Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why downtown Hartford sidewalks are suddenly crawling with lanternflies

Coming up on the Hartford Patch calendar: Calling all Altos, Tenors and Basses to join Middlesex Hospital Vocal Chords

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Greetings Hartford! We're your go-to source for what's happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why downtown Hartford sidewalks are suddenly crawling with lanternflies
  • Could your West Hartford project qualify for new community grant money?
  • What West Hartford parents need to know before school starts this week

Also on today's calendar: Calling all Altos, Tenors and Basses to join Middlesex Hospital Vocal Chords and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the Buffalo say when his son left? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: A shower and t-storm; humid, with a high of 77 and low of 60 degrees.
  • Monday: A p.m. shower in places, temps: high: 81, low: 57.
  • Tuesday: Mostly sunny and nice, with a high of 77 and low of 58 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. It's spotted lanternfly squishing season in downtown Hartford, biologist says (ctpublic.org) — Downtown Hartford is swarming with spotted lanternflies right now, especially around tall buildings near Main Street, CityPlace, and the Starbucks hub. Biologists say the invasive insects are at peak adult season, pose no threat to humans, but can harm trees, and they're urging residents to help by safely squishing as many as possible to slow their spread.
   

2. West Hartford Community Fund at Greater Hartford Gives Now Accepting Grant Applications - We-Ha (we-ha.com) — Local nonprofits and community groups in West Hartford can now apply for grants from the West Hartford Community Fund at the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation, with applications due Sept. 4. The fund backs projects that boost wellbeing, access to services, and neighborhood vibrancy, and recently awarded more than $45,000 to eight local organizations. Details, eligibility rules, and examples of past projects are available online.
   

3. West Hartford Superintendent Provides Updates as 2026-2027 School Year Set to Begin - We-Ha (we-ha.com) — West Hartford school families are about to see big changes as teachers return Aug. 24 and students head back Aug. 26, with new principals, building upgrades, and free breakfast for all. The district is rolling out block scheduling at both high schools, expanded air conditioning and safety projects, and new programs like police explorers and an EMT course, while also reexamining student screen time and cellphone use.
   

4. Honduran national admits to illegal reentry in Connecticut after prior deportation from US (fox61.com) — A Honduran citizen who repeatedly reentered the U.S. and was arrested several times in Connecticut is now awaiting federal sentencing in Hartford this November. Prosecutors say he pleaded guilty in New Haven to unlawful reentry and faces up to 20 years in prison after a series of prior state convictions and a previous deportation.
   

5. Nominations open for 2026 Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame, honoring impactful military service (fox61.com) — From Hartford, state leaders are inviting nominations for the 2026 class of the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame, which honors veterans who keep serving their communities after military life. Any veteran born in Connecticut or living here at least five years can be nominated, and completed packages are due by Sept. 30 to the Department of Veterans Affairs in Rocky Hill.
   

📸 Around Hartford

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • Shop and Shmooze Arts & Crafts Fair
    Looking for vendors to participate in our all-inclusive Shop and Shmooze Arts & Crafts Fair. Contact Carolyn Topol at cstopol@gmail.com. (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Genesis Ramirez Earns Viking Construction Scholarship —Kirstin Ahearn Read on Patch
  • Starting a business while working full-time and without a huge pile of cash is challenging, but I'm excited about why I'm doing it.
    I'm building toward something that gives me more freedom and lets me contribute to my community. Long term, I'd like to own multifamily rentals and… (Nextdoor West End)
  • As a Courtesy
    Dear Next Door Neighbors https://www.chicksahoyfarm.org/harvestingchange26 Harvesting Change 2026 Thursday, October 29th, Join us for our annual… (Nextdoor Blue Hills)
  • WTW posted a job opening for Surety Quality Manager in Hartford. Apply here.
  • STV Group, Inc. posted a job opening for North Transportation Market Sector Leader (MSL) - Buildings Group in Hartford. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Hartford here.

Ok Hartford! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Bison! (Thank you Judy M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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