T-Town Chatter

07/03/2026

For the first time in history, the Times Square Ball is dropping for the Fourth of July to celebrate America's 250th birthday. The main New York City countdown and ball drop happens at 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 3, officially ushering in Independence Day at midnight. [1 (https://abc7ny.com/post/times-square-ball-drop-july-4-first-time-history-during-america-250-celebration/19440662/), 2 (https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaVUdSJgH3a/), 3 (https://america250.org/news/america250-announces-star-studded-lineup-for-giving-4th-broadcast-benefit-show-at-one-times-square/)]
Throughout a 24-hour period, the ball will actually drop eight times to mark midnight across every U.S. time zone and territory, beginning at 10:00 a.m. EDT on July 3 and ending at 7:00 a.m. EDT on July 4. [1 (https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/times-square-july-4-ball-drop/), 2 (https://www.fox5ny.com/news/nyc-times-square-ball-drop-timeline-america250-july-4th-new-york-city), 3 (https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2026/06/24/your-guide-to-america250--fourth-of-july-in-new-york-city), 4 (https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaVUdSJgH3a/)]

05/20/2026

Torrington Chatter
Thomaston Chatter

Litchfield County Reporter
Northwest CT News

Several businesses at a shopping plaza in Harwinton are closed on Wednesday after an early morning building fire, according to local fire officials.

05/20/2026

AN OVERNIGHT FIRE HAS DAMAGED MULTIPLE BUSINESSES AT A COMMERCIAL PLAZA IN HARWINTON. FIREFIGHTERS WERE CALLED TO THE ‘KASZNAY SHOPPING CENTER’ LOCATED ON LITCHFIELD ROAD AT AROUND 2:10AM AFTER A REPORT OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE BUILDING. HARWINTON VOLUNTEER FIRE OFFICIALS SAY A STATE TROOPER ON PATROL SPOTTED SMOKE FROM THE ROOF AREA AND CALLED IT IN. WHEN CREWS ARRIVED, THEY FOUND A WORKING FIRE IN THE DAILY MART AREA. OFFICIALS CONFIRMED SEVERAL BUSINESSES WERE DAMAGED IN THE FIRE. THE DAILY MART SUSTAINED HEAVY FIRE DAMAGE. HOMETOWN PIZZA AND AN ICE CREAM PARLOR HAD HEAVY SMOKE DAMAGE. ALL BUSINESSES IN THAT PLAZA WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. STATE POLICE TELL WZBG NO INJURIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED. MUTUAL AID RESPONDERS FROM BURLINGTON, TERRYVILLE, SOUTH END AND TORRINGTON ASSISTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION AT THIS TIME.

From WZBG

Torrington Chatter
Thomaston Chatter

05/19/2026

Confirmed first heatwave!!!!

https://www.wfsb.com/2026/05/19/technical-discussion-record-heat-storm-threat-prompt-first-alert-weather-days/?fbclid=IwZnRzaAR5c5RleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeg-lvmxbdffg1tRIISqG95Y2iI18vaqJHnC9hPJkYkpif4FymP4bJeNgv01M_aem_-g1XqgmW7i176u_HF55THw

The following is a technical discussion of Connecticut's forecast written by Channel 3's meteorologists.

04/13/2026

The corner of South Street and East Street in Litchfield, Connecticut, around the 1860s-70s and 2023. The building in the center of the old photo was the United States Hotel, which was built in 1787. Later known as the Phelps Tavern, the building was expanded in the early 1900s but was ultimately demolished in 1939.

Today, the site where the hotel stood is vacant, but the other historic buildings from the old photo are still standing, including the small store on the left side, which was built in 1781 as an apothecary shop and was moved to this site in 1812. On the far left is the John Collins House (1782), and on the far right side is the General Timothy Skinner House (1761).

Historic image from “History of the Town of Litchfield, Connecticut” (1920).