The Waterbury Times|Monthly Recap|Oct 1, 2026

Waterbury- September was a busy month in Waterbury. From public safety and homicide investigations to federal immigration enforcement, local government, politics and questions about the city’s future, the stories that drew the most attention from Waterbury Times readers reflected the issues being discussed across the Brass City.

These were the stories that defined the conversation.

ICE Has Been Seen in Waterbury. What Happens If Federal Immigration Enforcement Escalates in the Brass City?

The month’s most-read story centered on the presence of federal immigration enforcement in Waterbury and a question that many residents wanted answered: What happens if ICE arrives in the city in force?

The Waterbury Times examined the distinction between federal immigration enforcement and the role of the Waterbury Police Department, while seeking answers from local officials about how the city would respond to a larger federal operation.

Suspect Arrested in 7 Blessings Smoke Shop Homicide; Charged With Murder

A homicide investigation at the 7 Blessings Smoke Shop became one of September’s major public-safety stories as police investigated the killing and announced an arrest.

The story reflected the continued attention Waterbury residents place on violent crime and the investigations that follow it.

Former Wilby High School Student Elroy Clarke Killed in Florida Deputy-Involved Shooting

The death of former Wilby High School student Elroy Clarke brought a national story back home to Waterbury.

For local readers, the story was not simply about an incident in Florida. It involved someone with a connection to the city and to the Wilby community.

The Waterbury Times Publisher Legal Battle

The legal proceedings involving Waterbury Times Publisher and Editor D.M. Livingston also remained among the stories Waterbury readers followed closely throughout September.

The developing case included criminal charges, court appearances and a separate restraining-order proceeding that remains under appeal.

Waterbury Police Identify Homicide Victim; Waterbury Woman Charged With Murder

The Sept. 21 death of 58-year-old Troy Lester Grant at an apartment on Cherry Avenue became another major Waterbury crime story.

Police identified Grant as the victim and later arrested 39-year-old Guadalupe Ojeda, charging her with murder. Police said the investigation remained active and ongoing.

The Waterbury Times — Local News

The Waterbury Times’ local-news page itself remained one of the most-read destinations, reflecting the broader demand for a central source of Waterbury news, breaking developments and community information.

Waterbury Police Investigate Death of Mother Found After 3-Year-Old Child Found Wandering Alone

A disturbing incident involving the death of a Waterbury mother and the discovery of her 3-year-old child wandering alone drew significant attention and became part of the month’s broader public-safety conversation.

Waterbury Road Milling and Paving

The city’s roadwork schedule also generated significant interest.

Residents continued looking for practical information about where and when milling and paving work would take place, demonstrating that local government information remains an important part of what people come to The Waterbury Times to find.

The Waterbury Times Investigates: What Happened to the Votes?

September also saw The Waterbury Times move into investigative coverage surrounding the Republican 5th Congressional District convention.

The investigation examined questions surrounding the convention’s reported ballot totals, delegate eligibility and the process that preceded the August primary.

The investigation was careful to distinguish between documented discrepancies and allegations, focusing on what the available records establish—and what remains unanswered.

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What Was Waterbury Talking About?

Taken together, September’s most-read stories tell a story about the city itself.

Public safety mattered.

Homicides, shootings and criminal investigations remained a major part of the conversation.

Federal immigration enforcement mattered.

Residents wanted to understand what the growing presence of ICE across Connecticut could mean for Waterbury.

Government information mattered.

Road construction and paving schedules may not make national headlines, but they affect residents every day.

Accountability mattered.

Readers followed questions surrounding politics, elections and the institutions making decisions that affect the public.

And perhaps most importantly, Waterbury continued looking for information about Waterbury.

That is what local journalism is supposed to do.

Not tell people what to think.

Not manufacture a conversation.

But listen for what the city is already talking about—and make sure those stories are being covered.

These were the stories that captured the most attention in September.

Now we turn to October.