SOUTHINGTON — More than 100 people braved frigid temperatures Sunday morning as they leapt into Lake Compounce to raise money for families who lost loved ones in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. The “penguin plunge” was hosted by Lake … more ...

WALLINGFORD — With cracks and patches throughout, the nearly 17-year-old track at Lyman Hall High School has Board of Education members concerned. But despite having most of the the funding in hand to replace it, officials want to wait until … more ...

SOUTHINGTON — A new program at Southington Care Center offers a more natural way of healing through the help of Naturopathic Dr. Ken Kirk. Having a naturopathic program at the center was something Kirk had been hoping to implement for … more ...

MERIDEN — It was likely to be the last go-round for Michael S. Rohde, but the ending to his 23-year political career was a bit different than what he had expected. Upset by a relatively unknown Republican candidate, Rohde is … more ...

MERIDEN — Residents of South Meriden greeted each other with handshakes, hugs and kisses on the cheek Saturday afternoon at the annual Christmas in the Village. The festival featured a parade with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides, a petting zoo, crafts … more ...

MERIDEN — In an effort to demolish the Mills Memorial Apartments, but ensure a place for displaced residents to live, the city is moving forward with purchasing a piece of land that could be a site for new housing and … more ...

WALLINGFORD — The camel was popular but Santa Claus was the biggest, most nerve-racking draw at “O Little Town of Wallingford” Saturday afternoon at the Town Hall. Jack Mirot, 8, of Wallingford, hid his chin in his large jacket and … more ...

SOUTHINGTON — Mount Southington Ski Area will celebrate its 50th season early next month. The slopes opened Sunday with man-made snow, but owner Edward Beckley said there’s more work to be done in time for the anniversary celebration on Jan. … more ...

WALLINGFORD — The Wallingford Dog Lovers Association may present a preliminary plan for a dog park off Quinnipiac Street to the Town Council as early as next month. “It’s starting to get some legs,” said Parks and Recreation Director John … more ...

SOUTHINGTON — Shortly after 5:30 p.m., a small crowd stood on the town green Friday night, despite the light rain, waited for 7-year-old Madison Furniss to flip the switch on the electric box. When she did, the entire green was … more ...

WALLINGFORD — With elf hats on top of their heads, Alexa Malchiodi and Anna Aldrich walked up and down Center Street Friday evening, handing out candy canes to local business owners and employees for the fifth annual Wallingford Holiday Stroll. … more ...

Cheshire Calvary Life Family Worship Center, 174 E. Johnson Ave., Saturday – 6 to 7:30 p.m.; Sunday – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. (203) 272-1701. Cheshire Lutheran Church, 660 W. Main St., Sunday worship – 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. 9:30 … more ...

MERIDEN — A Manchester man faces several charges in connection with drug sales and a weapons cache kept at a local hotel. Daniel Oslander, 26, of 424 W. Middle Turnpike, was arrested Thursday on charges that include unlawful discharge of … more ...

CHESHIRE — Municipal workers are trading in candy canes, baked goods and other holiday treats for a healthier lifestyle in a program called “Holiday Hold ‘Em.” “It’s an effort for us to get through the holidays without gaining weight,” said … more ...

MERIDEN — Family, friends, public officials and emergency services personnel provided an outpouring of support for the Cruz-Schroder family at a fundraiser held at Israel Putnam School Friday evening. The family lost Tatiana Cruz, 5, and Lorenzo Cruz, 8, in … more ...

MERIDEN — Hector Cardona’s phone often rings at 2 a.m. Sometimes the caller is a parent distraught over a teenager who doesn’t return home. Sometimes it’s a family with someone in trouble. “I talk with them and tell them how … more ...

CHESHIRE ­— A private investigation into allegations of abuse by a former teacher at the Legion of Christ Seminary on Oak Avenue found “significant evidence” of sexual abuse. The investigation was commissioned by the legion and conducted by Praesidium Inc., … more ...

