Play in the dirt at UConn this Saturday

The Connecticut State Museum of Natural History, part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Connecticut, presents “Playing in the Dirt: Exploring Backyard Microbiology” on June 4.

Kenneth Noll and his team of researchers in the department of molecular and cell biology will lead the program on Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon.

Springtime offers an explosion of new life as the sun warms the soil and buds become blooms.

Many embrace the season by turning over the soil, adding com­post and planting vegetables and flowers. Spring is also a time of blooming for the unseen microbial world in the soil, the compost and even in and on the plants.

Join a team of microbiology researchers from UConn in this exploration of microbial life found in everyone’s backyard.

Bring in soil samples and collect samples from around campus with the team.

Then, laboratory protocols will be used to determine the types of microbes lurking in the samples.

Noll and the other researchers will discuss what the presence of these microbes means to the health of the soil as well as the health of those exposed to it.

The program fee is $30, $25 for museum members. Advance regis­tration is required. This program is for adults and children ages 10 and above. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

For registration information visit http://www.cac.uconn.edu/mnhcurrentcalendar.html or call (860) 486-4460.
Posted 5-21-2011

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Long weekend marred by 4 highway fatalities

State and local police were busy this Memorial Day weekend, with state police responding to more accidents than last year.

Driving under the influence arrests made by state police, how­ever, were down slightly.

State police responded to 260 accidents from midnight on Friday through midnight Monday. Four of those accidents were fatalities and 18 involved injuries.

Last year, troopers responded to 249 accidents, only one of which was a fatality.

They made 70 driving-under­-the- influence arrests and issued 2,013 speeding tickets and 978 tickets to individuals for not wear­ing seatbelts this year.

State Police spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance said troopers are con­cerned about the increased num­ber of speeding tickets.

In 2010, troopers issued 1,729 speeding tickets. This year, 2,013 were issued.

“We hope this is not a signal of things to come (throughout the summer),” Vance said, noting there was a “spike in traffic” over the holiday weekend.

The four fatalities, he noted, were on I-95 in Groton, Route 85 in Bolton, Route 244 in Pomfret and I-95 in West Haven.

Despite traffic concerns, state police made six fewer DUI arrests, down from 76 last year.

Activity for Willimantic Police was typical of holiday weekends, Willimantic Police Lt. Raymond Evans said this morning.

He said his department respond­ed to approximately 267 com­plaints over a four- day period, beginning Friday and ending Monday. This includes six acci­dents, one of which Evans said was serious. None of the acci­dents was a fatality. Willimantic police also respond­ed to 21 disturbance calls “of a general nature,” five domestic disturbance calls, seven narcot­ics-related calls, two weapons­-related calls and made 19 criminal arrests, Evans said.

The arrests were made for a variety of charges that “run the gamut,” including an assault of a pregnant female, he said. It was an active weekend,” Evans said.

No arrests were made during the weapon-related calls because the department was unable to verify the complaints, he said.

No individuals were harmed in these incidents, one of which involved a knife and the other involved a gun.

Coventry police said they had 18 motor vehicle stops, one DUI, and one accident in which the driver evaded responsibility.

Coventry Police Chief Mark Palmer and Lt. Nancy Thurnauer could not be reached for comment this morning.

Posted 5-31-2011

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Mansfield renews state police contract

The town council approved a new two-year agreement to extend its current resident state trooper program last week, but Town Manager Matt Hart said the town can make changes during the term.

The town is currently in the midst of studying its current policing program, which includes a state police sergeant, eight resident troopers and three part-time Mansfield police officers. The town council is hoping to discuss pos­sible changes to current policing in time for the 2012-13 budget process, which means the steering committee would need to make rec­ommendations by early next year.

But the town’s current contract with the state police would have expired June 30, the end of the 2010-11 fiscal year, forcing the town to look for a stopgap measure.

Hart said the town could not get a one-year agreement, but does have a clause in the con­tract allowing it to opt out of the agreement if it wants to change its policing program.

The town is currently looking at six options, including maintaining the resident trooper program at its current level or changing the number of troopers.

The council could also opt to create its own municipal police force. Consultants for the project have said the town would likely need between 11 and 14 full-time positions.

The consultant said a department would also need a dispatch center, with an estimated $469,000 cost, and startup costs for equip­ment, a station and a location to hold suspects, although the town could enter into agreements with another area department.

