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Bus Driver Wouldn’t Bring Student Home in Snowstorm: Cops

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A Naugatuck school bus driver has been charged after deciding not to drop a student off at home during a snowstorm and instead leaving him at a fast food restaurant more than a mile and a half away, according to police.

The 14-year-old boy’s family contacted police on Nov. 7, the day a nor’easter came through the state, dropping as much as a foot of snow in parts of the state. 

The bus driver, Keyla Rivera, 36, of New Haven, was having difficulty driving the bus in the snowstorm, police said.

Instead of driving the boy home, she dropped him off at McDonald's on New Haven Road and left, according to police.

The teen walked home in the snow from McDonald's to his house, which was approximately 1.6 miles.

According to the National Weather Service, just over 9 inches of snow fell in Naugatuck that day.

Rivera was charged with risk of injury to a child and second-degree reckless endangerment. She turned herself in to police at 2:47 p.m. on Wednesday and was released on a Promise to Appear.

She is due in court on Dec. 19.

NBC Connecticut made attempts to reach Rivera at a number that was listed for her.
 


Winning Hasn't Made the Jets Any Smarter

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This surreal little winning streak that the Jets are on may have lifted them back to the periphery of the playoff race, but it hasn't done anything to clear up the team's decision making. 

Rex Ryan said Thursday that Tim Tebow would serve as the backup to Mark Sanchez again this week, but that the team would not run any of the Wildcat packages that were so important to the team this summer that they were only practiced them in secret. They turned out to be so secret that the Jets pretty much forgot all about them once the season started, but the prospect of them remained the reason to keep Tebow on the roster. 

Now that the Jets aren't even pretending they'll be playing Tebow (unless the whole thing is some sort of counterintelligence which we couldn't put past a team as delusional as the Jets can be), what exactly is the reason to have him on the active roster? According to Ryan, it is because they think he's the best option should Sanchez be forced out of the game by injury or ineffectiveness. 

We disagree, but that would be fair enough if not for the fact that Ryan has scratched the Wildcat because of Tebow's broken ribs. That means we're to believe that Tebow isn't healthy enough to run the ball, but he is healthy enough to throw it even though throwing it is something that he struggles with when he's totally healthy. 

That leaves us with two possible explanations for why Tebow is in this position. The first is that the team is still trying to justify the trade for Tebow even though the verdict has long since been rendered on that front.

Even if you want to believe that football reasons drove the Jets to trade for Tebow and believe that Tebow can be a useful NFL player, you have to admit that it simply isn't going to happen with the Jets. The coaches either don't know or don't care about the best ways to utilize him, leaving this as a failure that the team must move past sooner rather than later. 

The other explanation is that the team doesn't like the idea of Sanchez playing with Greg McElroy staring over his shoulder because they think it will unnerve him. It's totally plausible given how much Sanchez has been coddled over the last four years, although it is impossible to understand why they think that's actually going to make the team or the quarterback any better in the long run. 

That leads us back to the start and the surreal winning streak that the Jets will try to extend against the Titans on Monday night. Winning might get the Jets into the playoffs, but it won't erase the mistakes of this season or fill anyone with confidence that things will be much different the next time around. 

Josh Alper is also a writer for Pro Football Talk. You can follow him on Twitter.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Fire Destroys Monroe Home

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The home at 7 Fernwood Road in Monroe was destroyed by fire early on Friday morning.

When firefighters responded around 2 a.m. The family who lives in the house was not home and flames were shooting out of windows.

The fire was so intense it caused the top floor to collapse.

The fire department had to knock down the chimney to make it safe for firefighters to go inside and battle the blaze.   

The cause is not yet known.

 

Parent, Child Recount Connecticut School Shooting

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A father and his daughter describe what unfolded during a shooting at a Connecticut elementary school.

Newtown School Shooting

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People embrace on December 14, 2012 in the aftermath of a shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary school that left 26 people dead, including 20 children and the gunman, identified as 20-year-old Adam Lanza. The gunman also killed his mother, who was found dead at her home. Click to see photos from Sandy Hook.

Conn. Massacre Second-Deadliest School Shooting in U.S.

