Headlines
News
According to the Hartford Courant and confirmed by other press sources, State Police are investigating…
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 […]
According to the Hartford Courant and confirmed by other press sources, State Police are investigating after a scathing report was issued by the firm hired to investigate allegations of misconduct in the City Revenue Collector’s Office. That report said that, “The evidence indicates that Ms. [Cheryl] Blogoslawski improperly backdated tax payments for her own personal […]
Top Ten Stories of 2023: #6: Democrats Appear to Win Council and Board of Education Elections
As we get ready to start 2024, the New Britain Progressive looks back at some of the important stories we covered in 2023. This is among the articles we consider our Top Ten Stories of 2023. Best wishes for the New Year!
A Narrative: Tax Payer Debt, Funding, Storm Drainage and Sanitary Systems
By Frank and Sharon Chase, 1) Tax Payer Debt Reaches $325M as reported in the NBP 12-23-23: Over time, New Britain mayors have tried to avoid mill rate increases and higher taxes in the belief it would be fatal to their re-election efforts… Meanwhile, they simply “kick the can down the road” disregarding future fiscal […]
There is a large Gap between New Britain municipality employee diversity and the diversity of the City’s Population
According to WalletHub report New Britain has the 30th most diverse population among all cities in the United States. The diversity measure includes ethnic diversity, ethno-racial diversity, linguistic diversity, and birthplace diversity. Within these categories, New Britain stands out as 12th in the nation in language diversity (https://wallethub.com/edu/cities-with-the-most-and-least-ethno-racial-and-linguistic-diversity/10264). According to the census, New Britain’s racial/ethnic […]
Top Ten Stories of 2023: #7: Zoning Changes Proposed For Downtown, Other Areas Across The City
As we get ready to start 2024, the New Britain Progressive looks back at some of the important stories we covered in 2023. This is among the articles we consider our Top Ten Stories of 2023. Best wishes for the New Year!
Top Ten Stories of 2023: #8: Mount Pleasant Slated for Demolition and Redevelopment
As we get ready to start 2024, the New Britain Progressive looks back at some of the important stories we covered in 2023. This is among the articles we consider our Top Ten Stories of 2023. Best wishes for the New Year!
Top Ten Stories of 2023: #9: Leaders Show Solidarity With Ukraine On First Anniversary Of Invasion
As we get ready to start 2024, the New Britain Progressive looks back at some of the important stories we covered in 2023. This is among the articles we consider our Top Ten Stories of 2023. Best wishes for the New Year!
New Britain Public Library Hosting Kanopy Movie Screening, “Robinson Crusoe on Mars”
The New Britain Public Library is hosting a Kanopy Movie Screening, “Robinson Crusoe on Mars.” The Library says, Spun from Daniel DeFoe’s tale of the titular character, this sci-fi story involves a spaceship commander, Chris Draper (Paul Mantee) in a similar situation to the original Robinson Crusoe — but rather than being stranded on an […]
New Britain Museum of American Art’s January First Friday to Feature Mass-Conn-Fusion
The New Britain Museum of American Art is to have live music from Mass-Conn-Fusion at its popular First Friday event. The Museum calls the monthly event, “Our signature social event features live music, art, food, spirits, and good friends.” “New Britain’s best Happy Hour, since 1995!” the Museum adds. The Museum’s January, 2024 First Friday […]
Top Ten Stories of 2023: #10: New Britain Nets $65,940 From “Nickel Per Nip” Anti-Litter Program
As we get ready to start 2024, the New Britain Progressive looks back at some of the important stories we covered in 2023. This is among the articles we consider our Top Ten Stories of 2023. Best wishes for the New Year!
Merry Christmas from the New Britain Progressive
Merry Christmas from the New Britain Progressive! From our families to yours, we wish you the blessings of peace, health and happiness. Best wishes as you celebrate with family, loved ones and friends.
