Kevin Brown

As we commemorate our nation's 250th anniversary, this Fourth of July offers a unique opportunity to reflect on America's remarkable journey. We honor the vision, courage, and sacrifices of those who founded our republic, while recognizing the generations who have helped shape and strengthen our nation.

This milestone invites us to celebrate our shared history, appreciate our progress, and look ahead with hope and determination as we continue striving toward the ideals of freedom, opportunity, and democracy.

Vernon's annual July in the Sky

celebration is scheduled for Wednesday, July 8 (with the rain date set for July 9).

The festival spans two main locations, Henry Park and Downtown Rockville, and will feature a patriotic parade, food courts, live music, and a fireworks finale launched from Fox Hill after 9:00 p.m.

Click here for more information on July in the Sky.
 

Due to a long-duration heat wave that is expected to impact Connecticut, the Governor has ordered the state’s Extreme Hot Weather Protocol to be activated through at least 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 5.

An Extreme Heat Watch has been issued by the National Weather Service as Connecticut has the potential to reach the warning-level criteria. Peak temperatures are expected during the afternoon hours of Thursday, July 2, and Friday, July 3 when highs are expected to reach 100 degrees and heat indices could climb up to 110 degrees each day.

Residents are encouraged to take precautions during the heat wave, including staying hydrated, limiting outdoor activity during peak heat hours, and checking on older adults, young children, and other vulnerable individuals who may be at greater risk of heat-related illness. Click here to read the governor's release with prevention tips to stay safe and hydrated.

Cooling centers are available for anyone in need of a place to get out of the heat:

Cornerstone (3 Prospect Street)

Cornerstone is open noon to 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday to people seeking relief from the heat.

**The Cornerstone's supply of bottled water is very low and they need your help. Donations of bottled water will be happily accepted at 3 Prospect Street in Rockville from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

Rockville Public Library (52 Union Street)

Residents can cool off at the library during regular business hours:

Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, closed.

Vernon Senior Center (135 Bolton Road)

Senior Center members are invited to use the Senior Center to keep cool during regular business hours:

Wednesday and Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Vernon aquatic facilities

Horowitz Pool, Community Pool and Newhoca Beach are open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Click here to access the town website for any changes or updates.

The Early Childhood Education Endowment’s Advisory Board voted last week to approve the new early childhood educator health insurance subsidy program beginning in 2027 and available through Access Health CT’s Open Enrollment starting October 23.

Established into law in 2025, the state's historic Early Childhood Education Endowment has already created up to 1,000 new child care spaces, supported an 8% increase in Early Start CT reimbursement rates, expanded Smart Start preschool classrooms, and invested in operational grants for providers across the state. As specified in Public Act 25-93, $10 million of the FY27 Endowment is dedicated to a health insurance subsidy program for early childhood educators. Early childhood educators often struggle with access to affordable health insurance, and this subsidy program can help retain and recruit essential workers for our early childhood system to work for families, employers, and our economy. 

The subsidy will allow educators to access qualified health plans through Access Health CT and receive a subsidy toward their cost for health insurance through either an individual plan through Access Health CT, an employer’s small employer group plan through Access Health CT or in conjunction with an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) offered by their employer. Eligible early childcare educators must not be eligible for Medicaid or the Covered Connecticut program.

The subsidy program is income-based and provide a flat subsidy for covered options regardless of which option through which an individual receives their health insurance. Early childhood educators earning between 175% and 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) will receive a subsidy of $1,200 per year; those earning between 250% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level will receive $1,100 subsidies; and those earning over 400% will receive $1,000.

Approximately 7,200 to 8,800 early child care workers will be eligible for the program. Access Health CT will also receive funding from the Endowment to promote and advertise the program to early childhood educators and providers.

It’s too late for registered Democrats or Republicans to switch parties and vote in their new party’s primary this August. The deadline was May 11, and state law requires a 3-month waiting period.

If you’re unaffiliated, however, you still have time. You can join a party and vote in that party’s primary right away, as long as you’ve been unaffiliated for at least three months.

Updating your party affiliation is one of the many changes voters can conveniently do online at https://ow.ly/Vmcn50Z38Qr.