News

12/14 Commemorative Pins Available At The Bee

Published: Dec 12, 2016 12:00 AM

The Newtown Bee received by mail this week a donation of unsolicited lapel pins commemorating 12/14. The pins, in the shape of the state of Connecticut and marked with the number 26, came from a r...

Opportunities For Support And Healing On 12/14 Anniversary

Published: Dec 09, 2016 12:00 AM

As the fourth anniversary of 12/14 approaches, local groups and organizations are ready to help residents. The Resiliency Center of Newtown will be open all day on Wednesday, December 14, offering myr...

Flag At Half-Staff To Honor John Glenn

Published: Dec 09, 2016 12:00 AM

proclamation from President Barack Obama directing flags to be lowered across the country in honor of former US Senator, veteran, and astronaut John Glenn - US and state flags in Connecticut should b...

Anniversary of 12/14 To Be Noted In Schools With Moments Of Silence And Ready Educators

By Eliza Hallabeck

Published: Dec 09, 2016 12:00 AM

With the fourth anniversary of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on 12/14 approaching, Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, sent an e-mail to district parents at the end of Novem...

BOS Hears Road And Bridges Update, Acts On Pension Changes

By John Voket

Published: Dec 09, 2016 12:00 AM

The Board of Selectmen received an update on a number of town road and bridge projects during its regular meeting December 5, before hearing briefly from a representative of the Newtown Pension Commis...

12/14 Community Interfaith Prayer Vigil Planned

By Shannon Hicks

Published: Dec 09, 2016 12:00 AM

The Newtown Interfaith Association has announced its plans for a Community Interfaith Prayer Vigil on the fourth anniversary of 12/14.Additional Offerings Trinity Episcopal Church, at 36 Main Street,...

Council Briefed On Charter Changes Taking Effect

By John Voket

Published: Dec 09, 2016 12:00 AM

This report was updated at 8:30pm, December 10 to correct the number of days the Legislative Council has to begin initiating a new ordinance. Following the endorsement of a sweeping overhaul to Newt...

Pleasance And Ram Pasture Impacted By Scheduled Bridge Replacement

By R. Scudder Smith

Published: Dec 09, 2016 12:00 AM

According to an estimated traffic study done in 2013 on Route 302 near the approach to Main Street, 9,200 vehicles pass that way daily. It is probably true that most of the people in those many vehicl...

A Note On 12/14 Coverage

Published: Dec 09, 2016 12:00 AM

The Newtown Bee honors the memory of those who died or were impacted by the shooting at Sandy Hook School, December 14, 2012. We respect that many find this day a time of personal reflection, and not ...

Florida Woman Indicted In Threats Against Sandy Hook School Victim's Parent

Published: Dec 08, 2016 12:00 AM

Lucy Richards, 57, of Tampa, Fla., was indicted this week on four counts of transmitting threats in interstate commerce in connection with death threats she allegedly made against a parent of one of t...

Cross Country Teams Race At Wolfe Park

Two For One: Girls' Swim And Dive Begins Season With Pair Of Wins

The Way We Were

First Week Of October Is Mental Illness Awareness Week

Newtown Historical Society Schoolhouse Storytelling Event Rescheduled

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

Copyright ©2026 The Newtown Bee / All rights reserved