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After third extension, Lime Rock regulation nears finish line
Alec Linden
Jun 24, 2026
A car races around Lime Rock Park during the 2026 Memorial Day season opener.
Madi Long
LIME ROCK – The Planning and Zoning Commission continued its hearing last week on proposed changes to Lime Rock Park’s operating regulations, with commissioners suggesting a resolution could be close.
“I think with some clarity from our lawyer, this should be very easy to move along,” commissioner Allen Cockerline said, referring to P&Z’s attorney Charles Andres, who was unable to attend the June 15 meeting.
The proposed regulation change was first brought before P&Z in May after the state Superior Court in Torrington approved an amendment to a decades-old legal agreement governing the race track.
Largely placing further restrictions on the Park’s operations, the proposed zoning change aims to transfer the language of that agreement into the zoning code.
During three hearing sessions since May 18, commissioners focused largely on drifting – when vehicles intentionally lose traction on the rear tires while rounding a curve – due to its potential to cause tire smoke pollution. By the June 15 meeting, however, commissioners appeared largely satisfied by the track’s handling of the technique that involves limiting the hours of the practice.
Lime Rock President and CEO Dicky Riegel said the track has voluntarily followed the proposed regulations since 2022, even without any legal obligation, limiting drifting to two days per year, with a maximum of three 15-minute demonstrations on those days.
Cockerline said even so,“I just want to be sure we have safeguards in the future if it does become clearly a pollutant and nuisance.”
Land Use Director Abby Conroy noted that that may be difficult to achieve as it’s currently proposed given it is a regulation change and not a conditioned special permit. She and the Commission agreed that further consultation from Attorney Andres would be needed.After consultation withLime Rock, the hearing was extended again, set to reconvene on July 6 at 6:45 p.m.
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Local filmmaker documents life in Falls Village, releases 38th video
Patrick L. Sullivan
Jun 24, 2026
FALLS VILLAGE – Local filmmaker Eric Veden, who has been creating films about Falls Village since 2000, has released a new video, marking his 38th production featuring the people, businesses and everyday life of the community.
The latest video begins with scenes from the 2025 Fall Festival, featuring pumpkin decorating, live music and apple cider making.
Veden then sits down with Falls Village resident Barbara Lobdell, whose parents hailed from Wyoming. Describing her childhood as “low-drama, stable and happy,” Lobdell remembers leaving Laramie, Wyoming, after high school to attend the University of Washington where shereceived a degree in history and art. She then earned a master’s degree in Library Science and a two-year degree in electrical drafting.
Lobdell’s journey took her to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, where she worked as a draftsman for 35 years during what she described as “very much a man’s world.”
The film also features local blacksmith Will Blass, whom Veden describes as a “young, long-haired blacksmith extraordinaire.”
Blass traces his interest in metalworking to childhood.
“I grew up loving ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and decided I needed a magic sword,” Blass said.
Then, in high school, his attention turned to go-karts.
“Every time you want a new project you have to learn a new metalworking skill and it just kind of went from there,” he said of learning to forge and weld.
Blass said he got his first welder in eighth grade and started picking up tips from his father and cousin, Dusty Blass.
Another segment follows assistant librarian Anna Pattison and a group of children making 3D stars and lanterns at the Hunt Library, an activity that requires making cocoa first. It’s a representative slice of life at the library.
The film concludes with Alan Lovejoy at the library discussing his 2025 bicycle trip from Alberta, Canada to the U.S./Mexico border in Antelope Wells, New Mexico along the Great Divide.
To see the video, visit YouTube and search for “Eric Veden” or visit youtube.com/@ericveden4408. DVDs are also available through the David M. Hunt Library.
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North Canaan receives $2,500 grant for firefighter training equipment
Christian Murray
Jun 24, 2026
First Selectman Jesse Bunce (left) and North Canaan Fire Company representative Isaac Freund display a $2,500 check from the Northwest Community Bank Foundation.
Provided
NORTH CANAAN – North Canaan has been awarded a $2,500 grant from the Northwest Community Bank Foundation to help fund the purchase of specialized equipment for the North Canaan Fire Company, First Selectman Jesse Bunce announced earlier this month.
The fire company plans to purchase a Multi-Force Forcible Entry Door training system, which allows firefighters to practice breaching doors and entering buildings under realistic emergency conditions.
The training system allows firefighters to practice forcible-entry techniques on both inward- and outward-opening doors with metal and wooden jambs, replicating conditions commonly encountered during emergency responses.
The planned purchase includes a Multi-Force training door system, crush-door training slabs and a mobile wheel system. The total cost of the project is estimated at approximately $10,960.
“This is an important investment in firefighter preparedness and public safety,” Bunce said. “Our volunteer firefighters put themselves on the line for the community every day, and providing them with high-quality, realistic training tools helps ensure they are prepared to respond safely and effectively when seconds matter most.”
Town officials said the grant will help strengthen the fire company's capabilities while reducing the financial burden of acquiring the specialized equipment.
“The North Canaan Fire Company is an essential part of our town,” Bunce said. “We’re grateful to the Northwest Community Bank Foundation for recognizing the importance of ongoing firefighter training and supporting the dedicated volunteers who serve North Canaan.”
