AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantApr 16, 2021 at 6:00 amAfter more than two decades of debate, abandoned plans and false starts, Simsbury is on the verge of deciding whether 288 acres of former tobacco fields will be set aside as open space and athletic fields.More than 1,000 residents signed petitions to force a May 4 referendum in a brief, hastily organized campaign that includes accusations that the finance board was refusing to let taxpayers vote the deal up or down.AdvertisementIf voters approve on May 4, Simsbury will put about $2.2 million toward a $6 million purchase of the land,...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantApr 16, 2021 at 6:00 amAfter more than two decades of debate, abandoned plans and false starts, Simsbury is on the verge of deciding whether 288 acres of former tobacco fields will be set aside as open space and athletic fields.More than 1,000 residents signed petitions to force a May 4 referendum in a brief, hastily organized campaign that includes accusations that the finance board was refusing to let taxpayers vote the deal up or down.AdvertisementIf voters approve on May 4, Simsbury will put about $2.2 million toward a $6 million purchase of the land,...WW…

AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantFeb 13, 2021 at 7:20 pmBristol police are reprimanding a veteran detective for repeatedly swearing loudly in a conversation at headquarters last fall, but have concluded he didn’t make the racist comments he was accused of.Detective Michael Brasche should undergo additional sensitivity training after holding forth loudly and profanely in a police headquarters room where he could be overheard by others, an internal investigative report concluded.AdvertisementMayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu released the report late Friday afternoon and said the police commission would...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantFeb 13, 2021 at 7:20 pmBristol police are reprimanding a veteran detective for repeatedly swearing loudly in a conversation at headquarters last fall, but have concluded he didn’t make the racist comments he was accused of.Detective Michael Brasche should undergo additional sensitivity training after holding forth loudly and profanely in a police headquarters room where he could be overheard by others, an internal investigative report concluded.AdvertisementMayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu released the report late Friday afternoon and said the police commission would...WW…

AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantJan 08, 2021 at 3:23 pmChip Kohn knows how brutally the pandemic has hurt his industry: His three West Hartford restaurants lost about $400,000 last year, and are in the midst of a frighteningly slow winter.“We’re down 47% in sales. On March 1 we had 85 employees, now it’s 25 — and frankly, I don’t have enough business for the 25,” Kohn told lawmakers Friday.AdvertisementTiffany Nguyen, owner of Pho135 in West Hartford as well as a small insurance agency, offered a similar story.“For the past seven months I’ve had to get money from my other business to...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantJan 08, 2021 at 3:23 pmChip Kohn knows how brutally the pandemic has hurt his industry: His three West Hartford restaurants lost about $400,000 last year, and are in the midst of a frighteningly slow winter.“We’re down 47% in sales. On March 1 we had 85 employees, now it’s 25 — and frankly, I don’t have enough business for the 25,” Kohn told lawmakers Friday.AdvertisementTiffany Nguyen, owner of Pho135 in West Hartford as well as a small insurance agency, offered a similar story.“For the past seven months I’ve had to get money from my other business to...WW…

AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantDec 03, 2020 at 6:00 amLooking to better develop the areas around the Elmwood and Flatbush Avenue CTfastrak stations, West Hartford is imposing a nine-month moratorium on projects that don’t promote transit-oriented development.The town wants to protect existing industrial employers as well as the Home Design District in that section, but also seeks to boost residential and commercial growth within walking distance of the stations, Town Manager Matt Hart said Wednesday.Advertisement“We’re generally looking to leverage and promote the proximity to CTfastrak...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantDec 03, 2020 at 6:00 amLooking to better develop the areas around the Elmwood and Flatbush Avenue CTfastrak stations, West Hartford is imposing a nine-month moratorium on projects that don’t promote transit-oriented development.The town wants to protect existing industrial employers as well as the Home Design District in that section, but also seeks to boost residential and commercial growth within walking distance of the stations, Town Manager Matt Hart said Wednesday.Advertisement“We’re generally looking to leverage and promote the proximity to CTfastrak...WW…

AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantOct 15, 2020 at 6:00 amWith the spread of panhandling during the pandemic, a few Connecticut communities are asking citizens to give money to charities instead of directly into the hands of the homeless.West Hartford officials recently made a pitch for people to stop handing cash to the people carrying cardboard “need help” signs, and Bristol just published a flier calling for compassion — but not direct donations — toward the homeless.Advertisement“The first rule is to NOT give money,” reads the flier, which came out after an increase in the numbers of...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantOct 15, 2020 at 6:00 amWith the spread of panhandling during the pandemic, a few Connecticut communities are asking citizens to give money to charities instead of directly into the hands of the homeless.West Hartford officials recently made a pitch for people to stop handing cash to the people carrying cardboard “need help” signs, and Bristol just published a flier calling for compassion — but not direct donations — toward the homeless.Advertisement“The first rule is to NOT give money,” reads the flier, which came out after an increase in the numbers of...WW…

AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantOct 01, 2020 at 6:00 amBook-lovers can go back to visiting libraries in Simsbury and Newington later this month for the first time since the coronavirus shutdown in mid-March, but they should expect changes.Both libraries anticipate reduced hours and restricted services, much like what other Connecticut libraries are offering. Newington will allow browsing only by appointment, for instance, while Simsbury will open only Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.AdvertisementMost libraries in the state have opened at least to some degree, but exactly what the means...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantOct 01, 2020 at 6:00 amBook-lovers can go back to visiting libraries in Simsbury and Newington later this month for the first time since the coronavirus shutdown in mid-March, but they should expect changes.Both libraries anticipate reduced hours and restricted services, much like what other Connecticut libraries are offering. Newington will allow browsing only by appointment, for instance, while Simsbury will open only Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.AdvertisementMost libraries in the state have opened at least to some degree, but exactly what the means...WW…

AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantSep 11, 2020 at 5:14 pmWest Hartford — Fans of NBC’s Parks and Recreation will recognize something special about the new promenade at Fernridge Park in West Hartford: It’s named after starring character Leslie Knope.Michael Schur, co-creator of the popular show, secured naming rights for the walkway when he donated $10,000 toward construction. Neighbors will hold a small celebration Saturday to commemorate the promenade.AdvertisementSchur, a 1993 Hall High School graduate, grew up right behind the park, and was quick to help when Friends of Fernridge Park...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantSep 11, 2020 at 5:14 pmWest Hartford — Fans of NBC’s Parks and Recreation will recognize something special about the new promenade at Fernridge Park in West Hartford: It’s named after starring character Leslie Knope.Michael Schur, co-creator of the popular show, secured naming rights for the walkway when he donated $10,000 toward construction. Neighbors will hold a small celebration Saturday to commemorate the promenade.AdvertisementSchur, a 1993 Hall High School graduate, grew up right behind the park, and was quick to help when Friends of Fernridge Park...WW…

AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantJul 22, 2020 at 9:23 amA man riding in a car on I-91 last Saturday was shocked by what he saw out the window: Dozens and dozens of young riders - mostly appearing to be teenagers - briefly taking over a stretch of the highway on bicycles, doing wheelies and other tricks alongside traffic.“We saw them getting on the ramp before Exit 8 - there had to be over 100, I’d estimate 150 to 175,” said the man, who shot video that’s racked up thousands of views on Instagram.AdvertisementThe cyclists rode in the right and center lanes, only occasionally glancing at...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantJul 22, 2020 at 9:23 amA man riding in a car on I-91 last Saturday was shocked by what he saw out the window: Dozens and dozens of young riders - mostly appearing to be teenagers - briefly taking over a stretch of the highway on bicycles, doing wheelies and other tricks alongside traffic.“We saw them getting on the ramp before Exit 8 - there had to be over 100, I’d estimate 150 to 175,” said the man, who shot video that’s racked up thousands of views on Instagram.AdvertisementThe cyclists rode in the right and center lanes, only occasionally glancing at...WW…

AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantJul 07, 2020 at 3:18 pmIn a signal that she might again run for governor in 2022, New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart announced Tuesday she’s organizing a drive to build the GOP in Connecticut and shift it closer toward the political center.“This is going to be a difficult year for Republicans, no doubt about it,” Stewart said, acknowledging that national polls show widespread dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s hard-right administration.Advertisement“We need to see Republicans remain a viable party in Connecticut,” Stewart said. “I know if the...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantJul 07, 2020 at 3:18 pmIn a signal that she might again run for governor in 2022, New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart announced Tuesday she’s organizing a drive to build the GOP in Connecticut and shift it closer toward the political center.“This is going to be a difficult year for Republicans, no doubt about it,” Stewart said, acknowledging that national polls show widespread dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s hard-right administration.Advertisement“We need to see Republicans remain a viable party in Connecticut,” Stewart said. “I know if the...WW…