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🌱 How a forgotten hilltop shrine could signal Waterbury’s spiritual comeback
Waterbury, Connecticut Patch AM: a 5 min readHey hey Waterbury! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How a forgotten hilltop shrine could signal Waterbury’s spiritual comeback
- Why Waterbury just topped a national list no city wants
- Waterbury mourns resident killed in I-691 tractor-trailer crash
Also on today's calendar: BrightPath Cheshire Open House and 6 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the cookie go to the Doctor ? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Thursday: Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm, with a high of 86 and low of 70 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Friday: Showers and a heavier t-storm, temps: high: 89, low: 71.
- Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 89 and low of 69 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Holy Land U.S.A. (thelampmagazine.com) — Holy Land USA’s glowing hilltop cross and crumbling biblical dioramas are at the center of an ambitious effort to revive a unique Catholic landmark overlooking Waterbury. Local priest and native son Father James Sullivan is slowly restoring the park and the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, seeing recent parish growth and even a mysterious new water source as hopeful signs for the city’s spiritual renewal. 
2. Connecticut city ranked America's worst for drivers in new report (ctpost.com) — Waterbury has been ranked as having the worst drivers in America for 2026, with the nation’s highest DUI-related death rates, according to ConsumerAffairs. The report notes Waterbury’s rapid three-year climb up the list and highlights the regional “NVision Zero” effort, which aims to cut serious and fatal crashes through safer street design and travel behavior.
3. Waterbury man killed in Meriden tractor-trailer crash on I-691 Monday, police say (myrecordjournal.com) — A 67-year-old Waterbury man, John Vincent Ireton Sr., died after his Chevrolet sedan lost control on I-691 west in Meriden Monday night and struck a guardrail and a tractor-trailer. State police say the truck driver from Pennsylvania was uninjured, and their Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad is investigating the cause of the crash.
4. In response to urgent letter following child's death, DCF announces some changes (courant.com) — Connecticut’s child welfare agency is tightening in-person supervision and limiting telework after a child’s death and several high-profile cases, including one involving a Waterbury man allegedly held captive for years. State child advocates say DCF still struggles with basic casework like home visits, collateral contacts, and staffing, even as officials promise stronger safety practices and more mental health and foster care supports.
5. National Night Out connects local police with families in a positive, safe space (nbcconnecticut.com) — Families across Connecticut, including in Waterbury, turned out Tuesday night to meet officers in a relaxed setting during National Night Out. From Middletown to Hartford, police showed kids their equipment, served snacks, and stressed building trust, while Waterbury Sgt. Joseph Morais said the event helps break down barriers and stigma around law enforcement.
📸 Around Waterbury
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓
Upcoming Events in
Waterbury
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
-
Build the Beanstalk
Silas Bronson Library Children's Room
2:00 pm -
Craft Your Own Adventure
Silas Bronson Library Children's Room
3:00 pm -
Fiero Code for Teens
Silas Bronson Library Computer Classroom
1:30 pm -
Revolutionary Homes
Silas Bronson Library Auditorium
6:30 pm -
Afternoon Computer Classes
Silas Bronson Library Computer Classroom
1:30 pm -
Evening Computer Classes
Silas Bronson Library Computer Classroom
6:30 pm -
Where is Silas the Cat?
Silas Bronson Library Children's Room -
Exercise Your Mind
Silas Bronson Library Auditorium
2:30 pm -
BrightPath Cheshire Open House →
BrightPath Cheshire, 1430 Highland Ave, Cheshire
5:00 pm
Friday August 7
Monday August 10
Tuesday August 11
Wednesday August 12
Thursday August 13
📣 Waterbury Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
-
Family Movie
Middlebury Public Library - Children 30 Crest Road, Middlebury, CT 06762
11:00 am -
Country Line Dancing Video Tutorial
Middlebury Public Library 30 Crest Road, Middlebury, CT 06762
1:00 pm -
Virtual Author Talk - The Art of Canning
Middlebury Public Library 30 Crest Road, Middlebury, CT 06762
2:00 pm -
Chauncey Judd Community Play Screening
Middlebury Public Library 30 Crest Road, Middlebury, CT 06762
11:00 am
Thursday August 6
Friday August 7
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- For Sale: 29 Revere Street —Brendan Puskar Read on Patch
- We no longer have to boil our water!!!
They do say if it's discolored, let it run until clear. (Nextdoor Bunker Hill North) - Hi neighbors!
I'm looking for recommendations for a fee-only fiduciary financial advisor in or near the Waterbury area, or someone who works virtually. I'm… (Nextdoor Town Plot)
- Wendy's posted a job opening for Crew Member in Waterbury. Apply here.
- O'Reilly Auto Parts posted a job opening for Assistant Store Manager in Waterbury. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Waterbury here.
Ok Waterbury! 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: Because he felt CRUMMY ! (Thank you Michelle S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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