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Salisbury EXTRAS Gala celebrates longtime teacher, volunteer
Patrick L. Sullivan
May 06, 2026
Sue Bayer is honored during a May 1 EXTRAS gala.
Patrick L. Sullivan
SALISBURY — The Salisbury-based EXTRAS (Extended Time for Recreational Activities in Salisbury) program honored longtime President Sue Bayer of Lakeville at a May 1 gala fundraiser at The White Hart, recognizing her years of involvement supporting local youth programming.
“Very few people have done as much as Sue Bayer,” said EXTRAS director Alex Baker. “So to say she’s had an impact on the program is quite the understatement.”
EXTRAS, a Connecticut state-licensed nonprofit based at Salisbury Central School, provides an affordable, safe and educational environment for school-age children while encouraging positive social, emotional and physical development.
A teacher and mother of three, Bayer has been involved with EXTRAS in some capacity for more than 10 years.
Bayer spoke briefly after receiving a plaque from Baker, thanking attendees for the honor and saying, “I couldn’t have done it without all of you.”
The May 1 gala also served as a fundraiser, featuring a silent auction with art and photography from local artists, tickets to events at Lime Rock Park, Sharon Playhouse, the Salisbury Winter Sports Association’s Jumpfest, Catamount Ski Area and The Moviehouse, as well as items such as a box of locally sourced meat from Tory Hill and an inspection and oil change from Dave’s Auto.
A live auction featured a one-year golf membership at the Canaan Country Club, use of a private screening room for 20 at The Moviehouse, a weekend at the White Hart, and more.
EXTRAS began in 1988 as an after-school program and has since expanded to include school vacation programming and a summer camp.
The summer camp runs from June 29 through Aug. 7 and is open to children ages 5-12. For more information go to extrasprogram.org.
EXTRAS also works with students from The Hotchkiss School, who volunteer weekly during the school year, helping with crafts and games, and serving as positive role models.
The program is supported by community donations and grants, including the Berkshire Taconic Madeline B. Wilde Grant and funding from Northwest CT Community Foundations, including its Cycle Grant and Women and Girls Fund.
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Housatonic teacher fired following disorderly conduct arrest
Alec Linden
May 06, 2026
Housatonic Valley Regional High School
File photo
FALLS VILLAGE – A tenured teacher at the Housatonic Valley Regional High School was fired April 23 following his arrest on a disorderly conduct charge tied to an incident with a student.
At the end of a nearly six-hour meeting, much of it held in executive session, the Region One Board of Education voted unanimously to terminate the contract of John Christinat, a 65-year-old technology teacher who had been employed at the school since 2001 with no prior reported incidents.
Christinat was arrested on March 20 after turning himself in on an active arrest warrant signed March 18, stemming from a Sept. 9, 2025, incident at the high school in which a verbal altercation with a 15-year-old student turned physical.
The student is autistic, according to a statement from the teen’s father in the police report.
According to the police affidavit, Christinat told officers the student placed a cellphone within 10 inches of his face and that he tried to grab it. He said the student then pushed him to the floor.
“While on the floor, I then tried restraining [the student’s] arm and legs so that he could not continue to punch me, to effect a basket hold,” Christinat told police, adding that he had been trained in “Applied Non-Violence,” a program focused on the safe restraint of special education students, according to the police report.
Police, however, ultimately charged Christinat with disorderly conduct.
Present at the Region One meeting were board members, along with district and high school administrators, attorneys and Christinat.
Region One Superintendent of Schools Melony Brady-Shanley stated that the high school is actively seeking to hire a new technology educator.
Christinat did not respond to a request for comment.
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Traffic light replacement in Kent draws criticism
Alec Linden
May 06, 2026
A beam-mounted light structure in New Milford serves as a model for the replacement planned in Kent. Kent’s beams will be painted black.
Alec Linden
KENT – The state Department of Transportation is scheduled to replace a traffic light fixture at the Kent four corners intersection, and some residents have raised concerns about the change.
First Selectman Eric Epstein notified residents of the change through an email sent Monday, April 27, outlining the DOT’s plans to replace the current wire-hung system at the intersection of Route 7 and Route 341 with metal beam-mounted fixtures. He also requested public comments to share with the agency.
By Friday, Epstein said he had forwarded five responses to DOT representatives. The unifying theme, he said, was concerns over aesthetics.
“Overwhelmingly, it was the look of these giant structures in our scenic downtown,” Epstein said.
