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BARKHAMSTEDAnimal Tracks and Signs: The Peoples State Forest Nature Museum (formerly the Stone Musuem) on Greenwoods Road in Barkhamsted, will present a talk on Animal Tracks and Signs, by master wildlife conservationist Shirley Sutton. This event is Aug. 14, Sunday, at 3 p.m. and admission is free. for more information call 379-2469 or 379-9074.BETHLEHEMThe Bethlehem Democratic Town Committee will conduct a fundraiser to support its slate of candidates, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 14, at Long Meadow Lake Pavilion on Lake Drive.The picnic meal will feature pulled pork, coleslaw, hot-dogs and hamburgers. Live music will be offered.The event is $25 for families, $10 for adults, $6 for children 6 to 12 years-old and free for children 5 years and younger.those seeking additional information may call Theresa O’Neill at 203-266-7089.BRIDGEWATERDrug charges have been filed against a man who lives in a cottage at Mia Farrow’s Bridgewater estate. The Statewide Narcotics Task Force raided the cottage at Henry Sanford Road home Thursday evening. Troopers say they found 24 marijuana plants and about two pounds of cultivated pot at Robert Girard’s home.BURLINGTONState police are investigating two fires they have deemed “suspicious.”The Western District Major Crime Squad in conjunction with the State fire Marshall’s Office are investigating two fires that occurred in the town.The first fire incident occurred at 38 Partridge Lane in July 5, 2011 and second fire incident occurred at 208 Johnnycake Mountain Road on July 14, 2011.State Police Detectives are actively investigating these fires and are asking anyone who may have information about either fire to call the arson tip line at 1-800-842-7766.A reward is being offered of up to $2500.00 (for each case) for any information that leads to an arrest and conviction. This reward is being offered by the Connecticut FAIR Plan. Call 24 hours a day, 1-800-84 ARSON (1-800-842-7766) with any information.CANAANThe Northwest Detachment 042, Marines Corps League holds its monthly meetings on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the VFW Coach-Pipa Post 6857 $104 Route 7. for more information contact Brian Richardson, Comdt at 435-9085 or Nicholas Gandolfo, Semper Fi, Past Comdt at 824-5565.COLEBROOKFoothills Visiting Nurse and Home Care, Inc., blood pressure and cholesterol clinics on Colebrook Senior Center, on Aug. 9, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Blood pressure os free, no appointment necessary, cholesterol is $5, call for appointment. for more information call 379-8561.CORNWALLThe Housatonic Railroad Company has responded to a letter from the Board of Selectmen concerning rail cars in town that appeared to be abandoned.In a letter dated July 21 to railroad president John Hanlon, First Selectman Gordon Ridgway said that the town had received “several complaints” about a dozen cars that had sat for extended periods of time on a siding near Cornwall Bridge. he asked if they could be moved, what they contained, and whether this practice was allowed under the Railroad’s lease from the Department of Transportation.F. Colin Pease, vice president of Special Projects for the Railroad, responded in a public letter Monday that the cars had been used to haul limestone, but were empty.“our customer leases a large fleet of cars to move his product and recently they have had a surplus of empty cars due to a temporary mill shutdown for reconfiguration,” Pease wrote. “The mill has recently reopened and we don’t expect this situation to last very long.”he added that they would be “drawing down the supply of empties” as shipments resumed, but did not give an exact date for when the cars near Cornwall Bridge would be removed.Pease added that the storage of empty cars is “not an unusual event” on most railroads and that they must hold cars “where we have the space to hold them.”he mentioned that the railroad company is pursuing the expansion of its siding capacity in Canaan, and applying for federal TIGER grants to this end.The Housatonic Railroad has in the past year conducted studies on the viability of returning passenger service to New York City from Litchfield County, which halted in 1971, and claims that it is within the realm of possibility “with a mixture of public and private investment.”FALLS VILLAGEThe thirteenth annual “Tuesdays at Six” lecture series sponsored by the Falls Village/Canaan Historical Society continues with its Tuesday, Aug. 9 lecture “Native Americans of the Northwest Corner” presented by North Canaan Town Historian and Litchfield County Times Associate Editor Kathryn Boughton, from 6 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday through Aug. 16, at the beautifully restored 1804 South Canaan Meeting House at the junction of Routes 7 and 63. Musical preludes at 5:45 p.m. precede start of lectures at 6 p.m. on certain nights. Admission is free; donations are accepted.GOSHENA Hoffman Auto Group parts truck left the south side of Rt. 4 in Goshen Aug. 2 and crashed into a power pole. The accident happened across the road from the east