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Education

Police & Fire
Fire Forces New Canaan School To Close For Day Fire Forces New Canaan School To Close For Day
Fire Forces New Canaan School To Close For Day A school in Fairfield County is cleaning up the mess following a fire on Monday night, Dec. 16, a report said.  New Canaan firefighters were called to the West Elementary School around 10 p.m. after receiving a fire alarm alert in the school's kiln room, per the fire department.  The fire was contained to the art room of the Ponus Ridge Road school, and firefighters were able to put it out quickly, according to the report.  Classes were canceled at the school on Tuesday as administrators and custodians cleaned up the mess.  The cause of the fire is under investiga…

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by Josh Lanier
Weather
Snow, Wintry Mix Delays CT School Openings: Here's Where Snow, Wintry Mix Delays CT School Openings: Here's Where
Snow, Wintry Mix Delays CT School Openings: Here's Where Dozens of schools across Connecticut had delayed openings due to a wintry mix that fell into Monday morning, Dec. 16. Some parts of the state saw 4 inches of snow, while others got a light dusting. According to the National Weather Service, the highest amount of snow fell in New Milford (4 inches); Cornwall saw 2.5 inches; Litchfield saw two inches, Waterbury saw 3 inches; Meriden saw 2 inches, and Hartford saw 1.3 inches. According to NBC Connecticut, the following districts had delayed openings: Berlin Public Schools Bethel Public Schools Brooklyn Public Schools Canton Public Schools E…

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by Cecilia Levine
Schools
Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm
Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm Fewer high school graduates began college this fall, with enrollment in that age group dropping 5 percent from last year, according to an analysis by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.  Four-year institutions were hardest hit, with public colleges seeing an 8.5 percent drop in first-year enrollments and private nonprofit colleges reporting a 6.5 percent decline.  This trend poses significant challenges for colleges and universities, particularly those reliant on tuition revenue.  As the competition for students intensifies, institutions face mounting pressur…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Ivy Leaguer From Prominent Family Officially Charged Overnight With CEO's Murder Ivy Leaguer From Prominent Family Officially Charged Overnight With CEO's Murder
Ivy Leaguer From Prominent Family Officially Charged Overnight With CEO's Murder An Ivy League-educated high school valedictorian from a privileged, politically connected family has been charged with the execution-style murder of the CEO of one of the nation's largest healthcare providers after a days-long manhunt. Click here for a new, updated story - CEO Murder: Whiz Kid Suspect May Have Spiraled After Traumatic Back Surgery New York prosecutors have formally charged 26-year-old Luigi Nicholas Mangione, a native of Towson, Maryland, with the fatal shooting of United Healthcare executive Brian Thompson.  The incident occurred outside the New York Hilton in midt…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
'Our Students Deserve Better': CT Education Group Calls Out McMahon Nomination 'Our Students Deserve Better': CT Education Group Calls Out McMahon Nomination
'Our Students Deserve Better': CT Education Group Calls Out McMahon Nomination The Connecticut Education Association says President-elect Donald Trump's choice to run the Department of Education is a threat to vulnerable students and local school districts.  Trump announced Tuesday, Nov. 19, that Connecticut's Linda McMahon, co-founder and former CEO of WWE, chairwoman of a Trump super PAC and think tank, and co-chair of his transition team, would head the department in his new administration. She also served as his administrator of the Small Business Administrator from 2017 through 2019 during his first term.  "The nomination of billionaire Linda McMah…

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by Josh Lanier
Politics
CT's Linda McMahon Picked To Head Department Of Education CT's Linda McMahon Picked To Head Department Of Education
CT's Linda McMahon Picked To Head Department Of Education President-elect Donald Trump named Linda McMahon, a prominent figure in business and politics, the next Secretary of the Department of Education. Trump noted McMahon's two years working on the Connecticut Board of Education when nominating her as the nation's top teacher. “As Secretary of Education, Linda will fight tirelessly to expand 'Choice' to every State in America, and empower parents to make the best Education decisions for their families,” Trump said in a statement that promised she would be a “fierce advocate for Parents’ Rights.” Related: Dr. Oz Tapped To Oversee Medicare, Medi…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
Students Sent Home After Police Find Fentanyl In CT High School Bathroom Students Sent Home After Police Find Fentanyl In CT High School Bathroom
Students Sent Home After Police Find Fentanyl In CT High School Bathroom Students at a Connecticut high school were sent home early on Friday, Nov. 15, after police found fentanyl on the bathroom floor, authorities said.  The school resource officer at Howell Cheney Technical High School in Manchester noticed a suspicious powdery substance in one of the bathrooms just after 10:30 a.m., Connecticut State Police said. A field test showed it was fentanyl.  Cheney Tech students, teachers, and faculty were dismissed early so the powerful and potentially dead drug could be cleaned and safely removed.  “There have been no reported incidents of exposure …

