News
Waterbury to host Romance Writing Conference
The Connecticut Chapter of the Romance Writers of America will host a writing conference called “The Write Thing” at the Mattatuck Museum Oct. 6 that will include Kristan Higgins, Jamie Beck and Jason Wrench. The conference will be followed, from 4 to 5 p.m., by a tea-cup auction and book signing, open to the public. […]
Developer threatens lawsuit over latest housing proposal
LITCHFIELD — Developer Michael Peloquin of Litchfield again is threatening legal action against the Planning and Zoning Commission if his latest proposal is not approved. Peloquin appeared before the PZC with his attorney, Alex Taubes, on Monday to propose an amendment to the zoning regulations calling for a maximum of 10 dwelling units per acre, […]
Winsted man takes plea deal for meet-ups with 16 year old girl
TORRINGTON – Former Winchester Board of Education member Shayne Deschamps had nothing to say before being sentenced in Superior Court on Thursday to five years in prison, all of it suspended. The plea agreement stems from Deschamps admission that he violated a protective order by meeting up with the 16-year-old, but not an underlying charge […]
Today’s Edition
Original poetry, prose and a play at Seven Angels Theatre
Sometime in the mid-1990s, Philip Benevento’s mind turned to playwriting. He was thinking about Greek playwrights like Sophocles, who wrote the Theban plays – each a stand-alone play but all connected. He thought he might be able to take a stab at it. At 81, he has completed his goal, and the first portion of […]
‘Never Let Go’ a bleak, dreary trip in the woods
The new Alexandre Aja film “Never Let Go” is billed as a psychological thriller and sports a trailer that looks like a ghost story. Halle Berry stars as a troubled mother surviving what seems to be a postapocalyptic existence deep in the woods with her two young sons. She battles off mysterious creatures, ensuring their […]
‘Agatha All Along’ a bewitching bet
Kathryn Hahn starring in the “WandaVision” spinoff “Agatha All Along” is one of this week’s new streaming entertainment releases. Also among the streaming offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: season two of the “Frasier” reboot on Paramount+ and the debut of “The Golden Bachelorette.” NEW MOVIES TO STREAM Writer-director […]
‘Transformers One,’ an origin story no one wants with brutality levels no one needs
Movie origin stories finally reach their nadir this week with “Transformers One,” the super-violent, toy-selling vehicle that tells the tale of how Optimus Prime and Megatron went from besties to foes. Did anyone ask for this? Did Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner ask for too much money? The computer-animated “Transformers One” is out […]
Clooney and Pitt cut a caper, on the thin line between ‘relaxed’ and ‘lax’
A generation ago, George Clooney worked with Brad Pitt in Vegas on a heist, in 2001, for director Steven Soderbergh’s remake of “Ocean’s Eleven.” People went to theaters to see it, and lives were not changed, merely entertained for a couple of hours – though who knows, really? Thanks to ensemble ringers Carl Reiner and […]
Coon, Olsen and Lyonne await a father’s death in ‘His Three Daughters’
Death isn’t like it is in the movies, a character explains in ” His Three Daughters. ” Elizabeth Olsen’s Christina is telling her sisters, Katie (Carrie Coon) and Rachel (Natasha Lyonne), a story about their father, who became particularly agitated one evening while watching a movie on television in the aftermath of his wife’s passing. […]
Morning 5: He writes the songs
Paul Williams, the composer, singer and actor, was born on this date in 1940. Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001, he is known for writing several popular songs performed by a number of acts, including: 1) The Oscar-nominated song “Rainbow Connection” sung by Jim Henson (as Kermit the Frog) in “The Muppet […]
HAPPENINGS IN THE HILLS: Morris volunteers enjoy flea market
MORRIS There’s always something interesting going on at Morris Senior Center with a crew of volunteers headed by the center’s director of 20 years, Kristen Davila. Davila and the Senior Center Commission were back at it Saturday when they hosted their annual flea market to raise money for programs and to defray expenses. Nineteen vendors […]
Winsted man’s arrest ruins sweet plea deal
TORRINGTON – A 27-year-old Winsted man who fought with his girlfriend early Wednesday in the city was awaiting sentencing on a previous felony offense of two counts of assault on a public safety officer. The plea agreement on the felony counts gave Dylan Dunham the right to argue for no prison time, but to realize […]
Nonnewaug students learn lessons on Ag Safety Day
WOODBURY – Nonnewaug High School vo-ag students learned some important safety tips to help ensure their well-being on a farm or in any situation Tuesday during the school’s first “Ag Safety Day.” The student-organized session featured a variety of discussions and demonstrations. It coincided with “Ag Safety Week,” a national event that runs Sept. 15-21. […]
Naugatuck man spared prison time for cruelty to dogs
NAUGATUCK – A borough man has received a one-year suspended prison term after he and his roommate’s dogs were found roaming around neglected. Michael Kostenko, 39, of Hillside Avenue, was sentenced Sept. 9 in Waterbury Superior Court. He faces two years of probation and is required to pay restitution to Naugatuck Animal Control for the […]
Litchfield paying the way for Region 20 startup costs