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Friday's horrific elementary school shooting in Newtown, Conn., in which NBC News reported 20 children and 7 adults were killed, was among the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history, second only to the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre that took 32 lives. It comes on the heels of a tragic string of massacres in recent years:

April 2:
Former student One Goh, 43, allegedly went to small Christian school Oikos University in Oakland, Calif., took a receptionist hostage, and shot people in classrooms, apparently at random, according to students. He allegedly killed seven people, then went to a nearby grocery store, where he was apprehended by police.

April 16, 2007:
Virginia Tech student Seung-Hui Cho, a mentally troubled English major, shot dead 32 people and wounded another 17 on his school's campus, in the deadliest shooting by a single gunman in U.S. history. He afterward killed himself.

Oct. 2, 2006:
Charles Roberts entered an Amish school in Pennsylvania armed with a handgun, sent away male students, barricaded himself and the girls in the school, chained the girls together at the blackboard and shot them, killing five and wounding five others. Roberts, who was not himself Amish, had left suicide notes for his family.

March 21, 2005:
Jeffrey Weise, 16, killed his grandfather, a police sergeant, and his grandfather's girlfriend on an Indian reservation in Red Lake, Minn., before killing another seven people at his high school and himself.

April 20, 1999:
Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, seniors at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., committed a massacre at their school that they planned for a year. After trying to detonate propane bombs in the school cafeteria, the armed pair opened fire on classmates and faculty throughout the school building, killing 12 students and a teacher, before killing themselves.

March 24, 1998:
Mitchell Johnson, 13, and Andrew Golden, 11, armed with guns stolen from Golden's grandfather, drove Johnson's mother's minivan to Westside Middle School in Jonesboro, Ark. They pulled the fire alarm to lure students and teachers out of the school, and in an ambush from the woods, they killed four students and a teacher and wounded another nine students and a teacher.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

White House Press Secretary Discusses Conn. School Shooting

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White House Press Secretary Jay Carney discusses Friday's mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school.

Photo Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

Parents Pick Up Children Outside Conn. Elementary School

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Parents raced to Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. after a gunman opened fire inside the school. As many as 18 children and eight adults were killed, officials say.

Chopper Footage from Scene of Conn. Shooting

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Chopper 4 was over Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., where a gunman opened fire, killing at least 26 people.

Counseling Available for Newtown Families

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Counseling services are being made available to families and community members affected by the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.

The Newtown school district offered counseling until 9 p.m. on Friday night at the Intermediate School.  Counselors will be back at the Intermediate School Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Newtown Youth & Family Services will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for emergency counseling. No appointment is necessary.

Any families or staff at Sandy Hook Elementary, or other community members, are welcome to speak with counselors about the tragedy.



Photo Credit: AP

Interstate 84 Ramps Closed in Newtown

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The ramps for exit 10 on Interstate 84 eastbound and west bound are closed in Newtown.

This is in connection with the investigation into the shooting at Sandy Hook elementary this morning, according to state police.

The state Department of Transportation sent an alert stating that the ramp is expected to be closed for 12 hours or less.

 



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Obama Reacts to Connecticut School Shooting

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US President Barack Obama wipes his eye as he speaks during a previously unannounced appearance in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House on December 14, 2012 in Washington, DC. Obama spoke following the shooting in a Connecticut Elementary School which left at least 27 people dead. AFP PHOTO / Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Tales of Horror from Newtown School Shooting

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The brother of a student at Sandy Hook Elementary talks about his sister s ordeal during school shooting.

Giants Get Another Chance to Rise to the Occasion

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You have to admire Tom Coughlin's salesmanship. 

The Giants are the defending Super Bowl champions, leading their division with three games to play in the season and beloved by media members far and wide, yet Coughlin still gets his players to believe there's a general consensus that they're garbage. Listening to Victor Cruz on the NFL Network Friday makes you wonder if Coughlin missed his calling as a cult leader. 

"Every year at this time, people count us out, nobody picks us and then we go on this tremendous run to win the Super Bowl," Cruz said. "We're right where we want to be. Nobody's talking about us, and we want to continue to keep this trend going of the last year."

