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Click the links in the introduction to navigate to the corresponding sections in the body of this email.
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Friends and Neighbors,
Fall is in full swing which means festivals, football, and a foot race. Please be sure to check out our new section highlighting middle and high school athletics in East Hartford, Manchester, and South Windsor. Who doesn’t love a good #sportsball game or halftime show? In addition to other state and local activities and updates, we’ve included great information on a few fall festivals as well as a heads-up on what streets in both East Hartford and South Windsor will be temporarily closed due to the running of this year’s Hartford Marathon.
Also a sign of the season is Monday’s commemorating of Indigenous People’s Day. I recognize that this change is something some still need adjusting to and it is my hope that we all are able to demonstrate our willingness and commitment to be life-long learners in an effort to rethink the way we celebrate and recognize American History. This is not to say we forget what we’ve been taught, but rather that we leave room for growth and reflection.
Locally, an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 Indigenous people subsisted in what is now Connecticut before the Europeans came. This state is home to five state-recognized tribes and six reservations. The Algonquian word "Connecticut" itself translates to "land on the long tidal river." |
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Despite war, enslavement, and prejudice, Indigenous people have remained active agents in their own and State history. Notable figures include Robin Cassacinamon, a 17th-century Pequot sachem and diplomat, and Mohegan medicine woman Gladys Tantaquidgeon, an educator, activist, and, in 1931, co-founder of the first Native American-owned Indian museum in the US.
The state-recognized sovereign nations in Connecticut are the Eastern Pequot, Golden Hill Paugussett, and Schaghticoke tribes with the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan having federal recognition as well.
Learn more about Connecticut's Indigenous history here.
Please note that all town offices will be closed in observance of this day.
Below you will find a guide to the following information. Click the subject links in this intro to go right to the topic in the body of this email.
You can find additional resources and information on my web site,
www.housedems.ct.gov/currey. If there's something you need help with that isn't included in this email, please check my website. If you can't find what you're looking for there, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. |
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Overall Summary
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Total
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Change Since Yesterday
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COVID-19 Cases (confirmed and probable)
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392,951
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+377
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COVID-19 Tests Reported (molecular and antigen)
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11,257,015
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+19,825
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Daily Test Positivity
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--
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1.9%
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Patients Currently Hospitalized with COVID-19
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230
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-7
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Data on COVID-19 associated deaths is updated once per week every Thursday. The most recently reported total number of deaths is 8,629
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Specific Updates for Our Community
| Town |
Total Cases |
Total Deaths |
Number of Tests |
Number of Positive Tests |
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| East Hartford |
7,274 |
161 |
166,593 |
9,056 |
| Manchester |
5,737 |
160 |
158,883 |
6,971 |
| South Windsor |
1,935 |
56 |
54,809 |
2,278 |
Weekly Update of the Department of Public Health's COVID-19 Alert Map
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AT THE CAPITOL, IN DISTRICT, & BEYOND...
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The Hartford Marathon is this Saturday and several road closures are planned for East Hartford and South Windsor. The East Hartford road closures include:
- 7:30 a.m. to 2 pm
- Founders Bridge (Eastbound only), Pitkin St
- 7:30 am to 1:30 pm
- Founders Plaza area including East River Dr exit, East River Dr, Hartland St, Meadow St
- Prospect St area including S. Prospect St, Main St, Carroll Road
- 7:30 am to 11 am
- Main St (Southbound only from Prospect - Willow)
- Willow St
- Silver Lane Extension (Access to Rt 2 and Rt 15)
The South Windsor road closures include:
Motorists should expect delays and detours. Road will reopen as runners pass. Click here to read more about the road closures, temporary parking bans, and detours. |
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| Last Friday, some East Hartford sixth graders enjoyed a fun day outside at P&F Pond thanks to a generous $3,000 donation from Cabela's/Bass Pro Shops! The event, coordinated by East Hartford Middle School and the East Hartford Police Department, included some fishing, archery, and kayaking. EHMS and EHPD working with East Hartford Youth Services and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection plan to bring the event back next spring. |
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There's one week left for educators to apply for East Hartford Public School's Alumni Network's 2021-22 grant program. Up to $500 will be awarded to East Hartford educators seeking support in special programs and projects. The application deadline is October 15. Potential projects include curriculum resources not provided by the East Hartford Board of Education, multi-cultural programs, workshops and training for staff. The grant cannot be used to support the following expenses:
- Travel
- Salaries
- Consumable materials
- Office Supplies
- Items used as keepsakes or prizes
- Equipment like computers or tablets
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| The Town of South Windsor is conducting a survey about current and future housing needs and possible strategies to meet these needs. This is an opportunity for South Windsor residents to provide input about their housing experiences and alternative housing options that could be considered for the town. The survey should take about 5 to 7 minutes to complete. The survey will close on Sunday, October 31. |
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| If you are looking to enroll in health insurance, upgrade your coverage without upgrading your premium, or want to see what other options are available, Access Health CT's Open Enrollment Period will begin in a few weeks. Until then, Access Health CT is hosting Health Chats so residents can learn more about Connecticut's insurance exchange marketplace and the application process.
