Marc Russell Lawley

PLAINVILLE - A four-day bicycle training series being held in Farmington this March is being dedicated to late former Plainville police chief Matt Catania. Catania died March 10 2021 after serving with the department since 2010. At the time of his death, several community leaders mourned his passing, speaking of him as a good friend and praising his dedication to the police department over the years. Catania's death prompted an extensive search for the next police chief, which led to Christopher Vanghele, formerly of Newtown, being appointed in Jan. 2022.

BRISTOL - The city has presented Bauer, Inc. with an economic development grant for an equipment upgrade that will significantly improve operations. Mayor Jeff Caggiano and Dawn Nielsen, marketing and public relations specialist with the city's Economic Development department, visited Bauer, Inc. Thursday to present a check for a $39,251 check. The grant covered 5% of the costs of the new machines.

BRISTOL – A Bristol man is set to go before a judge next week to answer to charges he sexually assaulted a minor seven years ago. Kevin Bernier, 44, of 244 Burton St., faces one count each of risk of injury to a minor, illegal sexual contact and fourth-degree sexual assault.

BRISTOL – The suspect who allegedly stole a Bristol police cruiser in January, after committing two other carjackings, has yet to face charges in addition to a single count of larceny. Jimmie Shoemaker-Gonzalez, 39, appeared on Friday in New Britain Superior Court in connection with the lone charge of...

SOUTHINGTON – Police are investigating a violent purse-snatching in which an elderly woman was knocked to the ground Monday. The robbery was reported around 10 a.m. in the Walmart parking lot, at 235 Queen St., where a 71-year-old woman had her purse forcefully ripped away from her. The suspect was a passenger in a Nissan Altima – which police later determined had been stolen.