Kevin Witkos

She’ll do an excellent job!

I was pleased to help welcome 8th District CT Senator-Elect Lisa Seminara to our State Capitol yesterday. The 8th District includes Avon, Barkhamsted, Canton, Colebrook, Granby, Hartland, Harwinton, New Hartford, Norfolk, Simsbury, and Torrington. Lisa is a member of the Avon Board of Education, a licensed clinical social worker, an advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and a founder of the Avon Special Education Parent Association. Congratulations, Lisa, and I look forward to collaborating with you on a host of issues in the CT General Assembly ! (The 2023 session starts on Jan. 4, so I am urging all taxpayers to send me ideas for bills and legislation asap.)

Heartbreaking. Deepest condolences for Bristol PD, the families and the entire community. The governor has directed U.S. and state flags in Connecticut lowered to half-staff.

Our deepest condolences to our brothers and sisters in the Bristol Police Department. We stand with you in the wake of this tragedy.

Agreed!

New Britain Herald - Golfers enjoy great weather at Golden Kielbasa Veterans Open in New Britain NEW BRITAIN - After a gloomy, rainy week, participants in the Golden Kielbasa Veterans Open got lu...

Great work in Stonington Senator Heather Somers

Great teamwork and rescue! Pleasant Valley Vol. Fire Department Connecticut Fish and Wildlife Torrington Police Department Connecticut State Police

Harwinton 5th grader makes and sells cards to support police scholarship. Greeting card inquiries and orders can be emailed to [email protected].

Fifth grader makes and sells hundreds of cards to support police scholarship Connecticut Inside Investigator

Spread the word:

Barkhamsted road to be closed for state drainage project Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will guide motorists around the work zone....

In Simsbury: “It’s nice to have someone with unbridled joy just sending positivity into the world.”

93 year old resident brings joy to Simsbury town A man in Simsbury is making sure everyone feels like a part of the neighborhood.

Never Forget.

FYI Avon:

Avon Updates Latest Info On Pandemic Funds Avon has created a webpage to provide the public with more information on the town's funding allocation plan under the American Rescue Plan.

Saturday in Canton:

Touch A Truck And Fight Children's Cancer Annual Canton event featuring families and trucks to take place Saturday at a popular shopping destination.

Applications for the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program and the Low-income household water assistance program are now being accepted!

To apply, or to review your eligibility, please visit the attached link.

Heating Help - Connecticut Heat Assistance Programs CT residents can receive bill assistance to help pay their heat utility costs. These 6 programs help make heat affordable

Summer coming to an end means one thing...fair season is upon us!!

The Colebrook CT Fair returns this Saturday, September 3rd with plenty of fun for the whole family. Don't miss out!

Happy National Dog Day from Charlie Witkos!

Don't forget, the annual sales tax free week is going on now through Saturday!!

The annual Sales Tax Free Week has officially started! Today through August 27th, most clothing and footwear under $100 is exempt from the state sales tax. For a list of items included, check out the link below.

https://portal.ct.gov/DRS/Sales-Tax/Examples-of-Clothing-and-Footwear-That-are-Exempt-During-Sales-Tax-Free-Week?fbclid=IwAR3XCumfQVCm5Oww9k9pCWIoLN_qfdvVsFhvN71g0LUOzx4DqFnxny9oyio

Another phenomenal year for the Canton Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. annual Lobsterfest! This year marked the 40th anniversary for this fantastic community event and I was glad to don my apron and help out!

Special treat getting to catch up with one of the original lobsterfest guys, Frenchie!

The annual Sales Tax Free Week has officially started! Today through August 27th, most clothing and footwear under $100 is exempt from the state sales tax. For a list of items included, check out the link below.

https://portal.ct.gov/DRS/Sales-Tax/Examples-of-Clothing-and-Footwear-That-are-Exempt-During-Sales-Tax-Free-Week?fbclid=IwAR3XCumfQVCm5Oww9k9pCWIoLN_qfdvVsFhvN71g0LUOzx4DqFnxny9oyio

Heads up to drivers in the Colebrook/Norfolk area!

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is announcing that milling and resurfacing project will be performed on Route 183 in the towns of Colebrook/Norfolk, from Route 182 to the Massachusetts state line.