There will be three session this month, and one will be exclusively in Spanish:
- Tuesday, October 12 at 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 13 at 6 p.m. (Spanish only)
- Tuesday, October 26 at 6 p.m.
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| Connecticut Foodshare is holding several drive-thru food distributions across our state. The East Hartford food distribution will occur every Tuesday this month from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 936 Silver Ln. For additional locations and information about these distributions, click here.
The Connecticut Mobile Foodshare van also makes stops in East Hartford, Manchester, and South Windsor. You can download the full schedule here or call Connecticut Foodshare's mobile hotline at 860-856-4321 or text "FOODSHARE" to 85511.
If you are experiencing food insecurity, there are additional food pantries in our community. Visit www.211ct.org or call 2-1-1 to find a location near you.
Have you heard of the Little Free Pantry? These pantries are part of a grassroots mini pantry movement launched in Fayetteville, AR to help neighbors navigate daily challenges related to food security. These pantries have made their way across the U.S. and even to Connecticut because of caring residents who want to help their neighbors. You can find locations in our region here. Just type in your town and state or zip code in the search bar. |
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The Eastern Connecticut Health Network launched its Better Being web portal to inform residents about the new, free programs ECHN is offering until December 2021. On this site, individuals will find classes about childbirth and parenting, health education including how blood sugar impacts overall wellness, reaching health goals, and more. Information about support groups in our area can also be accessed on this site.
ECHN is offering a free diabetes prevention program starting on Tuesday, October 19 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. The program is open to Manchester and residents in surrounding towns. The program is designed for individuals diagnosed with pre-diabetes. There are some eligibility requirements for participation. To learn more, call Kristen P. Loparco at 860-830-9771 or email kloparco@echn.org. |
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Over the summer the Attorney General, along with the Coalition for Elder Justice in Connecticut and Departments of Aging and Disability Services and Consumer Protection launched the Elder Justice Hotline – a “one stop shop” for older in adults in Connecticut in need of information, aid, and justice.
If you have been the victim of a fraud, need assistance accessing benefits, or have been the victim of abuse or neglect, you can contact the Elder Justice Hotline at 1-860-808-5555. The line is staffed by the Attorney General's Office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Individuals who call the line after business hours should leave a message and their call will be returned as soon as possible.
Please note the hotline is an additional resource to connect residents seeking information to the appropriate state agencies. The Elder Justice Hotline does not investigate reports of elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation. These reports will be referred to the state Department of Social Service, Elderly Protective Services Unit. Individuals may call the DSS Elderly Protective Services Unit directly at 1-888-385-4225 during regular business hours. After hours, individuals should call the 2-1-1 infoline.
You can read more about the Attorney General's Elder Justice Hotline here.
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| Game on!
It's fall sports season at our middle and high schools! Click the links below for schedules of this week's games:
You can also find schedules and results on the CIAC website. |
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| What better way to welcome Fall than with East Hartford Parks and Recreation's 2021 Fall Festival? The festival will be this Saturday, October 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the East Hartford Town Green, 1047 Main St.
