State invites applications for Recreational Trail Grants

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is now accepting proposals for Connecticut’s National Recreational Trails Program Grants. The Naugatuck River Greenway in Waterbury, CT is a past recipient of one of these grants. Image source: Waterbury City Website

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is now accepting proposals for Connecticut’s National Recreational Trails Program Grants.

Applications will be accepted through March 29, 2013.

Grants may be made to any private nonprofit organizations, municipalities, state departments and tribal governments. Grant amounts vary.

The National Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is an assistance … Continue Reading

Local group offers college scholarships for women

The GFWC Northeastern CT Woman’s Club is accepting applications for both the Dorothy E. Schoelzel Scholarship and the Phipps Memorial Scholarship.

The GFWC Northeastern CT Woman’s Club is accepting applications for both the Dorothy E. Schoelzel Scholarship and the Phipps Memorial Scholarship.

The scholarships are available to enable Connecticut women to pursue advanced courses in accredited institutions.

Phipps Scholarship candidates must have completed two or more years of undergraduate work towards a Bachelor’s degree or a post graduate degree and must have a 3.0 or higher grade point average.

Candidates for the Schoelzel Scholarship must have completed three or more years of … Continue Reading

CT State Police searching for bank robber

CT State Police say this man robbed the Chelsea Groton Bank in Salem the morning of Jan. 17, 2013. Photo provided by CT State Police.

Connecticut State Police have released photos of a man they say robbed the Chelsea Groton Bank this morning (Jan. 17) at about 9:55 a.m.

State Police Troop K Colchester received a 911 call from the bank, reporting that a robbery had just taken place at the bank located at Salem Four Corners in the Town of Salem.

The Resident State Trooper and Troop K Troopers responded. … Continue Reading

State offers new Youth Fishing Passport

CT Fish and Wildlife has developed fishing activities and is building a list of fishing vendors who will support passport holders with a special benefit. CT Fish and Wildlife photo.

Connecticut Fish and Wildlife has announced a new free Youth Fishing Passport.

The Youth Fishing Passport is a program designed to encourage those under 16 to become avid anglers.

CT Fish and Wildlife has developed fishing activities and is building a list of fishing vendors who will support passport … Continue Reading

DMV cancels morning driving tests Jan 16

The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles has canceled all road skill tests scheduled before 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16, due to the impending winter storm.

The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles has canceled all road skill tests scheduled before 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16, due to the impending winter … Continue Reading

UConn scholarship for Sandy Hook victims tops $800,000

The Orange Bowl Committee’s gift brings the Sandy Hook scholarship fund to about $800,000.

The University of Connecticut’s Sandy Hook School Memorial Scholarship Fund, which honors those who died in the tragic shooting in Newtown, has received a gift of $80,120 from the host of the 2013 Bowl Championship Series (BCS) National Championship Game.

The donation from the Orange Bowl Committee represents $1 for every fan in attendance at the Jan. 7, 2013 BCS National Championship Game, where UConn Athletic Director Warde Manuel received the check on UConn’s behalf at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.

The surprise donation was presented by … Continue Reading

Ashford, Mansfield and Willington to consider ‘weight’ of votes

Information about pending changes to the E. O. Smith school board’s weighted votes will be made available at a 7 p.m. meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 23 at the Audrey P. Beck Municipal Building in Mansfield. Another public info meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 30 at the Willington Public Library.

If you are like most people, you probably didn’t know that the school board overseeing Edwin O. Smith High School (Regional School District 19) has “weighted” votes.

The District 19 Board of Education is made up of 12 members – four each from the towns that make up the district, Mansfield, Ashford and Willington. (Other towns send students to E.O. Smith, i.e. for the vo-ag program, but do not have representatives on the school board.)

When board members vote on a motion, it is not a one-for-one vote. Currently, a Mansfield board member’s vote is weighted as 1.896; a Willington board member’s vote is 0.646 and an Ashford board member’s is weighted as 0.458.

Now, because of new population statistics produced by the last U.S. Census (2010) the district is being instructed to revisit the weight of each vote.

More information about this process will be made available at a 7 p.m. meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 23 at the Audrey P. Beck Municipal Building (Mansfield Town Hall), which is located at the corner of Routes 195 and 275 (South Eagleville Road), next door to the high school.

Another public information meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 30 at the Willington Public Library, 7 Ruby Road.

The CT State Board of Education is proposing that the weight of Mansfield’s votes increases, and that the weight of Ashford’s and Willington’s votes decrease.

Changes to the “weighted” votes are supposed to be put before voters in Ashford, Mansfield and Willington on Nov. 6, Election Day.

In order to pass, all three towns must approve the change.

If the vote fails Nov. 6, it could be sent to another referendum or it could be left to the CT Department of Education to make the final decision.

Questions? Contact E.O. Smith High School Superintendent Bruce Silva at 860- 860-487-0877 during school hours, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Posted October 22, 2012

Have a news item, event or Letter to the Editor you’d like posted on this news site? Simply send your information to editor@htnp.com and include your town in the subject line of your email. Please also include a phone number where you can be reached if there are questions. For daily updates on local and Connecticut news, “like” us on Facebook at HTNP News. https://www.facebook.com/HTNPnews and find us on our NEW Twitter page at HTNP News (@HTNPNews )

Free massages Monday – It’s National Massage Therapy Awareness Week

Enjoy a free massage at Quinebaug Valley Community College between 3 and 6 p.m. on Monday (Oct. 22) as part of a celebration of National Massage Therapy Awareness Week. Image courtesy of American Massage Therapy Association.

Enjoy a free massage at Quinebaug Valley Community College between 3 and 6 p.m. on Monday (Oct. 22) as part of a celebration of the 16th annual National Massage Therapy Awareness Week, Oct. 21-27.

The massages are offered by the American Massage Therapy Association.

QVCC is located at 729 Main Street in downtown Willimantic.

QVCC invites the public to meet local licensed massage therapists and learn about the many benefits of massage therapy.

Posted October 21, 2012 – based on a press release, links and video added by HTNP News Editor Brenda Sullivan

Have a news item, event or Letter to the Editor you’d like posted on this news site? Simply send your information to editor@htnp.com and include your town in the subject line of your email. Please also include a phone number where you can be reached if there are questions. For daily updates on local and Connecticut news, “like” us on Facebook at HTNP News. https://www.facebook.com/HTNPnews and find us on our NEW Twitter page at HTNP News (@HTNPNews )