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by Josh Lanier
News
'Oscars Of Teaching': CT Teacher Earns Prestigious Award For Her Work In, Out Of Classroom 'Oscars Of Teaching': CT Teacher Earns Prestigious Award For Her Work In, Out Of Classroom
'Oscars Of Teaching': CT Teacher Earns Prestigious Award For Her Work In, Out Of Classroom A Connecticut teacher was honored among the nation’s top educators in what is nicknamed the "Oscars of teaching." Jessica Chapman who teaches at  Norwich Free Academy in New London County was named a Milken Educator Award recipient, the organization announced. She found out she had won the prestigious award at a schoolwide assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 12, surrounded by her students and colleagues who gave her a standing ovation.  Chapman, a social studies teacher at the Norwich school is known for her innovative approach and was the only educator in Connecticut to receive this n…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
CT Teacher Resigns After Video Of Her Threatening Trump Voters Goes Viral CT Teacher Resigns After Video Of Her Threatening Trump Voters Goes Viral
CT Teacher Resigns After Video Of Her Threatening Trump Voters Goes Viral A Connecticut school teacher who was put on leave after a video surfaced of her delivering an angry message directed at President-elect Donald Trump and his voters has resigned, officials said. Annie Dunleavy, a special education teacher for the Cheshire School District, submitted her immediate resignation from Chapman Elementary on Wednesday, Nov. 13, two days after being placed on temporary leave, school officials said. 'Related: You Will End On A Stretcher': Teacher on Leave After Threatening Trump Voters She shared the minute-long viral video in a private group message on Snapchat, b…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
(Update) 'You Will End On A Stretcher': CT Teacher On Leave After Threatening Trump Voters (Update) 'You Will End On A Stretcher': CT Teacher On Leave After Threatening Trump Voters
(Update) 'You Will End On A Stretcher': CT Teacher On Leave After Threatening Trump Voters Update: A Connecticut teacher who threatened to fight President-elect Donald Trump's voters in a viral video has resigned from the New Haven County school where she worked. Click here to read more.  Original: A Connecticut elementary school teacher was placed on temporary leave after a video of her threatening people who voted for President-Elect Donald Trump was shared on social media.  Cheshire Schools Superintendent Jeff Solan announced the decision on Monday, Nov. 11, and said the New Haven County school district is investigating the incident.  In the minute-long vi…

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by Josh Lanier
News
New Canaan Leads Way With Some Of State's Best Elementary Schools: New Report New Canaan Leads Way With Some Of State's Best Elementary Schools: New Report
New Canaan Leads Way With Some Of State's Best Elementary Schools: New Report One school district in Connecticut scored three of the top five elementary schools in the state in a new ranking.  New Canaan Public Schools have clinched the top spots in Niche’s annual ranking of the best public elementary schools in Connecticut.  Leading the way is West School, ranked as the best elementary school in the state, with East School and South School following close behind in the second and third positions, respectively. These schools shine because of their student-to-teacher ratios, dedicated faculty, and community support. West School, which serves students from p…

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by Josh Lanier
News
CT State College Housatonic's New CEO Holds Open House At Bridgeport Campus, Tour Of Art Museum CT State College Housatonic's New CEO Holds Open House At Bridgeport Campus, Tour Of Art Museum
CT State College Housatonic's New CEO Holds Open House At Bridgeport Campus, Tour Of Art Museum Connecticut State Community College Housatonic's new CEO is inviting the community to an open house and tour of the Fairfield County school's Museum of Art.  Dr. Patricia Benson, who was hired to lead the college in July, is asking the community to see what the school has to offer, including its art collection during an open house on Nov. 6 from 4:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Bridgeport campus at 900 Lafayette Blvd. "This is also a wonderful opportunity to meet our faculty and staff and learn more about our vibrant community college," Benson said. "Whether you’re interest…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
New Rankings: Fairfield County Dominates List Of Best High Schools In State New Rankings: Fairfield County Dominates List Of Best High Schools In State
New Rankings: Fairfield County Dominates List Of Best High Schools In State Niche released its Best High Schools in the Country list this week, and while no Connecticut school made it onto the national charts, several of the state's public schools scored near the top.  Here is a breakdown of the top 10 rated schools in Connecticut.  Click here for the full list, and click here for a breakdown of the survey's methodology.  10: Glastonbury High School Researchers credited Glastonbury High's teacher-to-student ratio with his solid test scores. With 13 pupils per educator, the Hartford County school allows teachers more time to work with the …

