I had the opportunity to sit down with Orange Assistant Police Chief Ed Koether earlier this week. After 30 years with the force he will begin a new phase of his life. Read all about it here

The Board of Selectmen meeting for the Town of Orange will be held one week earlier than scheduled in September. It will be on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 7:30 p.m. in the lower level meeting room of Town Hall. It has been changed due to the Orange Chamber of Commerce’s 50 Anniversary Celebration Awards Dinner on Sept. 12, to be held at the Race Brook Country Club.

Amity Regional School District is looking to increase its General Substitute pool. Those interested are asked to submit a resume, cover letter, transcripts and at least three letters of recommendation. If you hold a teaching certificate include a copy with your submission. You must have a Bachelor's degree. The pay rate is $65 per day with no benefits. Amity Regional School District No. 5 ATTN: Pers’l-Gen’l Sub 25 Newton Road Woodbridge, CT 06525

ORANGE Democrats Chris Murphy - 206 Susan Bysiewicz 113 Republicans Linda McMahon 2090 Chris Shays 124 BETHANY Chris Murphy - 233 Susan Bysiewicz - 61 Susan McMahon - 217 Chris Shays - 62 PROBATE Henrici - 62 Burt - 215

I have received many voice mails, emails and personal questions regarding who was responsible for the condition Cheyenne the Paint horse was found in. Some of you even went so far as to say you were withholding donations until we printed the alleged abuser. The fact of the matter is we will print the name of that person when animal control receives the warrant for the arrest of that person and not until that occurs. It's a process that is cumbersome. Animal control must apply for the warrant with all the necessary collaborating evidence such as police report, veterinarians report etc. Once they have the necessary paperwork they file to the court for the warrant. And wait until the court system approves the p[paperwork. Only then can they charge the individual with cruelty to animals. When that happens we will print the name of the person accused.

On Aug. 1 officers served a warrant on the arrestee after he was picked up by Manchester Police on an unrelated matter. The warrant stemmed from an incident that began in April of 2012 when the arrestee was hired by an Orange resident to do some repair work on his home. The arrestee took the resident’s money, but never performed the work. Further investigation revealed that the arrestee is not a licensed contractor, nor is his listed business registered with the State of Connecticut. Arrested was Richard Castaldi, 30,Wallingford. He was charged with fifth-degree larceny and offering home improvements without registration. On Aug. 2 officers conducting routine patrol stopped a vehicle on Route 34 for speeding. Officers learned that the driver was wanted by the New Haven Police Department on multiple charges including other motor vehicle violations and possession of marijuana. Mamrcus Bailey, 24,New Haven was subsequently taken into custody and charged with speeding. On Aug. 2 Merri Middlemass, 52, Stratford turned herself in at police headquarters after learning of a warrant for her arrest. The initial warrant was for a violation of probation; the probation stemmed from a previous arrest. Once at police HQ, officers learned that there were a total of three other warrants from the Monroe and Westport police departments for the arrestee, all for probation violations. Orange officers served all the warrants, and the arrestee posted bond and was released.

The Orange Fairgrounds are expected to be packed once again with another free concert for the summer. This time the Orange Town News joins with the town of Orange to bring to you, for the first time in Connecticut, the “British Invasion Tribute Band.” The event will take place on the fairgrounds on Saturday, Sept. 1 (rain date Sunday, Sept. 2) from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Families, bring you chairs and sit out and rock to one of New England’s premiere bands. The British Invasion Tribute Band is a four person band making its first outdoor appearance in Connecticut. The band is a regular at Mohegan Sun Casino and has performed at Asbury Park, Wildwood, Six Flags, Harrah's Atlantic City, and amusement Parks and Community Festivals throughout NJ, PA and NY. The Band will be performing three full sets of music from the 1960’s: 1) “The British Invasion” (1964 to 1967) - with hits from such great groups as the Rolling Stones. Kinks, Zombies, Animals, Herman’s Hermits and more. 2) The second set is “The American Response” to the British Invasion” featuring songs from the Monkey’s, the Beach Boys, the Doors, Simon and Garfunkel and the Mama’s and the Papa’s. 3) The evening finishes off with the Beatles as the band plays the complete side #2 from their fan favorite album “Abbey Road.” Light Snacks and beverages will be available at the fairgrounds. Come early and get a good seat. This is a free Orange family event you will not want to miss.

Woodbridge is getting a new newspaper that will be delivered every three weeks. The publisher of the Orange Town News, Rocco Salperto and editor Marlene Silverstein appeared before the towns Board of Selectmen last evening and discussed their venture into Woodbridge. Salperto, who did all the talking, said content in the publication would be exclusive to the town. "It will be more exclusive than the regional paper," Salperto said. The Orange Town News has been in existence for the past seven years. "With the last few months (newspapers) have been shuffling and it has left some voids," Salperto said. He was most likely referring to the fact that the Amity Observer has gone to an online version only and was using its former editor Betina Thiel as a correspondent. Salperto told the board that Thiel along with Melissa Nicafero and Laura Fantarella would be the correspondents covering the town. Nicafero recently joined the Orange Town News and Fantarella has been writing for the publication for a few years now. Nicafero had written for Bethwood Patch. When asked by a board member of the paper was also online and would it have regular updates Salperto said the only time updates would appear are if there was a major emergency. He said the paper, as printed, is downloadable. Salperto said he plans the first issue to be in mailboxes Labor day weekend.

State Rep. Paul Davis (D-117th District) welcomed approval recently by the State Bond Commission of $15 million in state aid that will fund paving projects and road repairs including Orange. “It’s critical that we continue to maintain our infrastructure and these funds are important for our local towns to help pay for road repair and paving projects,” Davis said. “I am pleased the funding has been approved by the State Bond Commission. This funding provides relief for local property taxpayers and for those local officials responsible for local paving and road repair projects.” The Town Aid Road (TAR) funds for Orange is $137,915. Orange will receive half payments in July and January. Davis is House Chair of the Regulations Review Committee and serves on the Education and Environment Committee

HARTFORD — Rep. Themis Klarides in 2012 continued her strong commitment to the people she represents in 114th General Assembly District covering Derby, Orange and Woodbridge. Klarides, according to recently-released data from the House Clerk’s office, lodged a 99 percent voting record in the House of Representatives during the regular, veto and special sessions. “I’ve haven’t lost sight of why I go to the Capitol—to be the voice of the people in these three outstanding communities,” said Klarides, who serves as Deputy Republican Leader. “This job is a tremendous responsibility that I take seriously. Every community needs and deserves a strong, thoughtful representative in Hartford. Without that, a town’s voice can be drowned out quickly.” Klarides serves on the legislature’s committees on Appropriations, Judiciary, Executive and Legislative Nominations, and Legislative Management.

The Jeremy Saxe Memorial Amity Boys Soccer Alumni game will be played Saturday September 1, 2012 with a rain date of Monday Sept. 3, Labor Day. Participating Alumni are asked to donate $20 to play, which will include a commemorative game shirt. A portion of the donations will be going to the Jeremy Saxe Scholarship Fund. We will also be accepting additional donations for the scholarship. Confirm your attendance by Aug. 24 by contacting Coach Marchitto at coachmike008@gmail.com.