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News
The deadline for former Mayor Erin Stewart (R) to make her initial restitution payment to…
Community News
The New Britain Public Library is hosting a Pet Show. “Children, teens and adults are…
News Analysis
NEW BRITAIN COMMON COUNCIL UPDATES Municipal bidding procedures for the purchase of supplies and contractual…
Featured Journalism
by John McNamara Sponsors and attendees at the New Britain Public Library’s (NBPL) 10th Annual Fundraiser on…
Opinion
By Molly Felth Dear New Britain Progressive, Thanks for the work that you do! I…
New Britain Racial Justice Coalition
By the New Britain Racial Justice Coalition, The New Britain Racial Justice Coalition (NBRJC) is raising serious concerns about Mayor Bobby Sanchez’s proposed FY27 budget, stating clearly that it reduces overall education funding while failing to meaningfully invest in libraries and community services. Despite public claims of increased support for schools, the full budget shows […]
Community Announcements
By Bike New Britain On Monday, Bike New Britain will be providing the 5th grade class at Smalley School in New Britain with a bike safety education program. Beginning on Monday, May 4th and continuing through Thursday, May 7th, members of Bike New Britain will be conducting safety education classes from 8am to 9:45am Then […]
Community Announcement by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut (BBBSCT) honored two New Britain residents during its annual Big Night celebration this Saturday, recognizing Big Sister Alex Steel as the 2026 Big of the Year and Jessica Mercado as the 2026 Parent Partner of the Year. Both were celebrated […]
Schools
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 […]
History
By John McNamara Saturday, March 7th was one of those days when New Britain lived…
Flooding Series
Latest News and Opinion
By Molly Felth Dear New Britain Progressive, Thanks for the work that you do! I write on behalf of my Iraq War veteran partner. You may know that yesterday, July 5th, New Britain Parks and Rec discharged all the fireworks they were going to use on July 4th, during the day, at Walnut Hill Park […]
The New Britain Public Library is hosting a Pet Show. “Children, teens and adults are invited to bring in their pets for our annual pet show! Or, just come and meet some new animal friends! Registration is required; please call the Children’s Department at 860-224-3155 x121.” the Library says. The event is Thursday, July 16, […]
Proposal Would Bring Back Department Head Local Residency Requirement
The Council Majority Leader, Ald. Carlo Carlozzi, Jr. (D-5) and Ald. Aram Ayalon (D-3) have introduced a proposal that would bring back the requirement that city department heads be residents of New Britain. The proposed ordinance (local law) would reinstate the requirement that city department heads be or become residents of New Britain within one year […]
School System Publishes 2018-2019 School Calendar and Looks Ahead to Next School Year
Students and parents may be thinking about the end of school this June, and the beginning of summer vacation, but the school district is already preparing the next school year. As it released its calendar for the 2018-2019 school year, the Consolidated School District of New Britain wants to let people know about upcoming educational strategies that […]
Honoring Martin Luther King’s Work for a Better Future
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was honored in New Britain in a memorial commemoration to the great leader who was assassinated as he fought for civil rights, equality, economic equity and peace fifty years ago. The commemoration was held by the Mary McLeod Bethune Club, led by President Cheryl Niccolls. Rev. Brian Riley, […]
Ramanauskas Monument Halted
Ald. Aram Ayalon (D-3), who had been opposing plans for a monument to Lithuanian militant Adolfas Ramanauskas in Walnut Hill Park, received word from the office of Republican Mayor Erin Stewart that the plans will not be moving forward. Ayalon received word on Friday from Stewart ‘s office that Ramanauskas will not be honored with […]
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Attorney Adrian Baron Seeks Donations to Support Little Poland Festival
Broad Street attorney and neighborhood leader, Adrian Baron, is asking for people to help bring about another successful Little Poland Festival, “where everyone can be Polish for the day.” The 2018 Little Poland Festival will be on April 29th. Baron has sponsored at GoFundMe fundraiser to support of the Festival. That fundraising appeal says that, Since […]
Ald. Ayalon Presses Commission to Halt to Ramanauskas Monument
Ald. Aram Ayalon (D-3) has officially requested that the New Britain Parks and Recreation Commission take up his City Council petition requesting, “a temporary halt of the building of a monument to commemorate Lithuanian militant, Adolfas Ramanauskas, until further research has been conducted to help confirm the history behind the man being memorialized.” On December 15, 2017, […]
Hartford Deputy Chief, Raul Ortiz, Proposed as New Britain Fire Chief
Hartford Deputy Fire Chief Raul Ortiz has been nominated to be New Britain’s next fire chief. Ortiz has been Deputy Chief in Hartford since December 2017. He has served as the Hartford Fire Department’s Public Information Officer and Executive Officer since 2014. Republican Mayor Erin Stewart has announced that she has nominated Ortiz and will […]
