AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantMay 04, 2020 at 7:27 pmUnder her new plan to ensure safe and secure voting this year, Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise Merrill said she will send out absentee ballot applications to every registered voter in the state and pay the postage for their ballots.But that doesn’t mean that every voter in the state will be legally eligible to vote by ballot. Under state law — which is not being modified for Merrill’s plan — fear of catching the coronavirus at the polls doesn’t necessarily qualify someone for an absentee ballot. Merrill said Monday that she...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantMay 04, 2020 at 7:27 pmUnder her new plan to ensure safe and secure voting this year, Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise Merrill said she will send out absentee ballot applications to every registered voter in the state and pay the postage for their ballots.But that doesn’t mean that every voter in the state will be legally eligible to vote by ballot. Under state law — which is not being modified for Merrill’s plan — fear of catching the coronavirus at the polls doesn’t necessarily qualify someone for an absentee ballot. Merrill said Monday that she...WW…

AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantMay 02, 2020 at 6:00 amLeaders of some cities and towns across Connecticut are proposing budgets without tax increases to ease financial burdens on taxpayers, despite fear that municipal revenue will decline due to the coronavirus pandemic. AdvertisementWest Hartford Town Manager Matt Hart proposed a 3.7% tax increase in March, before the coronavirus closed Connecticut businesses and hundreds of thousands of people were left unemployed.In late April, town leaders decided to cut $9.8 million of expenditures from the proposed budget to result in a tax decrease...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantMay 02, 2020 at 6:00 amLeaders of some cities and towns across Connecticut are proposing budgets without tax increases to ease financial burdens on taxpayers, despite fear that municipal revenue will decline due to the coronavirus pandemic. AdvertisementWest Hartford Town Manager Matt Hart proposed a 3.7% tax increase in March, before the coronavirus closed Connecticut businesses and hundreds of thousands of people were left unemployed.In late April, town leaders decided to cut $9.8 million of expenditures from the proposed budget to result in a tax decrease...WW…

AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantSep 17, 2020 at 4:37 pmFor the second straight day, a small group of anti-mask protesters sought to interrupt Gov. Ned Lamont Thursday during a news conference to announce a development project near the Hartford Line commuter railroad.As Lamont started speaking at the opening of a new, 160-unit apartment complex near the Windsor Locks train station, a protester shouted, “Impeach Lamont!”AdvertisementTrump protestor in Windsor Locks who gave his name only as Joe says that Dr. Fauci is a fraud, and the CDC is a fraud — Christopher Keating (@chrispkeating)Lamont...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantSep 17, 2020 at 4:37 pmFor the second straight day, a small group of anti-mask protesters sought to interrupt Gov. Ned Lamont Thursday during a news conference to announce a development project near the Hartford Line commuter railroad.As Lamont started speaking at the opening of a new, 160-unit apartment complex near the Windsor Locks train station, a protester shouted, “Impeach Lamont!”AdvertisementTrump protestor in Windsor Locks who gave his name only as Joe says that Dr. Fauci is a fraud, and the CDC is a fraud — Christopher Keating (@chrispkeating)Lamont...WW…

AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantDec 23, 2020 at 2:53 pmWesleyan University has suspended a fraternity after a “hazing incident” that also violated the university’s coronavirus rules for students, a spokesperson for the university said Wednesday.Lauren Rubenstein declined to comment on which fraternity was suspended, when it was suspended and for how long. She also declined to provide additional details about the incident or in what ways the incident violated the university’s coronavirus rules.AdvertisementCiting student privacy concerns, Rubenstein also declined to comment on whether any...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantDec 23, 2020 at 2:53 pmWesleyan University has suspended a fraternity after a “hazing incident” that also violated the university’s coronavirus rules for students, a spokesperson for the university said Wednesday.Lauren Rubenstein declined to comment on which fraternity was suspended, when it was suspended and for how long. She also declined to provide additional details about the incident or in what ways the incident violated the university’s coronavirus rules.AdvertisementCiting student privacy concerns, Rubenstein also declined to comment on whether any...WW…

Deaths related to COVID-19 at Connecticut nursing homes now account for more than half of all coronavirus deaths in the state, according to new public health data released Thursday night. The data show a massive spike in the number of deaths of nursing home patients to 1,249 — an almost 63% increase since the state’s last report on nursing home deaths at the end of last week. Advertisement The data include both “laboratory confirmed” deaths, cases where a positive COVID-19 test was obtained, and “probable” deaths, those attributed to COVID-19 but had no test conducted. Those deaths now make...…Deaths related to COVID-19 at Connecticut nursing homes now account for more than half of all coronavirus deaths in the state, according to new public health data released Thursday night. The data show a massive spike in the number of deaths of nursing home patients to 1,249 — an almost 63% increase since the state’s last report on nursing home deaths at the end of last week. Advertisement The data include both “laboratory confirmed” deaths, cases where a positive COVID-19 test was obtained, and “probable” deaths, those attributed to COVID-19 but had no test conducted. Those deaths now make...WW…

AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantApr 24, 2020 at 6:43 pmSteve Dalkowski, who possessed a terrifying fastball he could not control and, though he never made the major leagues, became an enduring figure of baseball lore, died on Sunday in his hometown of New Britain.Dalkowski, a victim of COVID-19, was 80.Advertisement“He’s in a better place now,” said Patty Cain, his sister, who brought Dalkowski, suffering from alcohol-related dementia, back home to Connecticut 26 years ago. “He is resting. He had a rough couple of months.”One of the most written-about subjects in baseball history, Dalkowski...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantApr 24, 2020 at 6:43 pmSteve Dalkowski, who possessed a terrifying fastball he could not control and, though he never made the major leagues, became an enduring figure of baseball lore, died on Sunday in his hometown of New Britain.Dalkowski, a victim of COVID-19, was 80.Advertisement“He’s in a better place now,” said Patty Cain, his sister, who brought Dalkowski, suffering from alcohol-related dementia, back home to Connecticut 26 years ago. “He is resting. He had a rough couple of months.”One of the most written-about subjects in baseball history, Dalkowski...WW…

AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantAug 11, 2020 at 10:43 amUConn President Thomas Katsouleas said Tuesday that due to concerns about COVID-19 the university is closing its residence halls to out-of-state students who are enrolled only in online courses. The university is the one of many schools across the nation pivoting plans right before the start of the fall semester because of public health concerns. “Out-of-state students who are enrolled in only online courses are being asked to stay home and will not be permitted to live in University housing during the fall 2020 semester,” Katsouleas...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantAug 11, 2020 at 10:43 amUConn President Thomas Katsouleas said Tuesday that due to concerns about COVID-19 the university is closing its residence halls to out-of-state students who are enrolled only in online courses. The university is the one of many schools across the nation pivoting plans right before the start of the fall semester because of public health concerns. “Out-of-state students who are enrolled in only online courses are being asked to stay home and will not be permitted to live in University housing during the fall 2020 semester,” Katsouleas...WW…

AdvertisementBy Special to Hartford CourantMay 04, 2020 at 8:00 amThanks to the hard work of our federal delegation, Connecticut can expect $5.4 million appropriated from Congress specifically to help states hold their 2020 elections by expanding access to voting by mail and increasing the safety of voting in person.Working with our partners at the local level, the registrars of voters and town clerks, here is Connecticut’s plan to make sure that Connecticut’s elections remain safe, secure, and accessible to all voters.AdvertisementFirst, we are going to enhance the safety of our in-person...…AdvertisementBy Special to Hartford CourantMay 04, 2020 at 8:00 amThanks to the hard work of our federal delegation, Connecticut can expect $5.4 million appropriated from Congress specifically to help states hold their 2020 elections by expanding access to voting by mail and increasing the safety of voting in person.Working with our partners at the local level, the registrars of voters and town clerks, here is Connecticut’s plan to make sure that Connecticut’s elections remain safe, secure, and accessible to all voters.AdvertisementFirst, we are going to enhance the safety of our in-person...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 CourantMay 04, 2020 at 7:39 pmDespite news that the COVID-19 death rate has appeared to slow and the state’s hospitalizations have continued to drop, a state lawmaker said Connecticut may be moving too fast to try to begin reopening closed businesses starting on May 20.State Sen. Saud Anwar, who appeared with Gov. Ned Lamont at his press briefing Monday, said he is worried that reopening businesses too early could result in a second COVID-19 surge.Advertisement“The responsible thing in my mind would be to see what is happening in other states and other countries,”...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantMay 04, 2020 at 7:39 pmDespite news that the COVID-19 death rate has appeared to slow and the state’s hospitalizations have continued to drop, a state lawmaker said Connecticut may be moving too fast to try to begin reopening closed businesses starting on May 20.State Sen. Saud Anwar, who appeared with Gov. Ned Lamont at his press briefing Monday, said he is worried that reopening businesses too early could result in a second COVID-19 surge.Advertisement“The responsible thing in my mind would be to see what is happening in other states and other countries,”...WW…