New Britain’s Late Audit Filed, Not Given To Council, Shows Deficiencies And Greater Debt
The city of New Britain’s long-overdue audit report was dated as filed one day before the Council meeting at which Mayor Erin Stewart told the Council it would be “available” in January. The auditors’ report cites deficiencies and a jump in taxpayer debt. While the form filed by the city with the state Office of […]
Free Show at CCSU Planetarium Explores What Makes a Planet a Planet
What makes a planet a planet? The CCSU Planetarium says, A planet is round. A planet goes around the Sun. It’s not a star. It’s not a moon. It’s not an object like Pluto. What characteristics make a celestial object a planet? “Join us to learn more at the first free public planetarium show of […]
Día de los Reyes/Three Kings Day Celebration to be Hosted by Diaspora Multicultural Society
The Diaspora Multicultural Society, Inc. is hosting a Día de los Reyes/Three Kings Day Celebration. The event is to be January 6, 2023 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm. “¡A celebrar en familia!” the Diaspora Society says. “Bring the whole family down from 12-2 p.m. for activities, pictures with the Three Wise Men, and gifts for kids […]
New Britain Museum of American Art Hosting Gallery Talk on The Black Matriarchs with Jimmie Elizabeth Nkonoki Ward and Lisa Nkonoki
The New Britain Museum of American Art is hosting a Gallery Talk event on “The Black Matriarchs: UJIMA – Collective Work and Personal Responsibility!” with Jimmie Elizabeth Nkonoki Ward and Lisa Nkonoki The Museum says that, The Black Matriarchs Series celebrates the legacy of a remarkable community of Black women who worked and lived in New […]
Storm This Week Floods Critical Neighborhood Again
By Frank and Sharon Chase, The “critical neighborhood” of Allen-Stewart-Hampton-Eton-Newbury-Roxbury-Stanley Park flooded again yesterday December 18. The attached photos from December 18 tells the story. The Allen St. Basin and the Hampton-Eton Sub-Basin backs-up, flooding from Allen through Hampton-Eton-Newbury-Roxbury to the Stanley Park at the corner of Stanley and Roxbury. This is the sixth flooding […]
New Britain Racial Justice Coalition Demands Urgent Investigation of Water Safety at Osborn Correctional Institution
The New Britain Racial Justice Coalition (NBRJC) says it, “urgently calls upon unions and state leaders to demand an independent investigation into the alarming water safety crisis at Osborn Correctional Institution.” “On Thursday,” The Coalition says, “incarcerated individuals were abruptly deprived of access to clean drinking water, showers, and essential toilet facilities, triggering a dire […]
Pastor From New Britain Subjected To Apparently Threatening Comments Online In Ansonia
Rev. Brian Riley, who is Pastor of Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church in Ansonia was recently subjected to bizarre and apparently threatening comments directed against him on an Ansonia-oriented Facebook group. In the Facebook group, a neighbor of Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church’s Pastor said that he may, “start an all out war,” against Rev. Riley, and […]
Concerned Voices Confront New Britain City Council About Homelessness
Following a Monday rally organized by the Racial Justice coalition for housing justice, dozens of people experiencing homelessness and their advocates converged in significant and historical testimonial, at the City Council on Wednesday December 13th. They urged the city to take strong actions to help the homeless and renters who are experiencing substandard living conditions. […]
South Church Hosting Community Christmas Dinner
South Church is hosting a Community Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day. “Come to dinner on Christmas Day,” event organizers say. “Monday, December 25th at 12:00 noon,at South Church, 90 Main Street, New Britain. Enter at the Arch Street door.” The Christmas meal is to be ham dinner. Event organizers say that, “Dinner is free of […]
Mayor Stewart Says Late New Britain Audit Report Available In January
New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart (R) says that the city’s long-overdue audit report from the budget year that ended a year and a half ago will be “available” in January. “The audit is due December 15th,” said Stewart. “We should have that document in January.” The city had previously told state officials that its “projected” […]