The Waterbury Times|Nov 1, 2026 7:19pm

Waterbury- October was another busy month for Waterbury, with stories spanning local politics, public safety, law enforcement, neighborhood businesses and the people shaping conversations across the city.

From a controversy involving comments about Congresswoman Jahana Hayes to police inspections at local smoke shops, criminal investigations and a longtime restaurant preparing to close its doors, October’s coverage reflected the range of issues capturing public attention.

One of the month’s most widely discussed stories involved a comment about Congresswoman Jahana Hayes described as a “hood girl” remark. The controversy drew a response from the president of the NAACP, bringing questions about public discourse, race and political representation into the local conversation.

Public safety and law enforcement also remained prominent throughout the month. Waterbury police conducted inspections at smoke shops across the city, with two businesses reportedly ordered to close. Other coverage examined separate criminal investigations involving allegations of sexual assault and the alleged abuse of minors. These cases brought renewed attention to police investigations, the court system and the importance of protecting vulnerable members of the community.

City politics provided another major storyline. As Waterbury’s political landscape continued to develop, The Waterbury Times examined an unconventional mayoral candidacy in a story titled The Mayoral Candidate Nobody Is Asking For. The piece added another perspective to the ongoing discussion about leadership, political ambition and the city’s future.

State politics also found its way into Waterbury’s news cycle. Gov. Ned Lamont faced questions from a reporter during a campaign appearance, an encounter that became the subject of widespread attention after video appeared to show the governor striking the reporter’s camera. The Lamont campaign subsequently issued a statement defending the governor and accusing political provocateurs of disrupting campaign events. Republican challenger Ryan Fazio also responded, making the incident part of a larger discussion about press access, political accountability and interactions between public officials and journalists.

Not every important October story involved politics or public safety. Waterbury also received news about the impending closure of Seven’s Village Restaurant, a longtime local establishment preparing to close after more than four decades in business. For generations of residents, neighborhood restaurants are more than places to eat. They are gathering places, familiar landmarks and part of the city’s shared history. The announcement marked the end of an era for a local institution.

The month also included coverage of an incident at 65 Lone Oak Avenue, where police responded and multiple individuals were taken into custody. Separately, The Waterbury Times continued reporting on a legal timeline involving its own publisher, documenting charges and court proceedings as part of its commitment to covering matters of public record.

At the center of October’s coverage was a familiar theme: Waterbury is a city with plenty happening beneath the surface, and the stories affecting its residents do not always fit neatly into one category.

From City Hall to neighborhood businesses, from local political debates to police investigations, October offered another reminder of why consistent local reporting matters.

The Waterbury Times will continue following the people, decisions, developments and issues that shape everyday life in Waterbury.

Real, authentic Waterbury. One story at a time.