Glastonbury High School graduate Fiona DeFranco celebrates with principal Dr. Nancy Bean, as DeFranco's friends pop confetti into the air after she received her diploma Wednesday, June 10, 2020, in Glastonbury. Wednesday was Glastonbury High School's fifth and final day of delivering diplomas to graduates. Each student got to wear their cap and gown while GHS's principal, Dr. Nancy Bean jumped out of a decked out Jeep, grabbed the diploma from the decorated bus and presented the student with his or her diploma in front of friends and family in their front yards.
Brad Horrigan / Hartford Courant
West Hartford, CT - 6/17/20 - Edge Fitness personal trainer Claire Petry disinfects plates in the free weight area of the gym chain's West Hartford location Wednesday. Gyms reopened in Connecticut Wednesday. Photo by Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
Brad Horrigan/The Hartford Courant
Fairfield, CT - 9/11/20 - Fairfield Fire Department, Deputy Chief Kyran Dunn. Photo by Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
Brad Horrigan / Hartford Courant
West Hartford, CT - 6/2/20 - Protesters attend a rally against police brutality in front of West Hartford Town Hall Tuesday evening. Photo by Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
Mark Mirko/Hartford Courant
Farmington, Ct. - 06/08/2020 - Dozens of people hang Black Lives Matters signs are on the "Big Bird Bridge" as Farmington resident Catherine Noujaim stands on the side of Route 4 in their support. Twice, Black Lives Matter banners have been taken down from the bridge which is often used as a community messages bulletin board. Today, in response, dozens of people organized to hang dozens of banners and signs. Organizer and Farmington resident Alyssa Jackman said she is prepared to come back as many times as necessary if replacement banners are taken down. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Mark Mirko / Hartford Courant
Hartford, Ct. - 09/24/2020 - "He was a brother to me," said E.J. Crawford (second from left) today as he gathered with friends at the Jaqhawn Walters Memorial on Main Street where Crawford signed papers to play professional basketball for Puerto Rico. "I live right up the street," said Crawford about hearing the gunshots Saturday that took his friend's life, "I was the first one here and when they told me it was him, it broke my heart." Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Mark Mirko / Hartford Courant
Manchester, Ct. - 10/16/2019 - Runners in the CCC cross country championship race past fall foliage in Wickham Park. Kate Hedlund of Manchester High School won the girls' race with a time of 18:59.2. Gavin Sherry of Conard won the boys' race with a time of 15:43. Photograph by Mark Mirko |mmirko@courant.com
Brad Horrigan / Hartford Courant
Hartford, CT - 4/20/20 - Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, protesters rally outside of the Connecticut State Capitol for the right to return to work. Photo by Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
Mark Mirko / Hartford Courant
Hartford, Ct. - 09/10/2020 - Hartford resident Patricia Williams accepts a box of fresh fruit and vegetables from Howard Hill during a food distribution organized by The Prosperity Foundation and Hartford Renaissance District. Some 1400 boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables were distributed in less than five hours through a drive-through distribution on Barbour Street and with delivery from the back of Hill's truck. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Kassi Jackson/The Hartford Courant
A tree is tangled in power lines, making Laydon Avenue impassable, as clean up efforts are in effect Ñ following Thursday's storm Ñ Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, in North Haven.
Brad Horrigan/The Hartford Courant
Stamford, CT - 11/17/20 - Raven Matherne, a member of the Stamford board of Representatives, became the first transgender person elected to public office in Connecticut in 2017. Photo by Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
Mark Mirko / Hartford Courant
Windsor, Ct. - 11/12/2020 - Levey Kardulis organized and helped produce an "End Racism Now" mural on Broad Street in Windsor. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Brad Horrigan / Hartford Courant
Hartford, CT - 9/8/20 - Dr. James H Naylor/CCSU Leadership Academy Principal Monica Quinones, right, explains to Thway Lay and his son, kindergartener Francis Lay that school would not be opening Tuesday because of a ransomeware attack on the city of Hartford's computer networks. Photo Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
Mark Mirko / Hartford Courant
West Cornwall, Ct. - 10/05/2020 - Fall colors begin to appear near the covered bridge over the Housatonic River in West Cornwall. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Kassi Jackson/The Hartford Courant
University of Connecticut 2020 graduates Addie Lotito (center left) and Julianna Teitler, who are friends and current roommates, take photos together, while practicing social distance from their parents, at the University of Connecticut main campus Saturday, May 9, 2020, in Storrs.
Kassi Jackson / Hartford Courant
Raegan Pelton is celebrated by the "Project Graduation" moms after she received her diploma during a drive-thru graduation ceremony at Newington High School Wednesday, June 17, 2020, in Newington. NHS spread their graduation ceremony across a three-day span, allowing graduates to hear their name, walk across the stage to receive their diploma and also allow time for families to take photos outside of the school.
Kassi Jackson/The Hartford Courant
Members of The 70s Project ÑÊUnplugged play covers of 70s-era songs as part of the Powder Ridge Festival at Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, in Middlefield. The festival put on a tribute 50 years later to the 1970 festival that organically came together and is often compared to Woodstock.
