Leo “Al” Silas, 77, of Southington passed away on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at the HCC at New Britain General. He was the beloved husband of Theresa (DeSeno) Silas. Born June 30, 1941 in Poland, he was the son of the late Leo and Meta (Urban) Silas. Al served with the U.S. Army and retired from Pratt and Whitney Aircraft after many years of service. In addition to his wife he leaves a brother Paul Silas of Wolcott and several nieces and nephews. The DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Southington is assisting with the arrangements.
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Obituary: Leo ‘Al’ Silas, 77
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Obituary: Mary A. (Tedesco) Warkoski, 87
Mary A. (Tedesco) Warkoski, 87, of Bristol, beloved wife of John Warkoski passed away at home on Thursday (June 27, 2019). Mary was born in Ambridge, PA to the late Frank and Rose (Rinaldi) Tedesco, and moved to Bristol 86 years ago. Mary was a member of St. Anthony’s Church and loved going on their casino trips with John. Prior to her retirement, she was employed as a timekeeper at Wallace Barnes and The Showcase Store at the Bristol Centre Mall. Mary enjoyed playing Bingo and traveling, especially to Las Vegas and Atlantic City. She loved her extended two-month visits to North Carolina to visit her grandchildren. Playing cards and shopping on QVC were some of her favorite hobbies. Mary and John enjoyed a 64 year long marriage that they filled with happy memories. In addition to John, Mary is survived by a daughter: Lynda Coughlin and her husband Joey of Southport, NC; a brother: Frank Tedesco and his wife Joan of Terryville; two grandsons: Tyler and Christopher Coughlin; several nieces and nephews including: Gail Beardsley and her husband Bart, Rick Tedesco and his wife Rachel; and many great nieces, nephews, and long time friends. Mary is predeceased by a […]
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Obituary: Richard ‘Rit’ J. Kowalec, 62
Richard “Rit” J. Kowalec, 62, of the Plantsville section of Southington, passed away on Monday, July 1, 2019 after a brief illness. He was the loving husband of Jody (Schilling) Kowalec and proud father of Stephanie Kowalec. Born on December 10, 1956 in Southington to the late Stanley and Esther (Daniels) Kowalec, he had been a lifelong Southington resident. Rit worked as the traffic manager at GEMCO Mfg. for many years. He was the Captain of the Southington Volunteer Fire Department, Engine Company #2, where he volunteered for the last 40 years. Rit enjoyed his daughter’s weekend softball tournaments, camping trips, and family trips to Atlantic City and Disney World. In addition to his wife Jody and daughter Stephanie, he is survived by two brothers, Stanley “Butch” Kowalec and Debi of Prospect, Thomas Kowalec Sr. and his wife Nadine of Prospect and one nephew, Thomas Kowalec, Jr. A memorial service will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at the Plantsville Funeral Home, 975 S. Main St., Plantsville. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. Calling hours will be held before the service from 9 – 12 noon at the funeral home. For […]
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Commentary: This Flag Day touched my heart
We take life for granted way too often. Every night we go to sleep believing that the sun will shine tomorrow and nothing will ever happen to disrupt our little piece of the world. Life does not always work the way we want it. God sometimes reminds us how precious health and life is. On Friday, June 14 the Southington Veterans Committee was invited to The Orchards at Southington, an outstanding assisted living care community, for their Flag Day ceremony and the dedication of their veterans wall of honor. The dedication ceremony was aimed at their military veteran residents. It was a truly great honor to attend and to see those residents who served from World War II through the Vietnam War. Their youth, and sometimes their health, has faded. Their memories might not be as clear as they once were. But looking into their eyes, I could see the once vibrant and amazing individuals that have experienced so much history of life, family and country. I watched husbands holding hands with their wives; sons and daughters holding or hugging their parents. I will remember the love that was shown and the staff that was there to help in any […]
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Alzheimer’s fundraiser raises over $2,500