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
'Vision Of Excellence': Shelton School Earns Prestigious Blue Ribbon Award 'Vision Of Excellence': Shelton School Earns Prestigious Blue Ribbon Award
'Vision Of Excellence': Shelton School Earns Prestigious Blue Ribbon Award A Connecticut high school and two elementary schools have been named some of the nation's most dedicated.  The US Department of Education released its 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools this week, with 356 earning the prestigious distinction. The annual awards recognize high-performing public and non-public schools and those making strides in closing achievement gaps among the student body.  In Connecticut, the three deemed to have reached those goals are: Daniel Hand High School in Madison Israel Putnam Elementary School in Meriden Sunnyside Elementary School in Shelton Dan…

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by Josh Lanier
Politics
Donald Trump Paints America In Collapse In Elon Musk X Interview Plagued By Tech Glitches Donald Trump Paints America In Collapse In Elon Musk X Interview Plagued By Tech Glitches
Donald Trump Paints America In Collapse In Elon Musk X Interview Plagued By Tech Glitches In an at-times rambling conversation plagued by tech glitches that jumped from fawning praise to forced questions, former President Donald Trump laid out his clearest thesis for his campaign: Vote Trump to preserve American supremacy around the globe and avoid a World War.  The conversation began about the assassination attempt on Trump's life. Musk said he was stunned at how close Trump was to losing his life. The former president said even his doctors couldn't believe his luck.  The former president said it was most likely divine intervention that saved his life. https://t.c…

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by Josh Lanier
Lifestyle
This Fairfield County Locale Is Best Place To Live For Families In CT, New Rankings Say This Fairfield County Locale Is Best Place To Live For Families In CT, New Rankings Say
This Fairfield County Locale Is Best Place To Live For Families In CT, New Rankings Say A municipality in Connecticut made the Top 50 list of Fortune’s third annual national rankings of the Best Places To Live For Families list. The city of Stamford, located in Fairfield County, came in at No. 32 in the country by offering the best of both urban and suburban worlds, the report said. Located about an hour away from New York City by train, Stamford offers residents quiet but friendly neighborhoods and a thriving downtown full of top-notch restaurants, theaters, art galleries, shopping, a ballet company, and symphony, and plenty of music and entertainment. With 136,480 residents…

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
Pair Of New Assistant Principals Named At High School In Fairfield County Pair Of New Assistant Principals Named At High School In Fairfield County
Pair Of New Assistant Principals Named At High School In Fairfield County A high school in Fairfield County is welcoming the arrival of two new assistant principals.  Both Parthena Proskinitopoulos and Nicholas Torres have been appointed as the new Assistant Principals of Weston High School, district officials announced on Friday, July 19.  Proskinitopoulos and Torres will replace Juliane Givoni and Matthew Filip, who will become the Weston school district's Director of Human Resources and return to classroom teaching, respectively.  According to school officials, Proskinitopoulos already has plenty of leadership…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
New Assistant Principal Named At School In Fairfield County New Assistant Principal Named At School In Fairfield County
New Assistant Principal Named At School In Fairfield County With the naming of a new assistant principal, an unfamiliar face will be seen in the halls of a Fairfield County school. Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones announced David Cheris's appointment as Parkway School's assistant principal.  Cheris will assist Principal Mary Grandville in supporting the entire Parkway community, aiding in the development and achievement of school goals and objectives while advocating on behalf of all students.  He replaces Matthew Cerruto, who was named assistant principal of Western Middle School at the end of the school year. “Mr.…

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
New Assistant Principal Named At Fairfield County School New Assistant Principal Named At Fairfield County School
New Assistant Principal Named At Fairfield County School Students will see a different face at a Fairfield County school with the naming of a new assistant principal. Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones announced the appointment of Lauren Bird as assistant principal at Cos Cob School in Greenwich, effective immediately.  Bird, who most recently served as assistant principal in Wilton, will assist Cos Cob School Principal Kerry Gavin, supporting the entire Cos Cob community and aiding in the development and achievement of school goals and objectives while advocating on behalf of all students, Jones said. “Mrs. Lauren Bird …

