As your legislator, and as your neighbor, I want to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving. I’m thankful for the conversations we’ve shared, the ideas you’ve brought forward, and the care you show for our community. I hope your day is filled with good food, laughter, and the company of those who mean the most to you.
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| Expanding High-Speed Internet Access Statewide |
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The U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration has approved Connecticut’s proposal for the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, awarding $144 million to the state that will be used to expand high-speed internet access statewide. Connecticut is one of 18 states and territories that received federal funds.
Expanding residents’ access to fast, affordable, and reliable high-speed internet will ease essential daily activities, including obtaining medical care, managing bills, seeking employment, and accessing educational opportunities.
Click here to read more on Connecticut’s final proposal for the BEAD program.
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| Financial Scams Targeting Seniors |
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Be on the lookout for scams targeting seniors! The Connecticut Intelligence Center, a law enforcement partnership within the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), is warning about a dramatic increase in financial scams targeting the elderly in Connecticut and the nation.
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received 859,532 complaints in 2024, with losses reported at $16.6 billion, a 388% increase from 2023. In 2024 “false pretense” scams cost an estimated $31.9 million to Connecticut victims, most of whom were 65 or older, according to the 2024 Crime in Connecticut Report.
What to Watch Out For
- High pressure, urgent timeline (“you must send money now”)
- Request to pay with gift cards, wire transfer, prepaid cards, personal checks or cryptocurrency
- Caller says you must not contact family or police
- Caller ID spoofing (it may show a local number or government agency but is fake)
- Unwilling to meet in person or hesitation to identify themselves with official credentials
What to Do if You Believe You Are a Victim
- Contact the local police to report the incident
- Do not transfer money and do not give any payment information
- Do not give any personal information or confirm/repeat social security numbers, birthdates, bank information or account numbers
- Verify by calling the family member with a known number not one provided by the caller
- If you have already made a payment contact your bank or the payment service immediately
Where to Go for Help
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Local food pantries across the state are providing essential assistance to those in need and are also seeking donations to help meet the growing demand.
Click here to find food programs and services available through 211 Connecticut. You can also call 2-1-1, or 1-800-203-1234.
Click here to find a Connecticut Foodshare food pantry or mobile food pantry.
For those neighbors who are not struggling please consider making a monetary donation or even donating your time. Click here to volunteer and/or donate to Connecticut Foodshare.
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On November 29, Small Business Saturday highlights the importance of locally owned businesses. It inspires shoppers to support their communities by choosing to shop small during the busy holiday season.
By participating, you can find unique, personalized gifts while contributing to the local economy by keeping money within your community. Small Business Saturday fosters a sense of connection, strengthening neighborhoods and ensuring that local businesses, which are often the heart of their communities, continue to thrive.
Click here to find out where you can shop small near you. |
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It's time for the Annual Holiday Fest Food Drive! Now, until December 8th, you can drop off non-perishable food items at the following locations, during regular business hours:
East Hartford Parks & Recreation: 50 Chapman Place (Lower Level)
East Hartford Public Library Main Library: 840 Main Street
East Hartford Senior Center: 15 Milbrook Drive
The Selden Brewer House: 165 Main Street
Burnside Roma Pizza: 358 Burnside Ave.
Hillstown Grange No. 87*: 617 Hills Street (accepting donations on Sunday, December 7 from 8:30 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.)
All Saint's Church: 444 Hills Street
Double A Dance Company : 2 Tolland Street
All donations received will help to fill the East Hartford Food Pantry, at the East Hartford Community Center! Donations for the EH Food Pantry are accepted, and appreciated, year-round and may be dropped off at the EH Community Center, located at 50 Chapman Place.
If you are a local business who is interested in being a donation drop off location, please email Jenilee Tedesco at JTedesco@easthartfordct.gov
If you have any questions regarding donation locations, please call 860-291-7160.
For questions regarding the pantry, please call East Hartford Health and Human Services at 860-291-7324. |
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The Holiday Fest on the Green will be on Friday, December 5 from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Then on Saturday, December 6 from 2:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M., Swim with Santa!
Click here for more information. |
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It's that time of year to send your letters to Santa! East Hartford children may drop their letters off to the Parks & Recreation main office (50 Chapman Place, lower level) until December 12 to guarantee a response. Letters will be sent to the North Pole and children will get a reply!
Letters must contain the child's name and complete mailing address and letters must be dropped off. No phone or email requests are accepted.
Call 860-291-7160 with any questions
Business Hours:
Monday - Wednesday: 8:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Thursday: 8:30 A.M. - 5:30 P.M.
Friday: 8:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.
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