Rise in online news prompts debate over publishing legal notices

The Hartford Courant’s publisher Richard Graziano testified in opposition to two bills that would remove a requirement that towns post their legal notices in a daily newspaper. Photo by Hugh McQuaid – on CTNewsJunkie

By Hugh McQuaid | CT News Junkie

The Hartford Courant’s publisher testified before a skeptical (state legislature’s) Planning and Development Committee on Friday (Feb. 1) in opposition to two bills that would remove a requirement that towns post their legal notices in a daily newspaper.

Both bills would give towns the ability to publish advertisements of their legal notices on their website.

One also would give them the option of posting in a weekly newspaper.

The Courant’s publisher, Richard Graziano… argued against the change, saying that it was a matter of open access to government through an objective third party. He said that posting the notice only on a government site leaves it open to tampering, alteration, political bias, or publication after the legal deadline.

Several town leaders testified in support of the bills, including… Rep. Melissa Ziobron [Dist. 34 – East Haddam, East Hampton, part of Colchester].

… Continue Reading

Peggy Sutterby McNally May 18 1940 – Jan 21 2013

She loved taking her stepchildren, son and eventually, her grandchildren, to her Kansas farm in the summer. She used this time to show them what life is like growing up on a farm, and loved to watch as they learned to bale hay, milk cows, feed calves, drive tractors and most of all, ride horses.

Peggy Jo (Sutterby) McNally, 72, of Windham CT, beloved wife of Thomas J. McNally Jr., passed away on Jan. 21, 2013 at Douglas Manor Nursing Home.

Born in Iola, KS, on May 18 1940, the daughter of the late Walter and Faye Sutterby, she grew up on a farm in Mapleton KS.

She graduated from Blue Mound High School, and was a member of the Mapleton Methodist Church.

She was employed by Key Work Clothes and Braymore Coat Factory, and the Town of Windham.

As a child, she had an affinity to being outdoors on the farm, whether it … Continue Reading

A penny for your thoughts

The Board of Directors of SI Financial Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:SIFI) has declared a cash dividend on the company’s outstanding shares of common stock. The dividend of $0.03 per share will be paid on or about Feb. 25, 2013 to stockholders of record at of the close of business on Feb. 4, 2013.

The Board of Directors of SI Financial Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:SIFI) has declared a cash dividend on the company’s outstanding shares of common stock.

The dividend of $0.03 per share will be paid on or about Feb. 25, 2013 to stockholders of record at the close of business on Feb. 4, 2013. … Continue Reading

Infant and toddler killed in Putnam fire

CT Police state four people were taken by ambulance to a local hospital for what was determined to be non-life threatening injuries. However, it was also reported that two small children were unaccounted for and were believed to have been on the third floor of the building during the fire.

Connecticut State Police report that today (Jan. 22, 2013) at approximately 12:39 a.m., the Putnam Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a structure fire at a three-story, multifamily dwelling located at 6-8 Prospect Street in Putnam.

Police state that upon arrival, firefighters found the structure “fully involved” in flames.

The fire was brought under control, but the building sustained heavy damage.

Police state that four people were taken by ambulance to a local hospital for what was determined to be non-life threatening injuries.

However, it was also reported that two small children were unaccounted for and were believed to have been on the third floor of the building during the fire.

Putnam Fire Marshal Norman Perron requested investigative assistance.

Because the building was heavily damaged by the fire, it required stabilization before Troopers and investigators could safely enter the building to search for the children.

Early this afternoon, a 6-month-old child and a 3-year-old child were both found on the third floor and pronounced dead at the scene. Their bodies were transported to the Office of The Chief States Medical Examiner for a post mortem examination. … Continue Reading

Goodspeed production to feature songs from creator of Wicked, Pippin and Godspell

Teal Wicks and James Snyder in the 2012 production of Carousel at Goodspeed Opera in East Haddam, CT. Dedicated to the preservation and advancement of musical theatre, Goodspeed Musicals produces three musicals each season at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, CT and additional works at The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, CT, which was opened in 1984 for the development of new musicals.

The two-time Tony Award-winning Goodspeed Opera House announced today (Jan. 19) – at Goodspeed’s 8th annual Festival of New Artists – plans to produce a new musical, “Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook.”

“With book by David Stern and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz – the creator of nearly a dozen hit musicals – it is unique storytelling at its best,” Goodspeed states in its press release.

“Snapshots” takes place in the attic of Sue and Dan, a couple whose 30-year marriage has begun to fall apart. Together they discover a box of photographs that leads them to relive the memories of their past selves captured in the snapshots.

“Featuring fresh lyrics and orchestrations, ‘Snapshots’ reveals the humorous twists of how love united them and why life has pushed them apart,” the release states.

Songs include: Popular (Wicked), Corner of the Sky (Pippin), Endless Delight (Baker’s Wife),That’s How You Know (from the film “Enchanted”), All Good Gifts (Godspell), Fathers and Sons (Working), and many more. … Continue Reading

Tag sale Saturday at Textile Museum

Windham Textile and History Museum, which is also the local visitor’s center, on Main Street across from the mill buildings. Photo copyright 2011 by Brenda Sullivan

The Windham Textile and History Museum will hold an indoor tag sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 19 at the museum at 411 Main St., in Willimantic. … Continue Reading

Sixties concert Saturday benefits Windham Region No Freeze Shelter

“Stuck in the 60s,” with Bruce John, is a live music performance to benefit the regional No Freeze Shelter. The concert will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19 at the Elks Club on Pleasant Street in Willimantic, CT.

“Stuck in the 60s,” with Bruce John, is a live music performance to benefit the regional No Freeze Shelter. The concert will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19 at the Elks Club on Pleasant Street in Willimantic, CT.

The evening’s lineup includes local favorites Bruce John and the Eagleville Band, The Wild Bill Project and Blue Steam with Patty Tuite.

Prizes will be awarded for best 60s outfits.

Desserts will be provided courtesy of the University of Connecticut bakery.

Tickets are $25 each and all proceeds benefit the Windham Region No Freeze Shelter for … Continue Reading

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 program of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration. RTP is administered through the DEEP. Recreational Trails Program funds may be used for: … Continue Reading