LIFE

The state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection reports that hate crimes have been steadily rising in Connecticut in recent years.

The Wethersfield High School drama program’s spring musical is “The Drowsy Chaperone,” a Canadian musical comedy featuring music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison and a book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar.

Gladys Silva-Perales of Newington is a veteran of the U.S. Army. She is passionate about shining a light on the service of the many women who she feels do not get the same credit as men for their service to this country.

Daniel Dias spent the past nine-and-a-half years as the principal of a middle school. Now he’s an administrator for an entire district. His new official job title is assistant superintendent for human capital development. The primary focus is all things involving faculty, administrators and staff

It started with the simple idea of helping residents pay for college, trade school or other post-secondary education. That’s still the mission six decades later. As today’s officers and board members reflected on 60 years of giving away money, they can see the fruits of all that labor. NSAF has granted more than 1,500 interest-free loans to more than 1,000 residents since its founding in 1966 by a partnership of the Newington Jaycees, school PTA members and civic leaders.

They identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or otherwise part of the LGBTQIA+ community. They want to be accepted by and engaged in this town like everyone else. Newington Pride was formed in September 2024. Its motto is “here from the start, here to stay.” Members represent a wide variety of careers including technical writer, health care billing and coding, educator, retired state Department of Children and Families employee, domestic violence a

The concept is that everyone should be able to participate in general society. That includes those who are on the autism spectrum. That’s why the town Human, Youth and Social Services Department, in partnership with the East Hartford-based nonprofit Shine Your Light, held an Inclusivity Event the evening of Feb. 9 at the community/senior center.

Firefighters don’t just extinguish fires. They provide emergency medical aid, rescue people from burning buildings, extricate people trapped in crashed cars and trucks, and other scenarios, and much more.