Sandy Hook families sway Washington’s discussion on Gun Legislation

Eleven family members of those killed in the December 2012 shooting at the Newtown, CT elementary school joined President Barack Obama on an Air Force One flight from Connecticut to D.C. after Obama’s speech at the University of Hartford on Monday. At the university, U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy. Megan Merrigan photo, CTNewsJunkie.com

By Megan Merrigan | CTNewsJunkie.com

April 12, 2013

Eleven family members of those killed in the December 2012 shooting at the Newtown, CT Sandy Hook Elementary school joined President Barack Obama on an Air Force One flight from Connecticut to D.C. after Obama’s speech at the University of Hartford on Monday (April 8).

“The families of Newtown literally turned the tide in Washington, D.C.,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal said at a press conference at the University of Hartford on Friday (April 12). “Their faces and voices are an historic story in achieving better measures against gun violence.”

In all, 16 Republicans contributed to Thursday’s (April 11) 68-31 bipartisan victory over the Republican-led filibuster that would have prevented debate on the legislation.

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CT DEEP Commissioner to demonstrate electric-vehicle service at Storrs Center

CT DEEP Commissioner Esty is expected to charge his Chevy Volt at one of the stations – there are four Level 2 retractable electric charging stations in the Mansfield Garage – and a Hertz car-share program will be introduced.

By Brenda Sullivan, HTNP News Editor

Connecticut Connecticut DEEP Commissioner Dan Esty is expected to join Mansfield Mayor Betsy Paterson and other local dignitaries beginning at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16 to tour the Storrs Center development.

The visit is meant to highlight energy and pro-environment aspects of the development, including electric vehicle charging stations for the public.

Commissioner Esty was originally scheduled to visit Storrs Center and talk about the electric-vehicle leasing service on March 19, but that visit was rescheduled because of bad weather.

His April 16 visit begins at the Storrs Center Parking Garage and then moves to the businesses on Dog Lane.

The lower level of the parking garage features electric vehicle charging stations for the public. Commissioner Esty will park his Chevy Volt and connect it to a charger.

There are four, Level-2 retractable electric charging stations – and a Hertz car-share program will be introduced.

This demonstration will be followed with a speaking program on the sidewalk along Dog Lane, outside of retail shops and restaurants. (In the event of rain, the group will move inside the Dog Lane Café).

A reception will follow at Dog Lane Café.

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Andy Shinoski Celebration of Life April 13

Andy Shinoski of Ashford, CT passed away on Monday April 8 at the age of 77.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Shinoski, two sons Bill and Phillip, daughter Marianna, and five grandchildren – Shannon, Kayley, Keegan, Andi and Lauren.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Knowlton Memorial Hall, 25 Pompey Hollow Road in Ashford on Saturday, April 13 from 2:30 – 4 p.m., with a brief service at 3 p.m. A private gathering will follow.

In lieu of flowers, tax deductible donations in Memory of Andy Shinoski may be made to the Ashford Volunteer Fire Department Inc., P.O Box 1, Ashford CT 06278.

Posted April 12, 2013

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Learn about local folks during the Civil War

Frank Niederwerfer, who lives in South Windsor, is a Civil War historian and a member of the 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Reenacting Unit. He will give a talk at the Willington Library on April 25 2013. Facebook photo

There’s more to the Civil War than what we learned from “Gone with the Wind.”

In fact, many New Englanders played important, if not always dramatic roles.

You can learn more at a program on the subject presented by Civil War historian Frank Niederwerfer at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 25 at the Willington Public Library at 7 Ruby Road.

The program is hosted by the Willington Historical Society.

Niederwerfer, who lives in South Windsor, is a Civil War historian and a member of the 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Reenacting Unit.

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Does Willington love its library?

Tuesday, April 16 2013 is “Snapshot Day” at libraries throughout Connecticut and across the country.

Press Release

Tuesday, April 16 2013 is “Snapshot Day”  at libraries throughout Connecticut and across the country.

Libraries will take a “snapshot” that day – that is, they will collect information to capture the impact that Connecticut libraries have on their communities on a typical day.

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Share your lovely locks, help a woman in need

Eastern Connecticut State University’s People Helping People (PHP) student club, in collaboration with Pantene Beautiful Lengths, invites you to a hair-donation event from 2 to 4 p.m. on April 29 in the Betty R. Tipton Room in the Student Center.

Eastern Connecticut State University’s People Helping People (PHP) student club, in collaboration with Pantene Beautiful Lengths, invites you to a hair-donation event from 2 to 4 p.m. on April 29 in the Betty R. Tipton Room in the Student Center.

All donated hair will be made into wigs for cancer patients. The public is invited.

For those interested in donating, hair must be…

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UConn unveils new leaner, meaner Huskies logo

Weighing in on the new Huskies logo design, women’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma said, “This logo is everything that a Husky is supposed to be – powerful, aggressive, determined. It is looking right through you and saying ‘Do not mess with me’. ” Image courtesy of UConn Athletics

Press Release

UConn Athletics today (April 11) unveiled a new version of the Husky logo.

UConn Athletics has been working with Nike to evaluate all parts of its brand, including word marks, logos and uniforms, for the past 14 months.

The new Husky Dog logo will be featured on uniforms for every one of UConn’s 24 athletic programs in 2013-14 and each of those uniforms will also prominently display the block UCONN word mark outlined in red.

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Challenges loom for Connecticut’s new gun law

Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signs new gun law on April 4, 2013 at the State Capitol in Hartford, CT. Photo by Christine Stuart | CTNewsJunkie.com

by Hugh McQuaid | CTnewsjunkie.com

Flanked by families of some of those murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT in December 2012, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signed into law the state’s new bipartisan, gun-violence prevention legislation at a ceremony Thursday afternoon (April 4) at the state Capitol.

The bill expands the number of firearms prohibited in Connecticut, bans the sale of ammunition magazines that carry more than 10 rounds, and imposes new eligibility requirements for purchases of all guns and ammunition. It also creates the first statewide gun offender registry.

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