North Haven Grand List Up 2.7%, Budget Tops $151M in State of Town Address
Freda reports 2.7% grand list growth, a $151M budget, and $530K median home price at his 17th State of Town Address at Quinnipiac University.
Local News
North Branford BOE Subcommittee Advances Literacy Initiative for Elementary Schools
The North Branford BOE's Curriculum & Instruction Subcommittee voted Feb. 19 to advance a new literacy initiative for elementary schools. The district's students already outpace state reading averages, but details on the proposal remain limited ahead of full board review.
Southington BOE Adopts $173.7M Facility Plan to Rebuild Kelley Elementary, Close Flanders
The Southington Board of Education voted 8-1 on Feb. 19 to adopt a $173.7 million Master Facility Plan that would rebuild Kelley Elementary, expand South End Elementary and close Flanders Elementary. A spring referendum is next.
White Powder Letter Closes CT Lottery Headquarters in Wallingford, No Hazard Found
A letter containing a white powdery substance closed the CT Lottery headquarters at 15 Sterling Drive in Wallingford on Feb. 17. DEEP testing confirmed no hazard, and the facility reopened the next day. No injuries were reported.
West Haven Mayor Borer Elected Chair of 15-Municipality South Central Regional Council
West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer was unanimously elected chair of the South Central Regional Council of Governments on February 17, 2026, succeeding Madison's Peggy Lyon. Borer leads a 15-municipality body that coordinates transportation, land use, and planning across south-central Connecticut.
North Branford Group Home Operator Sued Over Hiring of Convicted Felon Who Allegedly Abused Two Residents
A civil lawsuit filed in February 2026 accuses Resources for Human Development of hiring a convicted felon who allegedly abused two non-verbal, disabled residents at its North Branford group home. The employee was arrested in December 2025 on criminal charges.
Branford Awards $11.3M Main Street Reconstruction Contract, Work Starts April 1
Branford has awarded an $11.3M Main Street reconstruction contract to Colonna Concrete of Woodbridge. Work begins April 1, 2026, covering 2,350 feet of downtown corridor through an estimated March 2027 completion.
Former New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson Arrested for Stealing $85,500 to Cover Gambling Losses
Karl R. Jacobson, 55, turned himself in on two counts of first-degree larceny after allegedly stealing $85,500 from police funds to cover gambling losses. The arrest warrant reveals he wagered $4.4 million on DraftKings and FanDuel in a single year.
Man in His 70s Dies in Third-Alarm House Fire in Woodbridge
A man in his 70s died in a third-alarm house fire on Hallsey Lane in Woodbridge on February 22, 2026. Fire Chief Sean Rowland confirmed the fatality and one firefighter injury. Cause unknown.
Bridgeport Board to Vote on Decommissioning Old Bassick High School Building
The Bridgeport Board of Education will vote on decommissioning the old Bassick High School building on February 23. Students moved into the new $129 million facility on the University of Bridgeport campus in August 2025.
Hamden Public Schools Hiring for 13 Positions Across Four Departments
Hamden Public Schools is hiring for 13 positions across seven categories, including Student Support Services, tutoring, Special Education, and Early Learning. The district is also encouraging families to enroll children in its Early Learning Program.
Platt Boys Roll Past Maloney 64-49 in Regular Season Finale, Extend Rivalry Win Streak to 10
Platt pulled away from Maloney for a 64-49 victory on Friday night, completing the boys' basketball season sweep and extending its rivalry win streak to 10 games. The Panthers enter the postseason at 17-3 with the CCC South title in hand, while Maloney junior Mike Massey hit 1,000 career points in the loss.