end of Action Wildlife at the top of the hill.The call for the accident came into Litchfield County Dispatch at 10:03 a.m. The driver’s side of the cab was crushed and that side of the panel was ripped back and wrapped partially around the pole.HARWINTONWesley Seixas agreed to drop his Freedom of Information Act complaint against the town and Board of Finance following their hearing with the Freedom of Information Commission. Seixas and the town signed a stipulated resolution, agreeing a Freedom of Information Act violation occurred, but Seixas will not seek any penalties. Seixas apologized to town meeting moderator William Tracey, stating “I didn’t realize I had caused him harm, and it was never my intention to do that.”KENTThe Litchfield Jazz Festival began its 16th star-studded weekend on Friday.The event of the season in the Litchfield Hills — the Friends of the Festival Gala is held under a tent on the Festival grounds and features live music by the top combos from Litchfield Jazz Camp, delicious finger foods catered by Kent’s finest restaurants, craft beers by Magic Hat Brewery and private stock wines from the vineyards of Vandoren, producer of hand-made reeds from Provence in southern France.The current board sat at the front table, but the future leadership of Kent was also in the room when the Board of Selectmen held their regular August meeting Tuesday.two members of the sitting board, George Ja­­cobsen and Karren Garrity, have announced their decisions to step down at the end of the current term. that leaves only Bruce Adams, who has serv­ed one term as a selectman and who is completing his first term as first selectman, as a returning candidate.at present, Adams has been endorsed by his political committee for a second term at the helm and he will be joined by running mate, Tod Jones, popular chairman of the Democratic Town Committee. The Republicans are fielding long-time public servant Susi Williams, who previously served on the Board of Selectmen, to oppose Adams. Because there is no fourth candidate for the board, all three are assured of serving, with the only contest being to decide who occupies the top seat.LITCHFIELDWith an Aug. 22 deadline approaching for the Town of Litchfield to decide if it wants to purchase the old Litchfield Jail from the state, the Board of Selectman decided to continue discussion until their Aug. 16 meeting.The Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS) set a price tag of $120,000 on the nearly 200-year-old building in mid-July, leaving the option up to town officials. During Tuesday’s Board of Selectmen meeting, the public input and selectmen’s ideas were null — at least for now.“I think we continue to generate interest,” said Selectman Christopher Blake. “Any public comment would be great at the next meeting.”Agreeing with Blake was First Selectman Leo Paul, Jr., saying he was “fine with that.”“we don’t have to do anything with it today,” Paul said.The selectmen have been hesitating to jump on board with such an offer, remaining fiscally conservative in tougher economic times. The board agreed it would much rather see a private investor buy the property and put the brick building on the tax rolls.“we have no plans on the table to go forward with the purchase,” said Selectman Paul J. Parsons.“It’s a nice gesture, but there’s no cash on the table,” the First Selectman said. “If the cash were on the table right now, we’d probably look differently at it.”According to Paul, there is someone out there showing some interest.“there is a potential private individual who has looked at the building twice,” Paul said.The old jail failed to receive any bids after the state set a July 1 deadline for any proposals and the town was given the option to purchase it within 45 days.MORRISThe Republican Town Committee held its caucus on Monday at town hall, and nominated Barbara Bongiolatti, an Independent for First Selectman.Bongiolatti was also nominated by the Democratic Town Committee at its caucus last week.“It’s very exciting [and] I’m really excited. I’ll work very hard, and I’ll do the job. I know I can do the job. I know the town,” said Ms. Bongiolatti. “I have no agenda, except what’s best for Morris.”The Republican Town Committee, in a paper ballot, nominated Phil Birkett, a Republican.“I have served as first selectman and selectman prior about 20 years, and it seems nice to get back into politics. It was never far from my heart. We’ve done a lot of good things in the past and I look forward to working with Barbara [Bongiolatti] and Lisa Harrison,” Mr. Birkett said.other nominations include Joseph Ferraro for town treasurer, Launa Goslee for tax collector, Barbara Burch for Board of Finance, Edward Sakl for Board of Finance Alternate, Eric Cook for Board of Assessment Appeals, Robert Paradis, Harold Pattison, Robert Woodruff and Mark Zeiner for planning and Zoning Commission. David Geremia for planning and Zoning Alternate, Clifford Wheeler for Zoning Board of Appeals, Barbara Aurell and Nancy Lunquist for Library Trustee.NEW HARTFORDThe Town of New Hartford Highway Department will be performing drainage improvements to a section of South