Kassi Jackson/The Hartford Courant
Volunteer Nancy Bowden gives a community member a bag of groceries during a Foodshare food distribution at the Church of the Good Shepherd Thursday, July 30, 2020, in Hartford.
Mark Mirko / Hartford Courant
Willimantic, Ct. - 09/22/2020 - Landscaper Yves Kraus shovels topsoil on a strip of land along High Street in Willimantic. The 500' x 20' island is the last of three areas in Willimantic being populated with shrubs and trees to commemorating the town's 325th anniversary. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Mark Mirko/Hartford Courant
Glastonbury, Ct. - 08/31/2020 - Wearing their required masks and sitting socially-distanced, students arrive on campus by bus for the first day of classes at Glastonbury High School. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Mark Mirko / Hartford Courant
Fairfield, Ct. - 07/27/2020 - Bridgeport resident, Army veteran and business owner Byron Bigelow demonstrates outside the Fairfield Police Department during a press conference that ended early as it was drowned out by shouts from Black Lives Matter demonstrators. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Mark Mirko / Hartford Courant
Kassi Jackson/The Hartford Courant
Amber Smith, one of the 2020 Spring UConn graduates, wears her graduation dress and sits for a portrait at her home Friday, May 8, 2020, in Hartford. Smith, the first in her family to go to college, is very proud to be graduating with her Bachelor's and Master's in Political Science, completing both degrees in four years despite numerous challenges. She's hoping to accept a Teacher for American position in Hartford this fall to give back to the community that raised her.
Kassi Jackson/The Hartford Courant
Cornell Lewis reads a note that Michael Fannon gave to police to pass along to Lewis and the protesters as they protest outside of Michael Fannon's home Saturday, June 13, 2020, in Bloomfield. Fannon, a white man in his 50s, is accused of racially harassing and threatening Chazre Douglas, a black man in his 20s, with a gun last week. The rally, hosted by Cornell Lewis ÑÊa well-known community activist, was in response to both Fannon's harassment of Douglas and the charges by police that were brought against Fannon, saying the charges were not just.
Brad Horrigan/The Hartford Courant
Hartford, CT - 6/29/20 - A crew removed a statue of Christopher Columbus from Columbus Green in Hartford early Monday morning. Photo by Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
Kassi Jackson/The Hartford Courant
Signs and tents are seen from the road as they line the perimeter of Latham Park Tuesday, July 14, 2020, in Stamford. The abolition camp was established on Saturday, after a protest over the death of Steven Barrier, a 23-year-old Stamford man who died in police custody October 23, 2019, and the group of young activists are calling on Stamford officials to meet their four demands: 1) Defund the Stamford Police Department and invest into the communities, 2) police policy change, 3) make internal police investigations public and 4) mental health care reform.
Mark Mirko / Hartford Courant
Windsor Locks, Ct. - 09/03/2020 - Sisters Jane Anderson Holmes (L),and Kimberly Henn hold each other after the two meet for the first time after a DNA search revealed their relationship. Jane was given up for adoption after she was born in Florida to their mother, Nancy Cutler, who was 17 at the time. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Brad Horrigan / Hartford Courant
East Hartford, CT - 3/26/20 - A man walks along a ridge at Great River Park in East Hartford Thursday. Photo by Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
Mark Mirko / Hartford Courant
West Hartford, Ct. - 05/08/2020 - (Left to right) Jane Murphy and Tim Curtin visit the Westmoor Park site where an outdoor classroom is being built in honor of their daughter, Brigid Curtin, who was murdered by her twin brother a year and a half ago. 800 People donated $320,000 for the project being built. Curtin held Westmoor Park as one of her favorite places with plans to become a counselor and instructor at the park. "Memories fade and the structure will be here forever. This is not going to be some monument or memorial to Brigid, she would be appalled," said her father, Tim Curtin, "She liked the experience here, so if we can provide the experience of the totality of the park, not just the structure, that's how we're thinking of making something lasting for her." The project is expected to be complete in July. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Brad Horrigan/The Hartford Courant
West Hartford, CT - 5/20/20 - Patrons dine at Zohara Mediterranean Kitchen Wednesday evening on the first day of Connecticut's phase one business reopening. Photo by Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
Brad Horrigan/The Hartford Courant
Hartford, CT - 8/13/20 - Juliet Manthorne, 9, center, jumps Double Dutch as Peyton Senior, 10, left, and coach Rodney Hogan twirl the rope at a recruitment practice for JADHA Foundation's Double Dutch organization at Mortensen Riverfront Plaza Friday evening. Photo Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
Brad Horrigan/The Hartford Courant
Naugatuck, CT - 1/27/21 - Naugatuck High School students Nyjahn Wade, 17, left, and Giovanny Santos, 16, lead other students and members of the community in a march to the Naugatuck Green in protest of racist social media posts by a student at the school. Photo by Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
Brad Horrigan/The Hartford Courant
Hartford, CT - 10/9/20 - Longtime amateur mycologist Connie Borodenko finishes her coffee on her front porch. Photo by Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
Mark Mirko / Hartford Courant
Storrs, Ct. - 04/29/2020 - Grass is cut at UConn's Horsebarn Hill in recognition of the class of 2020. Today the university announced plans to hold an online "virtual ceremony" with basketball coach Geno Auriemma delivering the commencement address. "If you happen to be near your computer on May 9, please feel free to join us," said UConn President Thomas Katsouleas. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Mark Mirko / Hartford Courant
Hartford, Ct. - 06/03/2020 - An empty casket to honor George Floyd rests in front of the state capitol after being delivered by more than 300 cars processing from Hopewell Baptist Church. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Kassi Jackson / Hartford Courant
Mayor Suzette DeBeatham-Brown, of Bloomfield, places a box of food into the trunk of a car during the first of four food distribution events at Rehoboth Church of God Friday, Oct. 9, 2020, in Bloomfield. Through the USAD Farmers to Families Free Food Box Program, this and the other three distributions were organized by Bloomfield Mayor Suzette DeBeatham-Brown, West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor and Windsor Mayor Donald Trinks.
