SHERMAN — Rumor has it that in 1802, the same year the town was incorporated, an 18-year-old built a colonial house in the middle of town.
Doctors successfully removed a benign tumor from Mayor Mark Boughton’s brain during a complex procedure Tuesday at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Mayor Mark Boughton delivers remarks from the City of Danbury during Immaculate High Schools Graduation Excercises at Western Connecticut State Universities O'Neill Center on Wednesday May, 31, 2017.
For more than three decades, Lt. Albert Mion has driven to work at the Danbury Fire Department, aware that he could be tasked with saving someone’s life.
Summertime in the Greater Danbury area means lazy lake days for many. From boating to tubing, wakeboarding, swimming and general partying, Candlewood Lake is a playground for area residents in the summer.
For more than three decades, Lt. Albert Mion has driven to work at the Danbury Fire Department, aware that he could be tasked with saving someone’s life.
Summertime in the Greater Danbury area means lazy lake days for many. From boating to tubing, wakeboarding, swimming and general partying, Candlewood Lake is a playground for area residents in the summer.
Danbury native Oscar Bordoy scored a win in his second career boxing match, defeating Felip Nazario at Uptown Live in Charlotte, North Carolina on Saturday. Bordoy is now 2-0 as a lightweight fighter.
July 19 is National Hot Dog Day! If you're in the mood for a good dog tonight, seems you should head to Fairfield. Three of the top 10 most Yelp-reviewed hot dog spots in southwestern Connecticut are found in Fairfield.
The spirit of “buy local” is as strong as ever. It’s the practice that often falls short.
DANBURY — Hidden gems produced by local companies and grown on local farms lurk among the shelves of even the largest supermarkets in the area.
Millennials aren’t the only ones who want to live in downtowns, where restaurants, shops and other amenities are only a walking distance away. So do Baby Boomers.
New Milford football played its spring game, the Green and White game, Thursday, June 15, 2017.
DANBURY - The $50 million expansion of the state’s largest high school is in high gear, with only 70 more days of summer for workers to complete key upgrades before classes resume in September.
Site names Newtown's Ferris Acres the best ice cream in Connecticut
DANBURY - The $50 million expansion of the state’s largest high school is in high gear, with only 70 more days of summer for workers to complete key upgrades before classes resume in September.
Homelessness in Danbury has dropped 12 percent since 2016
Kyle Lyra receives his diploma during Danbury High Schools Commencement Exercises that were held on Tuesday June 20, 2017.
Bob's Stores is closing at 114 Federal Rd. in Danbury, Conn., one of three locations in southwestern Connecticut getting the ax by bankrupt parent company Eastern Outfitters of Meriden.
"Batman" TV star Adam West has died
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Man charged in connection with self-inflicted gunshot wound
A man who accidentally shot himself in the butt while out to dinner in March has been charged in connection with that incident.
Michael Southmayd, 56, of Kent Avenue, Bridgeport, was charged with unlawful discharge of a gun and breach of peace when he turned himself in at police headquarters Tuesday.
The incident unfolded around 8:30 p.m. March 24 at Tazza, 116 Post Road. Southmayd was reached for his wallet when he accidentally discharged his gun, located in a holster inside the waistband of his pants. The gun was never removed from the holster. Southmayd was taken to St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport for treatment of the non-life-threatening gunshot wound.
A bullet fragment was collected from the floor.
Southmayd, who holds a valid pistol permit, had not been drinking, and had only been at the restaurant for a short time before the incident happened, according to the police report.
Southmayd was released on a promise to appear in state Superior Court in Bridgeport on May 19.
New Connecticut law bans employers from asking about criminal past
criminal background often find it difficult to get a job, and it’s one of the leading causes of recidivism, experts say.
But one barrier to employment for those with conviction or arrest records was lifted this month when Connecticut became the ninth state in the country to ban employers from making any inquiry about an applicant’s prior arrests, criminal charges, or convictions on an employment application.
That law, which took effect on Jan. 1 - excludes businesses and organizations such as schools that are required by state or federal law to perform a background check on all employees. And employers can still ask prospective employees about their criminal background during the interview process.
“It’s a good step in the right direction, because at least it allows you to get your foot in the door,” said Beatrice Codianni, editor of the New Haven-based Re-entry Central website, which helps inmates transition to life outside prison.
Codianni, herself a convicted felon who spent 15 years behind bars in the Federal Corrections Institute in Danbury because of her involvement with the Latin Kings gang, said it took her more than a year to find a job after her release.
“Most people, when they get out of prison, have these hopes and dreams about living a straight and narrow life,” she said. “But because of the stigma attached, it’s very difficult to actually find employment. It doesn’t make sense to me, because most people who are given a second chance work even harder in an attempt to prove themselves.”
Tom Leaf, a defense lawyer in Danbury, said unemployment has been directly tied to recidivism rates among convicted felons.
“It’s really in everyone’s best interest to have these people working again,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of people go through the system, that if given a second chance, would have a lot to offer. I’m glad the state has made this move in the right direction. This doesn’t provide any special treatment for convicted felons, but for a lot of people it will result in them not being dismissed out of hand.”
Codianni said that while the move is a good first step, she believes more still needs to be done in the state, including repeal of laws that prevent convicted felons from holding a professional license in the state for everything including plumbers and electricians to hair dressers.
“Of course you don’t want a pedophile working in a day care, but what if a convicted felon wants to be a hair dresser?” she said. “There are still so many restrictions today to employment.”
Former convicts who can’t find work and are desperate to support their families may fall back into criminal activity to help make ends meet, Codianni said.