It's very hard to think of a place you could go where someone has counted out the Giants at this point in the season. It's the king of all strawmen arguments, but why argue with what seems to work for them?

This is a pretty good weekend to invent the latest round of The World vs. New York Giants Football. The Falcons have the inside track on homefield advantage in the NFC playoffs, which would seem like the perfect opportunity for the Giants to pull off an upset that starts them rolling to greater heights. 

Forget about the fact that it isn't actually an upset for the Giants to beat a team they beat 24-2 in the playoffs last year because reality doesn't matter. This is one of those moments where the story becomes the Giants overcoming the doubters, so you might as well just go with it. 

Injuries make that storyline juicier. The Giants won't have running back Ahmad Bradshaw on Sunday as the sprained knee he suffered against the Saints joined his neck and foot problems to finally knock him out of the lineup. 

David Wilson will be in line for the lion's share of the work out of the backfield, which works well given his breakout performance against New Orleans last week. It's a much bigger role than Wilson is accustomed to playing, however, and the Giants have had doubts this season about whether he was ready for the pass protection he'll need to provide for Eli Manning. 

Cornerback Prince Amukamara has also been ruled out, a big loss given the quietly strong play he's provided opposite the increasingly toasty Corey Webster. With Kenny Phillips still out, the Giants won't have much depth or versatility in the secondary against a good Falcons passing offense. 

That puts a lot of pressure on the pass rush to find itself after a mostly ineffectual season from the guys up front. But things didn't look too different in the playoffs and the Giants couldn't have had an easier time with it. 

Don't let that get in the way of the underdog storyline, though. Some things just sell too well to ever go out of circulation. 

Josh Alper is also a writer for Pro Football Talk. You can follow him on Twitter.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Giffords, Other Politicians React to Newtown Shooting

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As word spread of the 27 tragic deaths at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., politicians from across the country offered their sympathies, expressed frustration and called for reform.

Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was the victim of a mass shooting in January 2011, sent her prayers via her husband's Facebook page, and a tearful President Obama told the nation, "our hearts are broken."

Mark Kelly, husband of former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords:
"I just woke up in my hotel room in Beijing, China, to learn that another mass shooting has taken place -- this time at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in CT. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and the entire community of Newtown, CT. I just spoke to Gabby, and she sends her prayers from Tucson.



"As we mourn, we must sound a call for our leaders to stand up and do what is right. This time our response must consist of more than regret, sorrow, and condolence. The children of Sandy Hook Elementary School and all victims of gun violence deserve leaders who have the courage to participate in a meaningful discussion about our gun laws -- and how they can be reformed and better enforced to prevent gun violence and death in America. This can no longer wait." (Facebook)

President Barack Obama:
"The majority of those who died today were children -- beautiful little kids between the ages of 5 and 10-years-old," he said, pausing to wipe away a tear. "They had their entire lives ahead of them -- birthdays, graduations, weddings, kids of their own."

"Our hearts are broken today, for the parents, grandparents, sisters and brothers of these little children," Obama added, "as well as the families of the adults who were lost." (NBC News)

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg
"It has come to that. Not even kindergarteners learning their A,B,Cs are safe. We heard after Columbine that it was too soon to talk about gun laws. We heard it after Virginia Tech. After Tucson and Aurora and Oak Creek. And now we are hearing it again. For every day we wait, 34 more people are murdered with guns. Today, many of them were 5-year-olds. President Obama rightly sent his heartfelt condolences to the families in Newtown. But the country needs him to send a bill to Congress to fix this problem. Calling for 'meaningful action' is not enough. We need immediate action. We have heard all the rhetoric before. What we have not seen is leadership -- not from the White House and not from Congress. That must end today. This is a national tragedy and it demands a national response. My deepest sympathies are with the families of all those affected, and my determination to stop this madness is stronger than ever."

Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ)
"This is a day of great sadness in America, and our hearts go out to the victims and their families.  This latest shooting tragedy is an unthinkable act of violence carried out against young children and innocent people.  Americans are sick and tired of these attacks on our children and neighbors and they are sick and tired of nothing being done in Washington to stop the bloodshed.  If we do not take action to address gun violence, shooting tragedies like this will continue.  As President Obama said, we must act now 'regardless of the politics.'"