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Police Blotter: Troop B
Lakeville Journal
Jun 24, 2026
Police Blotter: Troop B
John Coston
The following information was provided by the Connecticut State Police at Troop B. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Passing collision
On the afternoon of June 15, Steven Falanga, 36, of North Branford, Connecticut was driving south on Route 63 near the intersection with Undermountain Road in Falls Village when an unnamed driver in a leased Honda Civic attempted to pass him. The Civic merged back into the rental Ford F250 Super Duty that Falanga drove, causing a collision. Neither driver was injured, and both vehicles sustained functional damage. The unnamed driver was issued an infraction for unsafe passing and operating a motor vehicle without a license.
Moving truck crash
Just after 3 p.m. on June 15, Devoge Darryl Brown, 18, of South Kent was driving a moving truck for Cornwall-based company Karl on Wheels on Millerton Road in Sharon when the vehicle drifted off the roadway, striking approximately 50 feet of wire rope guardrail and ultimately hitting a tree. Brown was transported to Sharon Hospital by Sharon EMS for reported minor injuries, and the truck was towed from the scene. Brown was issued a written warning for failure to maintain lane.
Construction zone fender bender
On the morning of June 16, Jeffrey Romanowski, 69, of Amenia came to a stop at a flagger for a construction zone on Route 45 near the intersection with Flat Rocks Road in Cornwall. A trailing Subaru Crosstrek, driven by Karen Chase, 81, of Kent, failed to stop in time and collided with the rear of Romanowski’s Toyota Sienna. Both vehicles sustained functional damage, and neither the drivers nor their passengers were injured in the incident. Chase was issued a verbal warning for following too closely.
The Lakeville Journal will publish the outcome of police charges. Send mail to P.O. Box 1688, Lakeville, CT 06039, Attn: Police Blotter, or send to editor@lakevillejournal.com.
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Connecticut gas prices drop again
Aly Morrissey
Jun 24, 2026
Gas prices in Sharon dropped to $4.05 on Monday, June 22.
Alec Linden
Northwest Connecticut drivers are getting some relief at the pump as gas prices continue to decline statewide.
According to newly released data from AAA Northeast, the average price for a gallon of regular gas in Connecticut fell 15 cents over the past week to $4.06 as of June 22. That’s down 58 cents from a month ago, when concerns about oil shipments through the Middle East pushed prices higher.
“Recent declines in oil and gas prices have coaxed the national average below $4 a gallon for the first time since March — welcome relief at the pump,” said Mark Schieldrop, senior spokesperson for AAA Northeast.
AAA attributed the recent decline as a sign of stability in the global energy markets. While prices remain well above last year’s average, the decline is welcome news for the Northwest Corner residents heading into the busy summer travel season.
The organization noted that gasoline and crude oil inventories remain historically low, which could continue to put pressure on prices in the weeks ahead.
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Kent median home price climbs to $577,000
Christine Bates
Jun 24, 2026
A 1,057 square foot three-bedroom, one bath home, 16 Birch Lane was built in the 1930’s on a private road. The transfer was recorded in May for $315,000.
Christine Bates
KENT – Home prices in Kent remained relatively stable over the past year, with the town’s 12-month trailing median price for a single-family home reaching $577,000 for the period ending May 31, 2026.
The 12-month trailing median price of $577,000 is 25% more than the $460,000 median recorded for the period ending May 31, 2025. However, it remains 18% below the $711,000 median recorded for the comparable period ending May 31, 2024. Kent’s historic peak was reached in the 12 months ending in August 2024, when the median price climbed to $753,000.
Sales activity remained relatively steady over the past year, with 27 homes sold during the 12-month period ending May 31, 2026, compared with 25 in the previous year and 29 during the period ending May 31, 2024. The record number of sales on a 12-month trailing basis was set in June 2021, when 77 were sold.
Inventory of all listed residential properties rose slightly to 22 by mid-June with high-end properties dominating the market, with 13 homes listed for more than $1 million and only three priced below the median of $577,000.
Rentals opportunities remained available, including furnished and unfurnished homes. Four summer houses were listed.
Eight parcels of residential vacant land were also listed for sale from $175,000 to $535,000.
May Transfers in Kent
16 Birch Hill Lane – 3 bedroom/1 bath home transferred by Kaitlyn Studley and Eric Devisio to Gene Freccia on May 1, 2026 for $315,000
221 Fuller Lane – 4 bedroom/3 full bath/2 half bath contemporary home built in 2009 on 22 acres in the Macedonia neighborhood transferred by Sabin Howard and Traci Slatton to Robert Muller and Happy Rhodes on May 19 for $2,075,000.
* Town of Kent real estate transfers recorded between May 1, 2026, and May 31, 2026, provided by Kent Town Clerk. Transfers without consideration are not included. Current market listings from Smart MLS and market statistics from InfoSparks. Note that monthly recorded transfers may lag sales by a number of days and include properties not appearing on the MLS. Compiled by Christine Bates, Real Estate Salesperson with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, Licensed in CT and NY.
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