Fund approved for workers traumatized by Newtown shootings

The Sandy Hook Workers Assistance Fund will be used to reimburse medical expenses and lost wages. It will be overseen by the Connecticut Office of Victim Services and funded through private donations (including corporate donations), which will be handled by the United Way of Newtown.

By Brenda Sullivan | HTNP News Editor

The Connecticut General Assembly unanimously gave final approval today (March 6) for legislation that will create a special fund to assist workers who were traumatized by the shootings at Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown, CT. The Sandy Hook Workers Assistance Fund will be used to reimburse medical expenses and lost wages.

It will be overseen by the Connecticut Office of Victim Services and funded through private donations (including corporate donations), which will be handled by the United Way of Newtown.

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East Hampton Council to discuss high school renovation

The East Hampton Town Council has scheduled a Special Meeting to review and discuss the high school renovation proposal.

The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5 at Town Hall.

The Board of Education at its Feb. 28 meeting approved what’s known as “Option 2B,” designed by the architectural firm of SLAM Collaborative, which: removes two wings, relocates the library, creates a science wing and adds offices space for the Board of Education – at a cost of about $52.5 million.

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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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Help East Hampton seniors eat well

East Hampton Senior Center and CW Resources are looking for volunteers to bring meals to senior citizens in town.

The East Hampton Senior Center and CW Resources are looking for volunteers to bring meals to senior citizens in town.

It requires a commitment of only one hour of your time, starting around 11:30 a.m., when the meals are delivered to the Senior Center at 105 Main St. and then sorted for each volunteer’s route.  You must also have reliable transportation.

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ECSU Women break relay record for second time

ECSU Sophomore Nikki Chambers (East Hampton) competed on both record-setting relays this year. ECSU photo.

By Bob Molta | ECSU Athletics

The Eastern Connecticut State University women’s 4×800 meter relay broke the program record for the second time this year at the New England Open Track & Field Championships Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013 at the Boston University Track and Tennis Center.

In a time of 9:48.40, the women’s 4×800 obliterated the record of 10:14.47 that it had set Dec. 8, 2012 at Coxe Cage at the Yale University Invitational.

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Harlem Ambassadors coming to East Hampton

Spectators can expect to see 50 high-flying slam dunks during a Harlem Ambassadors game. The Ambassadors will take on Old Glory, a team of local challengers, in a comedy basketball game hosted by the Rotary Club of East Hampton CT on Thursday, April 4, at 7 p.m. at East Hampton High School. Publicity photo.

By Brenda Sullivan | HTNP News Editor

On Thursday, April 4, a team made up of local community leaders, coaches, civic leaders and others will face the Harlem Ambassadors in a match of skill and comedy.

The Harlem Ambassadors travel around the country and entertain audiences with slam dunks, basketball-handling tricks and comedy.

This will be a night of family fun and everyone can get involved.

The Rotary Club of East Hampton has invited the Ambassadors to come and deliver a positive message about staying in school and saying NO to drugs and alcohol.

Plan to bring your friends and family on April 4 at 7 p.m. at the East Hampton High School.

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Attn actors – East Haddam Stage Co to hold auditions

The East Haddam Stage Co. will hold auditions for upcoming performances from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, March 8 and from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 9. Pictured here is the 2012 summer production of “Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Speckled Band” at Gillette Castle State Park. Courtesy photo.

The East Haddam Stage Co. will hold auditions for upcoming performances from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, March 8 and from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 9.

Auditions will be held at Hadlyme Public Hall , 1 Day Hill Road, in Hadlyme, CT.

Actors and actresses – age 18 to 60 – are sought for two upcoming projects:

• Art as Muse, original works based on abstract art, to be performed May 16-19 (6 shows) at the Hadlyme Public Hall. Rehearsals begin April 22.

• The company’s fifth summer season of outdoor theater at Gillette Castle State Park – the live action ‘radio’ show, “Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Speckled Band.”  This 30-minute show runs twice a day – on weekends only – from July 6- Aug. 11. Rehearsals begin June 24.

The company is looking for a variety of actors for these projects.

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Delving deeper into Malloy’s proposed state budget

In all, there is more than $3 billion in borrowing. In order to stay under the constitutional spending cap, Gov. Malloy has changed the rules by which spending is calculated.

- Letter to the Editor by Rep. Melissa Ziobron

When I originally reviewed Gov. Malloy’s budget proposal, I did not like what I saw, but, decided to wait until I got deeper into the details before passing judgment over his proposal. Now that I have had time to review it in more detail, sadly I think the budget proposal is worse than I originally thought.

Two years ago, Gov. Malloy had an opportunity to restructure state government and put it in a better position to recover from the economic difficulties and deficit plaguing the state for years. Unfortunately, the idea that one should “never let a crisis go to waste” was lost on his administration.

Instead of shrinking government and reducing spending, the Governor and his legislative supporters have increased spending and raised taxes by a record $1.8 billion.

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