The town could also enter into an agree­ment with University of Connecticut to police part or all of the town, but the consultant said UConn’s current focus is to police its campus. A fourth option would entail a regional police effort with other towns, which the consultant called the “wave of the future” but also said presents issues with control and management.

The town could also form a “hybrid” depart­ment using resident troopers and full-time officers, allowing the town to slowly form its own municipal department.

The town recently received a report from Management Partners and Police Executive Research Forum earlier this month as part of the study. The town hired the two firms for $65,000. If the council does decide to change its policing program, Hart said the town will “need a bridge” to any new options.

“I’m sure we’ll be spending a fair amount of time looking at the study,” Hart said, adding the town could also easily change the number of troopers if the council decides that is the best option.

Posted 5-30-2011

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Website to list traffic delays associated with Storrs Center project

As projects associated with Storrs Center get under way, the Downtown Partner­ship has created a web site to allow residents to see the impact on area traffic.

The new web site, storrscenter­construction.blogspot.com, will provide updates on various con­struction projects for Storrs Center and advisories on how those proj­ects will impact traffic.

Project officials still have not set an official date for a ground break­ing for Storrs Center, which could occur in June, but other aspects, including demolition of existing buildings, are also progressing.

Construction for phases 1A and 1B of the $220 million mixed-­use project, as well as a parking garage, intermodal hub and other associated features, are slated to begin by this summer.

But other projects, such as the demolition of the University of Connecticut publications building, will also impact traffic.

Announcements on the blog, state the parking lot at UConn’s Bishop Center will be closed Thursday for demolition, while other lots have already been closed.

Town officials have said they plan to keep two-lanes of traffic on Route 195 open as often as pos­sible, although construction may force the lanes to be restricted at times.

Construction could also cause traffic on Dog Lane to be closed to one lane.

The Mansfield Downtown Part­nership Inc., the nonprofit orga­nization overseeing the project, will place the advisories on the web site throughout construction, which is expected to last well into 2013.

Posted 5-30-2011

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This Saturday at Storrs Farmers Market

Take the heat out of the kitchen and break out the grill!  We have everything you need for the first barbecue of the season, from entrée to dessert!

Remember, we are open rain or shine! Storrs Farmers Market is open from 3 to 6 p.m. every Saturday, now through Nov. 19 at the Town Hall parking lot (Route 195, next to E.O. Smith High School). There’s plenty of parking.

What will you find at the market this week? Here’s just a sampling:

… fresh local honey, local Hosmer Mountain soda, raw milk, farm fresh eggs, organic beef, fresh goat’s milk cheeses and yogurt, strawberry-rhubarb pie, fresh greens, sauces made with CT Grown ingredients, Bailey’s maple syrup (great for grilling chops), asparagus, rhubarb, herbs, spinach, arugula, radishes and Hakurei (salad) turnips

… perennial and annual plants and seedlings, French bread, croissants, fruit tarts, flourless chocolate cake, homemade soaps and salves and Quiet Corner roasted coffee (including organic Mayan decaf)

… handspun yarn, beets, kale, and a selection of nitrite-free, locally raised meats – farmhouse sausage, bratwurst, ribs, hotdogs and more.

Why not check us out on Facebook and become a fan, or you can follow us on Twitter!

Posted May 27, 2011

Editor’s note – If you’re looking for some of the more popular items, such as baby greens, it’s best to get there when the market first opens. Some items are snapped up quickly. And while the vendors usually have plastic bags, you do yourself, the environment and the farmers a favor if you bring your own reusable shopping bags. And one more tip, bring cash — I have never left the market without spending at least $20!

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Police – Have fun but behave this Memorial Day Weekend

Cool water didn't discourage these kids from taking the plunge on Thursday afternoon at Columbia Lake. From the left is 8 year old Amber Petersen, 8 year old Morgan Hartnett and 7 year old Logan Hartnett. Al Malpa Photo

After nearly two weeks of rain, area residents can enjoy hot and humid weather this holiday week­end as they cook out or take a weekend getaways.

Local and state police officials advise residents to be careful when traveling to their chosen destinations.

According to AAA, the weather is expected to fuel consumer’s desires to travel for holiday cele­brations. “Consumers are eager to kick off the summer travel season after a harsh winter,” AAA Public Affairs Coordinator Jacklyn Ghergurovich said in a statement issued by the travel club.

