Ambulance calls in Newtown, Conn., for the period of January 17-23, 2019.

The first winter storm of 2019 may not have left as much snow on the ground as had been predicted, but ice and freezing temperatures that accompanied the January 20 weather event certainly made up for the precipitation that did not arrive. Sunshine on Monday sparkled off ice-covered branches across town, creating a beautiful scene in the dangerously cold temperatures that continued for a second day.

Drilling into the 2019-20 municipal budget proposal presented January 22 by First Selectman Dan Rosenthal, it becomes clear the first selectman is taking advantage of several opportunities that have aligned recently to craft a spending plan that is not only innovative, but lays down groundwork that could help save taxpayers substantially more money in the future.

Fire reports covering Newtown, Conn., for the period of January 17-24, 2019.

Police reports covering Newtown, Conn., for the period of January 14-22, 2019.

The Pootatuck River was raging Thursday afternoon.

The National Weather Service out of New York City has issued a special weather statement for northern Fairfield County, until 4 pm, Thursday, January 24.

Within 24 hours of Governor Ned Lamont signing fast-tracked legislation to support a zero-interest loan program to help furloughed federal workers make ends meet, Newtown Savings Bank (NSB) has established itself as a local go-to location for those looking to apply.

Eversource will begin flyovers of Connecticut for post-storm review/damage assessment of transmission and distribution lines, beginning Wednesday, January 23.

The 25th annual Citizen Police Academy will be offered to the general public by the Newtown Police Department this spring.