Features

From Pencil To Print: How It Happens

By Eliza Hallabeck

Published: March 30, 2020 7:00 am

With the “From Pencil To Print: How It Happens” series we aim to share the writing process and story behind some of The Newtown Bee’s articles. This week, we look at the article "Newtown Public Schools Transition To ‘Distance Learning.’"

Where Do You Find Happiness Now?

By Shannon Hicks

Published: March 28, 2020 7:45 am

Newtown Bee Associate Editor Shannon Hicks wants to know: What are you doing to stay happy during the “Stay Safe — Stay At Home” era?

For Generations To Enjoy: Life Of Newtown Historian Daniel Cruson Recorded In Oral History Book

By Alissa Silber

Published: March 28, 2020 7:30 am

Over the last few decades, Newtown Historian Daniel “Dan” Cruson has devoted much of his time, attention, and care into discovering and preserving all things Newtown. Many residents know Cruson as the...

Way We Were, Week Ending March 27

Published: March 27, 2020 1:00 pm

News as published in the Newtown Bee 25, 50, 75, and 100 years ago. News from a century ago is not available until the library reopens and microfilm is accessible.

Snapshot: Edward “Ed” Hornyak

Published: March 27, 2020 8:00 am

Occupation: Originally, I joined the cadets, which was a government program that when you went through it, you’d graduate as a second lieutenant. The government shut the program down when I gradua...

Screen Time Break Ideas: Crafts, Reading, And Other Activities

By Eliza Hallabeck

Updated: March 27, 2020 4:09 pm

With students home due to local school buildings being closed, there are many options being offered to help alleviate boredom. C. H. Booth Library has sources and provided ideas recently. Get those ideas here.

Seeking Solace In Outdoor Recreation

By Kendra Bobowick

Updated: March 25, 2020 9:07 am

Open spaces were overrun with an influx of residents getting away from Cabin Fever on the weekend of March 21-22.

Newtown High Team Coaches And Athletes React To Games And Seasons Halted

By Andy Hutchison

Published: March 24, 2020 8:00 am

After the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC), on March 10, canceled remaining winter sports tournament games, coaches and athletes were understandably upset, but the initial reaction and week-later retrospective view of the situation differ.

What Does Newtown’s ‘At Home’ Life Look Like These Days?

By Eliza Hallabeck

Published: March 23, 2020 9:00 am

What does Newtown’s “at home” life look like these days? Show us by submitting photos.

Girl Scouts Create Handbook To Get Residents Outdoors

By Kendra Bobowick

Published: March 23, 2020 7:00 am

They “brainstormed,” and “thought about needs,” and resources in town, while creating My Newtown Ranger Handbook, said eighth grade Girl Scout Jillian Hoag. A Silver Award Project, the second highest ...

C.H. Booth Library To Host ‘Job Search With The Career Coach’ On January 7

Northern Fairfield Professionals To Host Next Meeting January 13

Year In Review: Newtown Planning & Zoning Commission’s Eventful 2025

Year In Review: Newtown Community Comes Together, Steps Up, And So Much More

Judith Kaderli

My darling, You were the best GRANDmother a child could ask for. You created so many great memories & traditions that I have passed down to your Great grandchildren. You brought joy into every room you stepped into. Your laughter, singing, whistling and the signature Rockettes high kicks, is something I will always hold in my heart. There was something about walking into your home and being greeted by your beautiful face. *kiss on each check* followed by HELLOOOOOO Darling! The classical music playing softly in the background and your love and comfort made your home, a safe space. Somewhere, where love knew no boundaries. It was so much more than a home. I aim for the same in my home, and play the classic music 24/7, but it will never be the same. I pray I can be 1/4 of GRAND, you put in GRANDmother. You were so resilient. You found the positive in every situation. I look up to you so much. I remember begging Mom and Dad for years to change my name to “Carmen”. They didn’t officially change my name, but eventually started calling me “Carmenita” as I am a little you. THE HONOR. You were there for me, no matter the day or hour. You were always the one who would talk me through whatever hard situation I was going through. When my baby passed away, I refused to talk to anyone for 3 weeks. Except for you. You said to me “Better days are coming, babes. There’s always a rainbow after the storm”. Of course, you were right, because you are GRAND. I picture you in heaven dancing and laughing with him. Uncle Jay playing the money game with him. To know you are with your children again & with mine does bring me some joy. Twas the night before Christmas & New Year’s Eve, will never be the same. Another tradition you created. A memory that will last forever. Not just with me, but for generations to come. It may not be the same, but we won’t let it die. It will live on, in your name. To be your first GRANDchild was a blessing. I could write an entire book about you & all the amazing things about you. Even though we were robbed of time together & it makes me angry, I know I will see you again. This isn’t a goodbye, but a “see you later”. Just like we ended every phone call. Ciao, darling. I love you. MWAH MWAH! Love your GRANDchild, Kimberly aka Carmenita

