November 23, 2019

HIGHTSTOWN, NJ–The Highstown Engine Co. # 1 received a shipment of fresh Christmas Trees this morning. The Fire Department will be selling those starting this afternoon, and open every day until sold out. Hours Monday to Friday 4:30 pm to 9 pm, Weekends 8 am to 9 pm. The fire department will provide free local delivery for your tree. All trees are $60.00, exception really tall trees which are $100.00 The fire company will also be taking orders for blankets and wreaths. The fire company is located in the center of town at 140 N Main St, Hightstown, NJ 08520

By: Dennis Symons, Jr.

HILLSDALE, NY, S. Egremont, MA—I arrived at Catamount Mountain Resort Monday December 2, 2019 during Winter Storm Ezekiel that was providing north east ski resorts with plenty of fresh powder. This happened to be Catamount’s 3^rd operating day of the season. During my visit it appeared they had about 8 or more inches at the base and their three-day storm total by Tuesday December 3 was over 20 inches of new snow from the storm.

Never have been to the resort before but upon arrival you could immediately tell that improvements have been made and construction is on going in the base area. There is a new Catamount Lodge under construction and is scheduled to open after Christmas according to one local that was riding the lift. The ticket windows and offices in the new lodge are under construction so a temporary ticket operation is set up in the updated Berkshire Lodge.

I was visiting Catamount for the first time using the Indy Ski Pass set up by numerous “independent” resorts to help them compete against two large corporate passes the IKON and EPIC. For as little as $199 (preseason) and with a current price of $219. You could ride a total of 46 destinations for a total of 2 days each, additional discounted tickets apply after you use your two days at many of the resorts. It was simple to use the Indy Ski Pass, I told them my name they looked me up in the system showed ID and printed me a lift ticket on the spot. It was an easy experience using the Indy Ski Pass. Currently 46 resorts are involved with Indy Ski Pass but that almost seems to change weekly as more independent ski resorts jump on board with this great pass making it an even better value.  

After putting my RFID pass in my pocket, I proceeded to the Ridge Quad, there was no wait or no line to board the lift for several runs, and snow quality was great. After a bunch of runs and a short break in the lodge I went to the left side of the mountain and did a few runs off the Promenade Triple Chair. Snowboarded a total of 18 runs for the day. Trails open on that day were Upper Glade, Lower Glade, Off Stage, Upper Sidewinder Walter’s Way, Racing Slope, On Stage, Catamount, Kelli’s Run, Esplanade and the snow sports learning area.

Catamount opened a couple weeks earlier than planned. With the help from mother nature the snow was in great condition for being open so early in the season. Check the website and snow reports for current operating schedules. The local snowboarder riding the lift told me that weekends can get busy at times but weekdays the lines are empty. The resort is off the beaten path so that also helps keep the lift lines minimal. Overall great experience for a first visit and will be back once the new lodge opens.

Catamount has 1,000 feet of vertical that straddles the States of New York and Massachusetts in the Berkshire Mountains. Catamount boasts 43 trails and the longest run is 1.75 miles in length. The resort has steepest double diamond trail in the Berkshires called the Catapult. There are a total of 8 lifts, two chairs and it appeared 2 wonder carpet surface lifts were open during my visit. There is night skiing on 15 trails with more than 4 miles of coverage including two terrain parks.

November 28, 2019

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP–The Annual Steinert vs Hamilton Thanksgiving Day Football Game was played at West today. Final Score was Steinert 0 Hamilton West 24. Here is a photo gallery of the game, half time video and post game events:

Hamilton High West Marching Band Half Time Show Thanksgiving Day 2019

December 2, 2019

MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–The Millstone Township Fire Department (IAFF Local #4388) responded to a school bus accident at 1:40 pm today. The school bus was carrying sixteen students in grades Kindergarten though 5th grade. At the intersection of Sweetman’s Lane and Millstone Road it collided with a Dodge Ram pickup.

The crash brought down a utility pole and transformer on top of the school bus. The sixteen children from the Millstone Elementary and Millstone Primary Schools were evacuated and uninjured in the accident. The driver of the bus was hospitalized with non life-threatening injures at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. The driver of the Dodge Ram pickup refused treatment at the scene.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the NJ State Police.

Millstone Township Schools dismissed classes early today in anticipation of today’s winter storm.

Shout out to Vesuvio’s Pizzeria & Family Restaurant, the kids were evacuated to the pizzeria and were treated to pizza while waiting transport back to the school. (Ed note: After years of sampling Vesuvio’s pizza it is great pizza)

December 19, 2019

By: Dennis Symons, Jr.

