Young writers invited to enter statewide competition

The high school teachers who enter the most submissions in poetry and in prose respectively will receive $250 to the retailer of their choosing. The deadline for submissions is March 15.

The Connecticut Young Writer’s Trust announces its 16th Annual Writing Competition, the state’s longest running literary contest dedicated to encouraging youth literacy and creative expression. The organization encourages high school teachers from around the state to submit their students’ prose and/or poetry to the annual writing competition through their online system. Students need to be enrolled or in the equivalent of 9th through 12th grades in a public, private, parochial, Catholic, remedial or home school and all nominations must be made by a teacher. The annual awards ceremony will be held in June, where a team of published writers, journalists, and professors will announce the winners from a pool of finalists. Finalists and two teachers will be rewarded for their hard work at the awards ceremony. … Continue Reading

Connecticut ed reform law disregards parents

Connecticut Parents’ Union President Gwen Samuel says that if lawmakers don’t shift the balance of power back to parents, they will once again become helpless bystanders in the effort to improve education in the Constitution State. Photo source: CT DCFs media resources.

By Ben Velderman | EAGnews.org

Last month, a group of parents in California’s Adelanto school district succeeded in using that state’s Parent Trigger law to convert a chronically low-performing public school into a charter school.

It was the first Parent Trigger victory in the nation’s history, but analysts expect the number of “trigger” cases and laws to expand quickly in the wake of the Adelanto victory.

Some education reform activists are already declaring 2013 to be “The Year of Parent Empowerment.”

But that’s not how the new year is shaping up for Connecticut parents, who are in jeopardy of losing what little power they currently have in the state’s public schools – thanks to the state’s 2012 education reform law which is beginning to take effect now.

… Continue Reading

Rise in online news prompts debate over publishing legal notices

Hartford Courant publisher Richard Graziano testifies 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.

… Continue Reading

NFPA offers this tip – give your space heater some space

In 2010 alone, home heating equipment was involved in an estimated 57,100 reported home structure fires and 490 civilian deaths. Poster source: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

With temperatures making a dramatic drop this week, here are some good safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Especially as energy costs rise, families are turning to space heaters as a less expensive alternative (or as supplemental heat) for keeping their houses warm this season… so it is important to be aware of how to use them safely.

In 2010 alone, home heating equipment was involved in an estimated 57,100 reported home structure fires and 490 civilian deaths.

Stationary and portable space heaters accounted for 32 percent of these reported home-heating fires and 80 percent of the home-heating fire deaths.

… 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:

• Construction of new trails (motorized and non-motorized).

• Maintenance and restoration of existing recreational trails (motorized and non-motorized).

• Access to trails by persons with disabilities.

• Purchase and lease of trail construction and maintenance equipment.

• Acquisition of land or easements for a trail, or for trail corridors.

• Operation of educational programs to promote safety and environmental protection as related to recreational trails.

Highlights of previous grant recipients include:

Waterbury Development Corporation, received $80,000 for a series of improvements to the Chase Bridge to make it accessible to all users. This is a first step for the Naugatuck River Greenway in Waterbury. http://www.cogcnv.org/greenway

The Last Green Valley, was awarded $87,100 to design a network of easily-accessible water trails that will provide family-friendly recreation close to home for the 300,000 residents of The Last Green Valley. http://www.tlgv.org/index.php

The Town of Oxford, received $77,000 for the Rockhouse Hill Sanctuary to enhance and create nearly 3 miles of new trails, additional parking spaces and bridges – including a horse bridge.

Visit www.ct.gov/deep/rectrails for details and to download an application.

Posted January 18, 2013

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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 undergraduate work in the field of education and have a grade point average of 3.0 or better.

Personal references and full financial disclosure are required.

Scholarships are not granted for current or prior years.

For an application or more information, please contact gfwc.scholarship@gmail.com

Posted January 17, 2013

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 )

Orange Bowl donates $80,000 to UConn Sandy Hook Scholarship Fund

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 Orange Bowl President O. Ford Gibson and Big East Commissioner Mike Aresco.

Donations and pledges totaling more than $720,000 had been made to the fund before the Jan. 7 announcement, with more coming in each day.

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

“While we continue to grieve for those who were lost in Newtown, we’re heartened by the outpouring of support for the scholarship fund,” UConn President Susan Herbst said. “This generous gift will help support the transformational gift of higher education. The fund is a meaningful and respectful way to accomplish that.”

… 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 storm.

Testing should resume at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Anyone with a scheduled road test can call DMV to choose a new date.

The numbers to call are 860-263-5700 if someone is within the Hartford area and toll-free 800-842-8222 for those outside the Hartford area.

The DMV is also attempting to contact customers with road test appointments to advise them of the schedule change.

Posted January 15, 2013

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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 holders with a special benefit.

Check out the Geo-Catching, Fishing Challenge and Sponsors links at http://www.ct.gov/deep/yfp

Posted January 14, 2013

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 )

Secretary of the State announces changes to voter registration in 2013

Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise Merrill

Secretary of the State Denise Merrill today (Dec. 19) released the official calendars for the May and November 2013 municipal elections in Connecticut.

And one significant change is that eligible voters will be able to register up to and including Election Day starting in November of 2013.

Legislation enacting Election Day Registration was approved by the Connecticut General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy this year.

“Next year (2013) will be an historic election year in Connecticut as we implement Election Day Registration for the first time in our state,” said Secretary Merrill, Connecticut’s Chief Elections Official.

“I look forward to working with our partners in election administration at the local level to make it possible for those late-deciding voters to register and vote on Election Day,” Merrill said.

Election Day takes place in May in a few Connecticut towns, in November in the majority of the state’s cities and towns.

For those towns that have May elections, the day in 2013 will be Monday May 6.

For the rest, Election Day will be Tuesday Nov. 5.

The May-election towns will hold primaries for municipal office on March 11, 2013 so campaigns will soon be underway.

“Important issues such as town and school budgets will be on the agenda (in 2013), so I urge voters to pay close attention to the issues and the candidates and get involved in the decisions made at the local level that are crucial to our quality of life.” Merrill said.

Voters in the towns of Andover, Bethany, Union and Woodbridge, Boroughs of Bantam (Litchfield), Danielson (Killingly), Fenwick (Old Saybrook), Jewett City (Griswold), Litchfield, Newtown, Stonington, Woodmont (Milford) can view their election calendar (in PDF format) at this link .

Voters from other towns can view their calendar (in PDF format) at this link .

Posted December 19, 2012 based on a press release

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 )