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by Kathy Reakes
Politics
Race For State Senate Seat Marks First Political Run For Ex-Lamont Aide Nick Simmons Race For State Senate Seat Marks First Political Run For Ex-Lamont Aide Nick Simmons
Race For State Senate Seat Marks First Political Run For Ex-Lamont Aide Nick Simmons This may be Nick Simmons' first political race, but he is not a newcomer to politics.  The State Senate District 36 candidate, brother to Stamford Mayor Carolyn Simmons, was born and raised in Greenwich and now calls Stamford home.  The district comprises Greenwich, North Stamford, and portions of Stamford, New Canaan, and Newfield-Westover-Turn of River. He left a brief career on Wall Street to teach middle school math in Harlem.  Within a few years, at 26, Simmons became one of the youngest acting school principals in New York.  Later, he went on to serve in Gov. Ne…

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by Vira Mamchur Schwartz
Real Estate
Fox News Star Sean Hannity Sells New York Home For Just Under $13 Million Fox News Star Sean Hannity Sells New York Home For Just Under $13 Million
Fox News Star Sean Hannity Sells New York Home For Just Under $13 Million After just a week on the market, news anchor Sean Hannity sold his 10,600-square-foot waterfront estate. The estate, located in the town of Oyster Bay village of Centre Island, was listed for $13.75 million but sold at $12.7 million. Sold by Nest Seekers International’s Shawn Elliott after a bidding war, the buyer (who has not been named) received not only the seven-bedroom, nine-bath house but all the furniture as well, according to the Wall Street Journal and a representative for Elliott. Earlier Report: Fox News' Sean Hannity Lists Oyster Bay Home For $13.7M The estate boasts …

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by Sophie Grieser
Schools
New Assistant Principal Named At Middle School In Greenwich New Assistant Principal Named At Middle School In Greenwich
New Assistant Principal Named At Middle School In Greenwich After serving for several months in an interim capacity, the assistant principal of a Fairfield County middle school now has the job for good. In an announcement on Friday, May 24, Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Toni Jones revealed that Matthew Cerruto will be the new assistant principal at Western Middle School, effective Monday, July 1.  Cerruto will take the position after serving as interim assistant principal since Wednesday, March 13. Before that, he spent two years as the assistant principal of the Parkway School in Greenwich. "Mr. Matthew Cerruto is a d…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Educator In Fairfield County Named 2024 CT Principal Of Year Educator In Fairfield County Named 2024 CT Principal Of Year
Educator In Fairfield County Named 2024 CT Principal Of Year A Fairfield County principal has received two high honors: the 2024 Middle School Principal of the Year and the 2024 Connecticut State Principal of the Year. The Connecticut Association of Schools selected Dr. Kristy Zaleta, the principal of Rogers Park Middle School in Danbury, for both awards. Now in her 21st year with Danbury Public Schools and her sixth year as principal of Rogers Park, Zaleta has consistently demonstrated her commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive school environment, said officials with Danbury School. Before her current role, Zaleta was …

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
US Presidential Scholars: Darien High School Senior Earns Top Honor US Presidential Scholars: Darien High School Senior Earns Top Honor
US Presidential Scholars: Darien High School Senior Earns Top Honor Several Connecticut high school seniors have received one of the nation's highest honors for students.  The three, all from Fairfield County, are among only 161 students across the entire US to be selected as 2024 US Presidential Scholars, the US Department of Education just announced on Thursday, May 9.  The US Presidential Scholars Program was created in 1964 and recognizes a few of the country's most distinguished graduating seniors. Scholars are chosen based on academic success, excellence in the arts and technical education, and commitment to community service and leadership.…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Connecticut Among Top 20 Best States, Brand-New Ranking Says: Here's Why Connecticut Among Top 20 Best States, Brand-New Ranking Says: Here's Why
Connecticut Among Top 20 Best States, Brand-New Ranking Says: Here's Why Connecticut continues to rank among the top 20 best states in the country. The Constitution State came in at No. 20 – down slightly from No. 16 last year – on the 2024 Best States list by U.S. News & World Report, released Tuesday, May 7. Rankings were determined using 71 metrics across eight categories, including fiscal stability, infrastructure, education, health care, and the economy. Data was pulled from national surveys taken by nearly 70,000 people. Connecticut made the top 10 in health care (No. 3), crime & corrections (No. 6), and education (No. 8), according to the report.…