Kassi Jackson / Hartford Courant
Hiram Otero, Jr. holds photos of his dad, Hiram Otero, Sr., who died due to contracting the coronavirus, before speaking with Mayor Luke Bronin and another fellow Hartford resident, Chinequia Bailey, who lost her mother Hazel to the coronavirus as well, as the three urged folks to stay home and stay safe this holiday season during a press conference outside of Hartford City Hall Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, in downtown Hartford. Hiram Otero, Sr. was 69.
Kassi Jackson/The Hartford Courant
Kwadwo Adae paints as community members come together to paint New Haven's first "Black Lives Matter" mural on Bassett Street Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in New Haven's Newhallville neighborhood. The collaborative mural, brought to life by local visual artist and muralist Kwadwo Adae and the City of New Haven, was in graffiti style because of Newhallville's history of graffiti and hip hop. "I am so profoundly grateful and overjoyed that a community would trust me to take on a project like that in this way," Adae said. "ItÕs New HavenÕs first 'Black Lives Matter' mural, and IÕm really glad that my collaborative mural experience was something that they wanted to do, wanted to utilize."
Mark Mirko / Hartford Courant
Hartford, Ct. - 11/17/2020 - Corey Payne's latest mural is at at the Hartford Young Dreamers basketball court. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Mark Mirko/Hartford Courant
East Hartford, Ct. - 04/20/2020 - An estimated 1000-plus cars lined up at Renstschler Field where Foodshare was distributing 35,000 pounds of food today. Foodshare president and CEO Jason Jakubowski said the location will be open 8:30am to noon through Friday. "I think there are people waiting in line 60 to 90 minutes," said Jakubowski, "Obviously, the need is great. You wouldn't do that unless you had to." Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Brad Horrigan / Hartford Courant
Hartford, CT - 6/3/20 - Visual artist Kim Hinds Jr. aka Tree Sage paints a mural called "Born a Target" at Heaven Skate Park. Photo by Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
Kassi Jackson/The Hartford Courant
Marvyann Duncan talks about the racial harassment she and her 8-year-old son received while looking at bicycles the morning of June 4, as she is supported by local leadership and community members outside of the Bloomfield Police Department Tuesday, June 9, 2020, in Bloomfield. Bloomfield Mayor Suzette DeBeatham-Brown and Bloomfield Police Chief Paul B. Hammick held a press conference with other local leadership, as well as the families affected, to discuss two separate race-based incidents that have taken place since June 4.
Kassi Jackson/The Hartford Courant
The parents and siblings of Drew Funk from left, Joey Dietz, 8, Kristian Funk, Carolyn Funk, Kristen Dietz, Craig Dietz, and Gianna Dietz, 18, hold Drew's portrait as they sit together outside of Gaylord Hospital Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, in Wallingford. Drew Funk, 25, of New Haven died of a fentanyl overdose on March 17, when he relapsed after being laid off due to the pandemic on March 16.
Kassi Jackson / Hartford Courant
Lilly Gallinoto, a Conard High School junior, wears her prom dress for a photo as she sits in her family's front bay window at her home Wednesday, April 15, 2020, in West Hartford.
Brad Horrigan / Hartford Courant
Westport, CT - 9/10/20 - Fred Harschak, a retired firefighter with 35 years duty on the Bridgeport Fire Department, holds the Flag of Honor at Connecticut's 19th annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at Sherwood Island State Park Thursday evening. The Flag of Honor's stripes are comprised of all the names of fallen Americans in the attacks on 9/11/01. Photo by Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
Kassi Jackson/The Hartford Courant
Humane Society foster placements Charlie, a 1-year-old, 20-pound Flemish giant rabbit, is petted by Autumn Davis, 10, while Alex Davis, 11, holds 6-year-old Cheddar the cat, as the two animals came into the Davis home in response to COVID-19.
Brad Horrigan / Hartford Courant
Hartford, CT - 8/19/20 - Claire Hamel, a teacher in East Hartford, and other Connecticut educators and families rally for a "safe, sensible and fully-funded return to school" at the State Capitol Wednesday. Photo Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
Kassi Jackson/The Hartford Courant
CIAC executive director Glenn Lungarini speaks to student athletes outside of the CIAC headquarters Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, in Cheshire.