The project consists of milling and resurfacing a 5.05 mile of Route 183 Colebrook/Norfolk. The milling of this project is scheduled to start on Monday, August 22, 2022 and be completed Thursday, August 25, 2022. The resurfacing of this project is scheduled to start on Monday, August 29, 2022 and be completed on Tuesday, September 13, 2022.

No work will be performed on the day before, or the day after the Labor Day Holiday.

The Connecticut Essential Worker Premium Pay program has officially launched! The program is designed to provide financial relief to essential workers employed during the pandemic. The deadline to apply is October 1st, 2022 and payments are anticipated to be paid out in early 2023.

To learn more, or to check your eligibility, please visit the attached link.

Connecticut Essential Worker COVID-19 Relief If you were an essential worker and were employed during the pandemic, we invite you to apply for the Premium Pay Program.

Passing along some more news from the state Department of Transportation - plans are underway to upgrade existing pedestrian crossing equipment to include countdown pedestrian indications, accessible pedestrian pushbuttons, and concurrent pedestrian phasing which will improve accessibility and pedestrian safety at 25 different locations in 20 towns in Connecticut.

Among this project are several locations throughout the 8th Senate district including the following intersections:

• Avon – Route 167 (West Avon Road) at Arch Road
• Harwinton – Route 4 (Birge Park Road) at Route 118 (Litchfield Road)
• Simsbury – Route 167 (Bushy Hill Road) at West Mountain Road and Farmington Valley Mall South Drive
• Torrington – Route 4 (Goshen Road & Migeon Avenue) at Route 272 (Norfolk Road) and Riverside Avenue

The DOT states that design plans for these projects are expected to be completed in April 2023, with a tentative advertising date for construction in July 2023. For more information, or for a full list of project locations, visit the attached link.

Traffic CTDOT developing plans to upgrade existing pedestrian crossing equipment in 20 towns in Connecticut

🚜🌽🍅Join me in supporting local farmers during National Farmers Market Week!

Across the state we have amazing local farmers markets and farm products available to feed our families. We can celebrate our great farms by purchasing locally grown products designated with the Connecticut Grown logo and visiting some of the more than 90 certified farmers’ markets statewide.

A list of every certified farmers’ market in Connecticut can be found online at CTGrown.gov/farmersmarkets. An interactive map of farmers markets is also available at CTGrown.org.

Across the 8th District, farmers markets take place in the following towns:

Canton
Sun, 10 AM - 2 PM
4 Market St
June 12 to Oct 16
cantonfarmersmarket.org

Harwinton
Tues, 3 PM – 6:45 PM
276 Locust Rd
July 5 to Oct 18

Torrington- Tuesday Market
Tues, 3 PM - 6 PM
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 837 Charles St
July 5 to Oct 18

Torrington- Saturday Market
Sat, 10 AM - 1 PM
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 837 Charles St
June 11 to Oct 29

A heads up to anglers - the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection has implemented an emergency closure of fishing areas near tributaries of the Farmington River due to the extreme heat which has been impacting fish.

This closure impacts several local areas of the river including the following:

East Mountain Brook (Hallock Brook), New Hartford
Cherry Brook, Canton
Rattlesnake Hill Brook, Canton
Burlington Brook, Burlington
Hawley Brook, Avon
Unionville Brook, Farmington
Hyde Brook, Farmington
Pequabuck River, Farmington

Read more about this change from DEEP at the attached link:

DEEP Announces Emergency Closure to Fishing Near Tributaries to Farmington Rivers (HARTFORD)—Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today that effective August 6, 2022, it is closing short sections of the West Branch Farmington River and the Farmington River to fishing because the hot weather is creating unhealthy water temperatures f...

The state Department of Transportation has announced more road work taking place throughout the 8th Senate District.

Asphalt Rubber Chip Seal on Route 179 in Barkhamsted and Hartland:

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is announcing the application of asphalt rubber chip seal on Routes 179, 188 and 302 beginning August 4, 2022.

The work will begin on Route 302 starting August 4, 2022. Upon completion of Route 302, the work will progress to Route 188 and subsequently, Route 179.

The project consists of the preservation of the existing bituminous pavement surface. The project scope involves replacing catch basin tops as needed, crack sealing, patching repairs to the existing pavement, the application of Asphalt Rubber Chip Seal over the existing pavement surface, and finally the installation of new pavement markings within the project limits.

