School Budget Fails For First Time Since 2013 A voter walks toward the gymnasium entrance of Newtown Middle School on April 23, when local registered voters cast ballots for municipal and education budgets. —Bee Photo, Hicks Newtown voters rejected the $88.8 million school budget at an April 23 referendum, the first time voters have rejected a budget in 10 years. For the first time since a budget failure in 2013, a budget failed to pass muster with the voters, as the education budget failed, 1,701 “no” votes to 1,194 “yes” votes. The town budget narrowly passed, 1,465 “yes” votes to 1,424 “no ..read more

State Representatives Speak To Newtown Seniors In ‘Pizza & Policy’ Event State Representatives Martin Foncello (left, R-107) and Mitch Bolinsky (R-106) are introduced by Director of Human Services Natalie Griffith for their “Pizza & Policy” event held on Friday, April 19 at the Newtown Senior Center. The state representatives talked to attendees about the 2024 Legislative Session and also answered questions on state issues. State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky (R-106) and Martin Foncello (R-107) visited the Newtown Senior Center on April 19 for a “Pizza & Policy” event, where they ..read more

Boys’ Volleyball Team Enjoys Success On The Court Warner Bacon, left, and Charlie Hanson defend during Newtown’s 3-0 win over visiting Brookfield on April 17. —Bee Photos, Hutchison NHS squad keeps winning ways going against Brookfield and Xavier of Middletown. Newtown High School’s boys’ volleyball team maintained its winning ways when the Nighthawks topped visiting Brookfield 3-0 (25-11, 25-19, 25-8) in its home opener on April 17. The Nighthawks excelled in some facets of the game while continuing to show improvement in others. “I think our serve was pretty good. Our free ball offense is st ..read more

NBLA Trail Notes: Annual Slow and Go Ride Pleases All Participants Dawn Tagliavia-Deri on Willow, left, and Andrea Sayegh, on J-Lo, enjoyed the NBLA’s Slow and Go Trail Ride on April 20. —Tracy Van Buskirk photos Trail ride through Huntington Park in Redding features slow and fast pace options. Each spring Newtown Bridle Lands Association hosts a group trail ride through Huntington Park in Redding. Called the Slow and Go Trail Ride, it is designed to appeal to all types of riders and horses. The “Slow” group is walk only. Riders who choose this option have different reasons: perhaps their hors ..read more

Friends Of Edmond Town Hall Invites Everyone To Its First Annual Gala Nonprofit group Friends of Edmond Town Hall is planning a “night of fun and entertainment” for its first annual gala. Nonprofit group Friends of Edmond Town Hall is planning a “night of fun and entertainment” for its first annual gala. Nonprofit group Friends of Edmond Town Hall is planning a “night of fun and entertainment” for their first annual gala on Saturday, May 4. The event will be held in the Alexandria Room at Edmond Town Hall and run from 7 to 10 pm. The theme for this year is “A Formal Affair” and people are enco ..read more

Murphys Make It A Family Affair On The Sacred Heart Basketball Court Mike Murphy is the head coach of the Sacred Heart University’s women’s club team. He coaches along with his son, Liam, and wife Jamie. —photo courtesy Carrie Gibbs Mike, Jamie, Liam, and Braden Murphy all have significant roles with the Pioneer basketball program. While it might not be uncommon for a parent to coach his or her son or daughter, and perhaps only a bit unusual for a sibling or father-son coaching connection, or even for a husband-wife coaching tandem, having all of these in place at the university level — all at ..read more

Dozens Enjoy Night Out With ‘Bridesmaids’ Movie Event At Edmond Town Hall Residents dressed up and had a fun night out at a Girls Night Out Bridesmaids movie event at Edmond Town Hall on April 5. Attendees participated in various games and contests before being treated to a screening of the classic 2011 comedy starring Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph. —photo courtesy Erin Loucks Pitched as the “must attend girls night of the year,” dozens of guests responded to the invitation for a Bridesmaids movie event at Edmond Town Hall Friday, April 5. Pitched as the “must attend girls night of the year ..read more

The Value Of Reconnecting With Old Friends: Grammy Award-Winning Violist Mooke To Headline Next Flagpole Radio Café Renowned electro-acoustic violist Martha Mooke. Fresh off a win at the 2024 Grammy Awards, Mooke will perform at Edmond Town Hall on May 11 as guest star of the next Flagpole Radio Café. Newtown music lovers have something big to look forward to this spring. Newtown music lovers will have something big to look forward to this spring. On May 11, Edmond Town Hall will host the next performance of Flagpole Radio Café, a local variety show that blends musical performance with witty c ..read more

A steel pedestrian bridge installed 40 years ago to carry foot traffic over the Pootatuck River in Sandy Hook Center was removed last week. A steel pedestrian bridge installed 40 years ago to carry foot traffic over the Pootatuck River in Sandy Hook Center was removed last Monday morning. Access to the bridge had been blocked for 14 months, after corrosion led to fencing being installed at each end to prevent people from using it. Initial plans on March 25 were to have the bridge, which connected the parking lot of 4 Washington Avenue to 100 Church Hill Road, pulled up and evaluated. The Legis ..read more

Field Expands With Third Senior Center Billiards Tournament, But Larkin Still Takes Home The Trophy Sixteen competitors spent up to 5½ hours focused on the two billiards tables at Newtown Senior Center when the Third Annual NSC Billiards Tournament was conducted. Sixteen competitors spent up to 5½ hours focused on the two billiards tables at Newtown Senior Center recently, when the Third Annual NSC Billiards Tournament was conducted. After multiple rounds, Ray Larkin returned to the championship position for the third year. Jim Moore finished in second place, and Bill Haggerty placed third. In ..read more