Kate Farrar

On the first day of Women's History Month, State Representatives Jillian Gilchrest (D – West Hartford), Tammy Exum (D – West Hartford, Avon, Farmington), and Kate Farrar (D – West Hartford), members of West Hartford's first all women delegation to the state House of Representatives, are announcing an essay contest open to Hall High School and Conard High School students.

I've heard from many in our community about the priority of the mental health and well-being of our state's youth and families. While we saw a rise in depression, anxiety, self-harm, and other forms of distress in young people prior to the pandemic, the increased isolation and uncertainty that has come from the past two years has worsened this issue. My colleagues and I have worked collaboratively on a bipartisan bill to provide additional support, resources and structural change to the children's mental health system in Connecticut.

Did you know that today is Random Acts of Kindness day? To let our West Hartford firefighters know how much our community appreciates them, I worked with 3rd graders at Wolcott Elementary School to deliver thank you cards to at Berkshire Road and New Britain Avenue Station

We celebrate the achievements, accomplishments and contributions Black Americans have made to this country, of which there are many, each February during National Black History Month. President Gerald Ford made it official in 1976.

A nor'easter is headed to Connecticut this weekend, bringing 6 to 12 inches of snow starting Friday evening into Saturday. Connecticut's severe weather protocol is in effect until February 2. A winter storm could last several hours, cause power outages, and put older adults, children, and sick individuals at higher risk. 

U.S. households can now request 4 free at-home COVID-19 test kits through the United States Postal Service. Testing is a vital component in our country and state's fight against COVID-19. Expanding access to testing can help reduce community spread of the virus.

Last week, the Town of West Hartford received $953,646 to remediate the former Puritan Furniture Store located at 1051 and 1061 New Britain Avenue. West Hartford was one of only 13 communities chosen for this competitive grant. The funding will be used to clean-up the site for the proposed construction of a 131-unit mixed-income, mixed-use transit-oriented development.

Senator Derek Slap (D – West Hartford, Farmington, Burlington, Bloomfield), State Representative Kate Farrar (D – West Hartford), West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor, West Hartford Town Manager Matt Hart, and West Hartford Economic Development Coordinator Kristen Gorski applauded Governor Ned Lamont's announcement that the town will receive $953,646 to remediate a 2.97-acre site at 1051 and 1061 New Britain Avenue, the site of the former Puritan Furniture Store.