Mark Mirko / Hartford Courant
Hartford, Ct. - 06/10/2020 - Outside City Hall, Hartford resident Suzanne Johnson participates in an 8-minute 46-second silent vigil, for the time George Floyd's neck was under the knee of Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin. Demonstrators are gathering throughout the day at City Hall holding a rally in support of defunding Hartford police while the city council votes on the budget. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Mark Mirko / Hartford Courant
Hartford, Ct. - 09/02/2020 - Protestors gather at the gate of the governor's mansion after Governor Lamont announced today that Connecticut will remain in a state of emergency due to the coronavirus crisis. Several hundred people lined the road outside the mansion while dozens rushed the gate after the governor was seen watching from a window of the mansion. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
After multiple rounds of deliberation between the Connecticut House and Senate, the Senate gave final legislative approval to a bill that allows for the cultivation and sale of marijuana in Connecticut. The legislation would allow adults 21 or older to purchase and possess up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana (or up to five ounces at home or in a vehicle’s glove box or trunk) starting on July 1. Retail sales of recreational cannabis in Connecticut would not start until May 2022, at the earliest.
The latest installment of “The Conjuring” movies – a series of supernatural horror films depicting alleged real-life cases – centers around a Connecticut killing that took place in 1981. In the Brookfield case, 19-year-old Arne Cheyenne Johnson claimed he was innocent of murder because he was possessed by demons at the time he stabbed his victim. “The Conjuring 3: The Devil Made Me Do It” premieres in theaters and on @hbomax on June 4.
Daymon “Daym Drops” Patterson is best known for his viral restaurant-reviewing YouTube videos. Starting June 9, the Connecticut native will star in a new Netflix series called “Fresh, Fried & Crispy,” tasting fried foods at various restaurants throughout the country.
“George Floyd was representative of many people that we’ve never heard about. So whether it’s Shamar Ogman from Hartford, Jayson Negron or others, there are many others who did not receive national attention, there are many others who were not splashed all over national media,” CRO of Black Lives Matter 860 Ivelisse Correa said.
If you’re vaccinated, some spaces will allow you to go maskless starting May 19. If you’re not vaccinated, you still need to wear your mask in most indoor places. For some high-risk places like nursing homoes and schools, the state has said masks will continue to be required, no exceptions.
This guidance comes from the CDC and FDA after reports of potentially severe blood clots in 6 women in the U.S. between the ages of 18 and 48 within about two weeks of vaccination.
The Connecticut Sun unveiled new Nike jerseys for the 2021 season: the “Heroine Edition” (a white home jersey), the “Explorer Edition” (an orange away jersey), and the “Rebel Edition” (an alternate jersey that references social justice advocate and Mohegan medicine woman Gladys Tantaquidgeon). Each uniform carries Mohegan symbolism representing aspects and teachings of the culture, like the Grandfather Turtle creation story and references to life, new beginnings, and nature.
Starting April 1, all Connecticut residents ages 16+ are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. For the latest information and FAQs, visit courant.com/vaccineguide.
Shamiesha Inabinett stands in her kitchen with her cabinets wide open and empty Ñ since she can’t use them due to a roach infestation Ñ at her apartment Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, in Hartford. Inabinett lives with her 18-month-old son, Shamaree, Inabinett’s sister and her sister’s four children ,has made complaints to the city and the landlord and her complaints, problems and concerns have not been fully addressed.
To mark one year of coronavirus in Connecticut, we spoke to residents whose lives have been forever changed by COVID-19 — teachers, artists, working parents, restaurant owners, and survivors. These are their stories in their own words.
The first case is confirmed in Connecticut — a New York resident who worked at a Danbury hospital. At the time, the total number of cases worldwide was 100,000. A year later, there are roughly 115 million cases globally. (Source: The New York Times)
NOTE: Ahmaud Arbery’s mother has since spoken out against the 2:23 Foundation, as reported on Feb. 25 by CNN days after this local run. According to CNN, Wanda Cooper-Jones originally agreed to the social media page as a memorial, but now sees it as “more like a business opportunity for its staff rather than getting justice for my son.” Thanks to all who alerted us to this in the comments. Click here for more info.
West Hartford, Ct. – 02/23/2021 – “I don’t know how you could not hear his story and not be angry, and when I’m angry I go for a run” said Erin Vogel, 36, of West Hartford after completing a run in Ahmaud Arbery’s honor one year after he was shot and killed after being chased by two armed men in a Georgia neighborhood. The 25-year-old was out jogging and unarmed. In his honor, 15-20 runners started from Fleet Feet in West Hartford for a 2.23-mile “Finish the Run” event in his memory and to encourage the community to speak out against targeted violence against Black and Brown communities. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
The only exception will be made for teachers and other school employees, who – along with residents 55 and older – will be eligible to receive the vaccine starting March 1.
Other age groups will be eligible for the vaccine on the following dates:
March 22: Residents ages 45 to 54
April 12: Residents ages 35 to 44
May 3: Residents ages 16 to 34
The one-sentence Proposed House Bill 5656 would amend chapter 33 of the Connecticut general statues to “recognize the contribution of pizza to the state’s cuisine and economy.”
