Headlines
News
New Britain’s Mayor and state legislators have called for, “an independent audit of the district’s…
Community News
By John McNamara Renovations and expansion of the Stanley H. Holmes Elementary School on Stanley Street will…
Opinion
By the New Britain Racial Justice Coalition, The New Britain Racial Justice Coalition (NBRJC) is…
News Analysis
By Rhona Cohen and Olive O’Brien-Cohen Steven “Stevie” Jones, 55 years old, died on March…
Featured Journalism
by John McNamara Sponsors and attendees at the New Britain Public Library’s (NBPL) 10th Annual Fundraiser on…
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 […]
The Arts
The Central Connecticut State University’s Theatre Department is presenting “In Pieces”, which it says is, “a bold, contemporary new musical featuring a pop-driven score that dives into echoes of love, loss, and self-discovery by weaving the romantic journeys of six characters across three-chapters of life.” The play is April 30th, May 1st and 2nd at […]
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 John McNamara Renovations and expansion of the Stanley H. Holmes Elementary School on Stanley Street will be completed in the coming weeks. Members of the School Building Committee toured the K-5 school on April 22 with Kamil Musical , Newfield Construction’s project manager, and School District staff members. The Holmes School was built in 1956 and is undergoing […]
New Britain’s Mayor and state legislators have called for, “an independent audit of the district’s budget practices, financial assumptions, and administrative spending decisions. Taxpayers, parents, educators, and staff deserve full transparency and accountability.” Sen Rick Lopes (D-6), Rep Manny Sanchez (D-24), Rep David DeFronzo (D-26), Rep Iris Sanchez (D-25) and Rep Gary Turco (D-27) joined […]
Ndaba Mandela, Grandson of Nelson Mandela to Speak at CCSU’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium & Day of Service
Central Connecticut State University has announced that Ndaba Mandela, grandson of the celebrated human rights activist Nelson Mandela, will speak at the University’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium & Day of Service as Keynote Speaker. CCSU says that, “As co-founder and chairman of the Mandela Institute for Humanity, Mandela aims to teach Nelson Mandela’s […]
Queen Ann Nzinga Center Hosting Open House and Celebrating Chinese New Year
The Queen Ann Nzinga Center is hosting an Open House, “to learn about our program for kids ages 5-17.” “Our multicultural program empowers youth through arts and humanities workshops and features music, dance, visual arts, theater, creative writing, traditional crafts & more!” the Center says. The event is to be Saturday, January 25, 2025, from […]
Community Events and Meetings in New Britain from Jan 13th to 19th
In New Britain, community meetings and events from today to Sunday, January 19, 2025 include
Rep Dave DeFronzo Takes Office Representing New Britain’s 26th District
State Rep Dave DeFronzo (D-26) was sworn into office for his first term after being elected in last November’s election. “I am grateful to the voters of New Britain who supported my candidacy,” Rep DeFronzo said, “and I am eager to get started.” DeFronzo is the successor to former Rep Peter Tercyak (D-26), who retired […]
Friends of the New Britain Public Library Presenting Media and Music Bonanza
Friends of the New Britain Public Library is presenting a Media and Music Bonanza. Friends of the New Britain Public Library say, The Sale features DVDs (including Blu-Ray) of almost every genre, CDs, LPs, sheet music (some dating back to the 1920’s), songbooks, hardcover Rock and Roll books, and greeting cards for all occasions. All […]
City of New Britain and the Allen St. Drainage Improvements and Reconstruction Phase 2 Project #4166. Our 28th Presentation.
