English Bulldog Puppies for Sale in Waterbury, CT

Capsule look at 2024 Naugatuck Valley & Greater Waterbury High School Football Thanksgiving Week Games. Dates, times subject to change.

Naugatuck Valley

TUESDAY, Nov. 26

Avon at Lewis Mills

Wednesday, Nov. 27

Abbott Tech/Immaculate at Northwest United

Platt Tech at O'Brien Tech

Waterbury Career Academy at Wilby

Woodland at Seymour

Ansonia at Naugatuck

Torrington at Watertown

THURSDAY, Nov. 23

Crosby at Kennedy

Holy Cross at Wolcott

St. Paul at Gilbert/Northwestern/Housatonic

Oxford at Derby

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Sports Reporter

Michael Fornabaio is a sports reporter with Hearst Connecticut Media Group. Born in the Bronx and raised at the New Haven Coliseum (but really in Orange), Fornabaio has been with the Connecticut Post since 1997. He has covered high school sports for pretty much that whole time, though he also covered the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers daily for 17 years. In his occasional free time, you can usually find him watching more baseball or hockey and complaining about the delay-of-game rule.

Sean Patrick Bowley

Assistant Sports Editor

Sean -- or SPB -- is a Woodbridge native and an alumnus of Amity Regional and Syracuse University who has covered high school sports in Connecticut for over two decades, beginning at Elm City Newspapers and Connecticut Post, now as editor of GameTimeCT.com. Sean has won numerous national and regional honors and is best known for his innovative and comprehensive coverage of Connecticut high school football. A ski and movie aficionado during off-seasons, he still calls Greater New Haven home.

Pete Paguaga

Sports Reporter

Pete Paguaga is a senior sports producer for GameTimeCT and Hearst Connecticut Media Group. Pete was raised on Long Island and graduated from Southern Connecticut State University. He enjoys pretzels, bad movies and high school football and baseball.

WATERBURY – The state Department of Public Health is fining Waterbury Hospital $60,000 and ordering it to execute a contract with an independent monitor to oversee patient care within the next month after five unannounced inspections found violations of state law.

Christopher Boyle, director of communications for DPH, said he could not comment on the consent order Friday. While the order does not refer specifically to the violations, it states the independent monitor should assure the “safety, welfare and well-being of the patients, and assure compliance with applicable federal and state law.”

The order states the monitor should be at the hospital 32 hours a week and provide consulting services for one year unless DPH identifies through inspections that a longer period is necessary. The order also states that within 14 days, the hospital should develop or revise policies and procedures related to staffing levels and abuse prevention, including screening, abuse reporting, investigation and staff education; patient restraints; management of patients on continuous cardiac monitoring; anesthesia services and internal reporting of serious events.

Further, it states the chief nursing officer should ensure staffing levels are appropriate for safe care; all staff receive education on abuse prevention upon hire, then annually thereafter; staff training; timely initiation of emergency department triage protocol; staff training regarding patient restraints; and anesthesia services are provided in accordance with acceptable standards of practice.

Lauresha Xhihani, director of communications for Waterbury Health, said the hospital is committed to “providing safe, high-quality care to our patients and the community we serve. As part of a consent order with the Department of Public Health, we will be engaging an independent expert to provide guidance and oversee our compliance with the consent order requirements.”

Xhihani said the independent expert will ensure “Waterbury Hospital’s continued compliance with the plans of correction that the hospital submitted to DPH regarding issues that were identified by DPH during surveys of the facility over the last 16 months. Waterbury Hospital currently remains in compliance with these plans of correction, all of which were previously accepted by DPH.”

She said the hospital remains committed “to continuous improvement, operational excellence and maintaining the confidence of the patients and families who trust us with their care.”

Last month, Gov. Ned Lamont told Prospect Medical Holdings, which owns Waterbury Hospital, it should install an independent monitor. Lamont has said he remains concerned about patient care and safety at all of Prospect’s hospitals as a legal battle between Yale New Haven Health and Prospect drags on concerning the sale of Prospect’s hospitals, which also include Manchester Memorial and Rockville General in Vernon. With no deal in sight, two unions at Waterbury Hospital, and state and local leaders worry patient care is at risk, alleging inadequate staffing and equipment, and a failure to follow requirements of a new staffing law.

Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski Jr. said Friday he did not think there was any question there are huge issues at Waterbury Hospital. While he said the independent monitor will give some comfort the hospital remains safe for people, it is not a long-term solution.

“You have to have a complete overhaul of the operator there,” he said, referring to Prospect.

Ed Gadomski, internal organizer for the Connecticut Health Care Associates District 1199 Waterbury Hospital and Tech unions, has said nearly every department is understaffed as state-mandated staffing levels are not being met. He cited a 50% vacancy rate in the operating room and that nurses told him they are overseeing seven to eight patients at a time, a violation of the standard ratio of one nurse to five patients. Gadomski also noted nurses are exceeding their allotted sick time because they are exhausted.