Connecticut’s first snowstorm of the year set to drop 16 inches Monday into Tuesday
Rockville, Ct. – 02/01/2021 – Town worker Kevin Teets shovels snow from the steps of the George Maxwell Memorial Library. Snow accumulations of 7-15 inches and wind gusts of 45mph are forecasted for the area through Tuesday morning. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Naugatuck, CT – 1/27/21 – Naugatuck High School students Nyjahn Wade, 17, left, and Giovanny Santos, 16, lead other students and members of the community in a march to the Naugatuck Green in protest of racist social media posts by a student at the school. Photo by Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
President Joseph R. Biden calls for healing, while Vice President Kamala Harris makes history as the first Black woman and first Asian American woman named to a major party presidential ticket.
Manchester, Ct. – 01/18/2021 – Nearing completion of his Martin Luther King Jr. mural, artist Ben Keller comes down for a break after working four days to finish the effort on MLK Day. Matt Conway of RiseUP spearheaded the project and after soliciting about half dozen towns was provided with space by the Town of Manchester on the side of Mahoney Recreation Center. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Starting today, the Hartford Courant will begin scaling back its use of mug shots on crime stories both on our website and in the newspaper. The change comes after a recommendation by an internal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee that was established to review newsroom policies and practices.
Martha Klein, of Norfolk and a volunteer with the Sierra Club, holds up a sign as protesters participate in an organized die-in, a symbolic action where the protesters lie down and dieÓ for a set amount of time, in protest of the proposed Killingly Power Plant, at the Connecticut State Capitol Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, in Hartford.
Hartford, Ct. – 12/28/2020 – The historic, 1930 footbridge that once connected the G. Fox & Co department store, to the south, with its warehouse, to the north. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
After tracking 84 coronavirus clusters, Connecticut officials find restaurants and workplaces are still the most common infection spots, coming in first and second, respectively. The third most common infection place is homes, fourth is child care facilities, fifth is places of worship. (Source: Connecticut Department of Public Health)
Hartford, Ct. – 12/14/2020 – Dr. Corina Marcu of Hartford Hospital receives one of Connecticut’s first COVID-19 vaccinations. 15 doses were administered to healthcare providers and environmental services workers after the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine arrived at Hartford Hospital Monday morning. Hartford Healthcare officials called it “The dawn of a new day.” Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com`
The Christmas shop space recently opened by Jennifer Villa, owner of the Farmington Farm Truck, a mobile farm stand, has recently purchased the land of Hein Farm, calling her space The Farmington Farm Truck at Hein Farm Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020, in Farmington.
A photo installation honoring essential workers by local photographer Joe Gaylor is unveiled at the corner of Ann Uccello and Main streets Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, in Hartford. The installation was commissioned by the City of Hartford. The 35 portraits celebrate each individual, as well as each profession they represent, as an essential worker during the coronavirus pandemic.
Connecticut officials noted the vaccination plan is contingent on a number of factors, including the manufacturing pipeline of the vaccine itself and the willingness of residents to receive the vaccine.
Madison, Ct. – 12/01/2020 – On Giving Tuesday, ultra marathoner Shan Riggs heads for the waters of Hammonasset Beach as he completes a 3,250-mile run from San Francisco. Riggs began his run September 1 in San Francisco after COVID cutbacks cost him his job as an events coordinator with the Hartford Marathon Foundation. The cross-country trip raised $40,000 for Foodshare, for whom Riggs volunteered his time at their Rentschler Field distributions. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Windsor, Ct. – 11/12/2020 – Levey Kardulis organized and helped produce an “End Racism Now” mural on Broad Street in Windsor. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Hartford, Ct. – 11/17/2020 – Corey Payne’s latest mural is at at the Hartford Young Dreamers basketball court. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Stamford, CT – 11/17/20 – Raven Matherne, a member of the Stamford board of Representatives, became the first transgender person elected to public office in Connecticut in 2017. Photo by Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
Hiram Otero, Jr. holds photos of his dad, Hiram Otero, Sr., who died due to contracting the coronavirus, before speaking with Mayor Luke Bronin and another fellow Hartford resident, Chinequia Bailey, who lost her mother Hazel to the coronavirus as well, as the three urged folks to stay home and stay safe this holiday season during a press conference outside of Hartford City Hall Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, in downtown Hartford. Hiram Otero, Sr. was 69.
Carlos Mouta stands on the balcony of the building next to Parkville Market as an expansion phase is beginning with visions of games, a brewery, an event space and more next to the existing Parkville Market building Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020, in Hartford.
With more than half of Connecticut towns now under a COVID-19 “red-alert” advisory, Gov. Ned Lamont announced new restrictions, rolling the state back to a newly modified Phase 2.1.
The new rules are:
– All indoor and outdoor private gatherings must be capped at 10 people
– Restaurants must scale back their maximum indoor capacity to 50%
– Restaurants and entertainment venues must close at 10 p.m., takeout can still be available
– Event venues will be limited to 25 people indoor and 50 outdoor
– Religious gatherings will be capped at a maximum of 50% capacity or 100 people
The state Department of Public Health also recommends all residents limit travel outside the home between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. This is not a mandate, but a request.
– The polls close at 8 p.m. (If you are in line to vote before 8 p.m., you have the right to vote.)