Walk for a Walk participants from Team Summit of The Summit at Plantsville gather outside of Kinsmen Brewery after trekking to Zingarella Pizzaria & Ice Cream Cafe and back on Saturday, June 22 to raise money to end Alzheimer’s disease. Fundraising totals by Monday morning reached $2,550. Photo by JANELLE MORELLI
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Petit 5K road race ready to run on July 21
By TAYLOR MURCHISON-GALLAGHER STAFF WRITER The Chip’s Family Restaurant 5K Road Race to benefit the Petit Family Foundation will take place on Sunday, July 21, and will follow a scenic route through the town of Plainville. Event registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. The Kid’s Fun Run, for children under eight years old, will begin at 8:30 a.m., and the 5K and fitness walk will begin at 9 a.m. Robert and Gary Heslin, brothers and the former Plainville High School classmates of Dr. Petit, created the Petit Family 5K Road Race, first held in 2008. During the 2018 Petit Family Road Race, Dean Yost of Canton was the first to cross the finish line in just over sixteen minutes. Yost was followed by Adam Gootnick of Unionville, Ryan O’Connor of Bristol, Emily D’Addario of Boston, and David Fiereck of Manchester. In 2007, the Petit family—Dr. William Petit Jr., Jennifer Lynn Hawke-Petit,Hayley Elizabeth Petit (17), and Michaela Rose Petit (11)—fell victim to a fatal home invasion. The Petit Family Foundation was created to honor the memory of Jennifer, Hayley, and Michaela Petit. The Foundation was granted full 501c(3) status by the IRS in 2008. All three Petit women were dedicated to […]
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Bluesman Montgomery pays homage to Butterfield, ‘East-West’
By MIKE CHAIKEN EDITIONS EDITOR Ultimate Classic Rock magazine, in a retrospective article, described the 1966 album “East-West” by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band “as a swift kick to the doors of convention.” Contemporary blues artist James Montgomery agrees. And, as the artist tells it, Butterfield changed his own musical direction forever. Montgomery is so enamored with the legacy of Butterfield, who died at 44 way before his group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015, his most recent album is “The James Montgomery Blues Band: A Tribute to Paul Butterfield.” Montgomery performs July 10 at the Great American Hemp and Blues Festival inside the Mohegan Sun Earth Ballroom. Until the Paul Butterfield Blues Band arrived on the scene, said Montgomery, nobody had heard anything like the 20 minute jam on the title track on “East-West.” Forget about the length of the jam, said Montgomery, no one had ever heard a musical jam based on an Indian modal scale. Before the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Montgomery said rock guitarists would just play rhythm chords and take the occasional eight bar solo. But Butterfield, and his guitarists Elvin Bishop and the late Mike Bloomfield, showed that […]
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Bluesman Montgomery pays homage to Butterfield, ‘East-West’
By MIKE CHAIKEN EDITIONS EDITOR Ultimate Classic Rock magazine, in a retrospective article, described the 1966 album “East-West” by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band “as a swift kick to the doors of convention.” Contemporary blues artist James Montgomery agrees. And, as the artist tells it, Butterfield changed his own musical direction forever. Montgomery is so enamored with the legacy of Butterfield, who died at 44 way before his group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015, his most recent album is “The James Montgomery Blues Band: A Tribute to Paul Butterfield.” Montgomery performs July 10 at the Great American Hemp and Blues Festival inside the Mohegan Sun Earth Ballroom. Until the Paul Butterfield Blues Band arrived on the scene, said Montgomery, nobody had heard anything like the 20 minute jam on the title track on “East-West.” Forget about the length of the jam, said Montgomery, no one had ever heard a musical jam based on an Indian modal scale. Before the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Montgomery said rock guitarists would just play rhythm chords and take the occasional eight bar solo. But Butterfield, and his guitarists Elvin Bishop and the late Mike Bloomfield, showed that […]
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Parks master plan leads list of capital requests at Parks Dept.
