| Early voting is under way and constituents are taking full advantage across the state. Please check out the early voting section to find out how many people cast a vote on opening day and where you can do the same in your town.
The kids are excited to put on their costume and go trick-or-treating next week, but it can be a challenge for those with food allergies. Read below for some tips to make the Halloween experience better for everyone.
The state is coordinating with some financial institutions to help those who lost so much in the devastating floods this past summer. I'll break down how this partnership will provide relief.
Trains will begin running soon on the Waterbury Rail Line as crews clean up from those same floods. Keep scrolling to find out when train service will resume.
Here are the sections in this week's email:
- Early Voting is Under Way
- Halloween Food Safety
- Help For Flood Victims
- Train Service to Resume on Waterbury Rail Line
- National Drug Take Back Day
- Derby HS Volleyball Team Making History
- Apply for the Legislative Internship Program
- Derby Events Calendar
- Upcoming Events in Hamden
- Orange Events Calendar
- Upcoming Events in Woodbridge
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| Early Voting is Under Way |
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| Early voting is underway across the state, and there has been a huge turnout. The Secretary of State's office said more than 56,000 people cast a ballot on Monday. Early voting will continue through Sunday, November 3. It's the first time this option is available for a general election in the 114th district.
Any registered voter may cast their ballot during the early voting period. |
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Registered voters can cast an early ballot at:
- Woodbridge Town Hall Meeting Room (11 Meetinghouse Lane) from now through Sunday, November 3 from 10 A.M. – 6 P.M. AND on Tuesday, October 29 & Thursday, October 31 from 8 A.M. – 8 P.M.
- Orange Town Hall (617 Orange Center Road) from now through November 3 from 10 A.M. – 6 P.M. AND on Tuesday, October 29 & Thursday, October 31 from 8 A.M. – 8 P.M.
You will find the times in locations in Derby and Hamden below. |
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| You may also vote on Election Day, which is Tuesday, November 5, at your polling station. Connecticut also has same day registration available on Election Day for voters who need it.
Connecticut law allows you to receive an absentee ballot if, in your judgment, an absence from your town on Election Day prevents you from appearing at your polling place, or you are prevented from appearing at your assigned polling place on Election Day. |
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| Halloween is a few days away, and kids are looking forward to dressing up and eating loads of candy, but for those with food allergies it can be scary! Whether there is an allergen included in the ingredients or the risk of cross-contamination, many candies are off-limits for kids with food allergies. |
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The good news is that there are some tips for a safe trick-or-treating experience from Food Allergy Research & Education:
- Stock Up on Safe Alternatives: Have safe treats or inexpensive trinkets/toys ready to trade for any unsafe candies your child might receive while trick-or-treating. Use this opportunity to teach them about hidden allergens and reading labels.
- No Eating While Trick-or-Treating: Enforce a rule that no candy is eaten until you have reviewed all food labels.
- Avoid Unlabeled Treats: Steer clear of candy and treats that do not have an ingredient label.
- Carry an Epinephrine Auto-Injector: Always have an epinephrine auto-injector available if prescribed.
- Check Mini and Fun-Size Candies: Remember that mini-size, fun-size, or bite-size versions of candy may contain different ingredients than their full-size counterparts. Read all labels carefully.
- Focus on Fun: Emphasize the fun aspects of Halloween rather than the candy.
- Introduce the “Good Witch”: Start a tradition where kids leave their unsafe candies out for the “Good Witch” to collect and leave behind small gifts and safe treats.
- Prepare Safe Goody Bags: Make small and safe “goody bags” for neighbors to give to your child. Deliver the bags in advance and describe your child’s costume to your neighbors. Encourage your child to trick-or-treat at these houses.
- Host a Halloween Party: Consider skipping trick-or-treating and have a Halloween party instead, featuring safe and delicious treats. Alternatively, replace treats with fun Halloween toys, games, or party favors.
- Always Read Labels: A candy that has been safe in the past may now have different ingredients. Read the label every time.