– To find out your polling place, go to myvote.ct.gov/lookup.
– To register to vote, you must do so in person at a designated same-day registration location, often different than where you’d go to cast your vote. Go to myvote.ct.gov/EDR to find out where to register in your town.
– To report issues at the polls, contact the Election Day hotline at 1-866-733-2463 or elections@ct.gov.
Hartford, CT – 10/9/20 – Longtime amateur mycologist Connie Borodenko finishes her coffee on her front porch. Photo by Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
Mayor Suzette DeBeatham-Brown, of Bloomfield, places a box of food into the trunk of a car during the first of four food distribution events at Rehoboth Church of God Friday, Oct. 9, 2020, in Bloomfield. Through the USAD Farmers to Families Free Food Box Program, this and the other three distributions were organized by Bloomfield Mayor Suzette DeBeatham-Brown, West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor and Windsor Mayor Donald Trinks.
West Cornwall, Ct. – 10/05/2020 – Fall colors begin to appear near the covered bridge over the Housatonic River in West Cornwall. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Amanda Winters, assistant manager for Bear’s BBQ in Windsor, double-checks the number of carabiners linked as community members came together on World Mental Health Day to break the Guinness World Record for most carabiners linked at Dunkin Donuts Park Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, in Hartford. The Guinness World Record isn’t what the day was about, though, as the chain is a visual representation of breaking down the stigma of mental health and suicide awareness and prevention through talking about mental health and showing we are stronger together. The record was broken with the completion of a carabiner chain of 13,808.
Connecticut’s Reopening Phase 3 includes:
– 75% indoor capacity for restaurants, hair salons, barber shops, and libraries
– 50% indoor capacity for places of worship, capped at 200 people
– 50% indoor capacity for performing arts venues
– 50% capacity for outdoor event venues, like racetracks and amphitheaters
Judah James, 8, casts his fishing line as the My Reflection Matters Village meets for a day of fishing and hiking at Southford Falls State Park Wednesday, Sept. 30. 2020, in Southbury. My Reflection Matters Village is a co-op of Connecticut parents of children of color who are home-schooling their children, using materials and processes that are more affirming to their children.
How to vote by absentee ballot and more election coverage
Karen Opper, owner of That Book Store LLC, stands for a portrait outside of her store Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, in Wethersfield. Opper is being forced to close her doors, due to the coronavirus pandemic’s effect on businesses.
Michael Oretade (front), president of Black Lives Matter 860, leads as protesters take to the streets of downtown Hartford during a “Black Lives Matter” and “Justice for Breonna Taylor” rally Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, in Hartford. The protest was organized by Black Lives Matter 860.
Kwadwo Adae paints as community members come together to paint New Haven’s first “Black Lives Matter” mural on Bassett Street Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in New Haven’s Newhallville neighborhood. The collaborative mural, brought to life by local visual artist and muralist Kwadwo Adae and the City of New Haven, was in graffiti style because of Newhallville’s history of graffiti and hip hop. “I am so profoundly grateful and overjoyed that a community would trust me to take on a project like that in this way,” Adae said. “It s New Haven s first ‘Black Lives Matter’ mural, and I m really glad that my collaborative mural experience was something that they wanted to do, wanted to utilize.”
Hartford, Ct. – 09/24/2020 – “He was a brother to me,” said E.J. Crawford (second from left) today as he gathered with friends at the Jaqhawn Walters Memorial on Main Street where Crawford signed papers to play professional basketball for Puerto Rico. “I live right up the street,” said Crawford about hearing the gunshots Saturday that took his friend’s life, “I was the first one here and when they told me it was him, it broke my heart.” Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Willimantic, Ct. – 09/22/2020 – Landscaper Yves Kraus shovels topsoil on a strip of land along High Street in Willimantic. The 500′ x 20′ island is the last of three areas in Willimantic being populated with shrubs and trees to commemorating the town’s 325th anniversary. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Hartford, Ct. – 09/10/2020 – Hartford resident Patricia Williams accepts a box of fresh fruit and vegetables from Howard Hill during a food distribution organized by The Prosperity Foundation and Hartford Renaissance District. Some 1400 boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables were distributed in less than five hours through a drive-through distribution on Barbour Street and with delivery from the back of Hill’s truck. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Westport, CT – 9/10/20 – Fred Harschak, a retired firefighter with 35 years duty on the Bridgeport Fire Department, holds the Flag of Honor at Connecticut’s 19th annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at Sherwood Island State Park Thursday evening. The Flag of Honor’s stripes are comprised of all the names of fallen Americans in the attacks on 9/11/01. Photo by Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
Hartford, CT – 9/8/20 – Dr. James H Naylor/CCSU Leadership Academy Principal Monica Quinones, right, explains to Thway Lay and his son, kindergartener Francis Lay that school would not be opening Tuesday because of a ransomeware attack on the city of Hartford’s computer networks. Photo Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
Windsor Locks, Ct. – 09/03/2020 – Sisters Jane Anderson Holmes (L),and Kimberly Henn hold each other after the two meet for the first time after a DNA search revealed their relationship. Jane was given up for adoption after she was born in Florida to their mother, Nancy Cutler, who was 17 at the time. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Hartford, Ct. – 09/02/2020 – Protestors gather at the gate of the governor’s mansion after Governor Lamont announced today that Connecticut will remain in a state of emergency due to the coronavirus crisis. Several hundred people lined the road outside the mansion while dozens rushed the gate after the governor was seen watching from a window of the mansion. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Glastonbury, Ct. – 08/31/2020 – Wearing their required masks and sitting socially-distanced, students arrive on campus by bus for the first day of classes at Glastonbury High School. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
A tree is tangled in power lines, making Laydon Avenue impassable, as clean up efforts are in effect Ñ following Thursday’s storm Ñ Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, in North Haven.