By TAYLOR MURCHISON-GALLAGHER STAFF WRITER The Ten Year Capital Improvement and Strategic Planning Committee held a special meeting on Tuesday, June 25, and heard an update from superintendent of parks, Joshua Medeiros. Three items were approved by the Capital Improvement Committee for the Parks and Recreation Department; the creation of a master plan ($150,000), the paving of the Memorial Boulevard ($350,000), and improvements to Page Park ($400,000). Medeiros explained that the last master plan created for the city’s network of park land was made in 2004. Typically, he said, plans of this nature are created every 10 years. He said he has been working with city purchasing agent, Roger Rousseau, to create a request for proposal, which would consist of many of the goals and objectives outlined in the master plan. “Whatever firm we go with on this is going to build on what’s already been done,” said Medeiros. “Many of the things in the old plan still need to get done so instead of recreating the wheel, they’re going to build on that.” One goal, he explained, is “a really comprehensive community engagement piece,” which is essentially to a master plan. Medeiros said he’s looking for a firm that […]
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Fire dept. plans ahead for 10 years
By TAYLOR MURCHISON- GALLAGHER STAFF WRITER The Ten-Year Capital Improvement and Strategic Planning Committee held a special meeting on Tuesday, June 25, and heard an update from Bristol Fire Chief Jay Kolakowski regarding the fire headquarters renovation project. According to the 2019-2020 Capital Improvement Plan, the renovations to the Fire Headquarters, 181 North Main St., are estimated to cost $1,350,000, and the reconstruction and possible relocation of engine three is estimated to cost $400,000. Kolakowski said the department has yet to do “a ton of planning” as they hope to have an account established and the funding firmly in place before an RFP – or request for proposal – is issued. At fire headquarters, the gas service line portion of the project has been completed. And, an RFP has been issued for the removal of the underground storage tank behind headquarters. These, Kolakowski said, are the main things that have been completed to date. Engine Two, 151 Hill St., 81 Church Ave., has a new gas conversion, a new double broiler, and a high efficiency hydrosonic system, but is in need of resurfacing of ramps, and a new roof, which has exceeded its life expectancy, but there are no leaks. […]
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Bristol singer offers a little humor for your listening pleasure
By MIKE CHAIKEN EDITIONS EDITOR The title offers a nod and wink as to what listeners are going to find when they push the play button on Alex Mika’s new album. The effort from the Bristol resident is called, “Piano Is Not My Forte.” The play on words indicates a sophisticated sense of humor resides in the brain of this sophomore at the University of Connecticut. “I’ve always been fascinated with comedy,” said Mika in an email interview. “I think there’s a lot more things you can say if you’re being witty or funny about it.” On the album that also serves the score to his one-man show of the same name, Mika said, “I was exploring the concept of relationships, of all sorts, and I felt that the emotionality of music lends itself well to the lightness of comedy, and vice versa. I think the two are very complimentary.” Rather than writing a pop music score, or even a rock opera, the young performer sticks to tradition- crafting a piece clearly in the musical theater tradition. “Musical theater was my first love, it’s truly my greatest inspiration,” said Mika. “What separates theater songs from pop songs, for example, is […]
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Summer campaign launched by state to fight underage drinking
With the official summer season kicking off, the Connecticut Department of Transportation Office of Highway Safety, along with the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles and other community advocates, is reminding residents about the dangers and penalties for underage drinking with its “Not My Kid” campaign. The campaign, which includes a series of television and radio commercials, billboard ads, and social media messages – raises awareness with parents about the dangers of underage drinking and impaired driving, which see increased frequency during the summer months. “Due to teens’ underdeveloped brain functions and inexperience behind the wheel, underage drinking is especially dangerous,” said DOT Commissioner Joseph Giulietti in a press release. “Teens tend to engage in risky behaviors. It is important for parents to talk to their teens about underage drinking before it destroys their innocence, hope and dreams.” The campaign emphasizes the message that “underage drinking destroys” as an effort to reflect the consequences of the tragedies that can follow episodes of drinking as well as drinking and driving. It also invites viewers and listeners to consider the number of harmful effects on the teens as well as families and communities. Between 2014 and 2018, state crash statistics show that 1,134 […]
