Newtown police have come under criticism by an area investigator, who is calling for an investigation into the conduct of the department’s Detective Bureau in the missing person case of Helle Crafts. On December 19, 1986, 30 days after the disappearance of Mrs Crafts, at State’s Attorney Walter Flanagan’s request, the Connecticut State Police became involved in the case and informed Newtown to turn the case over to them. New Milford private investigator Keith Mayo, who had been hired by Mrs Crafts prior to her disappearance, sent a registered letter on January 13 to police commission Chairman George Wilson and First Selectman Jack Rosenthal asking for an investigation. “I am asking for an independent investigation about why the Newtown Police Department did not take this case seriously,” Mr Mayo said. Mr Mayo said he spoke with the state’s attorney’s office and convinced them that the state police should take over the investigation.

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Taunton Press is one step closer to building its 26,000-square-foot addition, since the Conservation Commission, Wednesday, granted an inland wetlands license for the project. Janice and Paul Roman decided to build an addition to their existing 30,000-square-foot company at 63 main Street South in anticipation of starting a new gardening magazine as well as undesignated projects, Mrs Roman said.

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Susan Cantalupo of Newtown will be performing her own choreographed dance on the weekly telecast of Dreamgirl USA, a syndicated television series produced in association with Twentieth Century Fox. Representing Highpoint, N.C., Miss Cantalupo was selected to go to Hollywood last August. Miss Cantalupo held the Miss Newtown title in 1981 and in 1985. She then became resident instructor of dance at Highpoint and now lives in Los Angeles.

January 19, 1962

A five-room house, unoccupied for ten years, was leveled in a blaze of undetermined origin on Wednesday on Otter Trail, Riverside. Sandy Hook, Newtown and United Fire Companies responded at 9:30 am when the fire was discovered, and remained until noon, but the blaze had too much of a head start before it was reported.

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A Quiet Day for Men will be held at St John’s Episcopal Church in Sandy Hook on Saturday, April 7. It will begin at 9 am with a celebration of the Holy Communion. There will be three meditations on the subject of prayer, led by Father Losch. A Quiet Day is a brief form of retreat where those participating take a temporary vow of silence, in order to facilitate their withdrawal from worldly concerns.

***

Dr J. Benton Egee of Church Hill Road, local physician and chairman of the medical staff at the Danbury Hospital, takes a prominent part in the new film on mental health produced for the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company, entitled, “You Are Not Alone.” Dr Egee plays the part of the doctor in the film which deals with a typical family situation in which a business man, worried by family troubles, is given enlightened advice by a physician who can indicate diplomatically that illness can be both mental and physical

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FRIDAY NIGHT CLAMBAKE is a MUST FOR ONLY $2.85 In Addition to Our Regular Menu AT Hawley Manor Inn, Main ST., NEWTOWN, GArden 6-4456.

January 15, 1937

At the Sandy Hook hotel and J.H. Blackman’s Market the thermometer stood at 30 degrees below zero, Sunday morning, the coldest weather ever recorded in that part of the town. A.M. Briscoe for many years with the late Minott Auger, says the lowest record he remembers was 22 degrees below zero. In Newtown Street at L.C. Morris’ the bulb registered 20 degrees below, at H.H. Peck’s, 18 degrees below.

***

Dancing, ping-pong and other games will be enjoyed by the young people at the Hawley Manor barn after the basketball games this Friday evening. Negotiations are being made to sell the faithful “Coffee-grinder,” as the present music maker is fondly called, and purchase a record machine. If such negotiations should be completed before Friday night, it is just possible that the new machine can be secured for then.

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Three New Jersey men were arrested in New Milford on Tuesday on a fraud charge of selling “chemically treated fertilizer” to several residents of the town… the fertilizer is nothing more than refuse from a New Jersey plant. It consisted mainly of oil and tea leaves. Connecticut farmers have bought thousands of dollars worth of this fertilizer. Many people in the Borough bought from this same outfit last summer and tons of it were spread on lawns in the hopes of improving the grass.

***

The whist at the Sandy Hook library Tuesday afternoon was a pleasant success and netted $8.50 for the library treasury. Refreshments of coffee, sandwiches, and olives were served, and all who braved the storm were well repaid for their trouble.

 

January 19, 1912

I am in receipt of a letter from a mother whose son abuses her, and unless the son conducts himself in a proper manner, I shall consider myself at liberty to report it to the prosecuting authority. — L. Busker

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The watch chain and charm, which William Keller of Tashua lost, last September, was found by Samuel Adams of Stepney Depot, a few days ago, and was returned at once to Mr Keller, for which the latter is very grateful, and is thankful it was found by an honest man.

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Charles Donion made a bad gash in his foot with an axe, Wednesday, requiring the attention of a physician. William E. Ackley continues to improve in health, a fact his friends will be pleased to learn. Levi W. Banks of Botsford is so much improved from his recent illness with pneumonia that his nurse expects to leave, next week.

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The Bee is glad to announce to its readers that Messrs Laurence Taylor of Botsford and Hermann N. Tiemann, Sr, of Newtown, have combined under the firm name of Laurence Taylor & Co, for the purpose of opening a feed, grain and coal business in connection with Mr Taylor’s general merchandise store in Botsford. They are going to erect a granary near Mr Taylor’s store where customers will find it convenient to shop.