All of our recent storm-sewer flooding updates and narratives with photos and documents are published on-line in the New Britain Progressive’s Flooding Series. To: Mayor Stewart, Chief of Staff Dorsey and Our Alderpersons: As Mayor Stewart noted back in 2013, “The Allen St. Project is our most pressing need. The Allen St. Project is critical […]
Rep Bobby Sanchez Announces Candidacy for Mayor
Surrounded by dignitaries and cheering supporters, New Britain Democratic State Rep Bobby Sanchez (D-25) announced that he is running to be Mayor of New Britain. Speaking to a crowd of 200 cheering Sanchez supporters, Lt Gov Susan Bysiewicz (D) introduced Sanchez, saying that she and Gov Ned Lamont (D) were endorsing his candidacy. She praised […]
Neighborhood Activists Repeat Lamont Drainage Improvement Funding Request
January 7, 2025 2ND REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE GOVERNOR Dear Matt Brokman, Governor Lamont’s Chief of Staff This is our 2nd effort to contact the governor. He did not respond to the letter (noted below) which we sent him 12-2-24 via FedEx. We are all very busy with our personal and professional lives, however, […]
Community Events and Meetings in New Britain from Jan 6th to 12th
In New Britain, community meetings and events from today to Sunday, January 12, 2025 include
New Britain Rep Bobby Sanchez to Announce Candidacy for Mayor
Rep Bobby Sanchez (D-25) is set to announce that he is running Mayor of New Britain this week. Sanchez, who has represented New Britain’s Twenty-Fifth Assembly District in the state House of Representatives since 2011, has organized a campaign committee to seek the highest office in the city. Retiring State Rep Peter Tercyak (D-26) is […]
It’s Time For State To Address Stormwater Crisis In More Hard Hit Neighborhoods
State Aid Needed To Implement Allen Street Capital Improvements In New Britain By John McNamara The damage to homes and properties caused by intense rains has accelerated over the last two years in New Britain and other communities across Connecticut. Public stormwater and sewer systems built a century ago are routinely overwhelmed whenever a hard […]
Activists Organizing Neighborhood Call to Action Meeting 1-4-25 on Allen Street Drainage Improvement Project
I am Frank Chase. My wife Sharon and I have been leading the advocacy campaign for the long over due Allen St. Storm-Sewer System Upgrades since September of 2023. We live at 24 Roxbury Road.
Happy New Year from the New Britain Progressive
From our families to yours, Happy New Year from the New Britain Progressive. Best wishes for a healthy and happy 2025!
Community Events and Meetings in New Britain from Dec 30th to Jan 5th
In New Britain, community meetings and events from today to Sunday, January 5, 2025 include
Top Ten Stories of 2024
As we get ready to start 2025, the New Britain Progressive editors look back at some of the important stories the New Britain Progressive covered in 2024, and also news analysis and opinion published in the New Britain Progressive during the year, that are this year’s Top Ten Stories of 2024. If you would like […]
Residents Organizing “Saving Our Neighborhood” Event on the Allen Street Project
Dear Neighbors and Ward Four Residents, My name is Carol Austad, and my husband, Robert Swarr and I, are long-time residents of New Britain. We care deeply about the well-being of our neighborhood. I am also a member of the Democratic Town Committee (DTC), and my goal is to address concerns and serve everyone in […]
Free Community Christmas Dinner to be Held at South Church
A free Community Christmas Dinner is to be hosted at the South Church. “The dinner is free of charge!,” organizers say. “All are welcome!” The event is to be Christmas Day, December 25, 2024, from 12:00pm to 1:00pm. It is to be held at Cooper Hall at South Church, which can be accessed from Arch […]
Longest Night Service Remembers Lives Lost in 2024
Friendship Center’s Cold Weather Triage Program Is Open To Help Unhoused NEW BRITAIN – A “Longest Night Service” was held at South Church in the Downtown District December 20th to remember individuals who died here in 2024 after experiencing homelessness. The late afternoon service that is observed each year as the “homeless persons’ Memorial Day” was held […]
Community Events and Meetings in New Britain from Dec 23rd to 29th
In New Britain, community meetings and events from today to Sunday, December 29, 2024 include
Music Series at South Church Presenting Candlelight Festival of Lessons and Carols
The Music Series at South Church is hosting its Candlelight Festival of Lessons and Carols. The Music Series at South Church says that, Join us at South Church for our annual Festival of Lessons and Carols, a luminous celebration that speaks to the heart of the holiday season. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of […]