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Connecticut SNAP Benefit Limits Rise Today
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Thu, 01 Oct 2026 02:59:30 -0500
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Connecticut’s maximum SNAP benefits increase today with the annual cost-of-living adjustment. The monthly maximum rises to $306 for one person and $1,023 for a family of four. Actual payments depend on income and expenses. Meanwhile, expanded federal work rules already in effect require certain adults ages 18 through 64 to meet work, training or volunteer requirements unless exempt. Those who don’t qualify can receive benefits for only three months in a three-year period.
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Danbury Driver Gets Eight Years for Fatal Newtown Crash
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Thu, 01 Oct 2026 02:57:17 -0500
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20 year old Alexis Salazar of Danbury will serve eight years in prison for a Newtown crash that killed 19 year old Mary Cordero of Danbury. Salazar was sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty to manslaughter, evidence tampering and reckless endangerment. Police say the Mustang was traveling more than 89 miles an hour in a 40-mile-an-hour zone before hitting a tree in August 2025. His sentence also includes five years of probation.
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Newtown Housing Plan Faces Court Challenges
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Thu, 01 Oct 2026 02:57:15 -0500
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The developer of Castle Hill Village and Newtown’s Borough Zoning Commission are asking a Danbury court to dismiss homeowners’ objections to the project. The two sides reached a settlement calling for 115 single-family homes near Taunton Pond. Neighbors oppose the development’s impact on the landscape and changes involving a historic trail. The developer says the trail will remain open and nearby land will be preserved. Two separate court challenges could affect the agreement.
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Connecticut Expands School Attendance Program
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Thu, 01 Oct 2026 02:55:06 -0500
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Connecticut is awarding about $6.2 million to 29 school districts to help improve student attendance. The program sends trained staff and community partners to visit families, identify reasons for absences and connect them with help. A $7 million state allocation also covers training and program support. State education leaders say chronic absenteeism has declined for four straight years, with nearly 35,000 more students attending regularly than in the 2021-2022 school year.
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Connecticut Marks Food Waste Prevention Week
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Thu, 01 Oct 2026 02:53:14 -0500
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Connecticut’s Food Waste Prevention Week continues through Sunday, October 4. State environmental officials say roughly 150,000 tons of edible food goes to waste each year, while more than 560,000 residents face food insecurity. The campaign encourages people to reduce waste, donate surplus food and compost scraps. Residents can volunteer with groups including the Danbury Food Collaborative. A statewide plan to expand food recovery is expected by year’s end.
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Connecticut's Seasonal Life Jacket Requirement Begins Today
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Thu, 01 Oct 2026 02:53:13 -0500
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Connecticut’s cold-water boating season begins today. Through May 31, everyone aboard a kayak, canoe, paddleboard or rowboat must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Violators could face a $75 fine. State environmental officials warn cold water can quickly affect someone’s ability to swim, even when the air feels warm. Paddlers should dress for water temperatures, check conditions and tell someone their route and expected return time.
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Danbury Railway Museum Plans Pumpkin Patch Train Rides
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Thu, 01 Oct 2026 02:51:24 -0500
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The Danbury Railway Museum’s pumpkin patch trains return October 10, running weekends through November 1. Families can ride a vintage train, pick a free pumpkin and enjoy cider and cookies. A haunted caboose is also back. Saturday trips include Storytime Express at 11 and a twilight train at 6:30. The event runs rain or shine at 120 White Street. Children under two ride free. Reservations are recommended at www.danburyrail.org.
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Mediterranean Recluse Spiders Documented in Connecticut
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Wed, 30 Sep 2026 03:07:41 -0500
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Venomous Mediterranean recluse spiders have been documented in Connecticut for the first time, after residents spotted them for years in an apartment building. State entomologist Gale Ridge identified the species late last year with help from a recluse spider expert. The spiders have since been removed. Ridge says they are timid and generally avoid people. The discovery does not establish that the species is widespread in Connecticut, and how the spiders arrived remains unknown.
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Study Finds Most Connecticut Police Chases Called Off Early
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Wed, 30 Sep 2026 03:07:40 -0500
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About 80 percent of Connecticut police chases reported last year were called off early, according to a new UConn study. Researchers reviewed 396 pursuits reported by 68 departments. Sixteen percent ended in crashes, and seven percent involved injuries. Study co-author Ken Barone says the cancellation rate suggests officers are weighing risks under stricter statewide rules. Researchers caution that inconsistent reporting and missing information limit the findings. Thirty municipal departments submitted no records.
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Race for Catherine Returns to Newtown
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Wed, 30 Sep 2026 03:03:53 -0500
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The sixth annual Race for Catherine returns to Newtown October 11, supporting the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary. The event honors 6 year old Catherine Violet Hubbard, who was killed in the Sandy Hook school shooting. The five-K run and walk starts at nine at Fairfield Hills, following a children’s dash at eight-fifteen. Participants can also join virtually October 9 through 11. The in-person event includes breakfast and adoptable animals.
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