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
New Principal Named At Elementary School In Greenwich New Principal Named At Elementary School In Greenwich
New Principal Named At Elementary School In Greenwich An elementary school in Fairfield County will soon have a new principal who brings decades of experience to the table.  In an announcement on Friday, April 19, Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Toni Jones revealed Jason Martin has been appointed as the next principal of Riverside School effective on Monday, July 1.  Martin will replace Christopher Weiss, who announced he would leave the district in January.  According to Jones, Martin is currently the principal of West Gate K-8 School in Port Saint Lucie, Florida, where he has overseen plenty of academic…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
New Principal Named At Middle School In Greenwich: 'I Am So Honored' New Principal Named At Middle School In Greenwich: 'I Am So Honored'
New Principal Named At Middle School In Greenwich: 'I Am So Honored' After a decade of serving as assistant principal, an experienced educator will now take the helm of a Fairfield County middle school. In an announcement on Friday, April 12, Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Toni Jones revealed that Suzanne Coyne would serve as the next principal of Western Middle School effective on Monday, July 1.  Coyne's appointment comes only weeks after being named interim principal on Wednesday, March 13. Jones explained that she instantly rose to the challenge of the role.  "Ms. Suzanne Coyne received overwhelming positive feedback from th…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Ex-CT High School Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student Ex-CT High School Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student
Ex-CT High School Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student A former Connecticut high school math teacher is being accused of sexually assaulting a student. Middlesex County resident James Hanson, age 35, of Middletown, was arrested by warrant on Tuesday, April 2. Hanson is alleged to have had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a minor student, said Chief Erik Costa of the Middletown Police. He taught at Middletown High from August 2022 through November 16, 2023, but was immediately placed on administrative leave when the investigation started, Costa said. Hanson turned himself in at Middletown Police Headquarters where he was charged with:…

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by Kathy Reakes
Obituaries
Young New Canaan HS Grad Dies: 'He Will Be Sorely Missed,' Superintendent Says Young New Canaan HS Grad Dies: 'He Will Be Sorely Missed,' Superintendent Says
Young New Canaan HS Grad Dies: 'He Will Be Sorely Missed,' Superintendent Says A community is mourning the loss of a bright young man who graduated from a high school in Connecticut last year. New, updated report: Young New Canaan HS Grad Remembered As Talented Musician After Untimely Death The death of Toby Woods, a 2023 graduate of New Canaan High School, was announced by New Canaan Public Schools Superintendent Bryan Luizzi on Friday, Feb. 23 in a communication to district families.  In his letter to families, Luizzi called Woods a "bright, kind, talented, and thoughtful young man."  "His passing is a painful loss for our New Canaan Schoo…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Newtown Teacher Charged With Sexual Assault Of Student For Second Time Newtown Teacher Charged With Sexual Assault Of Student For Second Time
Newtown Teacher Charged With Sexual Assault Of Student For Second Time A music teacher has been charged with alleged sexual assault of a minor student in Northern Fairfield County. Richard Neal, age 69, of Newtown, was charged on Thursday, Jan. 4 by the Newtown Police Department. According to Det. Lt. Liam Seabrook of the Newtown Police, Neal was arrested following an investigation into having an inappropriate relationship who was a minor at the time. Neal was arrested last year on the same charges with another student, Seabrook said. He was charged with: Sex assault with a victim between the ages of 13 and 15 Sex assault second-degree Illegal sexual conta…

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by Kathy Reakes
Obituaries
Funeral Set For 'Beloved' CT Teacher Killed In Wrong-Way Wreck Funeral Set For 'Beloved' CT Teacher Killed In Wrong-Way Wreck
Funeral Set For 'Beloved' CT Teacher Killed In Wrong-Way Wreck The superintendent of the school district where a 35-year-old woman who worked has canceled classes on Friday, Dec. 8, so students and staff can attend her funeral.  Connecticut resident Kayla Morey, age 35, of Dayville in Windham County, died Saturday Dec. 2 in Massachusetts when she was involved in a head-on collision in Worcester County.  Related: 'Gifted, Talented' Teacher Killed In Wrong-Way Crash In Webster Police said Jordan Pimentel, age 31, got onto I-395 in Webster, driving north in the southbound lane, and crashed into Morey just after 10:15 p.m. They both di…

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by Josh Lanier