Cromwell taking part in distracted-driving enforcement program

CROMWELL — The Cromwell Police Department is taking part in the 2018 “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.” Distracted Driving campaign, a high-visibility enforcement campaign sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — which deems the month of April national distracted driving awareness month. The Cromwell Police Department is participating in this campaign by adding special patrols — aimed at catching distracted drivers — especially those on their phones.

“Drivers are continuously ignoring their responsibilities behind the wheel, and distracted driving is a growing and deadly threat on our roadways,” officials said in a statement. “The Cromwell Police Department is teaming up with the Connecticut Department of Transportation during the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s National Distracted Driving Awareness month to make sure all motorists keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel.”

The Cromwell Police Department was awarded a federal highways grant for $10,000, which will be reimbursed through the Connecticut Department of Transportation Highway Safety Department.

Through the month of April, Cromwell Police will be cracking down on operators who are driving while distracted, texting while driving, and/or using hand-held cellphones and other hand-held electronic devices while driving.

As part of this campaign, officers will focus their enforcement on various heavily traveled roadways, to include Berlin Road and West Street (Rte. 372), Shunpike Road (Rte. 3), and Main Street (Rte. 99). In addition to increased individualized enforcement patrols, teams of officers will be posted in various areas, utilizing a “spotter” and/or undercover vehicles, and will be relaying any violations observed to officers in the area. Although dates and times for this enforcement may vary, emphasis will be placed on the morning and afternoon peak drive times.

“The Cromwell Police Department, along with the Connecticut Department of Transportation, urges you to put your phone down when you get behind the wheel. If you need to text, pull over and park your vehicle in a safe place first,” officials said.

As a reminder, motorists in Connecticut who are observed using a hand-held cell phone, or are texting while driving face a fine of $150 for a first offense, $300 for a second offense, and $500 for a third offense.

As part of this grant, in addition to the enforcement during the month of April, a second round of increased enforcement for Distracted Driving will take place Aug. 1-15.

Songwriters wanted for new show

A new TV show is getting underway at the Charter TV Studios. The show’s focus will be on songwriting and a call is being sent out for songwriters who may wish to participate.

It is currently planned to film a dozen episodes of the upcoming new weekly show called Songwriter Showcase. Each show will have a songwriter guest who will be interviewed by alternating hosts, Nelson Hiller and Jim Sharpley. The guest will perform some self-penned tunes and will talk about how the songs got to be written.

Discussions will address numerous subjects related to the business aspects of songwriting such as licensing, copyrights, co-writing and publishing.

To participate in this show as a songwriter guest, or to help with its production, contact the producer, Myrna Riquier at 860-455-9400 or natchaugmusic@gmail.com.

All shows will be produced in North Windham by volunteers who have completed the intern classes that the Community TV studio offers to area residents.

CTV Channel 192 is a public access network on Charter’s cable TV lineup. The TV station offers free training and free use of their Community Television studio including their portable video production equipment for local residents to create and air their own public access television shows. Residents can also help with special productions of the station, both in the studio and at remote locations. Find all the info you need at their web site: CTV192.com or call the studio at 860-456-8500.

College scholarships available

EAST HADDAM — The East Haddam Community Lions will award two $2,500 scholarships to deserving graduating seniors who meet the following criteria:

The candidates must be high school seniors at Nathan Hale-Ray High School or residents of East Haddam who attend another high school with plans to attend college or further his/her education in a planned program in the 2018-2019 year.

Recipients will be selected based on academic standing, financial need, extra-curricular activities and other criteria established by the East Haddam Scholarship Committee.

Applications can be obtained from area high school guidance counselors or contact the Nathan Hale-Ray guidance department at 860-873-5065. Applications must be received by April 27.

Liberty Bank invites students to apply for scholarship

MIDDLETOWN — Liberty Bank is accepting applications for the 2018 Donald B. Wilbur Scholarship. The scholarship will be presented to a graduating high school senior who is enrolling in an accredited college, university, or other institution of higher education (two-year or more) with the goal of majoring in engineering or a technology-related field.

The scholarship recipient will be selected by Wilbur, past chairman of the board of directors of Liberty Bank, and will be given a $1,000 scholarship. Applicants must be graduating from a high school in a town served by Liberty Bank (see www.liberty-bank.com for locations.) Application forms with scholarship guidelines are available on the Liberty Bank Foundation web site at https:// www.libertybankfoundation.org/ programs/. Nominations for the Donald B. Wilbur Scholarship must be submitted no later than Friday, April 27. For more information, call 860-704-2181.