The parents and siblings of Drew Funk from left, Joey Dietz, 8, Kristian Funk, Carolyn Funk, Kristen Dietz, Craig Dietz, and Gianna Dietz, 18, hold Drew’s portrait as they sit together outside of Gaylord Hospital Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, in Wallingford. Drew Funk, 25, of New Haven died of a fentanyl overdose on March 17, when he relapsed after being laid off due to the pandemic on March 16.
Hartford, CT – 8/13/20 – Juliet Manthorne, 9, center, jumps Double Dutch as Peyton Senior, 10, left, and coach Rodney Hogan twirl the rope at a recruitment practice for JADHA Foundation’s Double Dutch organization at Mortensen Riverfront Plaza Friday evening. Photo Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
Hartford, CT – 8/19/20 – Claire Hamel, a teacher in East Hartford, and other Connecticut educators and families rally for a “safe, sensible and fully-funded return to school” at the State Capitol Wednesday. Photo Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW NEEDS HELP: Domestic violence services are accessible through CT Safe Connect at all hours. Call, chat and email at www.CTSafeConnect.org, or (888) 774-2900. The Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) says advocates can provide counseling, safety planning, risk assessment, assistance with a restraining order application, and a safe connection to a domestic violence organization for ongoing support and services. Bilingual services are available. All services are confidential, safe, free and voluntary.
Members of The 70s Project Ñ Unplugged play covers of 70s-era songs as part of the Powder Ridge Festival at Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, in Middlefield. The festival put on a tribute 50 years later to the 1970 festival that organically came together and is often compared to Woodstock.
Volunteer Nancy Bowden gives a community member a bag of groceries during a Foodshare food distribution at the Church of the Good Shepherd Thursday, July 30, 2020, in Hartford.
Fairfield, Ct. – 07/27/2020 – Bridgeport resident, Army veteran and business owner Byron Bigelow demonstrates outside the Fairfield Police Department during a press conference that ended early as it was drowned out by shouts from Black Lives Matter demonstrators. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Signs and tents are seen from the road as they line the perimeter of Latham Park Tuesday, July 14, 2020, in Stamford. The abolition camp was established on Saturday, after a protest over the death of Steven Barrier, a 23-year-old Stamford man who died in police custody October 23, 2019, and the group of young activists are calling on Stamford officials to meet their four demands: 1) Defund the Stamford Police Department and invest into the communities, 2) police policy change, 3) make internal police investigations public and 4) mental health care reform.
Hartford, CT – 6/29/20 – A crew removed a statue of Christopher Columbus from Columbus Green in Hartford early Monday morning. Photo by Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
Raegan Pelton is celebrated by the “Project Graduation” moms after she received her diploma during a drive-thru graduation ceremony at Newington High School Wednesday, June 17, 2020, in Newington. NHS spread their graduation ceremony across a three-day span, allowing graduates to hear their name, walk across the stage to receive their diploma and also allow time for families to take photos outside of the school.
West Hartford, CT – 6/17/20 – Edge Fitness personal trainer Claire Petry disinfects plates in the free weight area of the gym chain’s West Hartford location Wednesday. Gyms reopened in Connecticut Wednesday. Photo by Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
Cornell Lewis reads a note that Michael Fannon gave to police to pass along to Lewis and the protesters as they protest outside of Michael Fannon’s home Saturday, June 13, 2020, in Bloomfield. Fannon, a white man in his 50s, is accused of racially harassing and threatening Chazre Douglas, a black man in his 20s, with a gun last week. The rally, hosted by Cornell Lewis Ñ a well-known community activist, was in response to both Fannon’s harassment of Douglas and the charges by police that were brought against Fannon, saying the charges were not just.
Hartford, Ct. – 06/10/2020 – Outside City Hall, Hartford resident Suzanne Johnson participates in an 8-minute 46-second silent vigil, for the time George Floyd’s neck was under the knee of Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin. Demonstrators are gathering throughout the day at City Hall holding a rally in support of defunding Hartford police while the city council votes on the budget. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Glastonbury High School graduate Fiona DeFranco celebrates with principal Dr. Nancy Bean, as DeFranco’s friends pop confetti into the air after she received her diploma Wednesday, June 10, 2020, in Glastonbury. Wednesday was Glastonbury High School’s fifth and final day of delivering diplomas to graduates. Each student got to wear their cap and gown while GHS’s principal, Dr. Nancy Bean jumped out of a decked out Jeep, grabbed the diploma from the decorated bus and presented the student with his or her diploma in front of friends and family in their front yards.
