Gov. Malloy defends new campaign finance law

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy today (June 19) released the following statement regarding signing new campaign finance legislation into law:

“Today, I signed into law a bill (Public Act 13-180) that will vastly increase disclosure requirements for independent campaign expenditures.

As the first candidate for governor elected under the state’s public financing system, I am deeply committed to the principle that the people of Connecticut have a right to know who’s paying for the advertisements and other expenditures that are designed to sway public opinion prior to an election. This bill does that.

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CT Dept of Ag to crack down on misuse of Connecticut Grown label

The Connecticut Weekly Agricultural Report announcement cites a 2005 case in which a company paid the state $70,075 for falsely using the Connecticut Grown logo on its egg cartons and deceptively using the word “farm” in its trade name.

Press Release

Today (May 28), Connecticut Agriculture Commissioner Steven K. Reviczky announced that the Connecticut Department of Agriculture has ramped up inspection and enforcement concerning the use of the Connecticut Grown slogan, logo and label.

“It is essential that consumers who purchase agricultural products labeled ‘Connecticut Grown’ be confident those products were, in fact, grown and produced here in Connecticut,” said Commissioner Reviczky. “It is also critical that products marked ‘local,’ and/or ‘native’ are what their sellers claim them to be. Connecticut laws are very clear about the definition of these terms with respect to farm products.”

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Coventry residents eligible for free video production training

Free classes begin June 13 at 6 p.m. at the Charter Studios. Photo from Town Talk, a public access program hosted by Brenda Sullivan, HTNP News Editor.

Press Release

The CTV14 Community Access Television Studio (Charter) is now taking applications for a free Public Access Internship program.

Classes begin June 13, 2013 at 6 p.m.

Interns get hands-on experience in all aspects of video production in our North Windham TV studio.

Cover community events and public affairs shows for airing on CTV14. Interns also have the opportunity to use these new skills to produce their own Public Access program.

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Eastern CT State University Class of 2013 – Congrats to Coventry graduates

At Eastern Connecticut State University’s 123rd Commencement exercises 1,256 undergraduates and 41 graduate students heard the roars and cheers of thousands of their family members and friends as they celebrated their achievements.
2013 Commencement exercises were held at the XL Center in Hartford, CT. Contributed photo.

Edited by Brenda Sullivan | HTNP News

At Eastern Connecticut State University’s 123^rd Commencement exercises 1,256 undergraduates and 41 graduate students heard the roars and cheers of thousands of their family members and friends as they celebrated their achievements.

Commencement exercises were held at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on May 14.

Carlotta Walls LaNier, the youngest member of the “Little Rock Nine,” gave the Commencement address.

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Vigil today for murdered ECSU student

20-year-old Alyssiah Marie Wiley, the missing ECSU student who was found murdered – a vigil in her memory will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday, May 20 at the clock tower on the Eastern campus in Willimantic, CT.

By Brenda Sullivan | HTNP News Editor

A vigil will be held today (May 20) at 3 p.m. on the campus of Eastern Connecticut State University, to gather in memory of 20-year-old Alyssiah Wiley, who was found dead after weeks of searching.

Wiley was reported missing on April 24, but was last seen on Main Street in Willimantic on April 20. She had told friends and roommates she was going home, to West Haven, CT.

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Devastating fire in Willimantic at St. Mary’s Church

Smokes billows from St. Mary’s Church on Valley Street after a fire broke out sometime before 6:30 p.m. Photo copyright 2013 by Brenda Sullivan.

By Brenda Sullivan | HTNP News Editor

While sounds of live music and other entertainment drifted from Main Street, coming from the first Willimantic Third Thursday Street Fest of the season, huge clouds of brown smoke billowed from the nearby St. Mary’s Church on Valley Street.

Next door to this stately landmark, firefighters cut through the Willimantic Food Co-op fence in order to allow access to fire trucks.

Firefighters from surrounding towns – including Scotland and Storrs/University of Connecticut – as well as other departments in Windham were on the scene of the fire that was reported sometime before 6:30 p.m. on May 16.

Small crowds gathered on the Jillson Square green as well as on Maple Street – the back side of the church, which is where the majority of the smoke was pouring from.

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Paving Storrs Road – Route 195 in Mansfield

Milling and paving of Storrs Road (Route 195) – part of improvements being made to this main roadway associated with the Storrs Center development – is expected to begin on Friday, May 17, 2013.

Press Release

Milling and paving of Storrs Road (Route 195) – part of improvements being made to this main roadway associated with the Storrs Center development – is expected to begin on Friday, May 17, 2013.

During this work, traffic will be restricted at times to alternating one-lane patterns.

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Flags half staff for Peace Officers Memorial Day

Peace Officers Memorial in Florida. National Peace Officers Memorial Day is observed annually and corresponds with Police Week.

Press Release

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has directed that U.S. and Connecticut flags be flown at half-staff today (May 15, 2013) in recognition of Peace Officers Memorial Day.

National Peace Officers Memorial Day is observed annually and corresponds with Police Week.

“National Peace Officers Memorial Day is an opportunity to honor the service of our brave men and women in law enforcement,” said Gov. Malloy.

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Coventry Farmers Market to pop up at Topmost Farm

This Sunday, May 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., visit one of our most beautiful farms when the Coventry Regional Farmers Market goes on tour with our first-ever “Pop Up Market” at Topmost Herb Farm!

Press Release

This Sunday, May 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., visit one of our most beautiful farms when the Coventry Regional Farmers Market goes on tour with our first-ever “Pop Up Market” at Topmost Herb Farm!

What to expect…

Drive down the dirt road leading to Topmost to find a gorgeous farm and more than 25 of our vendors offering gorgeous asparagus, rhubarb, greens and other spring produce, vegetable plants, eggs, meats, cheeses, artisan foods and more!

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Jeepin for the Cause to benefit Windham Hospital

Jeepin’ for the Cause, a recreational-Jeep ride sponsored by Capitol Chrysler Dodge Jeep to benefit Windham Hospital, is coming up from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Sunday, May 5, 2013.

By Brenda Sullivan | HTNP News Editor

Jeepin’ for the Cause, a recreational-Jeep ride sponsored by Capitol Chrysler Dodge Jeep to benefit Windham Hospital, is coming up from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Sunday, May 5.

Capitol Jeep has sponsored seven of these popular events and raised more than $43,000 for local charities.

“We offer three different trails of varying terrain and difficulty to maximize driver challenge and passenger enjoyment,” said Owner/President of Capitol Chrysler Dodge Jeep Scott Lewis.

“These rides are always a lot of fun. Our entire staff gets behind these events and we invite the community to join us on the trails, rain or shine,” Lewis said.

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