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Summer campaign launched by state to fight underage drinking
With the official summer season kicking off, the Connecticut Department of Transportation Office of Highway Safety, along with the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles and other community advocates, is reminding residents about the dangers and penalties for underage drinking with its “Not My Kid” campaign. The campaign, which includes a series of television and radio commercials, billboard ads, and social media messages – raises awareness with parents about the dangers of underage drinking and impaired driving, which see increased frequency during the summer months. “Due to teens’ underdeveloped brain functions and inexperience behind the wheel, underage drinking is especially dangerous,” said DOT Commissioner Joseph Giulietti in a press release. “Teens tend to engage in risky behaviors. It is important for parents to talk to their teens about underage drinking before it destroys their innocence, hope and dreams.” The campaign emphasizes the message that “underage drinking destroys” as an effort to reflect the consequences of the tragedies that can follow episodes of drinking as well as drinking and driving. It also invites viewers and listeners to consider the number of harmful effects on the teens as well as families and communities. Between 2014 and 2018, state crash statistics show that 1,134 […]
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Summer campaign launched by state to fight underage drinking
With the official summer season kicking off, the Connecticut Department of Transportation Office of Highway Safety, along with the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles and other community advocates, is reminding residents about the dangers and penalties for underage drinking with its “Not My Kid” campaign. The campaign, which includes a series of television and radio commercials, billboard ads, and social media messages – raises awareness with parents about the dangers of underage drinking and impaired driving, which see increased frequency during the summer months. “Due to teens’ underdeveloped brain functions and inexperience behind the wheel, underage drinking is especially dangerous,” said DOT Commissioner Joseph Giulietti in a press release. “Teens tend to engage in risky behaviors. It is important for parents to talk to their teens about underage drinking before it destroys their innocence, hope and dreams.” The campaign emphasizes the message that “underage drinking destroys” as an effort to reflect the consequences of the tragedies that can follow episodes of drinking as well as drinking and driving. It also invites viewers and listeners to consider the number of harmful effects on the teens as well as families and communities. Between 2014 and 2018, state crash statistics show that 1,134 […]
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New board for Brian’s Angels
Brian’s Angels Homeless Outreach has announced a new Board of Directors: Frank Caputo, Courtney Dollar, Mark Jenkins, Ray Minor, Pat Stebbins, Judy Tallman,, Karen Vibert, and Lisa Whitney.
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Farmer’s Market Coupons for seniors available
The Bristol Senior Center began distribution of the Farmer’s Market Coupons on July 1. Those eligible will receive $18 in coupons. You must be age 60 or older and have a monthly income of $1,926.00 or less as a single and $2,607.00 as a married couple for eligibility; or under 60 and permanently disabled living in subsidized senior housing. The Bristol Senior Center is located at 240 Stafford Ave., Bristol. It is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. You must bring a driver’s license or photo ID, along with proof of income. For further information, please contact the center’s main office at (860)584-7895.