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT)

"Hadassah and I are shocked and heartbroken by the horrific events in Newtown today. We know this community and its people well. It is a beautiful town with wonderful people. As parents and grandparents, our hearts grieve for them today, and we send our prayers to each of them. I have spoken with President Obama and Vice President Biden today, both of whom share our grief and will do everything they can to console, comfort, and strengthen the survivors and the community. I will do everything in my power to assist the victims, survivors and their loved ones in the long days ahead, and extend my deepest sympathies to everyone affected by this terrible event.



"I commend the work of our local authorities and first responders for their dedication today in Newtown. I hope that all those involved are able to work together in the coming days as details become more clear, and that families in the Newtown community may have some semblance of peace during this holiday season. All of our prayers are with those in Newtown."

House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio)

"The horror of this day seems so unbearable, but we will lock arms and unite as citizens, for that is how Americans rise above unspeakable evil.  Let us all come together in God's grace to pray for the families of the victims, that they may find some comfort and peace amid such suffering.  Let us give thanks for all those who helped get people to safety, and take heart from their example.  The House of Representatives -- like every American -- stands ready to assist the people of Newtown, Connecticut."

Rep. George Miller (D-CA)

"Today, my thoughts and prayers are with the parents, families and school employees dealing with the horrific loss of life in Newtown, Connecticut. I join all Americans in grieving for this community suffering from this incomprehensible tragedy.



"Today is for sorrow and prayers. But the days ahead are for serious reflection about how we can reduce the flow of guns into the wrong hands.  One mass shooting after another in America is followed by sincere and painful mourning but no real action to protect the innocent.  We must come together as a nation to honestly discuss how to prevent people intent on carrying out these savage attacks from so easily obtaining guns and ammunition.


  The nation is ready for this conversation.  More importantly, though, the safety of children and all Americans demands we have it."

Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.)
"I am in shock and disbelief at this horrible tragedy that took so many innocent lives today. As a father and grandfather, it is beyond my comprehension why anyone would want to hurt innocent children. I join the millions of Americans whose thoughts and hearts are with those suffering because of this horrible crime in Connecticut."

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY)
"Today's horrific act of violence in Newtown, Connecticut is senseless and heartbreaking.  There are no words to express the profound grief we all feel at the loss of so many, especially young children.  My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their friends and family and the entire Newtown community.



"We cannot tolerate mass shootings as a mere inconvenience or a normal part of our everyday lives.  Easy availability of the deadliest weapons to the most dangerous people has cost countless lives and caused immeasurable suffering, never more so than today.   Our expressions of sympathy must be matched with concrete actions to stop gun violence."

Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Col.)
"The terrible news out of Connecticut is staggering. Like all Colorado families, my family is grieving and our hearts are with the victims, their families, and all of the students and employees at the school. This is a parent's worst nightmare. As Coloradans, we know how this type of tragedy can shake a community to its core. We are here for Connecticut as they work together to heal in the days ahead."

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.)
"This is a terrible, senseless, incomprehensible tragedy and my thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Newtown and Sandy Hook Elementary School.  I have been in touch with the governor's office and other officials and will do everything in my power to be there for the affected families."

Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.)
"As a parent and a public official, my heart and prayers are with these innocent victims, their families, and the entire community. I share the shock of all Connecticut at this hideous, horrific crime of inhuman violence.  I will be in close communication with law enforcement and state and local officials to ensure they receive the federal support and resources they need. "

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo
"I was shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School this morning in Newtown, Connecticut. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the innocent victims -- many of whom were young children -- whose lives were claimed by this senseless and horrific act of violence. During times of such unthinkable tragedy, all New Yorkers stand together with the people of our neighboring state to grieve the loss of life and help bear the pain and anguish that will be felt by so many in the weeks, months, and years to come.



"While we don't have all the facts and our focus must be on the victims, this is yet another senseless and horrific act of violence involving guns. We as a society must unify and once and for all crack down on the guns that have cost the lives of far too many innocent Americans. Let this terrible tragedy finally be the wake-up call for aggressive action and I pledge my full support in that effort."

