Fishing season opens – get info here about where to fish in Connecticut

Approximately 381,000 trout have already been released this spring into 102 lakes and ponds and 200 rivers and streams throughout Connecticut and are awaiting Opening Day anglers. Photo courtesy of CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) 2013.

Opening day of the Trout Fishing Season is Saturday, April 20 and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has the state’s rivers, streams, lakes and ponds stocked and ready.

Approximately 381,000 trout have already been released this spring into 102 lakes and ponds and 200 rivers and streams throughout Connecticut and are awaiting Opening Day anglers.

DEEP’s spring trout-stocking effort began in early March and will continue through the end of May. When spring stocking is completed, DEEP expects to have stocked about 630,000 trout.

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Groundbreaking celebrates new UConn Basketball Development Center

UConn officials and friends celebrate the groundbreaking for the university’s new Basketball Development Center. (L-R) UConn supporter Sonny Whalen; UConn President Susan Herbst; UConn Board of Trustees Chair Larry McHugh; Rosalind Shenkman; UConn Foundation Board of Directors Chair Mark Shenkman; UConn Supporter Peter Werth; UConn Husky Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis; UConn Husky Ryan Boatright; UConn Athletics Director Warde Manual; UConn Coach Kevin Ollie, UConn Coach Geno Auriemma, and UConn Board of Directors Member Robert Skinner. Contributed photo.

Press Release

Official groundbreaking ceremonies for a dedicated, new practice facility for the University of Connecticut’s championship men’s and women’s basketball programs were held Tuesday (April 16) on the site of the facility’s home behind Gampel Pavilion on the Storrs campus.

The event, which occurred a week after the Huskies brought home their eighth national title, tying Tennessee for the most wins in women’s basketball history, was attended by officials from the University, the UConn Foundation, by alumni and donors and by several present and former players, as well as students.

“This is a landmark day for UConn,” said UConn President Susan Herbst. “Our coaches and athletes have made UConn basketball the envy of the nation. They earned this facility with their hard work and their dedication.”

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UConn unveils new leaner, meaner Huskies logo

Weighing in on the new Huskies logo design, women’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma said, “This logo is everything that a Husky is supposed to be – powerful, aggressive, determined. It is looking right through you and saying ‘Do not mess with me’. ” Image courtesy of UConn Athletics

Press Release

UConn Athletics today (April 11) unveiled a new version of the Husky logo.

UConn Athletics has been working with Nike to evaluate all parts of its brand, including word marks, logos and uniforms, for the past 14 months.

The new Husky Dog logo will be featured on uniforms for every one of UConn’s 24 athletic programs in 2013-14 and each of those uniforms will also prominently display the block UCONN word mark outlined in red.

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New Red Sox charity plate for CT scholarships

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman are expected to join representatives from the Boston Red Sox and other state and local officials at a news conference to announce the details of a Red Sox charity license plate program on March 8, 2013.

By Brenda Sullivan | HTNP News Editor

Editor’s note: Given the forecast for severe weather Thursday evening into Friday morning, this event may be postponed.

On Friday morning (March 8), Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman are expected to join representatives from the Boston Red Sox and other state and local officials at a news conference to announce the details of a Red Sox charity license plate program.

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WHALES ink multi-year deal to play XL Center

The CT Whale contract calls for the team to play at the XL Center in Hartford, CT for the 2013-2016 seasons, and includes a provision that could extend the term for an additional two years. Photo source: The Whale newsletter

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Michael Freimuth, Executive Director of the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA), announced today (Feb. 26) that a multi-year deal has been reached between Global Spectrum and Madison Square Garden (MSG) for the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Whale to play at the XL Center in Hartford.

The contract calls for the team to play at the XL Center for the 2013-2016 seasons, and includes a provision that could extend the term for an additional two years.

The agreement is an early critical milestone as contract negotiations progress between CRDA and Global Spectrum for management of both the XL Center and Rentschler Field.

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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

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 )

News from the Coventry Youth Baseball Association

Coventry Youth Baseball Association (CT) wants coaches and parents to know that The New Britain Rock Cats will hold their annual Coaches Clinic on Saturday, Feb 2 from 10 a.m. – noon at New Britain Stadium (Lower Gymnasium).

Coach Andy Baylock and staff will conduct the clinic, sharing tips on how to be an even more successful coach in 2013 and for years to come.

