The HOWELL Times
Vol. 24 - No. 5
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
The Faces Of ICE Protests Are Young Americans
In This Week’s Edition
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 6-7
Inside The Law Page 11
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan
Young people carrying signs during the recent protest.
Dear Pharmacist Page 11
Classifieds Page 13
By Stephanie Faughnan LAKEWOOD – Less than 48 hours after Americans celebrated the nation’s 250th birthday with fireworks, parades and backyard gatherings, a different expression of patriotism unfolded in Lakewood Town Square. The crackle of a bullhorn echoed across the square as threatening skies sent teenagers scrambling for cover underneath a canopy. The demonstration
marked the sixth day of protests following recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations that organizers say have left many Latino residents fearful. Only days earlier, they had marched through temperatures topping 100 degrees. “The rain doesn’t stop ICE,” shouted Rose Marie Varela, 32, one of the organizers. “We don’t stop.” As the young people gathered to rally, the most (ICE Protests - See Page 2)
July 11, 2026
Plastic Bottle Factory Proposed
By Alyssa Lidman HOWELL – A proposal was heard for a warehouse for plastic bottle and container manufacturing on Fairfield Road, but the hearing will be continued on Monday, July 13. The testimony before the Zoning Board ran until 10 p.m. at a recent meeting, then the board tabled the application – meaning that no decision was made. Zoning Board Chairman Richard Mertens said that the expiration date remains at Thursday, September 24. Mertens said shortly before adjournment, “This case is very important to a lot of people and I do want to respect and make sure we have as much time as we need to make sure all of our questions are asked.” “I know we’ve covered a lot tonight already, but I think it’s more beneficial that we come back fresh and get everything so the public would be able to get their questions in and you can finish up,” he said. The plastic bottles and containers company Flexcraft seeks to have their headquarters and main facility in Howell, according to Co-President and CFO of the company Russ Smith, who was present to testify. Smith was accompanied by attorney Salvatore Alfieri, partner with Cleary, Giacobbe, Alfieri, and Jacobs LLC. The application seeks to change the previously approved warehouse to a manufacturer of plastic bottles and containers (Factory - See Page 12)
Veteran Treks Across U.S., Raises Awareness Of Mental Health
By Bob Vosseller MANCHESTER – The Manchester Volunteer Fire Company had the recent honor of assisting U.S. Marine Corps veteran Nick Beadles as he traveled through the community during his extraordinary journey across America. Beadles is one of a long line of Marines in his family that
includes his grandfather, father, uncle, two brothers and a sisterin-law, all of whom served in the Marine Corps. Twenty years ago, he served two tours in Iraq which caused him to experience post-traumatic stress disorder. Along with experiencing PTSD affected he has also felt the deep the loss of friends who took their lives because of
what they experienced during their service. That is why he is walking from Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon to raise awareness for mental health, encourage meaningful conversations, and remind those who are struggling that they are never alone. He said his mission is to inspire (Veteran Treks - See Page 4)
Photo courtesy Michele Rosatelli Marine vet Nick Beadles, center, visits the Manchester Volunteer Fire Company during trek across America to raise awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and veterans’ mental health needs.
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