October 12, 1990

The parking lot at Sand Hill Plaza was crowded both with cars and work equipment this week. While curious shoppers investigated the new plaza, workmen went about their business putting the shopping center in order for its grand opening the weekend of November 10. On Monday, only three of 30 stores were open — T.J. Maxx, Joy’s Hallmark, and the Book Review — but each had customers in them.

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Due to the determination of volunteers and numerous donations, the Teen Center is open. “We had almost 200 kids a night this weekend,” Parks and Recreation Director Barbara Kasbarian said describing the attendance at the newly opened facility. Although the official grand opening for the teens will not be until Saturday, October 20, the doors were unofficially opened to the teens Saturday, September 29.

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Marijuana plants, harvested marijuana, cocaine and cash were discovered at 12 Little Brook Lane, Thursday, October 4, when police executed a search and seizure warrant. Lieutenant Owen Carney, Det Rich Stook, and Det Harry Noroian of the Newtown Police Special Investigations Unit assisted and accompanied by members of the Statewide Narcotics Task Force and staff from the State Attorney’s office executed the warrant. Seized in the raid were several growing plants, suspected to be marijuana; a quantity of harvested material from plants, and a small quantity of suspected cocaine and cash. Those directly involved in the illegal operation and/or present during the raid could be charged with cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana, and/or possession of a narcotic (cocaine).

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The Newtown Lady Indians girls’ soccer team improved its record to 7-2, moving back into second place, last week, with shutout wins over two of the league’s weaker teams, Pomperaug and Bethel, and an impressive victor over a tough Immaculate squad. All season long, the first year Immaculate Mustangs have proven to be a serious WCC contender. Coach Federov and his Newtown team knew how important a win here would be, especially going into this Saturday’s match at Weston.

October 15, 1965

The September issue of “Law and Order,” an independent magazine for the police professional, includes an interview with Sgt James Costello, Newtown’s resident state trooper, and Lt William Ackerman, who supervises the resident trooper program in the state. It is the first of a series of articles the magazine will publish on the state police.

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Within a few moments of the opening of the Tuesday evening meeting, the Board of Education unanimously chose the town-owned property in Sandy Hook, known as the Stefanko property, as a site for the new high school. This decision is subject to approval by various state and local agencies. The Board decided to meet with the Public Building Committee at an early date to discuss the sum that will be required for engineering and topographical studies, and the committee will be asked to assist the board in selecting an architect.

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The Jaycees football cushions have arrived. The first 500 vinyl-covered stadium cushions will be turned over to high school students this week. The students will then buckle down to the task of selling them to raise the money necessary to field the Newtown High School football team this year. Based on the proposed sale of 1,000 cushions, the school board has scheduled five JV games this fall. If Newtown really wants a football team, the next few weeks will tell the story of whether they are willing to support it, through cushion purchases and game attendance.

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The public hearing held last Friday evening by the Planning and Zoning Commission in the gymnasium of the Edmond Town Hall was attended by some 150 persons, many of whom took the opportunity to express their views on industrial zoning. It was the consensus of opinion that Newtown needs industry and should have sufficient suitable areas zoned for that purpose. However, much opposition was expressed to an in crease of the M-1 industrial zone in Hawleyville district as proposed by the Commission.

 

October 11, 1940

Newtown residents are pleased to welcome three little English refugees. Sylvia, 10, Pamela and Tom Moore, 8-year-old twins, children of Mr and Mrs Cecil Moore of North Harrow, Middlesex, England, and nieces and nephew of Mr and Mrs Fred Wetmore of Elm Drive. On Sunday, they were brought to the Wetmore home where they will remain for the duration of the war. The children arrived in New York, Thursday last week, aboard the liner Sumaria, carrying more than two hundred and thirty youngsters.

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Casting 59 more ballots this year than last, Newtown voters returned a complete slate of Republicans to office for another term, in Monday’s annual town election. Of the 1,556 votes cast in Monday’s election, 500 were straight Democratic, and 730 straight Republican. The remaining ballots included 316 split tickets, 18 rejected, and two left blank.

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The Robins and the Ducks are leading the Newtown Bowling League to date, with three wins apiece, and no losses. However, they meet this Thursday evening on the Edmond alleys and one or the other is sure to take over the lead. The high, three-game total for the opening week was awarded the Ducks, who rolled for 1,511 pins.

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A Hallowe’en dance will be given by Pohtatuck Grange on Friday evening, October 25, at St Rose Hall, starting at 8:30 o’clock. The popular Woodbury Boy Strummers Orchestra, with a vocalist, will furnish music for dancing.

 

October 15, 1915

High School Notes: Lost! Strayed! Stolen! The horse of “Skipper” Skiff was missing from the horse shed during the singing period, Monday morning. Fortunately, Skipper did not have to walk home, as the steed returned. Let us hope our singing causes no more animals to run away.

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Contractor T.F. Brew is to build over the barn on the place of Mrs T.E. Hill, in Zoar. Mrs Hill will rebuild the residence recently burned, and may begin operations this fall. A.E. Brinton has been placing new leader and gutter pipes on the remodeled hotel building of S.H. Blackman, in Hawleyville.

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The Sandy Hook baseball team will play their final game for the season, Sunday afternoon, in Southbury, trying conclusions with the fast Independent team of that town. Minor, the crack Litchfield pitcher, will twirl for Southbury. The Sandy Hook boys expect to win.

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Daniel Tortaro, foreman for the coal gang on the railroad, fell off the car and dislocated a shoulder on Saturday last. An Italian laborer, employed by the railroad, Mr Tortaro was struck on the head by a falling wrench, cutting a bad gash. Dr W.H. Kiernan attended.