Local News for Beacon Falls, Connecticut

Local leaders choose not to take punitive approach with emergency orders

By Andreas Yilma, Staff Writer Municipal authorities have the option to issue new fines for violations of the state’s coronavirus-related emergency orders, but local leaders say they are choosing education over punitive measures. Gov. Ned Lamont said on Sept. 16 that the state’s 169 towns and cities will have discretion to issue infraction citations for READ MORE.

Region 16 reports assistant football coach tests positive for COVID-19

BEACON FALLS – Region 16 officials have told 26 Woodland Regional High School football players to quarantine for 14 days after an assistant coach tested positive for COVID-19. Superintendent of Schools Michael Yamin said school officials learned of the positive test Friday. He said the assistant coach, who doesn’t work in a school in the READ MORE.

State to get 1 million rapid COVID-19 tests

By Paul Hughes, Republican-American HARTFORD – Gov. Ned Lamont announced Tuesday that Connecticut is expecting to receive 1 million of the latest rapid COVID-19 tests from the federal government. State officials are anticipating receiving the first shipment of 69,000 of the new 15-minute diagnostic tests developed by Abbott Laboratories in a matter of days. “This READ MORE.

Amendment allows indoor shooting ranges in BeaconFalls

By Andreas Yilma, Staff Writer BEACON FALLS – The Planning and Zoning Commission Sept. 24 unanimously approved an amendment to the zoning regulations to allow indoor gun shooting ranges in industrial park districts. The change will go into effect after attorney Vincent Marino reviews the language of the text amendment, according to commission Chairman Kevin READ MORE.

Naugatuck Valley Health District reports additional COVID cases

The Naugatuck Valley Health District reported Monday there were 12 new cases of COVID-19 since Friday within its jurisdiction. The health district serves six Valley towns: Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Naugatuck, Seymour and Shelton. The 12 new cases, which were from tests done last week, brought the number of cases in the six towns to READ MORE.

Region 16 board OKs change to middle school hybrid model

By Elio Gugliotti, Editor PROSPECT – Starting Oct. 5, Long River Middle School students will have in-person classes four days a week. Since Region 16 schools opened in early September, middle school students have been following a hybrid model of learning that divided them into two groups. Students attend school in-person two days a week READ MORE.

Indoor dining rules eased; bars, night clubs to remain closed

By Paul Hughes, Republican-American HARTFORD – Gov. Ned Lamont is increasing limits for indoor dining to three-quarters of seating capacity as the cold weather makes outdoor service less of a viable option for Connecticut restaurants. Lamont announced Thursday the revised seating limit and other changes to coronavirus operating rules that are scheduled to take effect READ MORE.

Ordinance declaring racism a health crisis a no-go

By Andreas Yilma, Staff Writer Selectmen opt not to move ahead with proposal or resolution BEACON FALLS – The Board of Selectmen Sept. 14 unanimously agreed not to adopt a proposed ordinance that would declare racism a public health crisis. The board also voted, 2-1, not to approve a similar resolution. Resident Barbara Berkowitz last READ MORE.

Hazardous waste, paint to be collected

ANSONIA – The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments and participating towns are sponsoring a household hazardous waste and paint collection day on Sept. 26. The event runs from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ansonia Public Works, 1 North Division St. The event is open to residents of 17 area towns, including Beacon Falls, Naugatuck READ MORE.

COVID deaths inch up; Rhode Island back on travel advisory

By Paul Hughes, Republican-American HARTFORD – The COVID-19 death toll in Connecticut inched closer to 5,000 as coronavirus-associated deaths topped 200,000 nationally on Tuesday, officials reported. An additional death reported since Monday brought the number of fatalities to 4,496 since the first death of a state resident was announced in mid-March. In Connecticut, state health READ MORE.

Selectmen reject proposed ordinance regarding officials, back taxes

By Andreas Yilma, Staff Writer BEACON FALLS – The Board of Selectmen Sept. 14 opted not to move forward with a proposed ordinance that would disqualify a person from an elected or appointed position if they owe delinquent taxes. Former resident Shawn Styfco proposed the ordinance in February. The proposal would have required a candidate READ MORE.

Lions Club holding car show

BEACON FALLS – The Beacon Falls Lions Club will hold its 14th annual Car Show on Sunday. The car show is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kolga Industries, 65 Lancaster Drive. Car registration is from 8 to 11 a.m. and the cost is $10. General admission is $5. There is no charge for READ MORE.

Beacon Hose Co. No.1: The order deadline for …

The order deadline for this Saturday’s drive-thru dinner is Wednesday night! Don’t wait and pre-order on our website now! Read the article on twitter.com READ MORE.

Advisory committee to assist state on COVID vaccination plan

By Paul Hughes, Republican-American HARTFORD – Gov. Ned Lamont is establishing a new advisory committee to help craft a COVID-19 vaccination plan, including determining which groups of people should be inoculated first in Connecticut. Acting Public Health Commissioner Deidre S. Gifford and Dr. Reginald J. Eadie, president and CEO of Trinity Health of New England, READ MORE.

Cabrera receives endorsements

HAMDEN – State Senate candidate Jorge Cabrera has received endorsements from Planned Parenthood Votes! Connecticut, the Connecticut Working Families Party, and The Sierra Club of Connecticut, his campaign announced. Cabrera, a Democrat, is challenging Republican state Sen. George Logan in the 17th Senate District. The district represents Beacon Falls, Ansonia, Bethany, Derby and parts of READ MORE.

CT Realtors endorse Klarides-Ditria

SEYMOUR – The Connecticut Realtors Association has endorsed state Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, R-Seymour, for reelection, her campaign announced. The Connecticut Realtors Association represents 17,000 members involved in all aspects of real estate in Connecticut. Klarides-Ditria is running for reelection in the 105th House District, which includes Beacon Falls, Seymour and part of Derby. Democrat Christopher READ MORE.

Agreement adjusts schedule for Region 16 teachers

PROSPECT – The Region 16 Board of Education and Region 16 Education Association have approved changes to the work schedule for teachers. The region, which is comprised of Beacon Falls and Prospect, is following a hybrid model for classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. High school and middle school students are divided into two groups. READ MORE.

Towns, cities have discretion on enforcement of emergency orders

By Paul Hughes, Republican-American MIDDLETOWN – How vigorously new fines for violating coronavirus-related orders are used to enforce the state directives will vary by municipality. Gov. Ned Lamont said on Sept. 16 that the state’s 169 towns and cities will have discretion to issue infraction citations for violations of a mask wearing mandate and attendance READ MORE.

Officials taking cautious approach with senior centers

By Andreas Yilma, Staff Writer Local senior centers will remain mostly closed, although the state has allowed them to reopen with restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The state’s reopening plan allowed senior centers to reopen Sept. 1 under strict guidelines, including limiting outdoor events to 100 people and indoor events to 50% of capacity or READ MORE.

Commission to hold hearing on text amendment for indoor gun range

BEACON FALLS – The Planning and Zoning Commission has scheduled a hearing for Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. on a proposed text amendment to allow an indoor gun range in industrial park districts. The hearing is tentatively scheduled to be held at the Beacon Falls Senior Center, 57 North Main St., according to the minutes READ MORE.