Road.A section of road will be closed to traffic (the section between the 1st and 2nd entrances to Lair Road).A detour will be in effect during daytime hours only, Monday through Friday andraffic will be re-routed to Lair Road during working hours.The road is expected to be re-opened to traffic at the end of each work day.Work is scheduled to begin on Monday and is expected to last for a two-week period, depending on weather.Any questions or concerns regarding this project can be directed to First Selectman Dan Jerram (860-379-3389).NEW MILFORDAfter two years of colorful competency hearings, John McGowan’s trial began Wednesday in Litchfield Superior Court with a flurry of objections.The onetime Danbury mayoral hopeful and anti-immigration activist has had a fairly remarkable history in Litchfield Superior Court. In contrast to McGowan’s bombast in previous court appearances, where the Bethel native made remarks such as stating that “I do not grant jurisdiction in this matter, knowingly or willingly,” his trial on charges of first-degree sexual assault remained free of such statements.According to McGowan’s accuser — referred to as Jane Doe throughout the proceedings — he invited her over to his New Milford house, which was under construction, for dinner on Oct. 20, 2008. Shortly after dinner, the two began playing strip poker, which Jane Doe said was “kind of a playful thing. I thought it was a tension-breaker.”Following the game, McGowan allegedly began pressuring the woman into performing oral sex on him. while she initially refused, the woman relented, but McGowan allegedly became increasingly violent.Jane Doe testified that she had blacked out, and after regaining her senses, began crawling towards the rest of her clothes — she was still wearing her pants — only for McGowan to allegedly tear her pants off and begin having sex with her. she resisted, but eventually McGowan allegedly initiated other sexual acts.The woman added that McGowan allegedly claimed to expand on the evening’s events, talking about gagging her, tying her up and keeping her in a hotel room for three days. McGowan allegedly remarked that Jane Doe’s “husband” — her live-in boyfriend of 25 years and father of her children — could not stop him.“at this point,” Jane Doe testified, “I didn’t know if I was going to make it home.”McGowan is defending himself, in spite of several recommendations from Judge James P. Ginocchio earlier in the process to seek counsel.however, a psychiatrist and psychologist from the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services had found McGowan competent to stand trial and conduct his own defense.If convicted, McGowan could face up to 20 years in prison.NORFOLKRosemary Gill’s unique take on folk art was on display through July at the Norfolk Library. Gill, a fourth-generation Norfolk resident, was raised in “a very creative family,” in her words. In addition to her paintings, which use primary colors to depict local landmarks, Gill has sent her ceramic Easter eggs to socialites and celebrities around the world.PLYMOUTHThe Good New Thrift Shop at the First Congregational Church of Plymouth is having a $5 bag sale or 50 percent off sale. starts Aug. 10 through Aug. 20. Fall line will be out Aug. 24. Boutique rack, jewelry and certain table items not included, Store is open Wednesday, Thursday Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for more information call 283-2853 during store hours.ROXBURYRegistration will open on Saturday, August 27, for the Roxbury Marathon and Half-Marathon.The Half-Marathon will take place at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, November 12, and the Marathon will take place at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, December 10, both staring and finishing near the Everett Hurlburt Community Park on West Apple Lane.Only the first 100 runners that register on each of those boards will be allowed to run in those respective races, since the Roxbury Road race Series can only accommodate that many entrants.If the 100-runner limit is reached, a waiting list will be maintained, and registered runners who later find they are unable to run the race will be asked to notify race management as soon as possible, so that their places may be taken by runners who are on the waiting list.The boards will remain active until the day before each race, since there might be vacancies. there will be a $10 entry fee for each race.those wishing to register may visit the registration boards at www.roxburyraces.net/half-marathon and www.roxburyraces.net/marathon.SALISBURYFour residents of Salisbury and Lakeville were injured in a one-car accident in Norfolk the night of August 1. Ryan Diamond, 22, of Lakeville, suffered a broken wrist and possible broken leg, while Kevin Cantele, 20, of Salisbury, suffered a severe head injury. Kevin Diamond, a 20-year-old Lakeville resident, suffered a fractured left forearm, while 20-year-old Salisbury resident Christopher Bellanca suffered a fractured ankle. Ryan Diamond and Cantele were taken to Hartford Hospital via LifeStar while Kevin Diamond and Bellanca were transported to Sharon Hospital.SHARONDarren