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Milling and Resurfacing Project on Route 800 in Torrington:

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is announcing that milling and resurfacing project will be performed on Route 800 in Torrington, from Church Street to Burrville Quarry No. 4.

The project consists of milling and resurfacing a 5.85 mile of Route 800 Torrington. The milling of this project is scheduled to start on Sunday, August 7, 2022 and be completed Monday, August 22, 2022. The resurfacing of this project is scheduled to start on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 and be completed on Tuesday, September 20, 2022.

Some great news for Talcott Mountain State Park, the State Bond Commission has recently approved $6,200,000 to renovate and preserve Heublein Tower!

As a long time supporter of Talcott Mountain State Park, I am thrilled that funding has been allocated to supporting and preserving this treasured landmark. The Heublein Tower is an iconic part of the Farmington Valley. Whether you’ve visiting the tower in person after a hike, enjoying a music and arts event, or simply admiring the tower during your daily commute, it is a part of our community that is highly deserving of these funds.

Talcott Mountain State Park, and the Heublein Tower are lovingly cared for by not only the hard working staff at the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, but also by a highly dedicated volunteer force at the Friends of Heublein Tower. These individuals work hard year round to support the work of DEEP, take on special projects, and raise funds to further maintain and care for the park. We are incredibly lucky to have a passionate group of individuals at the Friends of Heublein Tower and I am always grateful for their ongoing dedication. Learn more about their work by visiting www.friendsofheubleintower.org

Senator Witkos Applauds State Investment of Talcott Mountain State Park - Connecticut Senate Republicans Hartford, CT – State Senator Kevin Witkos (R-Canton) is applauding the recent approval by the State Bond Commission of funds […]

Proud of my record supporting the business community of our state this past legislative session. Small businesses, the manufacturing community, and companies statewide are the lifeblood of our communities and our state.

I am thankful to organizations like the Connecticut Business & Industry Alliance CBIA, local Chambers of Commerce, and related advocacy groups do so much to support our business community and advocate on their behalf.

Awesome job by Eagle Scout Aidan James Obrzut!

Job well done Aidan! Thank you!

The July 31st deadline to apply for the Connecticut Child Tax Credit is fast approaching!

This is a $250-per child, one time rebate with a maximum of three credits for families with three or more children. The rebate is scheduled to be distributed beginning in late August.

Who is eligible?

- Any Connecticut resident who claimed at least one dependent child under the age of 18 on their 2021 federal income tax may be eligible. To receive the maximum credit of $250 per child, a single parent or married parents filing separately must earn $100,000 or less; a head of household must earn $160,000 or less; and married parents filing jointly must make $200,000 or less. Those with higher income rates may be eligible for reduced credits (the phase out is 10% per $1,000 over the full benefit thresholds)

For more information, or to apply, click the link below.

Families Can Apply for a Child Tax Rebate Starting June 1 - Connecticut Senate Republicans The $250-per-child one-time Connecticut Child Tax Rebate will open applications for families beginning June 1. This rebate is a one-time […]

As of July 16th, 988 will officially be in operation in every state as the mental health counterpart to 911. If you or someone you know is experiencing any kind of mental or behavioral health crisis, you can call 988.

The Connecticut State Senate unanimously passed legislation this year to fund the operation of this hotline here in CT to help connect those in need to our local network of trained specialists and mental health clinicians. This is a vitally important national effort to save lives by ensuring anyone in crisis knows who to call to get help.

Starting July 16th, 988 will be a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the U.S., you can easily access 24/7 emotional support.

In the meantime, please continue to share 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to be connected with a trained, caring counselor.

We're here for you.

Congratulations to JoAnn Ryan, President & CEO of the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce on being named President of the Board of Regents!

It's great to have representation from the Northwest corner on this critically important board as we continue to make our community colleges the best they can be.

CSCU - Gov Lamont Appoints JoAnn Ryan as Chair of BOR, Names Juanita T. James & James McCarthy as Members Governor Ned Lamont today announced he is appointing JoAnn Ryan to serve as chair of the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education (BOR), and Juanita T. James and James McCarthy to serve as board members. The BOR is the governing body for the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU...