ordinances “are the result of quite a bit of work over the last 18 months,” by the Land Use Committee, headed by Township Planner Tara Paxton, Township Engineer Elissa Commins, the Affordable Housing Council and many others. The first ordinance changes the township code to allow the township to comply with affordable housing requirements set by the NJ Superior Court. More importantly, the ordinance allows the township to “achieve immunity,” he said. Ambrosino was referring to the so-called “Builders Remedy.” Townships are not required to participate in affordable housing mandates, but if they do not have a certified affordable housing plan filed, a builder can sue, and the town loses some of the ability to plan where and how affordable housing will be developed. In this case, the “Builders Remedy” lawsuit is the only way of enforcing affordable housing because there is no other means of enforcement. “Brick Township has met its burden to demonstrate compliance certification of the Brick Township Housing Element and Fair Share Plan,” Ambrosino said. The ordinances address Round 4 of the (Housing Debate - See Page 5)
A Trip To Urgent Care Saved Her Life By Stephanie Faughnan BARNEGAT - By the time Nicole Argento walked into CityMD in Manahawkin just days before New Year’s Eve last year, the 34-year-old Barnegat mother was tired, uncomfortable and certain she knew exactly what was wrong. She had already been turned away from three urgent care centers that day because they were too full to see her. All she wanted was a simple antibiotic for what she believed was a urinary tract infection. The lower Photo courtesy Nicole Argento abdominal pain felt like menstrual cramps. It did not seem serious. It did Nicole Argento continues her fight against not seem life-threatening. Stage 3 ovarian cancer, supported by her She certainly did not expect to hear the words “Go to the emergency room.” son Cooper and boyfriend James Mancini. (Saved Her Life - See Page 12)
GOLD Exceeds $4,500 an Ounce! OVER 20 YEARS IN BUSINESS
Photo courtesy Diana Corde-Leone
March 7, 2026
SILVER Nears $70 an Ounce!
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