Martin Luther King: Remembering April 4, 1968
by John McNamara Contributing Columnist I remember exactly where I was on April 4, 1968. That sunny and warm Thursday, like many others in my senior year in high school, I drove to Bradlee’s Department store on the Lynnway in Lynn, Massachusetts after school to punch in for the evening shift, earning some money before entering […]
“Know Your Rights” Forum on Immigration Apr 5th
United Action Connecticut will hold a, “Know Your Rights,” Forum in New Britain on immigration. The Forum will be on April 5, 2018. United Action says, “Come to this informative meeting to find out about immigration updates and what rights you have as an immigrant even if you are undocumented.” The Forum will take place at […]
North Oak NRZ to Hold Community Clean-Up Apr 21st
The North Oak NRZ has announced that it will hold its second Community Clean-Up on April 21, 2018. The North Oak NRZ (Neighborhood Revitalization Zone) has been active in organizing the community in its neighborhood to come together to improve the quality of life. The NRZ is working with the New Britain Police Department, Central […]
Council Petition Would to Halt Ramanauskas Monument, Pending Investigation
Ald. Aram Ayalon has introduced City Council petition requesting, “a temporary halt of the building of a monument to commemorate Lithuanian militant, Adolfas Ramanauskas, until further research has been conducted to help confirm the history behind the man being memorialized.” Ayalon cites concerns regarding accusations about Ramanauskas and the parts of the Holocaust that occurred in […]
6th Annual Dance for Ana With Love FUNdraiser Apr 7th
The 6th Annual Dance for Ana With Love (DFAWL) FUNdraiser, to benefit the Ana Grace Project, will be held in New Britain on April 7, 2018. DFAWL says that the annual fundraiser is held, in honor of Ana Grace Márquez-Greene. Ana was one of the 20 young children murdered in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting on […]
Sen. Blumenthal, City Council Members Support Business of Family in Sanctuary from Deportation
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ald. Eva Magnuszewski (D-AL), the New Britain City Council’s President Pro-Tempore, and other members of the Council gathered with other community members to encourage people to buy from the business of a New Britain family facing deportation who have been given sanctuary at an Old Lyme church. On March 30, 2018, Blumenthal […]
Council Approves Scaled-Down Version of Stewart Borrowing Plan
The City Council has approved a $99 million, scaled down version of Republican Mayor Erin Stewart’s original plan to borrow $115 million to push city debt into the future. While tension had risen last week, after reports, called, “misleading,” and, “inaccurate,” that a debt deal had already been concluded, discussions reportedly continued right up to […]
School District Announces Revised School Calendar
The Consolidated School District of New Britain has announced a revised school calendar. The school system says, “it appears we are done with the snow (fingers and toes crossed) so we have updated our calendar to reflect all of the changes.” The school district says that the last day of school for the Smalley School […]
Memorial for Martin Luther King, Jr. to be Held Apr 7
The Mary McLeod Bethune Club has announced that the 2018 Memorial Celebration for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is to be held April 7, 2018. The Year 2018 marks fifty years since the Civil Rights leader and one of the most important leaders in American history was assassinated as he fought for civil rights, […]
2018 Puerto Rican Festival Planned for July 21st
Ald. Emmanuel Sanchez (D-AL) has introduced a resolution in the City Council that would authorize the Puerto Rican Society of New Britain to hold the 2018 Puerto Rican Festival on July 21st. New Britain’s Puerto Rican Festival is a long standing tradition in the community. Held on High Street, the Festival places the Puerto Rican Society of […]
Sen. Blumenthal Visits New Britain Family Facing Deportation Taking Sanctuary in Old Lyme Church
Sen. Richard Blumenthal visited Malik Naveed bin Rehman and Zahida Altaf, to show support for the New Britain family and community business owners facing deportation who have been given sanctuary at an Old Lyme church. When Sen. Blumenthal visited the couple, on March 25, 2018, he said that, “I am here, today, to renew my […]
City Journal Story on Debt Deal Called Misleading and Inaccurate
The article in the Republican-allied New Britain City Journal on a deal related to Republican Mayor Erin Stewart’s controversial proposal to borrow $115 million to push city debt into the future is misleading and inaccurate, according to the Majority Leader of the City Council, Ald. Carlo Carlozzi, Jr. (D-5). On March 22, 2018 the City Journal published an article, […]
Spottswood A.M.E. Zion Church to Celebrate 115th Anniversary, Apr 20th to 22nd
Spottswood A.M.E. Zion Church will celebrate its 115th Anniversary in April of 2018. The Anniversary be will celebrated with a pageant, gala and church services from April 20th to April 22nd. A Church Heritage Pageant will be held on April 20th at 6:30pm. The Friday Pageant will be held at the Church. On April 21st at […]