He said Friday he is grateful DPH conducted the investigation and exposed the truth regarding what the unions have been claiming.

“I am happy to hear an independent monitor will ensure corrective action is taking place at Waterbury Hospital,” he said.

State Rep. Ron Napoli, D-73rd District, said he hopes Prospect officials remain committed to the corrective plan moving forward. He said the monitor has the “potential to enhance public confidence by ensuring the hospital is committed to accountability.”

State Rep. Geraldo Reyes, D-75th District, said it is a terrible situation at the hospital.

“When you are getting to the level of fines and this kind of attention, you poke the bear one time too many,” he said. “The end game is good, quality patient care. … Nothing short of that is satisfactory.”

The countless messages on a Facebook page says all you need to know about the life of Jim McKee, the former legendary Naugatuck High boys and girls swimming coach.

McKee, 76, died Monday at River Glen Health Care Center in Southbury after a brief illness.

Among the most profound notes about McKee came from Dan Cacchillo, who noted “There’s a pair of shoes that can never be filled. That’s without a doubt.”

Vincent Thoren added “We always joked about coach being immortal; I think it was because he meant so much to us, and we could not imagine the loss we would feel without him. Truly the best coach I have ever had. He pushed not only myself, but countless others to the brink of our abilities. He knew more about your potential than you did and guided you to success.”

A Waterbury native and 1965 Crosby High graduate, McKee was known for his four-decade coaching career. But McKee’s wife, Suzanne, said Jim was much more, calling him an icon. The McKees celebrated their 52nd anniversary last Aug. 25.

“Every place we would go, people loved him,” said Suzanne. “He was a thoughtful and kind person, someone who ran marathons, was a master bridge player, a football and baseball player. He did everything and loved every minute of what he did.”

And especially guiding the Naugy swim programs. “He loved every one of his swimmers,” Suzanne said.

McKee guided the girls team for 36 seasons, compiling a 272-120-2 record and winning six NVL titles. He led the boys teams for 42 seasons, guiding the Greyhounds to 392 wins, 16 NVL crowns and a 1992 Class L state crown.

Brendan Heller, 34, now head coach of the Greenwich High girls team and Woodland boys team, was greatly influenced by McKee, as was his older sister, Kristin, and younger brother, Trevor.

“I think of him every day,” said Heller, a 2008 Naugatuck graduate and team captain. “He is a hero of mine. He brought out the best in everyone. He inspired belief in yourself that you can do anything that you set your mind to. He inspired utmost confidence in kids who never (competitively) swam before. That made you believe and made the team special and have so many special seasons. Every time you arrived at the pool, you were excited to be there. When the season finally ended, it was a sad day.”

Current Oxford High boys and girls coach Matt San Angelo, a 2009 Naugatuck graduate, said McKee would have been an ideal Army recruiter.

“Coach McKee got kids to do things that they had no belief in doing,” said San Angelo. “He was so great in motivating and pushing boundaries athletically. He gave them instruction, was motivating and encouraging and instilled a belief that they can do whatever the goal was. He always put kids in a position to succeed.”

Reflecting back to December 1976, Mike Magas recalled meeting McKee for the first time. That was McKee’s senior year.

“Jim followed a legendary coach, Jim Farrar, but by no means did that intimidate him,” said Magas. “He definitely influenced and shaped my own coaching philosophy of being prepared and not to take shortcuts and to not make excuses. When I was a young coach, I would ask for pointers and tips and he was free and be happy to share his expertise. I was always grateful for that.”

After graduating from high school, McKee worked as a lifeguard at Lake Quasspaug in Middlebury with Ed Aston, who would become a legendary swim coach at Cheshire High. McKee and Aston would become teammates and roommates at Southern Connecticut State in New Haven and held a friendship that spanned 60 years. It was Aston who helped steer McKee into coaching, first as an age-group coach before heading to high school.

“Jim was just a great guy,” said Aston. “He always did something in a big way. He would never take a shortcut in anything. He was great teammate, a great roommate and a very determined person.”

And most of all, a well-respected coach.

“Every kid should have had the pleasure of performing under Jim McKee,” noted former Sacred Heart coach Ray Snyder III, 59, a 1983 graduate, who swam and coached against McKee. “When you coached against him, he brought out the best in you. We had a great rapport.”

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CT Mission of Mercy’s clinic is Saturday and Sunday

WATERBURY, CT (WFSB) - This weekend, free dental services will be given to thousands of patients who need care.

Connecticut Mission of Mercy is holding its 18th dental clinic at Wilby High School in Waterbury.

The gym is going to be transformed into an 80-chair dental clinic with the help of volunteers.

“This gives care to people who have no other place to turn,” said Laurence Levy, chair of CT Foundation for Dental Outreach.

Going to the dentist can be expensive.

That’s why the Connecticut Mission of Mercy said it offers a free dental clinic to eliminate the cost.

