Cultural Events

‘Waging Change’ Thoughtful Film Screening Planned

Published: Mar 18, 2025 07:00 AM

The next film in Newtown Congregational Church’s Thoughtful Film series will be an award-winning 2019 documentary .

NFA SpringFest Vendors Sought

Published: Mar 15, 2025 08:00 AM

Newtown Forest Association will present its third annual SpringFest at Holcombe Hill on April 26, and vendor openings are available.

California Strong Benefit Dance Planned

Published: Mar 15, 2025 08:00 AM

The Willie/Portera Trio will perform the live music for a California Fire Relief benefit dance being planned for Saturday, April 12, at Newtown Congregational Church.

Altman To Celebrate ‘Permission’ With Byrd’s Books Author Event

Published: Mar 15, 2025 08:00 AM

Byrd’s Books of Bethel will welcome Connecticut author Elissa Altman next weekend to celebrate the release of her latest book.

Get Ready To Dance At Chase’s Country Line Dancing Hoedown

Updated: Mar 14, 2025 09:11 AM

Get ready for an evening full of fun, dancing, and fundraising at Chase’s Country Line Dancing Hoedown on Friday, April 25.

NAFC To Co-Host Regina Brown Day On Anniversary Of Resident’s Disappearance

Published: Mar 14, 2025 07:30 AM

Newtown Allies For Change has partnered with journalist Lisa Peterson, who has been tracing the last known days of Regina Brown for decades, for a special program this month.

Buzzworthy: Learn The Benefits Of Backyard Beekeeping

Published: Mar 14, 2025 07:00 AM

The Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary will be hosting several classes about backyard beekeeping throughout the summer.

Local Session Of Question, Persuade, Refer Training Scheduled

Published: Mar 14, 2025 07:00 AM

Just as people trained in CPR help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR — Question, Persuade, Refer — learn how to recognize the signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade and refer someone to help.

Change Of Date For SCAN’s ‘Learning From Clouds With Jill Nichols’ Workshop

Published: Mar 14, 2025 07:00 AM

A reminder that the one-day SCAN workshop “Learning from Clouds with Jill Nichols” has been rescheduled to March 29.

‘Art Of Black And White Photography’ To Open Camera Club March Programming

Published: Mar 08, 2025 08:00 AM

Flagpole Photographers Camera Club has announced its program plans for this month.

Fire Reports | August 13-19, 2025

Labor Day Closings & Early Deadlines

Rosewood Market & Deli Celebrates Grand Opening With Ribbon Cutting

Police Reports | August 2-August 17

DAV, RecruitMilitary Host National Virtual Career Fair For Veterans

It seems a lot of the discussion around the flagpole focuses on vilifying drivers who pass on the right, but the real issue is being overlooked. If Chapter 248 Section 14-251 were enforced, we wouldn’t see this problem to begin with. That statute prohibits stopping in the middle of a roadway to yield to cross traffic—as so often happens with cars waiting to turn from Church Hill. When vehicles stop illegally in the travel lane, they effectively create a blockage. Other drivers then either sit through unnecessary delays or carefully pass around them on the right, which is fully permitted when the vehicle ahead is “illegally parked” in the roadway. Instead of punishing drivers reacting to the obstruction, enforcement should focus on the cause: vehicles unlawfully stopping and backing up traffic in the first place. If that behavior were addressed, the need to “go around” would largely disappear.

Borough Board of Burgesses Continues Traffic Safety Discussion

John, you raise an important point — these situations are tragic, complicated, and often far less clear-cut than the headlines make them seem. In the Fredericksburg case, the full facts still aren’t publicly known, and like so many of these stories, there’s conflicting information. It was apparently the back door at 3 a.m. — was it justified to use deadly force? We don’t know yet. What we do know is that the homeowner has been charged, and as you rightly noted, that is very serious. But this is also where perspective matters. These cases are quickly sensationalized in the news and on social media, yet when the dust settles, the outcomes are rarely publicized. People forget that in our system, you are innocent until proven guilty. Try to find much coverage of the convication in the case of the Fairfield Realtor vehicle homicide, or updates on the woman who shot her husband a couple of Christmases ago, or even the pedestrian death in Sandy Hook a year or so back. The follow-through simply isn’t there, and public opinion is often shaped only by the first round of headlines. At the end of the day, these situations remind us how split-second decisions in the middle of the night can change lives forever — which is exactly why the right to protect one’s property, home and family is so fiercely debated, and lucky constitutionally protected.

Late Night Prank Gone Wrong

First the low hanging fruit. Dave; it was a joke, please get over it. You are the only person in Newtown that thought I really wanted to build a stadium on 6 Commence Rd. Now on to Alex. You might not appreciate my writing style or my selection of words, but let's not loose sight of the fact that by responding to my letter in the manner that you did, you have removed any doubt whatsoever that you have no idea of the quantifiable benefits you are dismissing not only for the town, but also for protesters. Either you stopped listening at the word "ordinance" or you never started.. Your constitutional rights to assemble were never in question and would actually be strengthened and there would be literally no impediments. We could even title it "The Alex Villamil Ordinance" if you want. It could be your legacy and actually show Newtown your willingness to work in a bipartisan way for the betterment of the town. Businesses would be protected. Traffic wouldn't be interrupted. The town would save hundreds of thousands of dollars in police overtime. And maybe most importantly, the town could prevent another tragedy while mitigating legal risk in the event something terrible happens at a protest. Nothing bad could never happen in Newtown right? All that could be accomplished by a simple, non-intrusive ordinance unless all the detriments to our town are intentional in order to bring more attention to your cause. Alex, this was not me throwing a temper tantrum. Believe me, you will know it if that happens. I am just putting Newtown first. From that perspective, if you think critically, the regulation is necessary. It makes sense logically, rationally, and is reasonable. There is absolutely no down side. None. I would be willing to sit down with you to see if we could come to some type of compromise if you want. Let me know. You would be amazed how much you can accomplish when there is dialogue amongst neighbors.

It’s About Dialogue Amongst Neighbors — Not Regulation

A popular prank circulating on TikTok is “ding-dong-ditch” where a group of young people violently bang or kick someone’s door late at night and then “ditch” or run. On May 3 three high schoolers here in Fredericksburg Va. were participating in such a prank. One homeowner assumed, as in this case, an attempted break in and also took measures to defend his family and property. As the youths were running away he fired, striking an 18 year old graduating senior in the back killing him and seriously injuring a second youth. A wasted life, a family shattered, and the homeowner charged with murder.

You’re absolutely right — no one should ever feel unsafe in their own home. Being startled awake by violent banging at your door late at night is no joke, and it’s a stark reminder that danger can come without warning. That’s why I’m thankful for the right to protect ourselves, our families, and our property. In a moment like that, you don’t get a second chance to call for help before you act — you have to be prepared. Our homes should be a place of peace, not fear, and the ability to defend them is a right worth safeguarding.

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‘Waging Change’ Thoughtful Film Screening Planned

NFA SpringFest Vendors Sought

California Strong Benefit Dance Planned

Altman To Celebrate ‘Permission’ With Byrd’s Books Author Event

Get Ready To Dance At Chase’s Country Line Dancing Hoedown

NAFC To Co-Host Regina Brown Day On Anniversary Of Resident’s Disappearance

Buzzworthy: Learn The Benefits Of Backyard Beekeeping

Local Session Of Question, Persuade, Refer Training Scheduled

Change Of Date For SCAN’s ‘Learning From Clouds With Jill Nichols’ Workshop

‘Art Of Black And White Photography’ To Open Camera Club March Programming