Local News for Beacon Falls, Connecticut

Naugatuck Valley area remains COVID hot spot

By Paul Hughes, Republican-American HARTFORD – Waterbury and Naugatuck Valley towns remain COVID-19 hot spots in Connecticut even as vaccination rates increase. The 69.3 cases per 100,000 population in Waterbury over the past two weeks was the highest in the state, and the neighboring towns of Watertown, Naugatuck, Wolcott and Thomaston all had rates topping READ MORE.

Plots available in community garden

BEACON FALLS – There are a few plots available in the Beacon Falls Community Garden for the season. The community garden is located on town property on Wolfe Avenue. Plots are available for Beacon Falls residents on a first come, first served basis. For information, email beaconfallsc@gmail.com. Read the rest of the article on mycitizensnews.com READ MORE.

Developer appeals denial of zone change for Beacon Falls housing project

By Andreas Yilma, Staff Writer BEACON FALLS – An appeal filed in Superior Court in March seeks court intervention to grant a developer’s application for a zone change for the proposed Hopp Brook Estates housing development project. Attorney Stephen Bellis, a lawyer with The Pellegrino Law Firm and a principal with Hopp Brook Developers, LLC, READ MORE.

Woodland planning in-person graduation

BEACON FALLS – School officials are planning to hold an in-person graduation ceremony for Woodland Regional High School’s class of 2021. The Region 16 Board of Education on March 31 set June 11, which is the last day of school, as the date for graduation. Officials are planning to hold the ceremony on the school’s READ MORE.

Region 16 board OKs $40.9M budget proposal

By Elio Gugliotti, Editor BEACON FALLS – The Region 16 Board of Education on March 31 approved a $40.9 million budget proposal to send to voters, who will have the final say on the spending plan in May. The 2021-22 school budget proposal increases overall spending for the region, which is composed of Beacon Falls READ MORE.

Transfer station to open for leaves, brush

BEACON FALLS – The town’s transfer station will be open Fridays starting this week for people to dispose of leaves and brush. The station at 401 Lopus Road will be open from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Fridays just for leaves and brush. For information on additional days the station will be open for other READ MORE.

Long River classes virtual this week

PROSPECT – Classes at Long River Middle School have been and will remain fully remote this week after several students and teachers tested positive for COVID-19. Superintendent of Schools Michael Yamin said in a letter that officials were notified on April 1 that three students and a staff member tested positive. The staff member was READ MORE.

COVID positive test rate rises back to 5%

HARTFORD – State health officials reported Tuesday that the daily positive test rate rose back to 5% after averaging 3% between Friday and Monday. There were 1,074 new cases of COVID-19 reported out of 21,459 test results received Monday. There now have been 317,729 reported cases since March 2020. State health officials also reported a READ MORE.

State ups efforts to vaccinate newly admitted nursing home residents

By Paul Hughes, Republican-American State officials are responding to a renewed COVID-19 threat in Connecticut nursing homes from newly arrived residents who had not been vaccinated before they were admitted. The steps that have been taken in recent weeks include deploying teams from the Connecticut National Guard to assist nursing homes vaccinate newcomers who had READ MORE.

Injured hiker rescued from Naugatuck State Forest

BEACON FALLS – First responders and a hiker rescued an injured woman who fell while hiking Saturday afternoon in the Naugatuck State Forest. Fire officials said the woman was hiking with her dog on a trial when she slipped and broke her ankle. A man who was also hiking came across the woman and called READ MORE.

J&J shot supply issues make vax schedule uncertain

By Paul Hughes, Republican-American HARTFORD – State officials are unsure of Connecticut’s future supply of the only single-dose COVID-19 vaccine available as 100,000 newly eligible 16- to 44-year-olds started signing up Thursday for appointments. The disclosure Wednesday that a factory error ruined 15 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine presented another planning challenge READ MORE.

Authorities warn of COVID scam

By Jonathan Shugarts, Republican-American WATERBURY – Federal authorities issued a warning March 31 urging people to be aware of a fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination scheme that attempts to steal personal identifying information. The Department of Justice warned scam artists are texting and emailing people around the country offering them gifts, such as iPad Pros, in exchange READ MORE.

Improvements planned for rec complex in Beacon Falls

By Andreas Yilma, Staff Writer BEACON FALLS – Town officials are getting the ball rolling with a project to replace the basketball and tennis courts at the Pent Road Recreation Center. The Board of Selectman and the Board of Finance on March 23 approved appropriating a total of $222,039 for the project. Officials want to READ MORE.

NVCOG approves grant application for Burton Road project

By Andreas Yilma, Staff Writer BEACON FALLS – Officials are putting the pieces in place to get the show on the road and repair a section of Burton Road. The town on Christmas Eve closed the section of Burton Road from Wolfe Avenue to North Main Street to thru traffic due to structural issues and READ MORE.

State launches next vaccine phase

By Paul Hughes, Republican-American HARTFORD – The final age group of residents 16 to 44 years old are now able to schedule appointments to get COVID-19 vaccine shots. Gov. Ned Lamont on March 31 declared the state vaccination program ready to proceed to this next phase four and a half months after its mid-December launch. READ MORE.

NEDC, Beacon Falls agreement on hold

By Andreas Yilma, Staff Writer NAUGATUCK – A proposed agreement between the Naugatuck Economic Development Corporation and Beacon Falls is on hold. In February, the Beacon Falls Board of Selectmen unanimously approved an agreement with the NEDC to provide economic development services for the town from March 1 through June 30. The NEDC board of READ MORE.

Federal funds to aid vaccination efforts in targeted areas

By Paul Hughes, Republican-American NEW BRITAIN – The state is making $33.3 million in federal funding available to increase COVID-19 vaccinations among vulnerable and disadvantaged people living in targeted ZIP codes. The state Department of Health has set an April 15 deadline for partnerships between local health departments, community organizations and vaccine providers to apply READ MORE.

Region 16 board OKs plan for in-person classes 5 days a week

By Elio Gugliotti, Editor PROSPECT – Classrooms in Region 16 will have students in them five days a week later this month. The Region 16 Board of Education on March 24 unanimously approved, with member Erik Dey absent, a plan to open all schools five days per week starting on April 19. The approval came READ MORE.

Beacon Hose Co. No.1: More details on our …

More details on our Facebook and InstaeHWsTF Read the article on twitter.com READ MORE.

Region 16 board sends budget proposal to hearing

By Elio Gugliotti, Editor PROSPECT – The latest proposed school budget for Region 16 restores a counselor position previously slated to be cut, but still eliminates the assistant principal job at Long River Middle School. The $40.9 million 2021-22 budget proposal increases overall spending for the region, which is composed of Beacon Falls and Prospect, READ MORE.