AAA is estimating 34.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more during the holiday weekend. Despite increased gas prices, this figure has increased .02 percent from last year.

In Connecticut, gas prices will hover around $4.23 per gallon this weekend. This price is down five cents from last week but up $1.18 from the same time last year, AAA said.

Accuweather meterologist Tom Kines said temperatures are expected to reach the mid­- to upper-80s today. He doesn’t expect any rain.

He said Saturday will be partly sunny with highs in the low 80s, while Sunday will also see highs in the low 80s.

Monday will be partly sunny and slightly humid, with the chance of afternoon or evening showers. Temperatures will reach mid-80s that day.

“While we can’t rule out the chance of afternoon thunder­storms, certainly the bulk of the time (over the holiday weekend) is rain free,” Kines said.

State police spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance said police are antici­pating a lot of “in-state traffic” over the holiday.

“People are staying close to home,” Vance said.

State and local police will be setting up roving patrols through­out the area.

Willimantic Police officer, Corporal Alex Coriaty explains to a driver on Main St. the meaning of "Click it or Ticket". He said that starting June 1st, the "Click it or Ticket" month long buckle up campaign begins. Coriaty also said that Memorial Day drivers should know that there will be concentrated enforcement of driving laws to help lessen traffic accidents this long weekend. Al Malpa Photo

Beginning today, Connecticut police will target distracted driv­ing, driving under the influence and other motor vehicle violations as part of the National Combined Action Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E.) During last Memorial Day weekend, state police arrested 76 drunken drivers, and charged 1,729 motorists with speeding and 944 with seatbelt viola­tions.

The following local sobriety checkpoints will be conducted:

• Troop C will conduct roving patrols on routes 30, 31, 32, 44, 74, 89, 190, 195, 275 and Interstate 84 in Willington, Mansfield and Ashford today through Monday.

• Troop D will conduct patrols on routes 6 and 169 in Brooklyn Saturday through Tuesday.

• Troop K will conduct patrols on routes 6 and 32 in Windham and Willimantic Saturday and Sunday. They will also patrol Route 66 in Hebron and Columbia Monday and Tuesday.

Local police will also be conducting enforcement efforts throughout the weekend.

Willimantic Police Lt. Mary Beth Curtis said her department will have extra patrols targeting behaviors such as driving under the influence and distracted driving.

These patrols began Thursday night and will con­tinue throughout the weekend.

A traffic advisory has also been issued for the town of Windham during the Memorial Day parade Monday. The parade will begin at Jilson Square at approximately 10:30 a.m. and a ceremony will be held at Memorial Park on Main Street at approxi­mately 11 a.m. From there, the parade will travel to Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall on Main Street.

Main Street will be closed from Jackson Street to Mansfield Avenue that day from 10:30 a.m. till the parade passes Bridge Street. Other areas of Main Street to routes 6 and 66 will be closed at various stages of the parade.

Coventry police will have both directed DUI patrols and roving patrols during the weekend.

“We try to focus on holiday weekends,” Coventry Police Chief Mark Palmer said.

In addition to being careful on the roads, individu­als are reminded to prepare for the weather by wear­ing sunscreen when outdoors.

The Department of Public Health has declared today as “Don’t Fry Day” in an effort to encourage people to protect their skin.

DPH officials said individuals should wear sun protective clothing, a wide brimmed hat and sun­glasses.

They should also use SPF 15 or higher sunscreen, health officials said.

With many preparing foods such as chicken and steak on the grill during this holiday, it is also impor­tant to keep fire safety in mind.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, gas grills were involved in an average of 6,200 home fires from 2004 to 2008.

“Summer barbecues can be a great time, but nobody wants to see a fun backyard event spoiled,” Loraine Carli, Vice President of Communications for NFPA, said in a release.

Posted 5-27-2011

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Annual Plant Sale, 5K run and more this weekend

Ed. note: Memorial Day events and parades are listed in a separate article.

Saturday May 28

SPRING PLANT SALE
A spring plant sale by the women’s guild and bell choir of the Columbia Congregational Church will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at Route 87, Columbia. Info: (860) 228-3757.

BAKE AND TAG SALE – ASHFORD
Kidderbrook Montessori School will hold its 21st annual bake and tag sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This will be the last tag sale in the school’s Ashford location on 22 Kidderbrook Road before it is relocated to Ellington. Info: (860) 429 0061.