The plans call for two black-painted mast arms, measuring 40 and 60 feet, on the northeast and northwest corners of the intersection. The lights themselves will have reflective backplates with yellow borders and will feature cameras to adjust signal and timing, along with “no turn on red” signs when the crosswalks are activated.
The DOT did not cite a single reason for the change when it was announced last year, but indicated the project followed an assessment that considered the signal’s age, maintenance needs, local input and safety concerns.
Epstein said much of the feedback focused on how the new setup could impact the visual character of the intersection, which is centered around the historic Soldiers’ Monument.
“That is a much-photographed area, and I fear the masts are going to be an eyesore forever going forward,” one resident wrote.
“The current light is relatively low key and better fitting for this small New England town and it functions well for public safety,” another resident said.
One respondent, who identified as a retired Connecticut State Police sergeant, said the change could also present an opportunity to improve traffic flow and prevent accidents.
The project was presented publicly during a meeting announcing a regional infrastructure upgrade initiative by the DOT in August 2025, and was attended by several Kent officials and members of the public. Epstein said that while the comment period has passed, he has requested that the state consider the input of Kent residents submitted last week.
Construction is not anticipated to begin until next year, and the project is entirely state funded.
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Town Grove stickers go on sale Memorial Day Weekend
Patrick L. Sullivan
May 06, 2026
Lake Wononscopomuc
File photo
LAKEVILLE – Stickers for the Town Grove’s 2026 season will go on sale Memorial Day weekend at the Town Grove Boathouse and will be available for purchase seven days a week.
Proof of residency is required. Registration forms must be completed, and Grove staff will affix all stickers to vehicles.
This year’s fees cost residents $85 for the first sticker and $55 for additional stickers. Senior citizen (65+) stickers cost $55.00, and non-resident season stickers cost $420.
Daily admission is $15 per person, with children under one year admitted for free. Additional fees apply for boat mooring, dock space and rentals.
The boat launch remains closed to outside boats to prevent the spread of hydrilla. The town has added additional boats with trolling motors for rent.
For a complete list of fees, services, and rules visit salisburyct.us/town-grove/.
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Falls Village median home prices dip amid low sales
Christine Bates
May 06, 2026
The renovated home at 62 Railroad Street sold for $600,000 in February.
Christine Bates
FALLS VILLAGE –The 12-month trailing median price for a single-family home in Falls Village was $625,000 for the period ending March 31, 2026, down 4% from the $650,000 median recorded for the 12 months ending March 31, 2025, and a 12% decrease from $710,500 for the comparable period ending March 31, 2024.
The median price for the period ending March 31 was significantly lower than the historic 12 month high reached in February 2023 of $794,500.
Single-family homes in Falls Village on a 12-month rolling basis remained below the historic range of 10 to 15 homes sold annually. Eight single-family homes were sold in the 12 months ending March 31, 2026, compared with 15 in the period ending March 31, 2025, and 13 sales for the 12 months ending March 31, 2024.
Inventory also remained limited as of April 30. Six single homes were listed for sale in Canaan/Falls Village, with only two priced below the current median of $625,000 and three above $1 million. Five parcels of vacant land were also on the market. Rentals are also limited with two homes listed for rent and only one of those on a yearly basis.
Transfers November 2025 through March 2026
91 Main Street – 4 bedroom/2 bath home built in 1840 on .37 acres sold by Sally Wilburn to Juliet and John Hubbard for $665,000 transferred on November 24, 2025
Undermountain Road – 37.2 acres of landsold by Carol Flaton to Ellery Sinclair for $200,000 transferred on December 11, 2025
36 Kellogg Road – 4 bedroom/2 bath ranch on 1.85acres sold by 36 Kellogg House LLC to William David Hopkins IV and Claudia Jean Bliss for $599,000 transferred on December 30, 2025
62 Railroad Street – 3 bedroom/2.5 bath home on .28 acres sold by LBC Capital LLC to Mary Allison Anne Letourneau and Kimberly Elizabeth Cooper for $600,000 transferred on February 5, 2026
88 Railroad Street- 4 bedroom/ 1.5 bath single family home on 3.49 acres sold by Joey Leggett to Katherine Summers Berzine for $778,000 transferred on February 18, 2026
72 Johnson Road – 3 bedroom/ 1.5 bath raised ranch on .83 acres sold by Charles and Carrie Ann Olsen to Michael and Chelsea Hill for $340,000 transferred on March 02, 2026
63 Page Road – 3 bedroom/1.5 bath ranch on .77 acres sold by Elizabeth Worrall to Jeanne Xanthos for $183,345 transferred on March 9, 2026
166 Undermountain Road – 6.1 acres of land sold by Christopher Lancto and Kathleen Devaney to Vance and Carolyn Cannon for $310,000 transferred on March 30, 2026
* Town of Canaan/Falls Village real estate transfers recorded as sold between November 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026, provided by Cott Systems Record Hub. Property details from town assessor tax cards. Transfers without consideration are not included. Current market listings from Smart MLS and market statistics from Infosparks. Note that recorded transfers frequently lag sales by a number of days and also include private off market sales. Compiled by Christine Bates, Real Estate Salesperson with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, Licensed in CT and NY.
