Sandy Hook families sway Washington’s discussion on Gun Legislation

Eleven family members of those killed in the December 2012 shooting at the Newtown, CT elementary school joined President Barack Obama on an Air Force One flight from Connecticut to D.C. after Obama’s speech at the University of Hartford on Monday. At the university, U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy. Megan Merrigan photo, CTNewsJunkie.com

By Megan Merrigan | CTNewsJunkie.com

April 12, 2013

Eleven family members of those killed in the December 2012 shooting at the Newtown, CT Sandy Hook Elementary school joined President Barack Obama on an Air Force One flight from Connecticut to D.C. after Obama’s speech at the University of Hartford on Monday (April 8).

“The families of Newtown literally turned the tide in Washington, D.C.,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal said at a press conference at the University of Hartford on Friday (April 12). “Their faces and voices are an historic story in achieving better measures against gun violence.”

In all, 16 Republicans contributed to Thursday’s (April 11) 68-31 bipartisan victory over the Republican-led filibuster that would have prevented debate on the legislation.

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CT DEEP Commissioner to demonstrate electric-vehicle service at Storrs Center

CT DEEP Commissioner Esty is expected to charge his Chevy Volt at one of the stations – there are four Level 2 retractable electric charging stations in the Mansfield Garage – and a Hertz car-share program will be introduced.

By Brenda Sullivan, HTNP News Editor

Connecticut Connecticut DEEP Commissioner Dan Esty is expected to join Mansfield Mayor Betsy Paterson and other local dignitaries beginning at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16 to tour the Storrs Center development.

The visit is meant to highlight energy and pro-environment aspects of the development, including electric vehicle charging stations for the public.

Commissioner Esty was originally scheduled to visit Storrs Center and talk about the electric-vehicle leasing service on March 19, but that visit was rescheduled because of bad weather.

His April 16 visit begins at the Storrs Center Parking Garage and then moves to the businesses on Dog Lane.

The lower level of the parking garage features electric vehicle charging stations for the public. Commissioner Esty will park his Chevy Volt and connect it to a charger.

There are four, Level-2 retractable electric charging stations – and a Hertz car-share program will be introduced.

This demonstration will be followed with a speaking program on the sidewalk along Dog Lane, outside of retail shops and restaurants. (In the event of rain, the group will move inside the Dog Lane Café).

A reception will follow at Dog Lane Café.

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ECSU invites you to share your lovely locks

Eastern Connecticut State University’s People Helping People (PHP) student club, in collaboration with Pantene Beautiful Lengths, invites you to a hair-donation event from 2 to 4 p.m. on April 29 in the Betty R. Tipton Room in the Student Center.

Eastern Connecticut State University’s People Helping People (PHP) student club, in collaboration with Pantene Beautiful Lengths, invites you to a hair-donation event from 2 to 4 p.m. on April 29 in the Betty R. Tipton Room in the Student Center.

All donated hair will be made into wigs for cancer patients. The public is invited.

For those interested in donating, hair must be…

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Member of Little Rock Nine to speak at ECSU Commencement

From right: Ernest Green, Gloria Ray, Jane Hill (standing behind Gloria) and Carlotta Walls LaNier face the National Guard on Sept. 4, 1957, on their first attempt to enter Central High School in Little Rock, AR. (Published in A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School, from Will Counts Collection: Indiana University Archives)

Carlotta Walls LaNier, youngest member of the “Little Rock Nine,” a group of African American students who desegregated Central High School in Little Rock, AR in 1957, will deliver the keynote address at Eastern Connecticut State University’s 123rd Commencement.

This year’s ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14 at the XL Center in Hartford at which 1,256 undergraduates and 41 graduate students will receive their diplomas.

“We are honored and pleased to have Ms. LaNier as this year’s commencement speaker,” said Eastern President Elsa Núñez.

