I hope you are reading this newsletter all bundled up with a warm drink because it has been brutally cold over the past week. Some of you may use a space heater, but they can cause house fires, which took place last week in Hamden. I'll provide a breakdown of safety tips for portable heaters.
The state plans to install wrong-way detection technology on Route 15. I'll let you know exactly where that important work will take place and how the detection system will keep drivers safe.
A local teacher is making a huge difference for female students at Derby High School. Please read below to learn why the school won an award for its computer science course.
Here are the sections in this week's email:
- Cold Weather & Space Heater Danger
- Overnight Warming Center Open in Hamden
- Wrong-Way Technology Coming To Route 15
- Connecting With the Community
- Female Diversity Award at Derby High School
- Derby Events Calendar
- Upcoming Events in Hamden
- Orange Events Calendar
- Upcoming Events in Woodbridge
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| Cold Weather & Space Heater Danger |
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| It has been a frigid week across Connecticut, which is why the governor activated the cold weather protocol through tomorrow at noon. The freezing temperatures may lead some folks to use space heaters, but they come with some risks. The Hamden Fire Department blamed a space heater that was left near a bed for starting a house fire on Shelton Avenue about 10 days ago. No one was seriously injured, but the fire could have been avoided. |
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Here are some precautions you should take, according to FEMA, if you use portable heaters:
- Turn portable heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.
- Keep anything that can burn – i.e. bedding, clothing, mattresses, furniture, paper products -- at least three feet away from portable heaters.
- Plug in portable heaters directly into outlets; do NOT plug them into extension cords or power strips.
It's extremely important to stay warm, but it's also important to stay fire safe this winter. |
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| Overnight Warming Center Open in Hamden |
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| An overnight winter warming center is open at Keefe Community Center in Hamden for those in need. The facility is open every night through March 31 from 7 p.m. – 7 a.m. at 11 Pine Street.
Staffers will monitor overnight shifts and share community outreach information with guests. The warming center does not have any beds, but it offers a clean, safe, indoor space to protect those in need from harsh weather conditions. |
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You are welcome to donate items such as:
- non-perishable, pre-wrapped snack food and beverages
- new socks, new underwear, gloves, hats, umbrellas, and rain ponchos
You may drop off donations at the Keefe Community Center from
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Donation receipts will be available. |
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| Wrong-Way Technology Coming To Route 15 |
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The Connecticut Department of Transportation is developing plans to install wrong-way detection systems on Route 15 in Orange at Exit 56 in both directions. The state has determined that off-ramp is at a higher risk for wrong way drivers.
Crews will install new equipment including thermal and CCTV cameras, solar panels, cellular modems, internally illuminated signs, and signs with flashers. The detection system will then activate flashing red LED lights located on wrong-way signs alerting drivers that they are traveling in the wrong direction. |
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| Connecting With the Community |
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| Last week, I attended the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast with many colleagues across the region. It was a very informative meeting where we heard some of the legislative priorities and concerns from some of the business leaders in attendance.
If we didn’t get a chance to connect, or you would like to share any ideas on how the state can make it easier for small businesses to successful, please reach out. |
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| Another option is meeting me over breakfast tomorrow with the League of Women Voters of Hamden-North Haven. My legislative colleagues and I will listen to your feedback and answer questions at The Whitney Center, 200 Leeder Hill Drive-South Entrance in Hamden.
Registration and Continental breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m. followed by a panel discussion at 9:00 a.m. I will then meet with attendees for table chats from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. You’re encouraged to pre-register here, but walk-ins are welcome. |
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| Female Diversity Award at Derby High School |
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| Derby High School has earned the College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science Principles. This means the school has expanded access to Advanced Placement computer science courses for female students. |
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AP Computer Science Principles is an introductory college-level computing science course. Students learn to design and evaluate solutions while applying computer science to solve problems through the development of algorithms and programs.
Lauren King teaches the AP Computer Science at Derby High School. The community is thrilled that Ms. King and our science department coordinator, Jen Shea, helped bring this exciting course to the school. |
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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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| Connecticut Foodshare will give away free food to the community on Tuesday from 2:15 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church on Elizabeth Street. Make sure to bring a bag so you can bring food home. |
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| Upcoming Events in Hamden |
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| Take a look at the flyers and other upcoming events below. |
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| The Hamden community will honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King at a service on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. Organizers postponed the event due to last week's snowstorm. |
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| Check out the events and community calendar in Orange below. |
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| You're invited to hear about the history of Tyler City, a whole city planned within Orange in the 1870s. The president of the Orange Historical Society will also share more about the trains that passed through Orange on their way to and from New Haven. The presentation will take place on Monday at 7 p.m. at Case Memorial Library. CLICK HERE to register. |
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| Upcoming Events in Woodbridge |
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| Check out the flyer and community calendar in Woodbridge below. |
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