The Howell Times

01/05/2026

⚖️ A former Wall Township High School teacher from Brick who admitted to sexually assaulting two students will be sentenced next month. https://www.jerseyshoreonline.com/monmouth-county/former-teacher-to-be-sentenced-in-student-sex-assault-case-after-delay/

01/05/2026

🚨 An Ocean County man has been charged after Stafford Township police say credit card information was stolen at a local fast-food drive-through and later used for online purchases. 💳👮‍♂️

STAFFORD — A Manahawkin resident has been charged after police said he allegedly stole customers’ credit card information while working at a local fast-food restaurant and later used it to make unauthorized online purchases. According to the Stafford Township Police Department, detectives arrest...

01/05/2026

🚨 Police have charged a 91-year-old driver from Ocean County in a hit-and-run that injured a landscaper thrown from a riding mower. The driver said he thought he hit a garbage can. 👀

WALL – Authorities have charged a 91-year-old Brick resident in connection with a hit-and-run crash last month in Wall that left a landscaper injured after his riding mower was struck along a busy roadway. According to Wall Township police, the collision occurred around 11 a.m. on December 8 on Oc...

01/04/2026

☕ 7 Brew Coffee wants to build a new stand at a long-established shopping center on Chambers Bridge Road in Brick. The proposal heads to the planning board and could bring new life to a plaza that’s seen vacancies. https://www.jerseyshoreonline.com/brick/7-brew-proposes-drive-thru-coffee-stand-in-brick/

01/04/2026

📚 A bill advancing in Trenton would eliminate the high school graduation test, leaving requirements up to local school boards. Supporters say the exam is outdated and harmful. Opponents warn removing it lowers standards statewide. ⚖️

TRENTON – A bill that would eliminate the tests students need to graduate, leaving boards of education to determine graduation requirements has advanced to the State Senate. Assembly bill A-4121 would eliminate the high school graduation proficiency test, which is taken in 11th grade. Graduati...

01/03/2026

💙 Beachwood is mourning the loss of a true community pillar. Past Beachwood EMS Captain and Life Member Mary Cairns has passed away at age 76. Her dedication, kindness and decades of service touched countless lives. 🚑

OCEAN COUNTY — The Beachwood community is mourning the loss of Mary F. Cairns, a longtime volunteer, past captain and life member of Beachwood EMS, who died peacefully on December 31, 2025. She was 76. Cairns, a resident of Beachwood, passed away at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital surround...

01/03/2026

🚔 A tense situation at an Ocean County hotel ended safely thanks to coordinated police and crisis response efforts. https://www.jerseyshoreonline.com/ocean-county/police-resolve-crisis-at-ocean-county-hotel/

01/02/2026

👶🎉 A sweet start to 2026! A baby boy was born at Ocean University Medical Center in Brick, welcoming Jordan to the world. 💙 Proud parents Kristyn and Doug Ford of Toms River rang in the New Year with a life-changing moment.🍼

BRICK — A New Year celebration arrived right on schedule at Ocean University Medical Center, where a baby boy was born, marking one of the first births of 2026 in Ocean County. Jordan Ford entered the world at 1:03 p.m., weighing 7 pounds, 8.6 ounces and measuring 19.5 inches long. He is the son o...

01/02/2026

🚔❄️ Police say a man barricaded himself inside an Ocean County apartment, prompting a SWAT response amid snowy, freezing conditions. After hours of negotiations, he surrendered without incident and was taken into custody. No injuries reported.
🚔 https://www.jerseyshoreonline.com/ocean-county/ocean-county-standoff-ends-peacefully-after-swat-response/

01/02/2026

🚨 New leadership at the New Jersey State Police 🚔 Lt. Col. David Sierotowicz officially took command on January 1 as Acting Superintendent and State Director of Emergency Management.
🚨 https://www.jerseyshoreonline.com/new-jersey/sierotowicz-takes-helm-as-acting-superintendent-of-nj-state-police/

01/02/2026

🎆💸 New year, new luck! An Ocean County player kicked off 2026 with a $184,057 Fast Play lottery win after buying a $5 ticket in Toms River. And the jackpot is already climbing again 👀🎟️
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TOMS RIVER – Talk about starting the year on a high note! A lucky Ocean County lottery player rang in the new year with a $184,057 win after purchasing a Blast Off to Cash Fast Play ticket on Thursday, January 1, officials said. The winning $5 ticket was sold at Stop & Shop #811 on […]

01/02/2026

🚔 Police say an Ocean County man assaulted and injured three police officers during a follow-up investigation, before being taken into custody.🚔 https://www.jerseyshoreonline.com/southern-ocean/ocean-county-man-charged-after-assault-on-police-officers-oc/