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Southington SIU arrest Dunkin Donuts ATM burglar
On Friday, July 5, the Southington Police Department’s special investigations unit arrested Joshua Moore, of Shelton, for a 2016 commercial burglary at the Dunkin Donuts at 1096 West St. in Southington. Investigation into the commercial burglary revealed that the ATM machine located inside the business was the primary target. Moore used a battery-powered hydraulic spreader similar to what is used by firefighters during vehicle extrications (jaws of life) to gain access into the ATM machine. Police determined that this was not an isolated incident, but rather one of many similar commercial burglaries that involved the use of this tool prying open ATM machines within the region. Multiple law enforcement agencies coordinated their efforts to investigate these burglaries and eventually a suspect was developed by the Greenwich Police Department. Search warrants confirmed that Moore purchased a Holmatro BCT 4120 self contained rescue tool (jaws of life) from eBay prior to these burglaries. It was estimated that Moore stole between $200,000 and $300,000 in cash from the multiple ATM burglaries. The Greenwich Police Department secured an arrest warrant for Moore and took him into custody in January. Several other agencies have served arrest warrants on Moore, and he was held on a […]
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State police announce 50 DUI arrests, no fatalities over July 4 weekend
Connecticut State Troopers announced a sharp reduction in violations and no fatalities over the July 4 weekend despite an increase in arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol. Over the holiday weekend, state police were patrolling highways and roads in Connecticut using both traditional and non-traditional patrol cars. The enforcement period started at 7 p.m. on Wednesday and continued until just before midnight on Sunday. Troopers focused on drunken driving violations, aggressive drivers, distracted drivers and speeding. Sobriety checkpoints and targeted DUI patrols were also in place over the entire weekend. Police received 7,184 calls for service over the holiday weekend, including 248 accidents (down from 489 in 2018) with 51 injuries and no fatalities. During last year’s holiday enforcement, state troopers reported 62 injuries, including three fatalities. This year, police issued 652 speeding violations across the state (down from 995 in 2018) and 450 seatbelt violations (up from 124). Other hazardous moving violations, including following too closely, unsafe lane changes, cell phone usage, etc., totaled 1,859. During this same period, state police issued 50 arrests for driving under the influence of liquor or drug (up from 38 in 2018).
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State police announce 50 DUI arrests, no fatalities over July 4 weekend
Connecticut State Troopers announced a sharp reduction in violations and no fatalities over the July 4 weekend despite an increase in arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol. Over the holiday weekend, state police were patrolling highways and roads in Connecticut using both traditional and non-traditional patrol cars. The enforcement period started at 7 p.m. on Wednesday and continued until just before midnight on Sunday. Troopers focused on drunken driving violations, aggressive drivers, distracted drivers and speeding. Sobriety checkpoints and targeted DUI patrols were also in place over the entire weekend. Police received 7,184 calls for service over the holiday weekend, including 248 accidents (down from 489 in 2018) with 51 injuries and no fatalities. During last year’s holiday enforcement, state troopers reported 62 injuries, including three fatalities. This year, police issued 652 speeding violations across the state (down from 995 in 2018) and 450 seatbelt violations (up from 124). Other hazardous moving violations, including following too closely, unsafe lane changes, cell phone usage, etc., totaled 1,859. During this same period, state police issued 50 arrests for driving under the influence of liquor or drug (up from 38 in 2018).
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State police announce 50 DUI arrests, no fatalities over July 4 weekend
Connecticut State Troopers announced a sharp reduction in violations and no fatalities over the July 4 weekend despite an increase in arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol. Over the holiday weekend, state police were patrolling highways and roads in Connecticut using both traditional and non-traditional patrol cars. The enforcement period started at 7 p.m. on Wednesday and continued until just before midnight on Sunday. Troopers focused on drunken driving violations, aggressive drivers, distracted drivers and speeding. Sobriety checkpoints and targeted DUI patrols were also in place over the entire weekend. Police received 7,184 calls for service over the holiday weekend, including 248 accidents (down from 489 in 2018) with 51 injuries and no fatalities. During last year’s holiday enforcement, state troopers reported 62 injuries, including three fatalities. This year, police issued 652 speeding violations across the state (down from 995 in 2018) and 450 seatbelt violations (up from 124). Other hazardous moving violations, including following too closely, unsafe lane changes, cell phone usage, etc., totaled 1,859. During this same period, state police issued 50 arrests for driving under the influence of liquor or drug (up from 38 in 2018).
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