Greenway Tunnel Clogged by Bureaucracy; Police Investigating Arson; Family Resource Center Joins Community; Shining the Spotlight on Scholars

HAMDEN – A dangerous section of the Farmington Canal Greenway will be made safer once an underground walkway is built. But delays in the DOT approval process have pushed the construction start date back.

Still, the assistant town planner is optimistic that the underground walkway will be finished by October. The construction of the 14-foot by 10-foot culvert will cost about $1.3 million, almost a million of which will be paid by the federal government, with the town picking up the remaining $322,000.

Check out the story for more details on the project, including residents’ reactions in the comment section.

STRATFORD – Police are investigating the first arson of 2011.

According to the fire department, officials determined that a fire that ripped through a Light Street residence last Saturday was intentionally set. Police are questioning “people of interest,” one fire official said.

Read the story to find out how the fire marshal determined the fire was arson, and to see a photo of the house.

NORTH BRANFORD – With a single snip from a giant pair of scissors, the new Family Resource Center (FRC) became a part of the community this week.

The FRC is the new home for K-Care, which provides before- and after-kindergarten care as well as before- and after-school care.

Watch a video and check out some photographs from the ribbon-cutting by clicking here.

CHESHIRE – It was a moment to reflect on the past and simultaneously cast an eye toward the future.

The Board of Education this week honored 18 retiring teachers who combined represent 491 years of teaching experience.  And the board also praised two top students - Class of 2011 Valedictorian Audrey Dee Zhang and Salutatorian Brendan William Pier.

Read more about these students’ accomplishments in this article.