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UConn unveils new leaner, meaner Huskies logo

Weighing in on the new Huskies logo design, women’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma said, “This logo is everything that a Husky is supposed to be – powerful, aggressive, determined. It is looking right through you and saying ‘Do not mess with me’. ” Image courtesy of UConn Athletics

Press Release

UConn Athletics today (April 11) unveiled a new version of the Husky logo.

UConn Athletics has been working with Nike to evaluate all parts of its brand, including word marks, logos and uniforms, for the past 14 months.

The new Husky Dog logo will be featured on uniforms for every one of UConn’s 24 athletic programs in 2013-14 and each of those uniforms will also prominently display the block UCONN word mark outlined in red.

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Challenges loom for Connecticut’s new gun law

Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signs new gun law on April 4, 2013 at the State Capitol in Hartford, CT. Photo by Christine Stuart | CTNewsJunkie.com

by Hugh McQuaid | CTnewsjunkie.com

Flanked by families of some of those murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT in December 2012, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signed into law the state’s new bipartisan, gun-violence prevention legislation at a ceremony Thursday afternoon (April 4) at the state Capitol.

The bill expands the number of firearms prohibited in Connecticut, bans the sale of ammunition magazines that carry more than 10 rounds, and imposes new eligibility requirements for purchases of all guns and ammunition. It also creates the first statewide gun offender registry.

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Edith Prague comes out of retirement to head CT Department on Aging

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has tapped former State Sen. Edith Prague of Columbia, CT to serve as Commissioner of the newly-formed State Department on Aging (SDA).

Press Release

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has tapped former State Sen. Edith Prague of Columbia, CT to serve as Commissioner of the newly-formed State Department on Aging (SDA).

SDA will ensure that Connecticut’s elderly population has access to the supportive services necessary to live with dignity, security and independence, and it is responsible for administering a variety of federally-funded programs under the Older Americans Act.

“Senator Prague has dedicated herself to improving the quality of life for senior citizens; with her background and expertise, she is a natural choice to lead the Department on Aging,” said Gov. Malloy. “I know she will make an immediate impact as the Commissioner on Aging and am eager to work with her to address the needs of our state’s growing senior population.”

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ECSU event raises funds to benefit early detection and treatment of mental illness

Harold Schwartz, M.D., gives his keynote speech on “Mental Illness in the Wake of Sandy Hook,” at the sixth annual ECSU Luncheon benefitting Natchaug Hospital education programs on March 27, 2013. Contributed photo.

Press Release

The ECSU Foundation’s sixth annual luncheon benefitting Natchaug Hospital education programs raised over $12,000.

The event, held on March 27, 2013 was attended by more than 110 community representatives including Backus Hospital President and CEO David Whitehead; Connecticut State Rep. Susan Johnson; and Eastern Connecticut State University President Elsa Nunez, Ph.D.

Half of the funds raised at the event will be put towards Natchaug’s commitment to promote early detection and treatment of mental illness, an initiative endorsed by Vice President Joe Biden following the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT in December 2012.

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Watch Solarize Mansfield-Windham installations in April

Two Solarize Mansfield-Windham installations are coming up that will give local residents an opportunity to watch how it’s done, meet the homeowners participating in Solarize Mansfield-Windham, and have your questions answered by the official solar installer, C-TEC SOLAR. Image courtesy of C-TEC Solar

Submitted by Virginia Walton | Mansfield Recycling Coordinator

Two Solarize Mansfield-Windham installations are coming up that will give local residents an opportunity to watch how it’s done, meet the homeowners participating in Solarize Mansfield-Windham, and have your questions answered by the official solar installer, C-TEC SOLAR.

C-TEC is providing lunch, as well.

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Philip DesJardins Nov 26 1961 – March 6 2013

Philip DesJardins, 51, of Brown Avenue, Jewett City – formerly of Amston (Hebron), CT – died Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at Greentree Manor in Waterford, CT.

Mr. DesJardins was born on Nov. 26, 1961 in Willimantic (Windham), CT and was the son of Leonard and Rachel Magnant-DesJardins.

He graduated from E.O. Smith High School in Storrs-Mansfield, CT and served in the Air Force for eight years.

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