Fla. man charged in motor vehicle crash from last November 
PUTNAM — The Putnam Police Department arrested a Florida man June 24, according to Chief Christopher Ferace. 
Salvatore A. Colantino, 62, of Ocala, Fla., was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol and third-degree criminal mischief. He turned himself in June 24 and was arrested without incident.
On Nov. 7, 2024, Putnam Police responded to the report of a motor vehicle that crashed into the commercial strip mall located at 335 Kennedy Drive in Putnam. 
As a result of the crash, the operator, Colantino, was transported to Day Kimball Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. His passenger was uninjured. No charges were filed at the time of the collision. 
An investigation led to the issuance of an arrest warrant for Colantino by the Windham County State’s Attorney Office. All accused are innocent until proven guilty

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Arrest made in 2 bomb threats 
PUTNAM — Putnam Police June 26 took a Norwich man in custody under two first-degree threatening charges.
Putnam Police Chief Christopher Ferace said this follows an investigation of two separate bomb threats in July 2024 at a local business.
Ferace said the investigation identified a former employee as the person responsible and the Windham County State’s Attorney Office issued two arrest warrants. Taken into custody from the Connecticut State Poliuce, without incident, was: Christopher D. Pina, 42, 62 Summit St., Norwich.
Pina was held on a combined court-set bond of $150,000 Cash-Surety and transported to GA 11,
Danielson Superior Court for arraignment later in the day.
All accused are innocent until proven guilty

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Briefly
Promoted
OXFRD, Mass. — bankHometown recently announced that Alexandra Likes has been promoted to learning and development officer, based at its 182 Main St., Putnam, office. Likes, of Dudley, MA, will manage a team of learning and development specialists across the Hometown Financial Group family of banks, which includes bankESB, bankHometown, North Shore Bank and Abington Bank, a division of North Shore Bank. Likes earned an associate’s degree in business administration from Cambridge College, and is currently working toward a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Nichols College.

WHZ promotions, plus
POMFRET/TOLLAND — WHZ Strategic Wealth Advisors cut the ribbon on its remodeled and expanded headquarters in Pomfret. The company also named two new partners and made several other internal promotions. Leisl L. Langevin, CFP® CDFA® was promoted to Managing Partner, Advisory and Kate Pitts to Managing Partner, Client Relationships and Experience. Co-founder Laurence Hale, AAMS® CRPS® remains with the firm as Senior Partner and Chief Investment Officer, and James Zahansky, AWMA® remains as Senior Managing Partner and Chief Strategist. In addition, Holly C. Wanegar, CFP® has been promoted to Vice President, Associate Financial Advisor; Hailey Costa has been promoted to Director of Client Relationships, and Kayla Densmore has been promoted to Manager of Client Experience.

Branch manager
JEWETT CITY — Jewett City Savings Bank has appointed Amy Turner as assistant vice president and branch manager of the bank’s Plainfield office. Turner brings over 30 years of banking experience to the position. Before joining Jewett City Savings Bank, she served as branch manager and assistant vice president at Eastern Connecticut Savings Bank. Additionally, Turner currently serves as Secretary of the Plainfield Business Association and is an active member of the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce. She holds an associate’s degree from Quinebaug Valley Community College.

President retiring
WATERFORD — Charter Oak Federal Credit Union has announced the planned retirement of longtime President and Chief Executive Officer Brian Orenstein, effective January 2026. Orenstein, who joined the credit union in 2004 as Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer, was promoted to CEO in 2007 and president was added to his title in 2011. The board hired D. Hilton Associates, Inc. to conduct a nationwide search for Orenstein’s successor. 

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