“They see these people they used to know who say, ‘I can help you make a few bucks,’ and before you know it they are back in the game they were trying to avoid,” she said. “These are people who still need to a pay for a place to live and have families they need to support. People getting out of prison who want to lead a straight live have a very difficult time.”
criminal background often find it difficult to get a job, and it’s one of the leading causes of recidivism, experts say.
But one barrier to employment for those with conviction or arrest records was lifted this month when Connecticut became the ninth state in the country to ban employers from making any inquiry about an applicant’s prior arrests, criminal charges, or convictions on an employment application.
That law, which took effect on Jan. 1 - excludes businesses and organizations such as schools that are required by state or federal law to perform a background check on all employees. And employers can still ask prospective employees about their criminal background during the interview process.
“It’s a good step in the right direction, because at least it allows you to get your foot in the door,” said Beatrice Codianni, editor of the New Haven-based Re-entry Central website, which helps inmates transition to life outside prison.
Codianni, herself a convicted felon who spent 15 years behind bars in the Federal Corrections Institute in Danbury because of her involvement with the Latin Kings gang, said it took her more than a year to find a job after her release.
“Most people, when they get out of prison, have these hopes and dreams about living a straight and narrow life,” she said. “But because of the stigma attached, it’s very difficult to actually find employment. It doesn’t make sense to me, because most people who are given a second chance work even harder in an attempt to prove themselves.”
Tom Leaf, a defense lawyer in Danbury, said unemployment has been directly tied to recidivism rates among convicted felons.
“It’s really in everyone’s best interest to have these people working again,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of people go through the system, that if given a second chance, would have a lot to offer. I’m glad the state has made this move in the right direction. This doesn’t provide any special treatment for convicted felons, but for a lot of people it will result in them not being dismissed out of hand.”
Codianni said that while the move is a good first step, she believes more still needs to be done in the state, including repeal of laws that prevent convicted felons from holding a professional license in the state for everything including plumbers and electricians to hair dressers.
“Of course you don’t want a pedophile working in a day care, but what if a convicted felon wants to be a hair dresser?” she said. “There are still so many restrictions today to employment.”
Former convicts who can’t find work and are desperate to support their families may fall back into criminal activity to help make ends meet, Codianni said.
“They see these people they used to know who say, ‘I can help you make a few bucks,’ and before you know it they are back in the game they were trying to avoid,” she said. “These are people who still need to a pay for a place to live and have families they need to support. People getting out of prison who want to lead a straight live have a very difficult time.”
Check Out the 10 Best Coffee Shops in Connecticut
Grab a mug and take a look at Best of Connecticut's list of the 10 best coffee shops in the state.
For those sick of their morning Starbucks run or tired of hitting exasperating long lines at Dunkin Donuts, a new list may have a few alternatives for you to try out.
Best of Connecticut recently released a list of the best places to grab a cup ‘a joe in the state, highlighting a number of places that are worth going out of your way to check out. Entitled “The 10 Coolest Coffee Shops in Connecticut,” the list highlights places both tucked away in quiet little towns and others that may be right in the heart of a city.
Muddy Waters Cafe in New London, located on Bank Street, topped the list at spot number 1. Best of Connecticut highlights the shop’s freshly-made egg sandwiches and coffee so delectable it’s best enjoyed black.
The deck overlooking the Thames River also gets a shoutout as an enhancement to a nice day for a sip of coffee outside.
Essex Coffee and Tea Company in Essex and the Atticus Bookstore & Cafe in New Haven round out the top three at spots number 2 and 3 respectively. Atticus is mentioned to be a favorite spot for Yale students due to its close proximity to the university.
Stonington is the only place on the list to receive two mentions, with both Yellow House Coffee and Tea in Stonington and Vault Coffee in Mystic landing spots 4 and 5 respectively on the list.
Other towns whose coffee shops made the list include Trumbull, Old Saybrook, Stamford, Darien and Hartford.
For those sick of their morning Starbucks run or tired of hitting exasperating long lines at Dunkin Donuts, a new list may have a few alternatives for you to try out.
Best of Connecticut recently released a list of the best places to grab a cup ‘a joe in the state, highlighting a number of places that are worth going out of your way to check out. Entitled “The 10 Coolest Coffee Shops in Connecticut,” the list highlights places both tucked away in quiet little towns and others that may be right in the heart of a city.
Muddy Waters Cafe in New London, located on Bank Street, topped the list at spot number 1. Best of Connecticut highlights the shop’s freshly-made egg sandwiches and coffee so delectable it’s best enjoyed black.
The deck overlooking the Thames River also gets a shoutout as an enhancement to a nice day for a sip of coffee outside.
Essex Coffee and Tea Company in Essex and the Atticus Bookstore & Cafe in New Haven round out the top three at spots number 2 and 3 respectively. Atticus is mentioned to be a favorite spot for Yale students due to its close proximity to the university.
Stonington is the only place on the list to receive two mentions, with both Yellow House Coffee and Tea in Stonington and Vault Coffee in Mystic landing spots 4 and 5 respectively on the list.
Other towns whose coffee shops made the list include Trumbull, Old Saybrook, Stamford, Darien and Hartford.
CHOKING AT PANCAKE-EATING CONTEST
Connecticut high school graduation rate at all-time high
Connecticut's high school graduation rate has reached an all-time high.
The state Department of Education reports the state's four-year graduation rate was 87.4 percent in 2016. That is up from 87.2 percent in 2015 and 84.8 percent in 2011.
The rates for the state's 30 lowest performing school districts, known as Alliance Districts, also saw an improvement, rising more than seven percentage points, from 71.2 percent in 2011 to 78.3 percent a year ago.