The areas of focus will most likely include:

• Pitching Mechanics

• Hitting Fundamentals

• Infield Fundamentals

• Basic Pitches and a Pitching Plan

Take advantage of the opportunity to learn valuable information from some of the best around… FOR FREE.

Lunch will be served in the Stadium Club at the Stadium after the clinic.

Please RSVP to Craig Cugno at (860) 224-8383 Ext. 15 or ccugno@rockcats.com

Posted January 13, 2013

Related link – Coventry Youth Baseball Association on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Coventry-Youth-Baseball-Association-CT/339396175861

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 )

Thank you to Coventry boosters for giving football team winning edge

To the Editor:

I want to send my appreciation to all the family members and booster supporters that have made the last three Friday night Football Potlucks for the Band such a success!

As you may have heard, the CWT Football team won yet again, 48 to 21, over Canton.

You know I keep on asking, “Can it be the Pep Band?” I just don’t know, but I can say with certainty that the band members definitely appreciate all the good food , hot cocoa and desserts!

You should see the rush for the tables after their warm-up sessions. If they were sluggish before, all that good food certainly gives them a boost. And the more energy they have…. well, you can follow the rest.

We have been recognized as well by the football leaders as helping with the change in environment at the games. Obviously, with great new bleachers, larger crowds, as well as great music, it really adds to the whole game night experience for all.

So thanks again for the behind-the-scenes help.

Keep your eyes and ears open for all the upcoming activities next weekend. It is shaping up nicely and what an incredible event when you think on it. Who doesn’t want to have a World Record?

Keep a look out for updates on the CHS Booster site as well as new postings on our Tumblr blog at: http://chsmusic.tumblr.com/

’til later then!

Kiev Federowicz, President, Coventry High School Music Boosters

http://www.chsmusicboosters.org/

Visit us at Facebook at Coventry High School Music Boosters

Posted Oct. 25, 2011

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. To keep up-to-date on local news, “like” us (HTNP News) on Facebook and follow us ( @HTNP) on Twitter!

FEMA visits Coventry, sets up disaster recovery centers around state

courtesy FEMA.gov

Federal Emer­gency Management Agency repre­sentatives will be visiting Coventry residents at their homes begin­ning today to survey and assess losses from Tropical Storm Irene, excluding food.

Residents are advised to ensure these representatives have FEMA apparel and an ID badge or card before letting them enter homes.

Beginning today at noon, FEMA is also opening disaster recovery centers around the state for busi­nesses and individuals who have suffered losses from Irene.

The centers will be open from Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Tolland County cen­ter is located at the Mansfield Community Center on 10 South Eagleville Road in Mansfield.

The Windham County center is located at Quinebaug Valley Community College on 742 Upper Maple Street in Danielson.

Individuals are asked to pre-­register before visiting any of the recovery centers.

Those who wish to register a loss or have questions should visit http://www.disasterassistance.gov or call (800) 621-FEMA. Those with speech or hearing disabilities can call the TTY number at (800) 462-7585.

Posted 9-8-2011

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Coventry school chief search to take more time

The Coventry Board of Education this past week did not vote on a replacement for retiring superintendent Don­na Bernard.

Bernard will be taking an unpaid leave beginning Monday (Aug. 15) before officially retiring in June. The leave – a prelude to an official retirement – allows her to meet pension stipulations regarding service time.

Paul Smotas, an experienced administrator and educator with 35 years in the field, will act as the interim superintendent until the board finds a replacement for Bernard.

Smotas will begin Tuesday.

Smotas most recently retired from the East Lyme School District. He will be paid $512.60 a day to run the district.

Smotas is not one of the can­didates to fill the position per­manently but is contracted until January as the interim, which gives the board time to conduct a thorough search, according to Cheri Trudon, board of educa­tion chairman.

The board hired Cooperative Educational Services of Bloom­field to assist them in the search for a new superintendent and expects to interview the final­ists before the end of August.

At that time, Trudon said, they could also decide to con­duct a site visit to the selected candidate’s current place of employment – if applicable.

Trudon did not say how many finalists there are.

CES lead workshops that gave school officials and residents the opportunity to determine the criteria the new superinten­dent should meet, such as expe­rience as a classroom teacher and administrator.

Staff Writer Heath­er Lake also contributed to this story.

Posted 8-14-2011

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