This community event is perfect for the whole family! There will be food, goodies, a petting zoo, venders, entertainment, pumpkins, games and more. Additionally, crafters, vendors and nonprofits will participate. Don't miss this great event! For more information, click here. |
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| Manchester Road Race will be sponsoring two free COVID-19 vaccine clinics in the weeks leading up to the race next month. The clinics are scheduled for Saturday, October 16 and Saturday, November 6 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Manchester High School cafeteria. First-time vaccine recipients will receive a $20 gift card from Stop & Shop. Attendees will be able to receive first and second vaccinations, as well as the Pfizer booster shots, if they are eligible.
Individuals are asked to bring their insurance card and ID. Those without proof of insurance will not be refused. Masks are required to attend the clinic.
You can read more about the clinics here. |
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| Don't miss Northwest Park's Annual Fall Festival from October 19 through 22! From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. October 19 and 21, there will be pumpkin carving and decorating at the Northwest Park Pavilion.
On October 22, various town departments including the Manchester Police and Fire Departments will hand out candy. There will also be pumpkin painting, local vendors, a jack-o-lantern zombie walk for those ages 10 and up, viewings of the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, bounce houses and more! You can learn more about this fun event here. |
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| South Windsor's Halloween Hullabaloo has been rescheduled to Saturday, October 23! The trick-or-treating extravaganza will be held at Wapping Parks and Recreation facility. Time slots are available from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. You can preregister for this free event here. |
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In 2021, we no longer use the internet predominately to watch funny cat videos on YouTube. It's incorporated into nearly every part of our lives, and right now, it's something most can't live without. We use it to learn, work, take care of our health, and so much more. Despite its essentiality, there's a digital divide between poor and minority residents and their well-off peers.
During National Digital Inclusion Week, East Hartford town leaders announced an initiative with SiFi Networks to close that gap with a $40 million private investment that will give East Hartford some of the fastest internet speeds in the nation. The work has already begun, and every home and business should be able to access the East Hartford FiberCity network's speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second by 2023. Get the full story on the Hartford Courant website here.
Additionally, during the 2021 session, the Connecticut General Assembly passed a bill to provide better access to broadband. The new policy includes:
- A live statewide map showing each community's access to broadband internet, including available download and upload speeds.
- A state grant program for municipalities administered by DEEP to support the installation of broadband internet access.
- DEEP must also maintain an active list of federal funding opportunities to facilitate such broadband access.
- A statewide goal of universal broadband access that includes:
- Download speeds of 1 gigabit per second
- Upload speeds of 100 megabits per second
- PURA oversight on construction of broadband internet structures to ensure timely and nondiscriminatory procedures.
- Internet providers have the same access to occupied buildings as telecommunications providers.
- Compensation paid by internet providers to PURA to cover part of the state's cost to administer such programs.
If you want to learn more about how our state is improving internet connectivity for all, click here.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES
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| Through the state's Department of Labor, the American Job Center offers resources, information, and support for individuals throughout the state searching for a job. You can receive help writing a resume and attend interview technique workshops for those currently on the job hunt. For more information, click here. |
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| EAST HARTFORD:
Click here for the Town Meetings calendar.
Click here for the Community Events calendar.
Click here for information on the East Hartford Public Library.
Click here for East Hartford Community Television. |
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SOUTH WINDSOR:
Click here for the Public Meetings calendar.
Click here for the Community Events calendar.
Click here for information on the South Windsor Public Library.
Click here for South Windsor's Government Television Programming - watch LIVE town council meetings! |
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MANCHESTER:
Click here for the Town Meetings and Community Events Calendar.
Click here for information on the Manchester Public Library.
Click here for Manchester Public Television. |
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Upcoming Meetings and Events
A full calendar of all events happening at the Capitol next week, including public hearings, is available on the General Assembly website.
You can find the agenda for public hearings on the calendar by clicking on the calendar item and following the link to the committee page. For instructions on how to testify at a public hearing, please click here.
You can view a list of all the bills passed by the House so far this session here.
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| Jeff Currey |
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