Sen. Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME)
"Like all Americans, I am shocked and sickened at this reprehensible, heinous act at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. Such senseless violence is simply unimaginable and has no place in this great country of ours. As we struggle to comprehend this national tragedy, we stand united in holding the families and loved ones of those lost in our thoughts, and we pray for the full recovery of everyone who has been injured."

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY)
"The horror of what happened is beyond words and leaves a permanent lump in your throat.  To senselessly lose so many innocent lives breaks your heart. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who lost a loved one today, to all who are injured, and to those that survived. The people of New York will help in any way we can as our fellow citizens struggle to comprehend today's events.  Perhaps an awful tragedy like this will bring us together so we can do what it takes to prevent this horror from being repeated again."

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL)
"My heart breaks for the victims and families impacted by the senseless act of violence today in Newtown, Connecticut. In a world that can at times be defined by its darkness, children are a reminder of what is good, cheerful and beautiful about life. An act of violence against these defenseless young people, as well as the faculty and staff who dedicate themselves daily to educating and caring for them, is a deed of unconscionable evil. I pray that God holds Newtown close tonight as all of her residents come to terms with this tragedy."



Photo Credit: AP

Vigils Planned After Newtown School Shooting

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The news of the massacre in Newtown on Friday morning has shaken people across Connecticut, as well as across the nation.

During the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, 20 students and six adults died. The shooter was also found dead in the school and one of his family members was found dead in a house in town.

In response to the horrific news, several vigils are planned for people to gather in grief.

Berlin

Berlin Congregational Church, 878 Worthington Ridge. A vigil will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

East Haven

The East Haven Patch reports that The Rev. Tom Sievel, of St. Vincent de Paul Church, and Pastor Karen Johnson, of the Old Stone Congregational Church, are organizing a vigil to be held at Margaret Tucker Park, a small park in front of Old Stone Church, at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Hartford

A candlelight vigil will be held near the carousel at Bushnell Park at 7 p.m.

North Haven

Mt. Caramel Christian Church, 5100 Ridge Road, North Haven. Vigil will be held at 6 p.m.

Norwich

Beth Jacob Synagogue, the Norwich Clergy Association and the offices of the Mayor and City Council will hold a vigil at Beth Jacob Synagogue on New London Turnpike, on Saturday, Dec. 1. The time has not been released.

Rocky Hill

A town-wide prayer vigil will held at 7 p.m. on Friday at Rocky Hill Congregational Church. The church meeting house is located at 805 Old Main Street in Rocky Hill, Connecticut.

Waterbury

A special memorial service to be held on Tuesday, Dec. 18, at 1 p.m. at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, on the Green.

West Hartford United Methodist, 1358 New Britain Ave. Vigil will be held at 6 p.m.


 



 



Photo Credit: NBC 5

"Evil Visited This Community Today:" Governor

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Twenty eight people are dead, including the shooter, after a massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Friday in Newtown.

“Evil visited this community today,” Gov. Dannel Malloy said during a Friday evening news conference.

When police went to the elementary school around 9:30 a.m., they encountered a scene officers have referred to only as tragic and horrific.

Adam Lanza, 20, opened fire first at the Sandy Hook Elementary School's office, then in his mother's kindergarten class, authorities told NBC News.

Eighteen students were dead. Two more would die at the hospital. Six adults were also dead.

The shooter himself died as well, and one of his family members was found dead in a Newtown home, NBC has learned.

This is a time to focus on families of the victims, Malloy said. Each parent, sibling and member of the family has to understand that “we are in this together,” he said.

“This is a terrible time for this community, these families,” he added.

President Barack Obama was emotional as he spoke from the White House of the tragedy of children whose lives were taken -- children who will never grow up to have families of their own.

“I know that there is not a parent in America who does not feel the overwhelming grief that I do,” Obama said.



Photo Credit: AP

Weapons Used Belongs to Shooter’s Mother: NBC

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NBC News has learned that the weapons used during the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown on Friday were legally purchased and registered to gunman's mother.

