With New Features, Old Favorites, 20th Annual Sam Collins Day Will Showcase What Canton Has to Offer

The Bird House Scholarship Art Auction returns this year. Here is one decorated by Gary Tomolonius.

With some staples, new features and revamped elements, organizers are excited about the 20^th annual Sam Collins Day this weekend.

The event takes place Saturday, Sept. 20 (Rain date Sept. 21) on Canton Springs Road and downtown Collinsville.

First are the staples, such as the Business Expo, Live Music, a taste of Canton Food Court, Community Organization Booths, Canton Historical Museum events, Brad Gilchrist’s annual T-shirt, Made in CT Tent, Walking Tours in Collinsville and more.

Such aspects really showcase Canton, which was the original goal of the event, which Event chairwoman Mary Tomolonius feels has been accomplished on a yearly basis.

“It’s one day, you can really get a sense of what Canton is all about,” Tomolonius said. … Continue Reading

Officials Respond to Gas Leak at Route 44, Lawton on Tuesday Morning

Officials responded to a gas leak at the medical building construction site at Lawton and Route 44 on Tuesday.

Emergency officials responded to the corner of Route 44 and Lawton Road at approximately 9 a.m. Tuesday for an active gas leak.

A backhoe, operated at the medical building construction site, ruptured an underground service main, fire officials said.

Police, the town of Canton Volunteer Fire and EMS Department and Connecticut Natural Gas responded to the scene.

“CVS was evacuated as a precaution,” fire marshal Adam Libros added.

Portions of Route 44, Washburn, Lawton and Dry Bridge were closed during the incident.

Shortly before 10 a.m., CNG had capped the pipe, a small extension designed to service the building when complete. Other area businesses retained gas service, officials said.

Adam Libros Contributes to Fire Service in Many Ways

Adam Libros, right, discusses a past storm situation with town department heads.

For the past several years, Adam B. Libros has served as Canton’s fire marshal and director of emergency management but his experience in the fire service dates back much further.

Since age 15, Libros has been formally involved with the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company, starting as a junior firefighter. At age 18, he became a firefighter and was eventually promoted to his current rank of captain.

“I get the best of both worlds.” Libros said. “I get to fight fires and investigate them.”

For Libros that experience, combined with formal training, has been invaluable to his position in Canton. … Continue Reading

Selectmen Discuss Potential Changes to Fire Marshal/Emergency Management Position

With Canton’s fire marshal and director of Emergency Management Adam B. Libros leaving to work for the town of Vernon, the Board of Selectmen on Wednesday discussed possible changes in the position.

Selectmen discussed potentially transferring the emergency management role to the police chief and other potential changes. … Continue Reading

Dish n’ Dat’s Tip a Canton Volunteer Firefighter/EMT Raises $1,500

Fire Captain Wayne Goeben assists DISH ‘n Dat waitress Katie Talbot as she serves up lunch.
Submitted photo

(Submitted) Dish ‘n Dat’s 5^th annual Tip a Volunteer Firefighter/EMT raised $1,500 for the Town of Canton Volunteer Fire & EMS Department – a record amount for the annual event. Since 2010, Dish ‘n Dat has raised $5,500 for Canton’s volunteer Fire/EMS service.

Canton’s volunteer firefighters spent the day assisting Dish ‘n Dat’s professional wait staff — busing tables, delivering food and assisting behind the bar. In addition, they offered tours of Ladder 2, Engine 4 and Canton’s Ambulance.

Dish ‘n Dat donated 10 percent of their customer’s individual tabs, with a special coupon that firefighters distributed through social media and around town. Customers added their own donations into bunker boots set around the restaurant and at fire apparatus.

“We are so fortunate to have partners in the community like Dish ‘n Dat. Dan Keller and his team demonstrated the professionalism, friendliness and generosity that we have all come to expect as both patrons of this terrific restaurant and again this year, as its wait staff-apprentices,” said Richard Hutchings, Canton Volunteer Fire & EMS Chief. … Continue Reading

Canton Fire Marshal/Director of Emergency Management Adam Libros Accepts Position in Vernon

Adam B. Libros talks about fire safety at a local educational institution.

Canton’s fire marshal and director of Emergency Management Adam B. Libros has told Canton Compass he’s accepted a position as fire marshal for the town of Vernon.

… Continue Reading

Tip a Canton Volunteer Firefighter/EMT Set for Aug. 21

(Submitted) Dish ‘n Dat will host its annual Tip a Canton Volunteer Firefighter/EMT event on Thursday, Aug. 21.

During the event, Canton’s volunteer firefighters & EMTs assist Dish ‘n Dat’s professional wait staff, during both the lunch and dinner service. Their roles will include: hosting, seating, clearing tables, carrying out food or helping out behind the bar.

People can visit www.cantonfireandems.org to download a Dish’n Dat Tip a Canton Volunteer Firefighter/EMT Coupon for themselves, a friend, family member and/or neighbor. The coupon can also be printed from the file at the end of this story.   … Continue Reading

Man Charged with Evading In Canton Hit-And-Run Accident

Life Star on Bowdoin Field Tuesday night.
Photo by John Fitts

Canton Police have charged a 26-year-old New Hartford man in connection with a Tuesday a vehicle/pedestrian accident near Canton High School.

Joshua Lacombe, 26, of 430 Main St., New Hartford was charged with evading responsibility after allegedly leaving the scene where a 32-year-old man sustained injuries on Simonds Avenue Tuesday night, police said. That injured man was flown to Hartford Hospital via LIFE STAR, police said.

The investigation is ongoing, police said.

Police responded to the area in front of the school entrance short after 9 p.m. Tuesday after they received a 9-1-1 call. Officers found about the man lying in the road. He had been walking a dog at the time. The animal was not injured. LIFE STAR responded and airlifted the man.

The town of Canton Volunteer Fire and EMS Department responded, fire police closed the road and a Simsbury ambulance crew attended to the patient until LIFE STAR came. Canton’s ambulance crew was on another call at the time. The North Central Municipal Accident Reconstruction Squad assisted at the scene.

Police received a tip after media outlets released the story and told the public that officers were seeking additional information. Canton officers and state police then responded to 430 Main St. in New Hartford and found the suspect and vehicle, police said.

Lacombe was brought to the Canton Police Department, charged with evading and released a $5,000 non-surety bond.

Canton Compass caught up to Lacombe Wednesday but he declined comment for now.

The investigation is ongoing, police said. See more about the accident in our earlier story here.

Tip a Canton Volunteer Firefighter/EMT to Take Place on Aug. 21

(Submitted) Dish ‘n Dat announces its annual fundraiser for the Town of Canton Volunteer Fire & EMS Department — Tip a Canton Volunteer Firefighter/EMT.

During the event, set for Aug. 21, Canton’s volunteer firefighters & EMTs assist Dish ‘n Dat’s professional wait staff, during both the lunch and dinner service. Their roles will include: hosting, seating, clearing tables, carrying out food or helping out behind the bar.

The Departmentencourages everyone to visit www.cantonfireandems.org to download a Dish’n Dat Tip a Canton Volunteer Firefighter/EMT Coupon for themselves, a friend, family member and/or neighbor. (or print it from the file at the end of this story).   … Continue Reading

Two Sent to Area Hospital After Friday Afternoon Accidents on Route 44

Two people were sent to an area hospital from two accidents on Route 44 Friday afternoon accidents, police said.

Shortly after 1 p.m. a three-car accident occurred at Route 44 and Brass Lantern Road (near La Trattoria), police said. … Continue Reading