Southard Fire Department Hosting Steakblast

Includes sliced tenderloin steak, salad, dessert, soda and first glass of beer or wine free

Lakewood Teen Cited in Wednesday Night Crash

Minor injuries reported

A 17-year-old Lakewood resident reportedly caused an accident on Route 9 after pulling out of the Friendship Mall parking lot late Wednesday night.  Sgt. Thomas Weg reported that at 10:40 on Wednesday 26-year-old Howell resident Erica Sandomierski was driving in the right lane of Route 9 South when her car was struck by the teen. Weg said the Lakewood driver reported they did not see Sandomierski's car when they pulled out of the lot.  Weg also said the Howell resident had tried to take "evasive action," but was "unsuccessful." The force of the crash caused Sandomierski's car to roll before coming to a rest on its roof in the left lane. She was taken to Kimball Medical Center for evaluation and treatment according to Weg. The Lakewood …

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No Injuries Reported From Moon Motel Fire

Cigarette believed responsible

The Moon Motel on Route 9 is now closed after a fire early Saturday morning that forced all residents to be moved to another location. Detective Sgt. Eileen Dodd said the fire was reported at 4:42 Saturday morning and the building was evacuated as soon as crews arrived on the scene.  Dodd said the fire is believed to have centered around the room of 41-year-old Erik Kelly, who she said had been living at the hotel for "several months." Kelly told responding officers he had been smoking a cigarette when he took his child to the bathroom. When they came back he said the bed was on fire before the flames spread to the ceiling area.  The fire, Dodd said, caused "significant damage" to the motel. Following an investigation the Howell Fire …

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Howell Fire Companies Gain New Firefighters

Monmouth County Fire Academy graduates two new classes

The Monmouth County Fire Academy graduated several new members into the Howell ranks along with 57 other firefighters from Monmouth, Mercer, and Ocean counties. Michael Bardsley and Ryder Grimes will join the Ramtown house following his graduation while Justin Boucher and Justin Scullion will join the Squankum house. Joining the ranks fo the Adelphia house are Daniel Andrus, John DePinto, Frank Ferrara and  Alexander Kubiak while David Lovey is set to join the Southard department. Freewood Acres will also have a new member following Michael Schubert's graduation. Graduates worked 188 hours over 30 sessions and received training in rescue, fire extinguishment, hazardous materials response, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, electrical safety, …

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Howell Fire District Elections Saturday

Elections for Fire Commissioners also on the ballot

The five fire districts throughout Howell will have their annual elections tomorrow when residents will have the chance to elect their respective members of the Board of Chosen Fire Commissioners and vote on their annual budgets.  For residents in Fire District #1, also known as the Squankum Fire District the annual budget proposed for election totals $1,125,544 of which $1,030,744 will be raised by taxation. According to information on the township's website $185 thousand is for "non bondable equipment and $190 thousand is for Capital Appropriations. This is expected to lessen the tax rate from last year according to Commissioner Tom Matthews.  Fire District #2, also known as the Adelphia Fire Company has proposed a budget of $1,634,400 …

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Kent Road House Destroyed in Friday Fire

Blaze took several hours to put out

Firefighters from around Howell worked with assistance from Jackson and Freehold to fight a fire that claimed the lives of several animals on Kent Road Friday night.  The Howell Police Department received a report of the fire from a passing motorist and that the house was "heavily engulfed in flames," when they arrived.  After "several hours," of battling the fire it was determined that the homeowner was not home at the time but that "several cats and a dog are believed to have died as a result of the fire." The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Howell Police Department and the Howell Fire Bureau. The house "was a complete loss as a result of the fire," the police department reported.  The Southard, Freewood Acres, Adelphia, …

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Santa Claus is Coming to Howell

Local fire departments to welcome Santa

Before he makes his big trip on Christmas Eve Santa will be coming to Howell with the help of the local fire departments over the next two weekends.  Santa will be riding through the Squankum section of town starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday and will also be riding through Adelphia section starting at 11 a.m.  The Southard Fire Department will be hosting a pancake breakfast with Santa on Dec. 16 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Breakfast will run until noon and local children will get the chance to ride on one of the department's trucks from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For $6 for adults and $4 people who come to meet Santa will also enjoy eggs, pancakes, sausage and beverages.  Starting on Monday at 7 p.m. the Southard crew will escort Santa through their …

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Mariners Cove Fire Leaves One Critically Injured

No word yet on cause of fire

Early this morning several local fire companies were dispatched to a fire on Mariners Cove where one person was rescued from the burning building.  Lt. Tom Connors of the Howell Police Department reported that a little after 6:50 Friday morning the Adelphia Fire Company responded to a call of a fire at 31 Mariners Cove where 62-year-old Jose Soto was found still inside the house. Suffering what Connors called "fairly significant burns," Soto was removed from the house and taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center where he was listed in critical condition.  Connors said the fire was contained to the one house and there were no other reported injuries.  In addition to the Adelphia company mutual aid was provided by the Southard and …

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Homeowner Hospitalized Following Alexander Ave. Blaze

Suffered smoke inhalation in Saturday fire

A 77-year-old homeowner was hospitalized after a fire damaged her Alexander Ave. home early Saturday morning.  Detective Sgt. Eileen Dodd of the Howell Police Department reported that just before 5:30 the department and several other local agencies reported to Natalie Gorbpenno's home for a structure fire.  The woman said she had lit a candle on Friday night and had fallen asleep with the flame still lit. When she woke up Saturday morning Gorbpenno reported the house was on fire. After being evaluated by EMS from the Howell Police Department she was taken to Kimball Medical Center for smoke inhalation.  Also responding to the scene were the Southard, Ramtown, Freewood Acres and Jackson Fire Companies as well as the Howell and Ramtown First…

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PHOTOS: Local First Responders Come Together to Help Local Families

Howell tops Freehold in charity softball game

Playing on the same field that major league stars like Cole Hamels and Ryan Howard have honed their skills on Freehold Township and Howell police officers and firefighters came together to benefit two local families.  By the time the night was over the Howell squad had come away with a dominating win but everyone involved agreed that the final score took a back seat to the overall good the game did. "It's just about bringing guys from Freehold Township and Howell together for a good cause to help out two kids in need," said Jamie Burdge of the Freehold Township police department.  The game benefitted the family of Reese Behnken, a young girl diagnosed with Metachromatic Leukodystrophy and Evan Perkowski who was diagnosed with an inoperable…

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