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Police Blotter: Troop B
Lakeville Journal
May 06, 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.
Motorcycle accident
On the afternoon of April 24, Robert Pitocco, 78, of Windsor, Connecticut was traveling south on Salmon Kill Road in Salisbury when he ran off the road, striking the post of a barbed wire fence. He was transported to Hartford Hospital with suspected injuries and his vehicle, a BMW R 1250 RT motorcycle, was towed from the scene. Pitocco was issued a written warning for failure to maintain lane.
Route 44 fender bender
On the morning of April 25, Harold White Jr., 68, of Colebrook was approaching the construction diversion traffic light on Route 44 in Norfolk in a Ford F350. While attempting to stop, he rear-ended the vehicle in from of him, a Ford Mustang driven by Thomas Ohea, 21, of Schenectady, New York. There were no injuries reported in the incident and both vehicles were able to be driven from the scene. White was issued a written warning for following too close.
North Canaan man arrested on 10 charges
On April 26, Troop B was notified that Javier Otero, 29, of North Canaan was in the custody of the Walcott Police Department. Otero had two separate warrants out for his arrest, one from an incident on April 21 and another on March 9. He was processed at Troop B for ten charges: third degree assault on a pregnant person; first degree criminal trespass; second degree criminal mischief; interfering with an officer; criminal violation of a protective order; criminal violation of a protective order with threats; operating a motor vehicle without a license; engaging police in pursuit; second degree harassment; and an additional charge for violation of a protective order. Otero was unable to post the total bonds, which amounted to $175,000, and was transported to Whalley Correctional Facility in New Haven. He was scheduled to appear at Torrington Superior Court on April 27.
Trespass arrest at post office
On the morning of April 29, police responded to the Sharon Post Office on the report of an active disturbance. After investigating, troopers arrested William Cowie, 81, of Sharon for third degree criminal trespass. Cowie was processed at Troop B and subsequently released on a $500 non-surety bond. He is scheduled to appear at Torrington Superior Court on May 13.
Asleep at the wheel accident
On the morning of April 29, John Schneider, 64, of South Windsor, Connecticut fell asleep at the wheel while driving west on Route 4 in Sharon, veering off the road and striking a mailbox. He continued driving to work and called Troop B to announce the incident. Schneider was issued a written warning for failure to maintain proper lane.
North Canaan larceny arrest
On March 24, troopers responded to a North Elm Street address in North Canaan on the report of an unwanted party. After investigating, troopers arrested Ronald Andrews, 50, of Ashley Falls, Massachusettsfor larceny with two stated victims: Stateline Pizza and Canaan Liquors. Andreas was released on a $2,500 non-surety bond and was scheduled to appear at Torrington Superior Court on May 7.
Asleep at the wheel accident
Around noon on May 1, Seth Shirkey, 29, of Stanfordville, New York fell asleep at the wheel while driving on Route 44 in Salisbury near the intersection with Dunham Drive. The vehicle, a company Toyota Sequoia, veered off the roadway and struck a mailbox, a stone wall and a utility pole. The vehicle was disabled in the accident and had to be towed from the scene, but Shirkey was uninjured. He was issued a written warning for failure to maintain lane.
Possible motorcycle accident under investigation
On May 2 at approximately 9 p.m., troopers responded to a report of a possible motorcycle accident at the intersection of Route 7 and Ashley Falls Road in North Canaan. Troopers ascertained that the vehicle had lost control while approaching the intersection from Ashley Falls Road and eventually came to a rest on the grass median between the two roads. There were no reported injuries, and the driver left the scene. The accident remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact Trooper O’Neil #907 at the North Canaan Barracks 860-626-1820.
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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