News

On The Ground: Former Newtown Residents Report In From Houston

By John Voket

Updated: Feb 29, 2024 10:43 AM

As self-appointed responders team with expanding organized efforts to help rescue and support residents in Houston and surrounding communities hardest hit by Hurricane — now tropical storm — Harvey, several former local residents checked in with The Newtown Bee about the situation as they were seeing it.

Hurricane Harvey Pet Food Relief Drive Underway

By Shannon Hicks

Published: Aug 31, 2017 12:00 AM

This story has been updated to reflect information received from Your Healthy Pet, extending the original Thursday deadline to Friday. Your Healthy Pet, the pet supply store at 61 Church Hill Roa...

Selectmen Hear Residents' Concerns, Issue Temporary LOF License

By Kendra Bobowick

Published: Aug 31, 2017 12:00 AM

"The discussion in front of us is not about value or merits of the Leaps of Faith," said First Selectman Pat Llodra, during an August 17 Board of Selectmen's meeting. The three selectmen and other off...

Disabled Waterski Group And Neighbors At Odds

By Kendra Bobowick

Published: Aug 31, 2017 12:00 AM

Finding themselves at odds this year are town officials, LOF Adaptive Skiers operations, and neighbors in the vicinity of those operations. The Sandy Hook-based LOF Founder Joel Zeisler has been runni...

Police Seeking Evading Vehicle

By Shannon Hicks

Published: Aug 31, 2017 12:00 AM

Newtown Police Department is looking this morning for an older model white or silver Jeep Grand Cherokee whose driver reportedly evaded an officer during a motor vehicle stop. The vehicle, believed to...

T-Shirt Sales To Support Victims Of Hurricane Harvey

Published: Aug 31, 2017 12:00 AM

John Celli and his wife of NewtownApparel.com are raising funds to support victims of Hurricane Harvey, which has devastated the mid-Gulf coast of Texas.newtownapparel.com/collections/houston-relief-2...

Governor Advises On Hurricane Harvey Response And Recovery

Published: Aug 29, 2017 12:00 AM

HARTFORD - Governor Dannel P. Malloy is advising Connecticut residents who are considering providing monetary donations to nonprofit organizations that are assisting with Hurricane Harvey response and...

Road Closures For Newtown 5-K Road Race And Labor Day ParadeÂ

Published: Aug 28, 2017 12:00 AM

Local officials have listed the road closures planned for two major events scheduled for the Labor Day weekend - the 12th Annual Newtown 5-K Road Race to be held on Saturday, September 2, and the 56th...

New Family Pharmacy Hosting Narcan Training Day

By John Voket

Published: Aug 27, 2017 12:00 AM

NOTE (Monday, August 28, 2017): This story has been updated [and from the print version of August 25, 2017] to correct a misspelled name, hours of operation, and to remove the word "giveaway" in r...

Public Hearings Scheduled For Three Town Ordinances

By John Voket

Published: Aug 26, 2017 12:00 AM

The comprehensive update of a local Roads Ordinance that will give the town much more flexibility and lays out specific guidelines on the development, maintenance, and improvements of town roads is am...

The Way We Were

First Week Of October Is Mental Illness Awareness Week

Newtown Historical Society Schoolhouse Storytelling Event Rescheduled

Rob Blanchard For State Senate

Vote For Michelle Embree Ku

A quick fact check easily debunks the claims in this letter. Rep Bolinsky was instrumental in getting Exit 11 fixed which has greatly alleviated traffic at our most previously most dangerous intersection. He worked to get the light put on 34 at Bennetts Bridge which has prevented many accidents. He has pushed DOT for many of the bridge widening and onramp improvements we have seen on the highway, along with advancing legislation for 84 traffic studies, rear-seat seat belts laws, DUI legislation, wrong way signaling, distracted driving and more - working with Vision Zero, CTDOT, NTSB and AAA. He also opposed tolls on 84 which would have shifted even more congestion from the interstate onto local roads. He has been a champion of public transportation efforts for our seniors. Mitch was instrumental in passing the 2017 bipartisan budget with fiscal reforms that protected Newtown's funding, the loss of which would have been passed onto property tax payers. He has proudly never supported a tax increase and opposed and killed many "bad bills" that would have worsened the issues the author is focused on. We can and should hold our representatives to account, but lets be factual when making such claims.

Vote For Michelle Embree Ku

Another police search in a Newtown neighborhood. Did I miss the notification from the First Selectman’s office, or are we still using the “read about it afterward” emergency communication system? I raised this same concern after the April police search. How many times do residents have to ask for timely information? At this point, perhaps it’s the First Selectman’s office that needs a welfare check. Anybody home, Bruce? Thank you to Newtown Police for doing their job. Wake up, Bruce. Keeping residents informed is part of yours.

Driver Arrested After Fleeing Crash Scene

This strikes me as a pretty one-sided assessment. Let me add some context. You highlight that his opponent has lived in Newtown for only two and a half years, yet leave out that Rob Blanchard moved here in July—roughly two and a half months ago. If residency matters, apply the same standard to both candidates. Isn't there a name for someone who moves to a town to run for election? Something like a rug or carpet, something? I also question the mortgage-struggle framing in advertisements he approved and appears in. The public payroll figures put his household gross earnings at roughly $300,000—nearly twice Newtown’s median household income of $155,110. That doesn’t mean they have no financial pressures, but it is fair to question how closely that portrayal reflects the circumstances of a typical Newtown household. Both candidates deserve scrutiny. Highlighting one candidate’s short residency while overlooking the other’s much more recent arrival is a double standard.

Vote For Rob Blanchard For State Senate

An incredible event... again. Thanks so much to Leslie and the entire gang who make this gathering of friends, family and classmates happen every year! And thanks to Devery Stickles for his generous support. This event is truly the Heart & Spirit of Newtown!

Dozens Enjoy Annual Panacea Labor Day Weekend Concert

Michelle Embree Ku raises valid concerns about local property taxes, but ignores a basic political reality: Representative Mitch Bolinsky serves in the minority in a legislature dominated by a single-party supermajority where minority-party proposals are routinely sidelined. Suggesting that a single minority representative could rewrite the state's ECS formula is politically unrealistic and disingenuous to Newtown voters. Despite those odds, Mitch’s CGA track record speaks for itself. He led the charge to protect special education funding, preserve Drug-Free School Zones, safeguard school safety drills, advance science-based structured literacy, and defend homeschooling choices for families. If Ms. Ku knows how to fix the ECS formula, what has she done to convince her own party—the same party that controls the House, Senate, and Governor’s office? If the supermajority has the votes to fix ECS today, why hasn’t it happened during the 13 years she cites? Adding another seat to a supermajority that made Connecticut one of the highest-taxed states won't help Newtown taxpayers. If the current majority hasn't delivered relief with absolute power, expanding that majority won't change the outcome. Newtown’s interests are best served by keeping Mitch in the House and increasing Republican margins to provide real checks and balances. When one party holds every lever of power, accountability disappears. Strengthening the minority ensures our town’s voice is heard, not drowned out.

ECS Funding Debate Should Focus On Results

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