Stolen hatchets
and burnt matches
PUTNAM — The Putnam Police Department is looking for information regarding the theft of three hatchets and some matches being burned Nov 1 in the Boy Scout Troop 21’s storage closet at St. Mary’s Church basement.
Putnam Police Captain Justin Lussier said officers went to the church to investigate a report of suspicious activity noticed by Boy Scout members prior to a meeting.
Officers found burnt matches and noticed items had been moved around the room.  No damage was identified.  Three hatchets were discovered to be missing from the Boy Scout’s storage area in the church basement.  
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police officer Roy Hicks at 860-928-6565.

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DAYVILLE — Meghan Briquier, a Westview Health Care Center Certified Nursing Assistant, earned the Employee of the Month award in August.  She started at Westview in October 2021 by entering the “Earn While You Learn” initiative operated within the Dayville skilled nursing facility.
“I’m really appreciative that I was able to earn my education by learning in both classroom and care settings.  Coming to Westview for instruction and spending time with their residents before working with them benefits my role today,” she said.
She graduated from Killingly High School, and she looks forward to working towards a degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse and gaining employment in that role.  She then hopes to earn a degree as a Registered Nurse and advance her professional abilities even further.  
Westview Administrator David T. Panteleakos said: “Meghan exhibits a commitment to compassionate care that is inspiring for all of us at Westview. I am delighted to know that our CNA education programs are places where ambitious health care providers like Meghan can begin their journey.  I am especially pleased to know that Meghan has become such a strong member of our team at Westview; impressing all of us with her work ethic, joyfulness, compassion, dedication, and reliability.”

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caption:

From left: Barkley. Simmons. Dioubate. Photos by Thomas Netzer.


Putnam Science Academy brings it after loss
Team loses lead Friday;
comes back with a
vengence  Sunday
The vibe was different at the pregame meeting. Tom Espinosa could tell his PSA Prep basketball team was much more focused Sunday morning than it was two nights earlier.
The results showed it.
The Mustangs opened the 2022-23 season Friday night, first unveiling the banner for last year’s national championship team that went 38-0, but then failing to hold a 12-point, second-half lead in a 98-93 loss to Our Savior Lutheran of The Bronx, N.Y.
But as Espinosa said, the group locked in Sunday morning and downed an overmatched Thetford Academy out of Canada, 108-47.
“I think Friday night really upset some of these guys,” Espinosa said. “Thetford isn’t as talented as OSL but still…at the end of the day, we brought it Sunday. We could’ve been sulking, pouting, but they weren’t. They were ready to go.”
The Mustangs got plenty of offense all weekend. The defense was the difference though. The Mustangs want to be in your face, and pressure the ball while taking away the passing lanes. There was none of that Friday night, but more than enough Sunday. PSA came away with 14 steals plus forced at least another dozen turnovers against Thetford.
Darryl Simmons had 11 points, six assists, and four steals, Connor Dubsky hit five 3-pointers on his way to finishing with 19 points and also added four steals. Blake Barkley chipped in with seven points, six assists, four steals, and four rebounds.
“I was mad Friday night because the streak was over,” said Simmons, one of five returning players who were part of the championship team. “I think other people were upset too, and it helped a lot (Sunday) to see what we needed to improve and learn. We needed to play hard and keep momentum going and the same energy on both ends of the floor.
“We don’t want teams to run plays. We want to keep pressure on them so they can’t do anything they want to. We want to get turnovers and get to the other end and score the ball.”
Mouhamed Dioubate had his second straight double-double, charting 20 points and 11 rebounds in the win.
PSA led 22-12 about eight minutes into the game, then scored 18 unanswered points over the next four minutes to take control. The Mustangs led 70-29 at the half.
PSA led OSL 56-49 at the half Friday, and 87-75 with about eight to play.
But OSL tied the game at 88, then hit a 3 with 1:40 left to take a lead it wouldn’t relinquish the rest of the way, handing the Mustangs their first loss since March 26, 2021.
Simmons had a career-high 27 points and added eight assists, but it was to no avail.
“We gave up 98 points,” Espinosa said. “That’s a killer. They looked comfortable on everything. Our halfcourt pressure defense wasn’t there.”
Barkley added 18 points and six rebounds while DJ Dormu finished with 16 points and six boards. Both were playing their first game with PSA. Dioubate recorded 12 points and 13 rebounds, and Muazibini Adamu grabbed 10 boards.
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy

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