“it’s free to everyone, no questions asked,” said Lisa Perry-Swain, the executive director for the Connecticut Foundation for Dental Outreach. “We don’t ask immigration status. Just bring a list of your medications and you’ll be seen that day.”

Perry-Swain said veterans, those with disabilities, and children are prioritized.

“We offer x-rays, exams, cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals on front teeth and premolars, and limited partial dentures to replace missing teeth,” she said.

Transforming Wilby’s gym into a dental clinic didn’t happen overnight.

The foundation fundraises year-round to keep up with the costs of putting on the clinic.

There were also partners and volunteers that helped make it all possible.

“I’ve got four people coming from Vermont and probably four more local lab techs that are going to show up,” said Frank Frost, head of dental laboratory.

Without volunteers, it’d be hard for the organization to stand on two feet.

Dentists, hygienists, and certified dental assistants come from all over the country to fill the room.

Perry-Swain said the outcome is worth every second.

“They smile when they leave because they have the care,” she said. “They had things taken care of that they couldn’t have done for years.”

The goal is to serve 1,700 patients over two days.

By 7 a.m. on Saturday, the gym will be a functioning dental clinic, open Saturday and Sunday.

More information about the clinic can be read here.

Copyright 2024 WFSB. All rights reserved.

The Connecticut Foundation for Dental Outreach will host its 18th Connecticut Mission of Mercy Free Dental Clinic this weekend in Waterbury.

RJ Scofield, Patch Staff

Information via Connecticut Mission of Mercy Free Dental Clinic

WATERBURY, CT — The Connecticut Foundation for Dental Outreach will host its 18th Connecticut Mission of Mercy Free Dental Clinic this weekend in Waterbury.

According to a news release provided by the CTMOM, the event will take place Saturday and Sunday at Wilby High School Center, located at 568 Bucks Hill Road.

"CTMOM is committed to improving the quality of life for all that we serve through necessary dental care," CFDO Chair Laurence Levy said in a news releaes. "The city of Waterbury is well poised to help us extend our mission to as many patients as possible."

CTMOM provides dental services for underserved individuals who cannot afford the cost of care.

Find out what's happening in Naugatuckwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The clinic is first-come, first-served and is expected to administer free dental care to about 1,700 patients during the two-days and will feature 80 dental stations staffed by 1100 volunteers, according to CTMOM.

The clinic provides a wide range of dental services, including exams, x-rays, cleanings, extractions, fillings and limited root canals on front teeth and interim partial dentures.

"On behalf of the city of Waterbury, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Connecticut Mission of Mercy for bringing their invaluable free dental clinic to our community," Mayor Paul Pernerewski said in a news release. "Your commitment to providing essential dental care to those in need exemplifies true compassion and service. You are making a significant impact on the health and well-being of our residents."

CFDO Treasurer Michael Perl noted CTMOM is proud to have held these clinics throughout the years in just about every corner of the state.

"Every year, we draw patients from all over the state, treating those with the greatest need," Perl said in a news release. "We take this opportunity to honor our veterans, giving them preferred placement in the clinic and the consideration they deserve in thanks for their sacrifice in service to our country."

To date, the 2024 CTMOM Free Dental Clinic is generously supported by the following major donors:

The State of Connecticut: Department of Public Health and Department of Economic and Community Development, Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation, Integrity Systems and Solutions, LLC, Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA), WFSB Eyewitness News 3, Delta Dental Foundation of NJ and CT, Beatrice Fox Auerbach Foundation at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, The Maximilian E. and Marion O. Hoffman Foundation, Henry Schein Dental, The Connecticut State Dental Association, Siracusa Moving & Storage, Rapoport Family Fund, Barbara Ellen Miller Charitable Foundation, Dexis, Gendex, 94.3 WYBC, Connecticut Community Foundation, BFA Endowment Fund: Jean Shiro Zavala, American Savings Foundation, Stanley D. and Hinda N. Fisher Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Webster Bank, Community Foundation of Middlesex County, Cigna Healthcare, Diversified Design Technologies, Patterson Dental, Champlain Dental Laboratory, Alternative Dental Laboratory, Apex Dental Laboratory Group, Sunlife/DentaQuest, The James McManus Trust, The Kitchings Family Fund, Jeffrey S. Hoffman, TD Bank, Tokuyama, Kavo, United Way of Greater Waterbury, M&T Bank, Patterson Foundation and Henry Schein Cares Foundation.

"These clinics cost a lot of money to put on," Perl said. "We want to thank the generous donors who have stepped up for this and past clinics, but every year, as costs rise, it gets more and more expensive to put on these clinics. We ask that any individuals or charitable organizations please consider supporting this most valuable event that helps people maintain their oral health."

The CTMOM Free Dental Clinic is also seeking volunteers; dental and medical professionals and community volunteers of all types are needed.

To learn more about what type of help is needed and to register as a volunteer, visit www.ctmom.org.

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