Two 9mm handguns recovered at scene—a Glock and a Sig Sauer—were legally purchased and registered to the shooter’s mother, Nancy Lanza.



Photo Credit: AP

"This is a Community, Not Just a Town"

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The most famous thing about Newtown, Conn. -- until now -- was perhaps the 100-foot flagpole that has stood in the middle of Main Street since 1876. The pole is a source of community pride, but on Friday night it was also a symbol of sorrow, its flag hanging at half-staff in honor of the 20 children and six adults shot to death hours earlier.

That it happened in a school was the ultimate insult, residents said, because the schools are what continue to draw young families to this quiet, town in Connecticut's southwestern corner, a 90-minute drive from New York City. The schools and the sense of kinship they foster are what keep the place together, they said.

"This is a community, not just a town," said Cathy Masi, a real estate agent whose office window frames the downtown flagpole.

Masi spoke with a determination that didn't seem necessary until the shooting. Because she knows, everyone here knows, that their unpretentious suburban-rural town of 28,000 is going to be tested like never before.

"We are a very strong community," Masi said. "We are going to rally around the families. And we will get through this."

Dark was falling, it was getting cold and hardly anyone was out, other than reporters and satellite trucks. Many residents were waiting for the vigils that would be held at various houses of worship around town. Some posted simple, handwritten signs on their lawns saying they were praying for the victims.

"It's full of love, this town," John Vouros said, standing in the vestibule of his Main Street bed and breakfast, festooned with wreaths and bright ribbons and holiday lights. He paused to catch himself and his eyes got watery. "This is one of those towns where you think, 'This could never happen to us.'"

He waved his arms out at the historic downtown, lined with century-old trees and Colonial-style houses. "It's quiet here. There's no sensationalism. We all got excited when Starbucks came. And now..."

Vouros collected himself again. "Now we're on the map. How ridiculous. How awful."

But Newtown is resilient, he said. "You'll see that over the next few days."

Inside the Trinity Episcopal Church, a few people had walked in off the street to pray. James Curry, bishop suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut, fought back tears as he considered the evil that had come to this town. But if Newtown has anything, it is faith, he said. And that will get them through.

"The people here know they have to come together, and they will," Curry said.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

"This is a Community, Not Just a Town"

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0

The most famous thing about Newtown -- until now -- was perhaps the 100-foot flagpole that has stood in the middle of Main Street since 1876. The pole is a source of community pride, but on Friday night it was also a symbol of sorrow, its flag hanging at half-staff in honor of the 20 children and six adults shot to death hours earlier.

That it happened in a school was the ultimate insult, residents said, because the schools are what continues to draw young families to this quiet, town. The schools and the sense of kinship they foster are what keep the place together, they said.

"This is a community, not just a town," said Cathy Masi, a real estate agent whose office window frames the downtown flagpole.
 

Masi spoke with a determination that didn't seem necessary until the shooting. Because she knows, everyone here knows, that their unpretentious suburban-rural town of 28,000 is going to be tested like never before.

"We are a very strong community," Masi said. "We are going to rally around the families. And we will get through this."

Dark was falling, it was getting cold and hardly anyone was out, other than reporters and satellite trucks. Many residents were waiting for the vigils that would be held at various houses of worship around town. Some posted simple, handwritten signs on their lawns saying they were praying for the victims.
 

"It's full of love, this town," John Vouros said, standing in the vestibule of his Main Street bed and breakfast, festooned with wreaths and bright ribbons and holiday lights. He paused to catch himself and his eyes got watery. "This is one of those towns where you think, 'This could never happen to us.'"

He waved his arms out at the historic downtown, lined with century-old trees and Colonial-style houses. "It's quiet here. There's no sensationalism. We all got excited when Starbucks came. And now..." Vouros collected himself again. "Now we're on the map. How ridiculous. How awful." But Newtown is resilient, he said. "You'll see that over the next few days."

Inside the Trinity Episcopal Church, a few people had walked off the street to pray. James Curry, bishop suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut, fought back tears as he considered the evil that had come to this town. But if Newtown has anything, it is faith, he said.
And that will get them through.

"The people here know they have to come together, and they will," Curry said.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
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