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)—After over a month of rumors and speculation of another tenant coming to Foxmoor Shopping Center it is now official, Planet Fitness is coming to Foxmoor Shopping Center. Planet Fitness will occupy at least half the space of the former Marrazzo’s Thriftway after signing a 10 year lease with , Pennmark Properties. The building will be shared with the STEM Academy a school and childcare facility.

The project is expected to cost $4 to $5 million to renovate the building and get the space outfitted for both tenants, the project could be completed as early as May 2020.

As of September 30, 2019 Planet Fitness has 14.1 million members and 1,899 locations in 50 states,  District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Panama, and Mexico. The Company’s mission is to enhance people’s lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment, which they call the “Judgement Free Zone”

At Planet Fitness standard membership fees run $10. Per month with access to the local location. To access all 1,899 clubs, all amenities, and bring a guest every workout, the PF Black Card runs $22.99 per month. Many Planet Fitness locations are open 24 hours a day 7 days a week, while some locations are open 24 hours a day 5 days a week with a modified weekend schedule.

Ed Note: Author is a member of the Hamilton Township, NJ Planet Fitness. In the spring several e-mails were sent to Planet Fitness for suggesting club locations, including contact information for Robbinsville-Foxmoor Shopping Center and also information was given to a regional manager at the Morrisville, PA location. Earlier last month (November) Mid-Jersey.news reached out to the press office at Planet Fitness and has not received any communication back about the Robbinsville, NJ location.

November 29, 2019

By: Dennis Symons, Jr.

HIGHSTOWN, NJ (MERCER)–The Annual Christmas Lighting of the Highstown Engine Company #1 lights and Santa Parade was held on November 29, 2019. Santa was escorted to the firehouse in a parade of fire trucks, ambulances, police cars and a float of Hightstown High School Softball players. When Santa got to the firehouse he threw the big light switch to light the firehouse Christmas lights. Santa proceeded upstairs to meet children and hear their Christmas wishes and have a photo take with Santa. The Girl Scouts also sang Christmas carols during the event.

November 23, 2019

By: Dennis Symons, Jr.

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ–The Robbinsville Township Police and Fire Departments were summoned to a car crash at Route 33 and Lake Drive. Moments later another crash into a utility pole was reported on Main Street in Robbinsville near Route 33.

Robbinsville Fire Department ambulance transported patients from the first accident, a second ambulance was called from Hamilton to transport the patient from the car into the utillity pole.

PSE&G was called to make repairs and replace the utility pole. Robbinsville Police have Main Street shut down so PSE&G can do their work. There may be some temporary power failures until the repairs are made.

Robbinsville Police Department is still on scene at time of this report conducting their investigation and performing traffic control around main street.

Use caution traffic lights could be out in the area of Main Street and Route 33, and also Pond Road and Robbinsville-Allentown Road until repairs are completed.

More information will be provided when it becomes available.

December 10, 2019

ROBBINSVILLE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–The Robbinsville Fire Department has released the schedule for the Santa Ride this year. (the save this date we told you about last month) The Santa Ride will take place this Saturday, December 14, 2019 between 11 am and 4 pm.

Robbinsville Township Fire Department Santa Ride 2019 Zone Map.

We are excited to provide live GPS tracking of Santa. The day of the event links will be posted which will provide live tracking of Santa’s progress (Santa has more than one helper). You will be able to track, in real time, Santa’s location and when he will be approaching your neighborhood/street.

The tracker will be posted on the Facebook pages of the Robbinsville Township Fire Department and the Robbinsville Professional Firefighters Association – IAFF Local 3786.

There will be no listed schedule by street this year. Santa’s arrival often depends on the duration of prior stops or any emergency calls that we may have to respond to during the event, making the schedule inaccurate. On the day of the event the “Santa Tracker” will be posted showing his exact location which will assist in estimating arrival.

November 22, 2019

MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP, NJ–Scouts are HELPFUL As we move into the season of giving, the scouts from Pack 116 in Millstone Township held their annual Scouting for Food drive and collected over 1,250 lbs of food and other non-perishable items that were donated to the Caring Hearts Food Pantry, also in Millstone. (www.upcm.org)

Scouts ranging in age from 5-10 years old collected food from friends, neighbors and family, then sorted and stacked food on the shelves of the food pantry last Friday evening. 

For more information about joining Pack 116, please visit

https://millstonetwp116.mypack.us/