Marvyann Duncan talks about the racial harassment she and her 8-year-old son received while looking at bicycles the morning of June 4, as she is supported by local leadership and community members outside of the Bloomfield Police Department Tuesday, June 9, 2020, in Bloomfield. Bloomfield Mayor Suzette DeBeatham-Brown and Bloomfield Police Chief Paul B. Hammick held a press conference with other local leadership, as well as the families affected, to discuss two separate race-based incidents that have taken place since June 4.
Farmington, Ct. – 06/08/2020 – Dozens of people hang Black Lives Matters signs are on the “Big Bird Bridge” as Farmington resident Catherine Noujaim stands on the side of Route 4 in their support. Twice, Black Lives Matter banners have been taken down from the bridge which is often used as a community messages bulletin board. Today, in response, dozens of people organized to hang dozens of banners and signs. Organizer and Farmington resident Alyssa Jackman said she is prepared to come back as many times as necessary if replacement banners are taken down. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Hartford, CT – 6/3/20 – Visual artist Kim Hinds Jr. aka Tree Sage paints a mural called “Born a Target” at Heaven Skate Park. Photo by Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
Hartford, Ct. – 06/03/2020 – An empty casket to honor George Floyd rests in front of the state capitol after being delivered by more than 300 cars processing from Hopewell Baptist Church. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
West Hartford, CT – 6/2/20 – Protesters attend a rally against police brutality in front of West Hartford Town Hall Tuesday evening. Photo by Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
West Hartford, CT – 5/20/20 – Patrons dine at Zohara Mediterranean Kitchen Wednesday evening on the first day of Connecticut’s phase one business reopening. Photo by Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
What you need to know about first phase reopening on May 20
Connecticut’s first phase of reopening includes restaurants, retail stores, malls, offices, outdoor museums, zoos, university research labs, and some outdoor recreation activities. Below are some resource guides for the different categories:
Amber Smith, one of the 2020 Spring UConn graduates, wears her graduation dress and sits for a portrait at her home Friday, May 8, 2020, in Hartford. Smith, the first in her family to go to college, is very proud to be graduating with her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Political Science, completing both degrees in four years despite numerous challenges. She’s hoping to accept a Teacher for American position in Hartford this fall to give back to the community that raised her.
University of Connecticut 2020 graduates Addie Lotito (center left) and Julianna Teitler, who are friends and current roommates, take photos together, while practicing social distance from their parents, at the University of Connecticut main campus Saturday, May 9, 2020, in Storrs.
West Hartford, Ct. – 05/08/2020 – (Left to right) Jane Murphy and Tim Curtin visit the Westmoor Park site where an outdoor classroom is being built in honor of their daughter, Brigid Curtin, who was murdered by her twin brother a year and a half ago. 800 People donated $320,000 for the project being built. Curtin held Westmoor Park as one of her favorite places with plans to become a counselor and instructor at the park. “Memories fade and the structure will be here forever. This is not going to be some monument or memorial to Brigid, she would be appalled,” said her father, Tim Curtin, “She liked the experience here, so if we can provide the experience of the totality of the park, not just the structure, that’s how we’re thinking of making something lasting for her.” The project is expected to be complete in July. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Storrs, Ct. – 04/29/2020 – Grass is cut at UConn’s Horsebarn Hill in recognition of the class of 2020. Today the university announced plans to hold an online “virtual ceremony” with basketball coach Geno Auriemma delivering the commencement address. “If you happen to be near your computer on May 9, please feel free to join us,” said UConn President Thomas Katsouleas. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Manchester, Ct. – 10/16/2019 – Runners in the CCC cross country championship race past fall foliage in Wickham Park. Kate Hedlund of Manchester High School won the girls’ race with a time of 18:59.2. Gavin Sherry of Conard won the boys’ race with a time of 15:43. Photograph by Mark Mirko |mmirko@courant.com
Hartford, CT – 4/20/20 – Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, protesters rally outside of the Connecticut State Capitol for the right to return to work. Photo by Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com
East Hartford, Ct. – 04/20/2020 – An estimated 1000-plus cars lined up at Renstschler Field where Foodshare was distributing 35,000 pounds of food today. Foodshare president and CEO Jason Jakubowski said the location will be open 8:30am to noon through Friday. “I think there are people waiting in line 60 to 90 minutes,” said Jakubowski, “Obviously, the need is great. You wouldn’t do that unless you had to.” Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
Lilly Gallinoto, a Conard High School junior, wears her prom dress for a photo as she sits in her family’s front bay window at her home Wednesday, April 15, 2020, in West Hartford.
During the 1918 Spanish Influenza outbreak, health authorities recommended wearing chiffon veils to protect against it. Ads were run in the Courant that fall to purchase veils for $1.50.
Humane Society foster placements Charlie, a 1-year-old, 20-pound Flemish giant rabbit, is petted by Autumn Davis, 10, while Alex Davis, 11, holds 6-year-old Cheddar the cat, as the two animals came into the Davis home in response to COVID-19.
This is a healing project written and photographed by Ashley LaRue for our new platform for Connecticut millennials, The Thread. Sign up for the newsletter here.
