Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced October 10 that the US Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved his request for disaster assistance resulting from the May 15 tornadoes and severe storms that impacted portions of Connecticut.

Newtown police are seeking information from the public about the identity of people traveling in a stolen vehicle which engaged police in pursuit on the evening of Sunday, October 7, in Sandy Hook. There were no injuries in the incident.

In view of the coming home heating season, during which the number of residential fires occurring typically increases, Newtown Fire Marshal Rich Frampton is offering the public some basic advice about fire safety.

Both two-term incumbent Republican Senator Tony Hwang — who also served three terms as a state representative — and Democratic newcomer Michelle Lapine McCabe believe it is their respective experience that will best serve Newtown, the district, and the state.

First Selectman Dan Rosenthal is planning to formalize a seven-member Newtown Bike and Trail Committee by early November and that will require the services of five resident volunteers who will serve beside representatives of the Conservation and the Parks & Rec commissions.

Residents will have an opportunity to comment and ask questions about the town’s proposed revisions to the Water Pollution Control Plan (WPCP) at a public hearing slated for 7 pm on Thursday, October 11, at the municipal sewage treatment plant office building at 24 Commerce Road.

After national reports of suspicious phone calls, purportedly to register voters over the phone and to arrange for an absentee ballot, Secretary of the State Denise Merrill is warning voters to be alert for these calls. The calls claim to be from a reputable voter registration organization, TurboVote, but the organization has confirmed that the calls are not from their organization.

Town, state, and federal offices will be among the entities closed on Monday, October 8, in observance of Columbus Day.

Troopers from Troop L-Litchfield are currently investigating several larcenies which are believed to be related.

Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced October 5 that he is directing U.S. and state flags in Connecticut to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Sunday, October 7 and Monday, October 8, for National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day and to honor Pearl Harbor victim U.S. Navy Water Tender 1st Class Stephen Pepe of Bridgeport.