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| You can also participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project by placing a teal pumpkin outside your home to show you offer non-food treats, creating a safer and more inclusive Halloween for children with food allergies! Don’t forget to add your house to the Teal Pumpkin Project map before Halloween so your home is easy to find for those on the hunt for safe treats! |
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| More help is on the way for victims of the historic floods in August. Our state government and financial institutions are teaming up to provide critical information and resources to inform storm victims of all possible options they have in their recovery efforts. |
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| The Connecticut Department of Banking has issued guidance to state-chartered banks and credit unions, urging them to work with borrowers consistent with safe and sound banking practices and providing them with the necessary regulatory framework to do so. The state’s banks and credit unions are prepared to assist anyone with their needs. |
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| Train Service to Resume on Waterbury Rail Line |
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| Train service will resume on the Metro-North Waterbury Branch Line on Monday, October 28. This is welcome news since the rail line has been closed for about two months after historic floods caused significant damage in August. The first train from Waterbury will leave the station at 4:45 A.M. and the first one in Bridgeport will take off at 7 A.M. |
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| Between now and October 28, conductors will operate test trains along the Waterbury Branch Line between Waterbury and Bridgeport in both directions. Buses will continue offering service in place of trains on the adjusted schedule until regular train service resumes. |
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| The Connecticut Department of Transportation says crews have been working non-stop to repair two washouts near Beacon Falls and Seymour. Thank you to everyone involved for your hard work restoring this vital train service. |
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| National Drug Take Back Day |
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| The drug overdose epidemic is a clear and present public health, public safety, and national security threat. Communities across the country will collect prescription drugs on Saturday, which is National Take Back Day. This effort encourages the public to remove unneeded medications from their homes as a measure of preventing medication misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting. |
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At least two local police departments will collect any unwanted medication on Saturday, October 26 from 10 A.M. - 2 P.M.
- Orange: High Plains Community Center (525 Orange Center Rd.)
- Derby: Bradley School (155 David Humphrey Rd.)
Please look at the image below for more information in Derby. |
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| Derby HS Volleyball Team Making History |
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| Congratulations to the Derby High school volleyball team for advancing to the Class S Conference state playoffs! What makes this accomplishment even more amazing is this is only the program's second ever year. Great job to all the players and coaches! |
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| Apply for the Legislative Internship Program |
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| Time is running out for your college student to apply for the 2025 Legislative Internship Program. The deadline is Friday, November 1. CLICK HERE to learn more about the internship program.
The internship allows students to get college credit while meeting face-to-face with legislators, learning about the legislative process, taking part in a mock session in the House of Representatives, and so much more. |
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| As the Co-Chair of the Internship Committee, it is my responsibility to ensure that students receive an unforgettable experience in Hartford. I will work diligently with anyone who's interested in taking part in the program. |
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| Check out the events below, and click the button at the bottom of this section to access the community calendar in Derby. |
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| Upcoming Events in Hamden |
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| Take a look at the fliers and other upcoming events below. |
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| Check out the events and community calendar in Orange below. |
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| Stop by for a spooktacular evening filled with frights, delights, and family-friendly fun at the Orange Volunteer Fire Department's Annual Haunted Firehouse. Step into a world of haunted wonders as the historic firehouse transforms into a maze of thrills and surprises. The event is happening on Friday, October 25 & Saturday, October 26 from 7 P.M. -9 P.M. at the firehouse at 625 Orange Center Road. |
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| The Pickle Spot welcomes players to play in the Spot-Tacular Tournament on Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27 at the club. There are a variety of levels for men and women. |
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| The Orange Visiting Nurse Association is hosting a flu clinic on Wednesday October 30. You can get your shot from 11 A.M. - 1 P.M. at High Plains Community Center. |
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| Upcoming Events in Woodbridge |
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| Check out the fliers and community calendar in Woodbridge below. |
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| Join Townline Farm for a Halloween Flower Centerpiece Class on Saturday, October 25 at 10 A.M. This instructor-led session is perfect for all skill levels, where you'll create a stunning arrangement using fresh cut flowers in a festive Halloween cauldron. The class is $50 per person. CLICK HERE to register. |
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