Author: Nicole Thompson

Kauffman Museum has received a transformative gift of $3.4 million from the estate of Donald C. Harder, a long-time supporter and friend of the museum. This generous donation is the largest single gift in the museum’s history, and it will profoundly impact the institution’s ability to preserve and showcase the region’s cultural and scientific heritage. The $3.4 million gift will support various initiatives at the museum, including enhancing exhibits and programs to make them more engaging and interactive, expanding the museum’s collections to include new and significant artifacts, supporting educational initiatives and outreach programs for underserved communities, and renovating and…

The Bethel Police and Fire Departments responded to a reported stabbing at the intersection of Main Area Street and Kilbuck Street. The incident occurred on Saturday at 6:00 PM on evening. The victim, a 32-year-old male, was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and is currently in stable condition. Authorities have confirmed that there is no ongoing threat to the public, emphasizing that the situation was isolated. The Bethel Police Department is actively investigating the incident to gather more details, including the motive and any potential suspects. Additionally, community members have been reassured of their safety as the investigation…

HUBER HEIGHTS— a small group of Bethel Township residents attended the Huber Heights City Council meeting to express their objections to a proposed 296-acre annexation. The annexation, petitioned by a few property owners on January 16, involves land near the Carriage Trails development. During the meeting, Bethel Township resident Jeff Morford highlighted issues such as traffic and school overcrowding, attributing them to the council’s annexation plans. “Your solutions would not be needed if you had not created the problem in the first place,” he urged the council to reconsider future annexations to allow Bethel Township to grow at its own…

Bethel Park student Lyla Walsh has taken the initiative to set up a summer engineering camp exclusively for girls, aiming to inspire and increase female representation in engineering fields. Recognizing the gender disparity in engineering, Lyla Walsh designed the camp to engage young girls in hands-on engineering projects and interactive learning experiences. The camp includes activities like building the tallest paper tower and making the sessions fun and educational. In addition to the interactive projects, the camp features guest appearances by female engineers who provide mentorship and share their professional experiences. This initiative aligns with broader efforts like the Girls…

James Harris, a seasoned law enforcement professional with 32 years of experience, recently relocated to Bethel, Alaska from New Mexico. Previously, he served as the police chief in Belen, New Mexico starting in 2019. Harris has taken on the dual roles of Bethel’s Chief of Police and the newly established position of Public Safety Director, where he will oversee both the police and fire departments. Harris aims to address Bethel’s persistent issues with recruitment and staff retention, which have been significant challenges for the city’s police department. The department has struggled with high turnover rates and a staffing model where…

Emergency crews are relentlessly searching Lake Norman for a swimmer who went missing after a drowning incident reported Thursday afternoon. Location: Near the sand bar, west of the Bethel Church Road peninsula on Lake Norman Time Reported: Thursday, after 7:00 PM Responding Agencies: Huntersville Fire Department, Medic officials, Cornelius-Lemley Fire Rescue Huntersville Fire Department reported first responders resumed the search on Friday. Law enforcement officials are urging boaters to avoid Marker D4 and the “Sandbar Lake Norman” area to avoid hindering search efforts. This incident comes just hours after Cornelius-Lemley Fire Rescue issued a safety reminder to boaters enjoying the…

The Bethel Craft Summerfest will take place on Saturday, July 6, 2024, from 10 AM to 4 PM on the front lawn of the Municipal Center at 1 School Street, Bethel, CT. This annual event, which offers free admission, features a wide array of crafts in various categories, showcasing the talents of around 60 exhibitors​ (FestivalNet)​​ (Step Outside)​. The Bethel Craft Summerfest is organized by the Artisans Alliance and has become a staple in the community, attracting about 1,000 attendees yearly. The event is non-juried, meaning exhibitors do not need to undergo a selection process to participate, and no prize…

The Bethel Police Department requests the public’s assistance in locating missing juvenile Jake Chief. If you have any information regarding Jake Chief’s whereabouts, be sure to contact the Bethel Police Department immediately. Share this information on social media platforms with the hashtag #FindJakeChief. Encourage others to share the missing person report to broaden the reach. Print and distribute flyers with Jake Chief’s information in the Bethel City Sub Area. Time is of the essence in cases of missing persons. We can help bring Jake Chief home safely by working together and sharing information. Missing Person: Jake Chief (juvenile) Last Seen:…

Attention Bethel Water Department customers. There’s a double dose of important news regarding water usage and regulations. Originally scheduled maintenance on the town water system has been delayed until July 15th. Residents must dramatically reduce their water use for that entire week to prepare for this. The department urges everyone to do their part by limiting lawn watering to two days per week throughout the summer.  To conserve water further, they recommend avoiding watering between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. and reminding everyone to skip watering their lawns altogether when it’s raining. In addition to these conservation measures, the Water…

A malfunctioning fire suppression system at the Alaska Army National Guard hangar in Bethel spilled about 10 gallons of firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals. PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” are linked to various health problems and have contaminated drinking water sources in Alaska around airports. The leak affected the hangar’s boiler room, bay, and outside areas. Some foam also entered the building’s wastewater system, contaminating a Bethel Public Works pump truck. The truck driver noticed the foam and alerted officials. As a precaution, the car was thoroughly washed three times and taken out of service. After consultations with state experts, the…

In a sudden and worrying event, a single-engine plane operated by Grant Aviation crashed during takeoff in Bethel, Alaska, this Sunday afternoon, June 2, 2024, around 4:20 p.m. It has caused concern in the local area and beyond. But there’s some good news—despite the crash, the pilot, the only person on the plane, came out without any injuries. This lucky outcome was thanks to quick responses from local emergency services like the Bethel Police, Fire Department, and Alaska State Troopers. As authorities try to identify what caused the crash, they consider mechanical problems, mistakes made by the pilot, and bad…

Exciting news for Bethel! The city has just received a $9 million federal grant to enhance the Yukon-Kuskokwim Fitness Center. This funding will be used to construct new facilities, including a gym, community rooms, and a computer lab. These additions will provide more spaces for Bethel residents to engage in recreational activities, socialize, and pursue learning opportunities. What’s Coming with the Expansion? Bethel City Clerk Lori Strickler shared the exciting details. The new expansion will include: Strickler emphasized our aim to offer free internet, computer, and printer access. This gym will be a unique resource in Bethel, open to all…