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Superintendent Discusses Approach in Case ICE Attempts Detaining Students in Schools
New Britain school Superintendent Tony Gaspar met this week with members of the Community Task Force, led by Pastor Gervais Barger of Peace Missionary Ministries, assuring them that ICE agents have not attempted to detain students in New Britain schools and describing the school district’s plans if it did attempt to do so. “There have […]
New Britain Public Library To Open “The Vance Forum” Community Space
The New Britain Public Library is set to open its new “The Vance Forum” community space, saying it is celebrating, “connection, collaboration, and collective growth.” The Library says that, Our new conference center and study rooms are designed to meet the evolving needs of our New Britain community. The Vance Forum was made possible through […]
Holmes School Renovation Is on Schedule for Fall 2026 Re-Opening
By John McNamara State Bonds Are Covering 95% Of $70 Million In Construction Costs A $70 million comprehensive renovation of the Stanley H. Holmes Elementary School on Stanley Street near A.W. Stanley Park is on schedule for re-opening in the fall of 2026. Members of the School Building Committee toured the school construction site on […]
Dr Karolina Kołpak Named Endowed Chair in Polish and Polish-American Studies at CCSU
Central Connecticut State University has named Dr Karolina Kołpak as its new Stanislaus A Blejwas Endowed Chair in Polish and Polish American Studies. CCSU named Dr Kołpak to the Chair after a national search, saying that, Kołpak brings an impressive record of scholarship, teaching, research, and a commitment to an interdisciplinary and inclusive approach to […]
The Start of a New School Year – Students Have Mixed Feelings
As the summer days wind down and back-to-school shopping begins, familiar signs of a new school year appear. Store shelves are stocked with school supplies, shopping carts start to fill, and a growing sense of anticipation starts to creep in. Across the town of New Britain, students are preparing to return to the school halls […]
Protest Held Against ICE Immigrant Abductions of New Britain Residents and Other Trump Policies
Chanting, “No hate, no fear! Immigrants are welcome here!” people from New Britain and other towns gathered in front of New Britain City Hall tonight to protest against ICE abductions of five New Britain residents. Protesters called for an end to ICE raids in New Britain, and tied the attacks on immigrant communities to other […]
State Bond Commission Allocates $2 Million Toward Allen Street Drainage Project
Last Friday, the State Bond Commission allocated $2 million toward the $13.9 million Allen Street Drainage Improvements and Reconstruction Project. The project is to alleviate mounting concerns about flooding caused by drainage infrastructure in need of improvements affecting the neighborhood between Allen Street and Roxbury Road near CCSU neighborhood. That neighborhood has been facing serious problems […]
State Legislators Announce $6 Million to Improve John Downey Drive
Members of the New Britain state legislative delegation, Sen Rick Lopes (D-6), Rep Dave DeFronzo (D-26) and Rep Gary Turco (D-27) have announced $6.4 million in state funding for John Downey Drive corridor. “These upgrades will improve accessibility for both vehicles and pedestrians,” said Sen Lopes, about the funding, awarded through the Local Transportation Improvement […]
McNamara and Ortiz-Luna, Endorsed Democrats, May Be Primaried by Connors
The Democratic Town Committee last week endorsed incumbent Ald John McNamara (D-4), the City Council’s Majority Leader, and former Ald Luz Ortiz-Luna, as the endorsed Democratic candidates for Council in Ward 4. Meanwhile, incumbent Ald Neil Connors (D-4), who was not re-nominated, is attempting to petition for a September primary for one of the two […]
Democrats Endorse Bobby Sanchez for Mayor
Democratic State Representative Bobby Sanchez (D-25) was endorsed by the Democratic Party tonight to be its candidate for Mayor of New Britain. “Born, raised, and deeply rooted in the city,” Sanchez’ campaign website says, “Bobby has spent decades fighting for the issues that matter most to New Britain families—as an early childhood educator, shelter director, […]
New Britain Youth Theater Presenting “Into the Woods, Jr.”
New Britain Youth Theater is presenting “Into the Woods, Jr.”, as part of its summer camp programming, with the play to be performed next week. “Our Summer Campers are hard at work,” the Theater says, “(it’s Sondheim, of course it’s hard work!) to bring you this delightfully witty retelling of your favorite Fairy Tales!” The […]
Interfaith Group Addresses Council on “Due Process” Rights for Immigrants
Clergy and members of the New Britain Area Interfaith Conference (NewBAIC) attended the July 9th New Britain Common Council meeting to share their concerns about the Trump administration’s treatment of immigrants and actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that are not in accordance with “due process under the law.” Rev. Dr. Jonathon D. Counts, […]
33rd Annual Osgood Shootout Benefit Basketball Tournament Planned
Widely honored Coach Darwin Shaw announced in June that, “New England’s biggest and best single elimination tournament, The Osgood Shootout will be celebrating year 33.” “I am proud to announce that with the help of Byron Jones once again,” said Coach Shaw, “the tradition will continue. The tournament has provided 111 scholarships over the years.” […]
How Mamdani’s Message Trumped the Establishment in NYC
Back To The Future: “Affordability” Wins on the Lower East Side and Elsewhere by John McNamara Down on the Lower East Side of Manhattan on Grand Street the words of Sidney Hillman are inscribed in stone outside the coop complex named for the legendary labor leader. “We want a better America,” the quote goes, “an […]
Community Birthday Cookout Celebrates Life of Katherine Colon – Continues Justice for Katherine Campaign
Family and friends of Katherine Colon and other activists held a special Birthday Community Cookout in Central Park on Sunday, “dedicated to honoring Katherine’s memory through harm reduction, food, love, and meaningful community connections.” The event included food, games and fond remembrances of Colon, along with a continuation of the Justice for Katherine campaign. That […]
Traffic Safety Plan Will Include Roundabouts, Camera Enforcement Options
Safe Streets Report and Recommendations to Be Released June 25 By John McNamara A final report of the city’s Vision Zero Task Force is expected to be released on June 25th with recommendations to reduce vehicular and pedestrian accidents throughout the city. The Common Council took the first step of the Vision Zero initiative last […]
Tens of Thousands of People, Including Many from New Britain, March in Hartford in “No Kings” Protest
Perhaps 20,000 people marched at the State Capitol on Saturday, one of many “No Kings” protests across the country against the policies of President Donald Trump (R) and MAGA. Many New Britain residents were a part of this protest.
Council Democrats Defend Budget Vetoed by Stewart; Council Budget Added School Operating, Library, Homelessness Prevention Funding
New Britain City Council Democrats say that, in spite of a veto by Mayor Erin Stewart (R), they are defending the budget they approved last month that would have added $1.1 million to the city schools’ operating budget, which had been again flat-funded in the budget proposed by Stewart, and added $175,000 for New Britain […]
New Britain Racial Justice Coalition Condemns Mayor Stewart’s Veto of Education, Housing and Public Service
By the New Britain Racial Justice Coalition, The New Britain Racial Justice Coalition (NBRJC) strongly condemns Mayor Erin Stewart’s June 7 veto of the City Council’s amended FY 2025 budget, which prioritized long-overdue investments in education, housing, and public services. The veto reverses a budget that was shaped by extensive community input and advocacy. Over […]
Little Poland Festival Again Draws Tens of Thousands of Visitors in New Britain
Celebrating its 12th year, the Little Poland Festival again drew tens of thousands of people to New Britain to celebrate Polish culture, music and food in the city. The popular celebration of Polish culture, music and cuisine has, for years, attracted huge crowds of people from New Britain, the state and beyond. Tens of thousands […]