Don R. Stacom
Pioneer Press
Bristol, CT, United States
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Past articles by Don:
ChatGPT wrote a bogus newsletter reporting a fictitious fight at a Connecticut middle school
The phony newsletter described a fictitious conflict between students, and listed names and penalties they sustained, according to the school system. → Read More
ChatGPT wrote a bogus newsletter reporting a fictitious fight at a Connecticut middle school
The phony newsletter described a fictitious conflict between students, and listed names and penalties they sustained, according to the school system. → Read More
As Mott Corp. expands in Farmington with 100 more jobs, officials praise ‘an American success story’
Mott Corp., a high tech manufacturer in Farmington, is expanding into a new 65,000-square-foot facility, a move that federal and state officials on Wednesday called a significant win for Connecticut. → Read More
East Hartford looks for infusion of apartments and businesses to fuel ambitious revitalization plan
Looking to reverse decades of stagnation, East Hartford has embarked on an ambitious revitalization plan that encompasses hundreds of new apartments, massive redevelopment of Rentschler Field and the foundation for townwide 10-gig fiber optic Internet service. → Read More
Rentschler redevelopment: Builder predicts 2,000 jobs, $4 million in new taxes for East Hartford
With a major municipal review completed, East Hartford officials are hoping to see construction begin on the redevelopment of Rentschler Field as soon as this fall. → Read More
More Connecticut school districts adding Hindu, Muslim holidays to calendars
Newington this month declared Dawali an official school holiday and Bridgeport did the same with Eid-al-Fitr, the latest in a tiny but growing number of non-traditional holidays gaining acceptance in the state’s public school systems. → Read More
Return to full-time learning at New Britain High School after a year of COVID-19 restrictions beset by violence
A highly publicized arrest and a profanity-laded shoving incident capped five weeks of troubles - including fights and vandalism - at New Britain High School since classes began Sept. 1. → Read More
Dallas developer proposes 238 apartments at former industrial site along CTfastrak in Newington
Years after CTfastrak opened, the former National Welding site in Newington could be turned into 238 apartments - the largest single transit-oriented development project along the route so far. → Read More
Developer: Old Collinsville ax factory complex could become apartments with public riverwalk, waterfront dining
The huge, largely vacant brick Collins Co. axe factory in Canton could be in line for restoration to apartments and commercial use. Years after the eagerly anticipated @Collinsville renovation fell through, a new developer - Ranger Properties - is pitching a fresh idea. → Read More
Drug addiction recovery center breaks ground for new facility in New Britain
The Root addiction recovery center that offers methadone treatment in New Britain is building a behavioral management center for mental health and addiction clients. → Read More
Farmington High School becomes the latest Connecticut school to retire its Indian mascot
After more than a quarter century of debate, Farmington High School's Indian mascot was put into retirement Monday night. The school board unanimously decided to scrap the symbol based on critics' complaints that it is insulting to Native American youth and can contribute to a hostile environment for all students of color. → Read More
As car thefts, break-ins spike, Connecticut police say there’s a pattern to the crimes. Here’s what to look out for.
Facing a surge in car thefts, car break-ins and tire thefts, West Hartford police are waging a social media campaign to get residents to step up security. → Read More
Plainville skyline to change with construction of 12-story Stop & Shop warehouse
Contractors in Plainville are building the foundation for a supermarket warehouse that will be one of the tallest buildings in central Connecticut outside of Hartford. The 250,000-square-foot warehouse for frozen foods will serve Stop & Shop stores in New England and will rise 140 feet, or roughly 12 stories. → Read More
Forget vampires and warlocks: West Hartford man’s Halloween display centers on real-life terrors
Death is the a key part of Matthew Warshauer’s outsized Halloween display in West Hartford this year, but it’s not portrayed with ghouls and zombies. Instead, two large panels of photos face out at North Main Street: One shows about 20 Americans who’ve died of COVID-19, the other shows Black Americans killed by police. → Read More
New Britain eyes long-term plan to provide low-income students Wi-Fi if online learning continues this fall
Suggesting that online instruction will be part of public school education well into the future, New Britain is looking for ways to make Wi-Fi available to low-income families. → Read More
Berlin manufacturer begins expansion in midst of coronavirus pandemic: ‘We’re optimistic’
Complete Sheet Metal is starting an 11,000-square-foot addition to its manufacturing plant in Berlin. The owner projects it will cost $800,000 to $1 million, and he’s going ahead despite the state of the economy. → Read More
Berlin hopes monthlong Mother’s Day promotion will boost gift card sales at local shops and salons
After a successful push to help local restaurants in April, Berlin is running a promotion this month to boost sales for local retailers and service businesses. → Read More
In social distancing era, Connecticut’s coastal towns look to limit warm-weather crowds
With the long-awaited approach of good weather this weekend, the state and its shoreline towns are calling on quarantine-fatigued residents to obey social distancing rules so that parks, beaches and other recreational areas don’t get shut down. → Read More
Dairy farmers in Connecticut struggling as coronavirus pandemic hurts food markets, driving farms to dump milk daily
The coronavirus shutdown of restaurants, universities and public schools has destroyed about half of the customer base for milk, cheese and other dairy products. → Read More
In communities around Connecticut, ringing bells has become the sound of unity during coronavirus isolation
Residents in Farmington, Windsor Locks, Enfield, Naugatuck and elsewhere are ringing bells or banging pans for a couple minutes each evening as a morale builder or to thank health care workers during the coronavirus crisis. → Read More