AROUND THE JERSEY SHORE Local Animals Ready For Adoption

MONMOUTH COUNTY – The Monmouth County SPCA has a number of pets available for adoption.

Pete is 4 years old and loves being pet, returning the affection with major headbutts on your hand, and making biscuits on a cozy blanket all day long. Pete will make you wish you were home all the time, because that’s the kind of friendship and joy he will bring.

Pete could potentially try living with an- other cat but is happy to be spoiled alone. Get ready to make many happy memories together!!

The MCSPCA only does adoptions in person (please bring all family members). They will ask you to fill out an Adoption Survey and speak with an Adoption Counselor to help fi nd your perfect match.

They are located at 260 Wall Street in Eatontown. They can be reached at 732542-0040.

Archery: Continued From Page 1

According to Howell Public Works Director Paul Novello, his department collaborated with UBNJ to make the range a reality. The Public Works Department performed extensive brush removal, graded the area, and put down wood chips. They also arranged for signage leading to and on the site itself. Novello admitted he’s excited about the range reopening as he is an avid bowhunter.

“Most of us just go out for the meat,” said Novello. “We’re conservationists when it comes to preserving wildlife and the land.”

The range is open from dawn to dusk to individuals of all ages and skill levels. However, those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Motor vehicles can drive through the brown gate at the Bass Place dead-end onto a dirt road leading to the range six-tenths of a mile from the entranceway.

Parking is available just beyond the sign that reads “Welcome to Howell Archery Range.” The range itself is immediately accessible to the right of the parking area. Targets are staggered across the field, with one at 10 yards, two at 20 yards, one at 30 yards, one at 40 yards, one at 50 yards, and one at 60 yards. A complete set of rules is posted at the site and focuses on safety above all. For example, broadheads, which are hunting arrows, are prohibited because they will easily destroy the targets.

“United Bowhunters has had a great partnership in this with the Township of Howell,” said Erndl. “Archery is growing in leaps and bounds across the country, except in New Jersey.”

With a remarkable commitment to fostering a new generation of archers, the UBNJ offers a program called Scholastic Three Discipline Archery. The no-cost program takes aim at blending education and sportsmanship, which all come together with the thrill of hitting the target.

Certified teachers lead the program, which requires participants to have their own equipment. Some school districts also offer students an opportunity to compete in archery under the National Archery program. In addition, college scholarships are available for those who excel in the sport.

Township Manager Joe Clark estimated that the entire project came in under a $10,000 budget. He sees the initiative as opening up an additional opportunity for residents to step outside, engage in physical activity, and embrace an active lifestyle.

The range will maintained by both UBNJ and Howell as part of a collaborative agreement.

Monmouth County Man Arrested For Luring, Kidnapping

By Alyssa Riccardi

ASBURY PARK – An Asbury Park man was arrested after luring and kidnapping an 11-year-old girl last week, officials said.

Raquan M. Folk, 29, is charged with first-degree Kidnapping, second-degree Luring a Child, and third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child via Sexual Conduct.

Around 5:30 p.m. May 30, the victim was walking on Ridge Avenue in Asbury Park when a man, later identified as Folk, pulled up to her in a white Kia.

Authorities said that Folk convinced her to get inside the car and proceeded to drive to neighboring Neptune Township. He stopped the vehicle and told the victim to disrobe, prompting her to ask to use a bathroom, officials said.

Folk then stopped at a vehicle service station and at that time the victim ran, flagged down a passerby, and was taken to the Neptune Township Police Department.

Folk was taken into custody without incident on June 1 and brought to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) pending a detention hearing. The State is filing a motion to keep him detained as the criminal case against him proceeds, officials said.

Anyone with information about this incident or Folk’s activities is asked to contact MCPO Detective Kayla Santiago at 800533-7443.

Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendants have all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.

Howell Night At e BlueClaws

HOWELL – “It might be, it could be, it is... a home run!” Join Howell Township in July for: Howell Night at the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, July 27, 7:05 p.m. start.

Cost is $17 and includes: reserve seat ticket, hot dog, soda, novelty ice cream and boardwalk game ticket.

All tickets can be purchased through online link: fevogm.com/event/Howelltownship/offer

Howell Day & Green Fair

HOWELL – Save the date! Howell Day & Green Fair will be on September 23 from 3 to 8 p.m. at Soldier Memorial Park. Applications can be found at: twp.howell. nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/9083/Howell-

Day-Vendor-Application-2023.

For more information, contact Steven Fecher Department of Community Relations at 732-938-4500 ext. 2106, sfecher@ twp.howell.nj.us.

By Renee A. Thomaier

Retired New Jersey State Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator

This is an easy one. However, I must clarify the ‘fastest bird on Earth.’ The peregrine falcon qualifies for the fastest bird title, only when it is diving for prey. Some sources say they can fly up to 240 mph. On the other side of that, they are not particularly fast when

e Fastest Animal On Earth

traveling in level flight. In fact, they would not even qualify for the top 10 in the latter case. Still, impressive when diving.

The peregrine falcon is a raptor (bird of prey) that, aside from its speed, is most well-known for its falconry training, where they are used for hunting. They can be found on all continents except Antarctica. Their typical lifespan is 13 years, however, the oldest peregrine on record was 19 years, 9 months. In 1992, that bird had been banded in Minnesota and found in 2012 in the same state. They are found in all 48 states in the U.S. along with Alaska and Hawaii. Their diet consists mostly of birds, especially shorebirds and ducks. However, in cities they are masters at catching pigeons and sometimes feed upon reptiles and rodents. Hunting birds is when they utilize their astounding speed diving from the sky. The term duck hawk is often used when referring to them. Both the male and female raise their young. Their nesting sites are skyscrapers, water towers, cliffs and other tall structures. Peregrines generally mate for life, returning to the same nesting site each year. The male peregrine is referred to as ‘tiercel’ and the chick is called ‘eyas’ (nestling hawks). Interestingly, the female is called the ‘falcon.’ You can view them ‘live’ online and enjoy watching them care for their young.

As with some other bird species DDT poisoning occurred during much of the twentieth century, putting them at risk of becoming locally extinct in the United States and Canada. Fortunately, with the DDT ban in the 1970s, the peregrine has steadily increased, thereby removing them from the federal endangered species list.

Information for this article from multiple sources so statistics may vary slightly. To reach me please call 732-244-2768.

It’s illegal to possess, relocate, or cause harm to wildlife for any reason. Managing wildlife without the proper state/federal permits is illegal. Violating laws protecting wildlife is punishable by law.