Ally Doyle Memorial Fun Walk Set for May 7

COLLINSVILLE _ The Ally Doyle Memorial Fun Walk will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 7 at the Rails to Trails starting and ending near the Crown and Hammer Restaurant and Pub.

Doyle lost her life at age 13 on April 24, 2016 due to a tragic accident.

“Ally was an amazing and talented 13-year-old Canton Middle School student,” her family wrote on the event website. “She had a great love for gymnastics, field hockey, academics, spending time at the beach, and being silly with her friends and family.”

Ally and her family, and their dogs, loved to walk on the trail. Proceeds will benefit the Canton Dollars for Scholars Ally Doyle Scholarship Fund.

Cost is $25 and online registration ends at 11:59 p.m. May 5.

Visit runsignup.com/Race/CT/Collinsville/TheAllyDoyleMemorialFunWalk.

Walkers can also register at the event.

Moose sightings stir up excitement in Canton

A young moose photographed in Canton. Photo by Colleen Plaskett

CANTON – It wasn’t an oversized bunny or a life-altering religious experience, but residents were excited to see a young moose Easter morning.

Following sightings in Winchester, Barkhamsted, New Hartford and other parts of Canton, several residents witnessed a young, male moose in a field and wooded area on Olson Road, near the intersection of East Hill Road on Easter Sunday. Several more sightings followed in the next few days.

Wildlife experts say it is not uncommon to see young moose by themselves in the spring.

To see what a local expert and a state Department of Energy and Environmental Department biologist had to say about the moose in Connecticut, see this week’s Valley Press.

Ally Doyle Memorial Fun Walk set for May 7

COLLINSVILLE _ The Ally Doyle Memorial Fun Walk will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 7 at the Rails to Trails starting and ending near the Crown and Hammer Restaurant and Pub.

Doyle lost her life at age 13 on April 24, 2016 due to a tragic accident.

“Ally was an amazing and talented 13-year-old Canton Middle School student,” her family wrote on the event website. “She had a great love for gymnastics, field hockey, academics, spending time at the beach, and being silly with her friends and family.”

Ally and her family, and their dogs, loved to walk on the trail. Proceeds will benefit the Canton Dollars for Scholars Ally Doyle Scholarship Fund.

Cost is $25 and online registration ends at 11:59 p.m. May 5.

Visit runsignup.com/Race/CT/Collinsville/TheAllyDoyleMemorialFunWalk. Walkers can also register at the event.

Also on May 7, in the morning, is the second Burlington to Collinsville Classic 10K, sponsored by the Hartford Marathon Foundation. See more at http://hartfordmarathon.com/burlington-to-collinsville-classic/

Canton Chamber of Commerce Seeks Golfers and Sponsors for Annual Golf Tournament

Early Bird Pricing Extended

Submitted Release 

The Canton Chamber is pleased to announce its 24th Annual Golf Tournament, being held on Monday, June 5 at Simsbury Farms Golf Course in West Simsbury. The tournament is open to the public and a portion of the proceeds fund the Chamber’s annual scholarships to Canton High School seniors seeking higher education in business or pursuing an entrepreneurial endeavor. … Continue Reading

Taste of Farmington Set for April 27

FARMINGTON — The Taste of Farmington, which will feature some 27 food purveyors, is set for 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. April 27

The event, which takes place at Farmington Gardens at 999 Farmington Ave., Farmington benefits the Farmington Food Pantry. Cost is $50

Trevor Gilbertie, manager of Cure Restaurant and Bar, in Unionville, is the coordinator of the inaugural event.

“We saw it was a good opportunity since Farmington hasn’t had a good event like this, of this size for a couple of years now,” Gilbertie said.

See more in the Valley Press.  … Continue Reading

Police Identify Person Killed in Route 44 Crash

CANTON – Police have identified the woman killed in a two-car crash on Route 44 Saturday afternoon.

Donna Young, 60, of Norfolk, the lone occupant of one vehicle, was killed in the crash, police said. The driver of the other vehicle, Eric Davis, 33, of Canton had serious, but non-life threatening injuries, police added.

Police said they received multiple 9-1-1 calls about the two-car accident at 1:46 p.m. Saturday. Davis was trapped and had to be extricated by members of the town of Canton Volunteer Fire and EMS Department, before being transported to an area hospital for serious injuries. There were no passengers in either vehicle, police said.

The town of Canton Volunteer Fire and EMS Department, Canton Police, New Hartford Volunteer Ambulance, Life Star and the North Central Municipal Accident Reconstruction Team were all at the scene.

The accident remains under investigation.

Anyone who witnessed the crash, which is under investigation, is asked to call Canton police at 860-693-0221.

Fatal Crash on Route 44

By John Fitts

Police have confirmed there was one fatality from a crash on Route 44 near the New Hartford town line Saturday afternoon.

Police said they received multiple 9-1-1 calls about the two-car accident at 1:46 p.m. One driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Police did not immediately release the person’s identity.

The driver of the second vehicle was trapped and had to be extricated by members of the town of Canton Volunteer Fire and EMS Department, before being transported to an area hospital for serious injuries.

There were no passengers in the vehicles.

The town of Canton Volunteer Fire and EMS Department, Canton Police, New Hartford Volunteer Ambulance, Life Star and the North Central Municipal Accident Reconstruction Team were all at the scene. The road remained closed early Saturday evening.

Anyone who witnessed the crash, which is under investigation, is asked to call Canton police at 860-693-0221.

New life planned for old, storied structure

By John Fitts 

CANTON — While refurbishing the former South Center District School may have started with members of the First Congregational Church, Canton Center, the idea has always been to involve the greater community.

On April 30, church members are planning a grand opening event to showcase the building and the town’s history.

The building, located at 185 Cherry Brook Road, across the street from the church, served as one of nine schoolhouses in town before Cherry Brook School was built in 1942.

The original building was built in 1848.

See more in this week’s Valley Press.

Canton volunteer firefighters, EMTs and fire police gather to celebrate

CANTON — The town of Canton Volunteer Fire & EMS Department recently hosted an Awards Dinner to celebrate, recognize and honor the past five years of their service to Canton and the Farmington Valley community.
Pictured are: Gerry Holland, Chief’s Award of Appreciation; Ryan Kerr, Officer of the Year; Danielle Kerr, EMT of the Year; Leo LeBoeuf, Firefighter of the Year; Joseph Viener, Chief’s Award of Appreciation Missing from photo: David Bondanza, Top EMS Duty Hour Award.

See more in this week’s Valley Press.

Lease signed for car dealership on River Road

COLLINSVILLE – With local approvals, and a tenant in place, a used car dealership at 5 River Road could be operational as early as summer.

Stephen Roberto, owner of the .47 acre site, confirmed he has signed a “long-term” lease with Burlington businessman Zolfikar Ezzeddine, who will operate a dealership at the site. The use, amid some controversy, was approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission in March and, more recently, by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

See more in this week’s Valley Press.