SOUTHINGTON — The village of Plantsville held its 17th annual “Christmas in the Village” celebration Thursday evening. A portion of West Main Street between South Main and Church streets was closed between 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., as revelers flocked to … more ...

WALLINGFORD — School administrators are trying to lower cost estimates for a recently approved full-day kindergarten program and expansion of the town’s preschool services. School Superintendent Salvatore Menzo said Thursday he is working with Shawn Parkhurst, the assistant superintendent for … more ...

The state Department of Education released Thursday school and district performance reports which track the overall progress of school systems around the state. Only two area school systems, Southington and Cheshire, met the state’s goals for student performance on the … more ...

SOUTHINGTON — Officials are investigating 10 local properties for conditions of blight. Zoning Enforcement Officer Matthew A. Reimondo launched four new investigations in October — his first month on the job — to go along with those already underway when … more ...

MERIDEN — After seeing a record number of people come out to celebrate the city’s eighth National Night Out event in August, the organization behind the annual event Wednesday notified the city it would receive a national award for the … more ...

CHESHIRE — Schools Management Services Director Vincent Masciana beat out Doolittle Assistant Principal Kelly Grillo in the third annual Escarole and Bean Recipe Challenge at Doolittle School on Thursday. It was the third year in a row Masciana has won … more ...

MERIDEN — A car traveling on East Main Street plunged over an embankment Thursday night, crashing through thickets and hurtling into a wooded area. The vehicle veered off the road at about 10 p.m. in the vicinity of 1274 East … more ...

WALLINGFORD — The public has the right to know why the Electric Division is requesting a $255,000 budget amendment for legal expenses associated with undisclosed contractual issues with the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative, town councilors said Thursday. Councilors said … more ...

SOUTHINGTON - Although state law allows crossbows for the first time this hunting season, local safety concerns have kept crossbow hunters from town-owned Crescent Lake. Archery season runs from Sept. 16 to Dec. 31 and includes deer and turkey. As … more ...

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Nelson Mandela, who became one of the world’s most beloved statesmen and a colossus of the 20th century when he emerged from 27 years in prison to negotiate an end to white minority rule in South Africa, … more ...

BERLIN — A three-car accident on the Chamberlain Highway sent three people to the hospital Thursday morning. The drivers of the cars were all taken to the hospital, one with serious injuries, said Deputy Police Chief John Klett. The accident … more ...

BERLIN — During a compliance check Tuesday, employees of two local businesses were cited for selling tobacco products to minors. The clerks at Food Bag Citgo Quik Mart 525, at 109 Berlin Turnpike, and Turnpike Food Mart, at 2005 Berlin … more ...

NEW YORK (AP) — Security experts say passwords for more than 2 million Facebook, Google and other accounts have been compromised and circulated online, just the latest example of breaches involving leading Internet companies. Some services including Twitter have responded … more ...

SOUTHINGTON — Residents with sidewalks in front of their homes that are no longer deemed “school access” routes will go another winter, or maybe longer , without the responsibility of plowing snow and clearing ice, but the Ordinance Review Committee … more ...

SOUTHINGTON — The Conservation Commission will meet tonight. Items on the agenda include an application by Blocher Family Realty to disturb the Upland Review Area for the construction of a 20 lot residential subdivision and an application by David Florian … more ...

WALLINGFORD — Fifteen hours, 5 minutes and 15 seconds. That’s the amount of time it took 67-year-old Larry Wood to cover 140.6 miles to cross the finish line of Ironman Florida last month — finishing 10th in his age group … more ...

SOUTHINGTON — A company that recently started a mulch processing operation and road millings storage area on the former landfill on DePaolo Drive now hopes to establish a waste-to-energy facility. In June, the Town Council unanimously approved a 20-year lease … more ...

MERIDEN ­— The City Charter has come under scrutiny after newly elected Mayor Manny Santos, who was sworn in Monday, brought forth a different interpretation of the mayor’s powers. Santos is adamant that the mayor must make a recommendation before … more ...