News
Year In Review: A Photo Essay Of 2024 Highlights
Published: Jan 02, 2025 7:00 am
As captured through the camera lenses of Managing Editor Shannon Hicks and Bee Photographer Bill Glass, we offer a final look at some of the people, events and views that defined 2024 within Newtown.
Members of the Bee Publishing Company staff look — safely — toward the partial solar eclipse experienced Monday, April 8, when 90% of the sun was covered by the moon passing in front of it. —Bee file photos
A large crater was created after a culvert washed out on Zoar Road during a major rainstorm August 18-19. A State of Emergency for Newtown was declared after Newtown received 10 inches of rain and Sandy Hook saw 12.17 inches, leading to overflowing rivers, washed out roads, flooded and destroyed homes, and multiple motorists trapped in vehicles.
Seated together in very early January for their first photo as a family were, from left, Anne, Ellis, Maya, Ada and Kwame Carlor. Born less than two weeks earlier, Ellis was named The 2024 Newtown Bee First Baby of Newtown.
The 2024 Newtown Bee Peeps Diorama Contest drew four entries. The Golden Bunny, our in-house trophy, and the honorary Peep-le’s Choice title determined through online voting both went to Lynn Remson for Peep-Go-Round, on the left.
Dean Faulds grinds paint off the Main Street flagpole during a repair job on April 25. The current flagpole has been dinged more than once during its life of 74 years and counting, but after a truck sideswiped the landmark in 2023, it left a nasty dent that needed professional repairs.
Two loaves of sourdough bread (boule loaves) baked by First Selectman Jeff Capeci cool on a rack after baking in a Dutch over. In the foreground is a lamé tool that holds a razor used to score the top of the bread before baking. The French bread pictured has raised bumps created by a perforated baking pan. The introduction to the first selectman’s love of baking through a feature story in March led to a few group classes this year, with funds raised for local nonprofit organizations.
The helmet and boots of the late Botsford Fire Rescue First Assistant Chief Pete Blomberg were just one small part of a growing memorial outside the Botsford fire station on October 29. Blomberg died the previous evening after being struck by a vehicle as he was crossing Church Hill Road in Sandy Hook, heading to the Board of Fire Commissioners annual meeting.
DJ Austin Dailey rocks a pair of battery-operated glasses flashing 2024 while pumping out an hour’s worth of dance music at Newtown Community Center, where 150 children and additional guests including parents and caregivers celebrated Noon Year’s Eve last December 31.
Kody Shafer polishes the header on the east side of the courtyard clock in front of Bee Publishing Company’s office on June 24. Shafer spent three days repairing and restoring the Thomaston Clock Company timepiece that has been in front of 5 Church Hill Road for more than 25 years.
Cascades Containerboard Packaging announced in February its Newtown location at 32 Schoolhouse Hill Road would be closed by the end of April. The closing affected 71 jobs.
Every local first responder agency was represented on Saturday, March 19, when the Second Annual Newtown First Responders Penguin Plunge took place at Eichler’s Cove. Organized by Newtown Police Department, the event again raised funds for Special Olympics Connecticut.
The historic one-room schoolhouse in front of Middle Gate Elementary School was vandalized during the overnight of March 1-2. Donations and funding through building owner Newtown Historical Society allowed the building to reopen in time for its annual autumn open house.
A section of the 40-foot-long pedestrian bridge that spanned the Pootatuck River in Sandy Hook Center was removed Monday, March 25, after an inspection revealed the steel had rusted beyond return.
Long time Newtown resident Mike Kelley and his dog Lily were excited to be part of this year’s “Strutt Your Mutt” event on May 18. The annual event is presented by Newtown Parks & Recreation, with proceeds benefitting the town’s off-lead dog park.
Dozens of people from Newtown residents to Connecticut survivors rallied together and called for an end to gun violence in front of Edmond Town Hall on Friday, June 7, which marked the tenth annual National Gun Violence Awareness Day.
Bob Meyers speaks in support of a proposed text amendment to Borough of Newtown’s Zoning Regulations and the importance of preserving Newtown’s rich history during the Borough Zoning Commission’s July 24 meeting.
Gordon Williams (center) is joined by son Christopher, daughter Emily, wife Lina and daughter Cara after receiving the inaugural Mary Hawley Public Service Award in September.
Newtown Forest Association Executive Director Trent McCann noted August marked “an entire century since NFA was founded by a forward-thinking group” of residents during a press conference atop Holcombe Hill Preserve. He and others, including State Senator Tony Hwang, marked the centennial of the state’s oldest land trust during the August 1 event.
A member of Pyramid Shriners Motor Patrol waves while maneuvering his vehicle during the 62nd Annual Newtown Labor Day Parade, September 2.
Visitors and passersby were alerted to the arrival of the newest member of Bee Publishing Company’s family when balloons went up outside the newspaper office’s front door Monday, September 16. Knox Juniper Baggett is the newest little bumblebee, joining big sister Violet, and welcomed by parents, grandparents, cousins, and more honorary aunts and uncles than she realizes.
Bill Glass photographed the near Hunter’s Moon as it was rising over Fairfield Hills in mid-October.
Janet Scialo sits with her father, Sergeant William Petrone (Ret), on August 15, when family, friends, and local and state political leaders celebrated the 101st birthday of the World War II veteran at Maplewood Assisted Living in Newtown in conjunction with American Legion Post 202.
American Legion Post 202 recognized and thanked Newtown Police Officer Felicia Figol and her K-9 partner Aris on May 1 for the continuing service they have provided to the people of Newtown.
Assistant Republican Registrar Sue Goodridge explains the early voting ballot to one voter Monday, October 21, when early in-person voting opened for the first time in state history.
Newtown Lions Club member Neil Randle handled final ticket sales during the 2024 Great Pootatuck Duck Race, presented at Heritage Park on June 8.
Molly, a 9-year-old shi tzu owned by Lauri Belmith, was named the #1 Dog of Newtown in mid-November. An annual tradition in town, the dog license with the number “1” on it is picked by random lottery by the Town Clerk’s Office. The winning dog also receives a gift certificate from longtime supporter Your Healthy Pet.