LITCHFIELD – A projected overrun in the $20,041,980 Litchfield Board of Education budget for 2023-24 rose this week from $690,000 to $873,000. First Selectman Denise Raap advised the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday of another $183,000 drawn from the town’s treasury to cover education expenses. A large chunk of the $873,000, according to the town’s […]
Neighbors oppose Salisbury resort plans
SALISBURY – A steady stream of residents lodged complaints about a proposal to redevelop the Wake Robin Inn into a modern resort during two sessions of a Planning and Zoning Commission hearing, which will continue Oct. 16. The second session Tuesday was attended by 92 listeners via Zoom, many of whom aired concerns about the […]
GOP presses Lamont on offshore wind power decision
HARTFORD – The delay in awarding a high-profile state contract for offshore wind power is generating more campaign debate over the high cost of electricity in Connecticut and what can be done to lower it. Gov. Ned Lamont indicated Wednesday his administration could be months away from making its decision after recently receiving four bids […]
State to lend help in fight vs. blight
HARTFORD – A $109,750 state grant announced Wednesday will help turn a 1.7-acre lot once used by Sealtest milk trucks in Hartford’s North End into a healing space and neighborhood destination. The Sterling Street Sanctuary and Nature Preserve is benefiting from one of the first awards under a new grant program created to help municipalities […]
Former president of Waterbury NAACP denied end to parole
WATERBURY – A former rising star of local politics and former DMV commissioner who pleaded guilty to child endangerment in 2015 was denied his request Wednesday for early termination of his special parole. Victor Diaz, 45, was released from prison two years ago following an 8-year sentence for molesting a girl beginning when she was […]
Today in History: September 19
Today in History: September 19, state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II By The Associated Press undefined Today is Thursday, Sept. 19, the 263rd day of 2024. There are 103 days left in the year. Today in history: On Sept. 19, 2022, Great Britain and the world said a final goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II at […]
UConn to celebrate Auriemma, Dailey on Nov. 20
STORRS – The one consistent element that has allowed UConn to build and sustain the greatest dynasty in women’s college basketball has been the dynamic coaching duo of head coach Geno Auriemma and his associate head coach Chris Dailey. Dailey has been by Auriemma’s side during his entire tenure at UConn, and with the pair […]
Rodgers gets 1st chance to play in Jets-Patriots rivalry when teams square off
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Aaron Rodgers knows a little bit about fierce NFL rivalries. He helped fuel one during his 18 seasons in Green Bay. Now the quarterback of the New York Jets (1-1), Rodgers is getting his official introduction to what has lately been a mostly lopsided matchup when he plays in the home […]
Murawski has helped solidify UConn’s offensive line
STORRS – If the UConn football team is going to turn its season around during its six consecutive home games starting with this Saturday’s game against Florida Atlantic, a lot of things are going to have to come together quickly, even if the opponents the Huskies will face their home stand appear mediocre at best. […]
Remember our POWS and those missing
Friday, Sept. 20, is the 45th National POW/MIA Recognition Day observance. The third Friday of September is a date set aside annually since 1986 to recognize and remember our unrecovered prisoners of war and those missing in action at the cessation of hostilities who remain unaccounted for today. The advances in forensic science and the […]
Be skeptical about air quality rules
The Sept. 2 Republican-American editorial discusses New Haven’s attempt to monitor particulates in the air. The editorial does note some, but not nearly enough, skepticism. The worst offender on this topic is the American Lung Association, which has a “no safe level” position regarding particulates. There is no substance on planet Earth with no safe […]
Focus on human capital
As detailed in a Sept. 15 Sunday Republican report, the city of Waterbury has been busy purchasing or otherwise acquiring various empty, blighted properties for the purpose of redevelopment and revitalization. On its face, this initiative, which began under former Mayor Neil M. O’Leary and has continued under Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski Jr., is a […]
Waterbury Police Blotter
WATERBURY Waterbury police recently filed the following charges: ELY RINCON, 42, of 60 Brewster St., first-degree sexual assault. JULIUS FRAZIER, 20, of 64 Fairview St., two counts first-degree failure to appear, second-degree failure to appear, two counts violation of protective order. JEANNA GUILLEMETTE, 24, of 32 Shagbark Road, second-degree breach of peace, second-degree physical threatening. […]
Morning 5: Hits from songwriter Paul Williams
Paul Williams, the composer, singer and actor, was born on this date in 1940. Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001, he is known for writing several popular songs performed by a number of acts, including: 1) The Oscar-nominated song “Rainbow Connection” sung by Jim Henson (as Kermit the Frog) in The Muppet […]
Bruce K. Densmore
TORRINGTON – Bruce K. Densmore, 72, passed away Sept. 11, 2024. Services will be private. Gleeson-Ryan Funeral Home, Torrington, is in care of arrangements. Complete obituary at gleesonryanfh.com.