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Council Fills Ward 3 Vacancy…City Backs Immigrant Rights…Events Mark Black History Month
News briefs for week ending February 14, 2026 By NB Politicus Council fills Ward 3 vacancy Democrat Alberto Borrero, a Concord Street homeowner, is the new Alderman from Ward 3 on the New Britain Council succeeding State Rep. Iris Sanchez (D-25) who was elected to the state House of Representatives in a January 6 special election. The Common […]
Rep. Iris Sanchez joins legislature…State grant boosts Mt. Pleasant Phase 1…Schools seek 14.82% more…City mourns Ald. Hargraves
News Briefs for Week Ending February 7, 2026 By NB Politicus State Rep. Sanchez Joins Legislature for 2026 Session State Rep. Iris Noemi Sanchez (D-25) was one of two new members of the House of Representatives to take their seats for the first time at the Connecticut General Assembly’s 2026 session on opening day, February […]
Alderman Hargraves Brought People Together
Remembering A Life of Public Service, Helping Others Alderman Jerrell Hargraves, who died unexpectedly this week, brought a quiet, unassuming demeanor to his work as the city’s human rights officer and on the Common Council representing Ward 2. When Jerrell spoke in that baritone voice on any issue before the Council he had something substantive […]
Lawmakers Discuss Issues on Tap for 2026 Legislature at LWV Brunch
By John McNamara School aid, affordable housing and countering unlawful Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were key topics discussed at a January 31 Legislative Brunch organized by the New Britain area League of Women Voters (LWV). State Representatives Rebecca Martinez (D-22) of Plainville and Iris Noemi Sanchez (D-25) and David DeFronzo (D-26) of New Britain […]
New Britain Week in Review
Short Takes on local news and occurrences for week ending 1/31/26 By NB Politicus Storm Benjamin On Sunday January 25th the biggest storm in a decade dumped 16.4 inches of snow in New Britain prompting city government to replenish its supply of road salt with more than seven weeks left in winter. It took more […]
Network Disruption Affects City – Officials Assure that Public Safety Services Remain Fully Operational
The office of New Britain Mayor Bobby Sanchez is assuring residents that, “New Britain’s Public Safety operations are functioning as they should and the City will continue to provide services,” after what city officials are calling, “a network disruption affecting certain City systems.” WFSB reported that the incident is, “a suspected cyber attack on City […]
Officials Provide Update On Allen Street Project to Upgrade Stormwater System
By John McNamara City officials have provided an update on plans and financing to complete the Allen Street project to replace an outmoded storm water and sewage system that causes neighborhood flooding during heavy rains and extensive damage to basements and property. Mayor Bobby Sanchez said Allen Street improvements have been the priority for his […]
City Audit For 2025 Fiscal Year Finalized on Time
Independent auditors delivered New Britain’s financial statements for the year ending June 30, 2025 to city officials and the state Office of Policy and Management ahead of a December 31st deadline after several years of the reports being filed late. Material weaknesses and noncompliance found in prior years have been corrected, according to the CliftonLarsonAllen […]
City to Honor the Birthday of Rev Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.
Mayor Bobby Sanchez, the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, the Mary McLeod Bethune Club, and the Black Ministers Alliance are cordially inviting the public to join them in honoring the birthday of Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr. The citywide event, scheduled for Monday, January 19, 2026, will focus on the theme “Unity through […]
Iris Sanchez sworn in as State Rep for New Britain’s 25th District
State Rep. Iris Sanchez (D-25) has been sworn in as the State Representative from New Britain’s 25th District. The swearing-in ceremony occurred in the House Chamber on Tuesday, January 13th. The 2026 Legislative Session is set to begin on February 4th, 2026. Rep. Sanchez, a multi-term member of the New Britain Common Council from Ward […]
Task Force Hearing on Traffic Cameras To Be Held Thursday, Jan. 15th
by John McNamara The City of New Britain will take the next step in selecting locations for speed enforcement traffic cameras at a January 15th public hearing of the Vision Zero Task Force. A Vision Zero public hearing is set for Thursday, Jan. 15th, at 6:30 p.m. at the New Britain Police Department Community Room, […]
Community Budget Forum Planned on New Britain School District Budget Proposal
The Consolidated School District of New Britain is inviting the public to a Community Budget Forum on the school system’s budget for the upcoming 2026-2027 budget year. “Join Superintendent Dr. Tony Gasper for a presentation and community conversation about how the proposed budget supports student needs and district priorities,” the school district says, The Community […]
Iris Sanchez Wins Special Election to Become New Britain’s Newest State Legislator
Editor’s note: The cover photo is by Dr Frank Gerratana on Veterans Day. City Council member, Ald Iris Noemi Sanchez (D-3) was overwhelmingly elected in the special election in the 25th State Assembly district, to become New Britain’s newest state legislator. Sanchez appears to have won, unofficially, 354 to 180. The special election was to […]
Mayor Sanchez Establishes Task Force on Public Safety
Editor’s note: The cover photo is by Dr Frank Gerratana on Veterans Day. Mayor Bobby Sanchez (D) has announced that he has established a new Mayor’s Task Force on Public Safety, saying, “Public safety is the foundation of a strong community.” The Task Force, established under Mayor Sanchez’ Executive Order Number 1, is to serve […]
Early Voting Underway in 25th District Special Election.
Early voting will continue this weekend for voters in New Britain’s 25th Assembly District in the special election to fill the state representative seat left vacant following Mayor Bobby Sanchez’s recent election to the city’s top office. Election Day is Tuesday, January 6, 2026, when voters who have not yet voted by they will be […]
Top Stories of 2025
As we get ready to start 2026, the New Britain Progressive looks back at some of the important stories the New Britain Progressive covered in 2025. Many of these stories span multiple articles covered in the New Britain Progressive, so many of the larger stories are represented by one article, here. With that, here are […]
Happy Holidays from the New Britain Progressive
Merry Christmas from the New Britain Progressive! May the blessings of peace and goodwill be with you as you celebrate with family, loved ones and friends.
Rev. Dr. Crabtree, a Founder of Prudence Crandall Center, Honored With CCAG Award Named for Laddie Michalowski
Citizen Action Group Recognizes Third Act Leader; Celebrates 20 Years of Citizens Elections Program By John McNamara The Connecticut Citizen Action Group honored the Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree on December 4 at its awards and campaign finance reform anniversary celebration in West Hartford. Rev. Dr. Crabtree, a United Church of Christ (UCC) minister, received the Laddie […]
New Britain Prof Pens Book on Eastern European Roots
Dr. Lisa Wisniewski’s Book Shares Oral Histories from Communities in Connecticut and Massachusetts So Migrants’ Culture and Heritage Will Not Be “Forgotten” By John McNamara The migration of Eastern Europeans to New Britain and other U.S. destinations after World War II is a story Professor Lisa Wisniewski, PhD, has wanted to tell from the beginning […]
Democrat Iris Sanchez and Republican Jamie Vaughan Running in Special Election for State Representative
Democratic City Council member, Ald Iris Noemi Sanchez (D-3) and city Constable Jamie Vaughan (R) are running for State Representative in the January 6th special election to fill the vacancy in the 25th Assembly District. The district is open after Mayor Bobby Sanchez (D) was elected to the city’s top office earlier this month. In […]