GOODWIN STATE FOREST HIKE
The Goodwin State Forest will host a hike that will feature a variety of trails and wildlife. The guided interpretive hike will follow sections of the Natchaug Trail and the Airline Trail and take in views of Pine Acres Pond. Participants should bring binoculars, insect repellant, and water. The walk will take place at 9 a.m. leaving from the conservation and education center, located at 23 Potter Road off Route 6 in Hampton. For more information or to register to join the hike, call the center at (860) 455-9534.

DRAWING WORKSHOP WITH REBECCA MONTGOMERY
Northeastern Connecticut Art Guild is sponsoring a drawing work­shop from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Creamery Brook Retirement Village, 36 Vina Lane, Brooklyn. Pre-registration is required. Information is at grancy5252@gmail.com

REPUBLICANS TO HOLD CHICKEN BARBECUE
Lebanon Republican Town Committee will host a chicken barbecue after the Lebanon Memorial Day parade behind the public library. Cost is $9 for a half chicken and $6 for a quarter chicken. Tickets available from Lebanon Republican Town Committee members.

Sunday May 29

ROUND THE LAKE 5K
The Marlborough Lions Club is holding its 27th annual Round The Lake 5K starting at 10:30 a.m. Start and finish at Blish Memorial Park. Entry fee, $15 pre-registration, $20 race day until 10 a.m., $50 maxi­mum per family. Info: (860) 295-9150 or (860) 295-8374.

Posted 5-27-2011

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Memorial Day 2011 weekend events and closings

The following are locally scheduled Memorial Day weekend parades, ceremonies and remembrances:

Sunday, May 29

Coventry will conduct a brief memorial service beginning at 2 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cemetery on Main Street and will continue to the New Cemetery on Lake Street, North Cemetery on Grant Hill Road, Center Cemetery, Silver Street Cemetery and Wrights Mill Road Cemetery.

Monday, May 30

Columbia‘s annual ceremony begins at 10 a.m. on the town green near the intersection of routes 66 and 87. The Memorial Day Parade, with numerous town organizations, including Little League, the high school band, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, kicks off at 10 a.m. Marchers will convene at George H. Robertson Intermediate School at 227 Cross St. From there, participants will head to the Veteran’s Green on Lake Street for a brief service, and then down Lake Street to Main Street, ending at Bradbury Lane.

Mansfield‘s Memorial Day Parade on Monday begins at 9 a.m. at the intersection of Route 195 and Bassetts Bridge Road. It then proceeds down Route 195 toward Cemetery Road to the new Mansfield Center Cemetery. Music will be provided by bands from E. O. Smith High School and Mansfield Middle School.

In the event of inclement weather, an abbreviated ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. in the Mansfield Middle School gymnasium. Tune in to WILI radio by 7:30 a.m. for any weather-related cancellation information.

Windham‘s annual Memorial Day pilgrimage begins at 7 a.m. Monday from the VFW building located at 1415 Main St. in Willimantic, with everyone invited. The stops will be at the New Willimantic Cemetery, Old Willimantic Cemetery, South Windham memorial, Windham Center Cemetery, Windham Center memorials, North Windham Cemetery, St. Joseph Cemetery, Russian Orthodox Cemetery and Windham Veteran’s Greenway.

Following the pilgrimage, the group will return to the VFW on Main Street for coffee and doughnuts at approximately 9 a.m.

At 10 a.m., the Memorial Day Parade will form at Jillson Square and then march to Memorial Park where there will be an observance at Memorial Park on Main Street with a speaking program featuring Willimantic Police Lt. Raymond Evans. Following that program, the parade will resume and march to the American Legion headquarters on Bricktop Road.

Hebron‘s Memorial Day parade lines up at 10:30 a.m. at RHAM High School and steps off at 10:45 a.m. down Wall Street to Main Street, where it will conclude.

The Willington Memorial Day parade will be held on Monday, May 30, at 8:30 a.m. beginning at the town green, proceeding down route 74 to Willington Hill Cemetery where a short service will be held.

Memorial Day closings

The following will be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day unless otherwise noted:

• Government offices: Federal, state and local offices closed.
• Schools: Closed.
• Postal service: Closed.
• Banks: Most closed.
• Business offices: Most closed.
• Food, retail stores: Most open.
• Stock exchange: Closed.
• Department of Motor Vehicles: Closed Saturday and Monday.
• Bus service: Will not run.

Posted May 27, 2011

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