Winston Bookseller will show some of Lisa Brody’s en plein air paintings in an exhibition entitled Lush Life. The exhibition ends August 7, and is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for more information, call (860) 364-1890.TERRYVILLEThe attorney for a Connecticut man accused of participating in an international child pornography network says he was never involved in the group.Federal officials say 55-year-old Daniel Deschenes (De-SHANE’) of Plymouth’s Terryville section is among 72 people charged in the U.S. with participating in “Dreamboard,” a private online site where users traded images of sexually abused children.The federal indictment alleges Deschenes tried to distribute at least three images or videos of child pornography under the user name “Catman.”Neighbors told the Republican-American of Waterbury that federal agents swarmed his home last fall and that they had not seen him since then.an attorney for Deschenes tells the paper and the Bristol Press that his client was not involved in the group and never produced child pornography.THOMASTONEagle Rock Church will be having a Peach Festival on Saturday Aug. 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church, 110 Reynolds Bridge Road, Thomaston. The festival will feature: Amy’s homemade biscuits, fresh juicy peaches, a creamy whipped topping and a beverage. Costs are $5 for a large and $4 for a small. Take-outs will also be available.TORRINGTONCity Council members voted unanimously against accepting a concessions agreement between the fire Local 1567, IAFF that would have saved the city more than $700,000 over the life of the deal.The deal would have only netted the city a savings of about $7,000 this year however, with further realized savings over the four year life of the contract.“The mayor was really the driver behind this agreement,” city attorney Vic Muschell said. “It won’t save a lot of money this year; it is really for the future.”“we are very disappointed in the decision tonight as we were approached by the city to implement this cost saving health care package mid contract,” union President Chris Pepler said in a written statement. “we brought in outside consultants and spent many hours researching and bargaining a package that would benefit both sides.”WARRENThe Warren town picnic will be held on Aug. 13 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.there will be a horseshoes tournament, square dancing, a bounce house for children and a dessert bake-off competition.Volunteers are still needed in any area. If you would like to help, contact Leah Smith at leahgsmith@hotmail.comWASHINGTONThe Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation has presented a $1,500 grant to George Schoellkopf and Hollister House Garden, Inc., for a conditions assessment of the historic barn on the Hollister House property at 300 Nettleton Hollow Rd.Helen Higgins, executive director of the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, awarded the grant during a check presentation at the Hollister House barn on June 24.WATERTOWNTown Historian John Pillis is not backing down from opposing the demolition of the Griffin School located on Davis Street in the Oakville section of Watertown. however, the planning and Zoning Commission has set a public hearing for Aug. 17 for a zone change.Pillis wrote a letter dated July 26 to Watertown planning and Zoning Com­mission chairman David Minnich expressing his opposition to the demolition of the Griffin School.In June 2009, the Watertown Town Council unanimously approved a waiver of deed restrictions that prevented the developer, Griffin School, LLC, from demolishing the historic, but shuttered, Griffin School.there were concerns about the use of the former school, once slated to be used for elderly housing. The approval of the waiver of deed restrictions came with a condition that the developer move forward with the plan to build a 13,000-square-foot CVS Pharmacy on the property. otherwise the deed restrictions remain in place.WINSTEDTwo members of the Board of Education called a meeting at Town Hall to request Kathy O’Brien’s resignation. O’Brien countered by refusing to step down as chair, stating that the meeting — which was not posted — could potentially violate the Freedom of Information Act. since then, several members of the board have discussed matters via email without including O’Brien or other selected members of the board, which O’Brien considered another violation.WOODBURYStarting with a brief review of female physiology and hormones, you will learn how hormones are affected by foods and stress on Aug. 27, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. you will also learn about the causes and effects of hormone imbalances.Natural ways to manage stress will also be included. you will learn about valuable new natural therapies as well as “time tested” winners in restoring women’s health.Don’t miss this informative, interactive class. Free. www.wholebodymedicine.com. Registration is essential due to limited space. Register at www.newmorn.com, by phone, (203)-263-0673 ext. 317, or in person by stopping into the store in Woodbury.