Carmen Accashian

Unfortunately, I think this is likely to get worse, not better... Based on both public comments and private conversations, I’m increasingly concerned that our newly elected First Selectman intends not just to install these cameras, but to expand their use for full-blown enforcement and fines. Try getting a straight answer out of him about the long-term plan and you quickly realize how vague the responses become. Tyler is absolutely right to raise the privacy issue. These systems don’t just “catch speeders” — they quietly build a database of where we drive, when we drive, and who is in our vehicles. Once that infrastructure is in place, it becomes very easy to justify expanding its scope: more cameras, more locations, more uses, and eventually more automated enforcement. If Newtown is going down this road, residents deserve clear, written answers to some basic questions before anything is expanded: What limits will be placed on how and where cameras are used? Will footage and plate data be used only for speed enforcement, or for other investigations too? How long will data be stored, and who can access it? What safeguards will prevent vendors and individuals from abusing this information? Without firm, enforceable rules in place, “just a few cameras to slow traffic” can turn into something very different over time. I support safe roads — but not at the cost of unchecked surveillance and vague promises from our leaders. You try getting straight answers out of our First Selectman, myself and others have not been able to...

Discusses Traffic Cameras

I had to hold back a laugh at the idea that 7:30 pm is apparently such a late-night hardship that we’re already talking about moving meetings earlier. For a lot of residents, 7:30 is the earliest they can realistically get to Town Hall after work, family obligations, and the rest of real life. Shifting BOS meetings to 7:00 might make the calendar look tidier for those in the building, but it makes participation harder for the people who pay for the building. If the new First Selectman’s week is already booked solid and evening meetings feel like a strain, that’s not a reason to move the goalposts on public access—it's a reminder that the job is supposed to be demanding. Public service means accommodating the public, even when it’s inconvenient.

Walczak Adjusts To New Role, First Board Meeting

Real people were just in a frightening car accident. To immediately frame their misfortune as rhetorical ammunition against new housing — affordable housing included — feels less like concern for “health and safety” and more like opportunistically using a scary moment to support a pre-existing position. If we’re going to debate this proposal, we should do it honestly: with data on traffic volume, accident history, engineering recommendations, and the town’s housing needs, not by seizing on a single crash as proof that 300 apartments are inherently unsafe. Newtown deserves a thoughtful, fact-based conversation about growth, safety, and affordability — one that doesn’t turn other people’s bad day into a political talking point.

How Many Accidents Will It Take?

To add context that did not occur at the meeting would not be an accurate representation of the meeting and would, in fact, be editorializing to shape public opinion. The editorial staff here do not consider ourselves to be final arbiters of what the truth is (and if we did, it would make us partisan and biased), and we would need to provide a source for any dissenting information (sourcing all information in an article is literally Journalism 101). There were no such sources present at the meeting in question, and so it would not be appropriate to include such information in an article about the meeting. Dissenting voices appear in meeting stories when there were active participants with dissenting opinions, such as during public participation or the words of a council member who disagreed. It should be noted that the Interfaith Council, like many local boards and commissions, conduct meetings that are open to the public. This was not an article on the actions of the Greater Danbury Area Unites for Immigrants, or on immigrants, or on ICE's actions in the community, where including other voices or perspectives would be appropriate. We appreciate your opinion, but we stand by our meeting coverage and consider this discussion closed.

NIC Speaks With Danbury Unites For Immigrants, Discusses 12/14 Service

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From Pencil To Print: How It Happens

Where Do You Find Happiness Now?

For Generations To Enjoy: Life Of Newtown Historian Daniel Cruson Recorded In Oral History Book

Way We Were, Week Ending March 27

Snapshot: Edward “Ed” Hornyak

Screen Time Break Ideas: Crafts, Reading, And Other Activities

Seeking Solace In Outdoor Recreation

Newtown High Team Coaches And Athletes React To Games And Seasons Halted

What Does Newtown’s ‘At Home’ Life Look Like These Days?

Girl Scouts Create Handbook To Get Residents Outdoors