Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Connecticut Labor Department Releases July 2026 Unemployment Numbers — See How Manchester Stacks Up

Make time for Tours, Lawn Games & Lemonade on the Manchester Patch calendar

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Good morning Manchester! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • See how Manchester's July jobless rate compares to the state
  • Basement blaze leaves Manchester home uninhabitable, residents displaced
  • See what's replacing Dick's at Buckland Hills for local kids

Also on today's calendar: Tours, Lawn Games & Lemonade and 11 more events.

Today's riddle: Where do math teachers go on vacation? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Some sun with a shower or two, with a high of 77 and low of 59 degrees.
  • Sunday: Partly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 74, low: 52.
  • Monday: Sunny and comfortable, with a high of 78 and low of 54 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Connecticut Labor Department Releases July 2026 Unemployment Numbers — See How Manchester Stacks Up (patch.com) — Manchester's July 2026 unemployment rate came in slightly higher than the statewide average, with 1,895 residents out of a 31,811-person labor force counted as unemployed. Statewide, Connecticut added 2,800 non-farm jobs in July and has grown 13,800 positions over the past year, pushing employment to a new high while Manchester tracks closely with broader labor trends.
   

2. Basement Fire Damages Home In Manchester (patch.com) — A basement fire on Salem Road in Manchester left a home moderately damaged and uninhabitable, displacing three residents now receiving help from the American Red Cross. Manchester firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control in about 15 minutes, while East Hartford crews covered the town and the fire marshal investigates the cause.
   

3. 80,000-Square-Foot Young People's Entertainment Complex Planned For Buckland Hills Mall (patch.com) — Families in Manchester can look forward to a massive new youth entertainment complex at The Shoppes at Buckland Hills, filling the former Dick's Sporting Goods space. The two-level, 80,000-square-foot ALI Dream Land and Apex Adventure Park will offer everything from soft-play and party rooms to bumper cars, karting, and arcade attractions, pending local regulatory approvals and an announced opening date.
   

4. Parents arrested after CT girl's death repeatedly had tried to keep her from slipping out: Warrant (nhregister.com) — Manchester residents are learning more about the June death of 4-year-old Akari Cortes, who was fatally struck on East Center Street after repeatedly slipping out of her home despite new locks and alarms. A warrant details her parents' efforts, the driver's alleged distraction and speeding, and Manchester police's reconstruction of her final route using neighborhood surveillance video.
   

5. I-TEAM: Man charged in Manchester fatal crash of 4-year-old got distracted driving ticket a month later (wfsb.com) — A Manchester driver accused of speeding and using his phone when a 4-year-old was fatally struck on East Center Street has had his case moved to the more serious Hartford Part A court. Police say he was 22 mph over the limit and on multiple apps, and records show several prior distracted-driving violations, including another phone ticket in Manchester a month after the crash.
   

📸 Around Manchester

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Manchester

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • Manchester Community Fund Seeks Proposals for Grant Funding
    The Manchester Community Fund at the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation, which recently awarded more than $39,000 to local nonprofit groups making... (More info)
  • Rockville High School- Class of 1976 – 50th Reunion Gala Dinner
    Date & Time: Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 6:00 PM – 11:00 PMLocation: Georgina's Banquet Facility, Bolton, CT.... (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Powell: Outrage about Danbury arrests shows Connecticut Democrats want open borders —Chris Powell Read on Patch
  • Manchester Community Fund Looks to Support Dynamic Local Projects —Tom Breen Read on Patch
  • Have you nominated a Good Neighbor yet?
    Nominations close Monday, September 14th: https://nextdoor.com/gnd National Good Neighbor Day is Monday, September 28th, and this year Nextdoor is… (Nextdoor )
  • Looking for a professional person to repair/refurbish my large deck in Manchester.
    It has loose boards and some metal supports that need attention. (Nextdoor Autumn MiddleTpk Highland)
  • Aimbridge Hospitality posted a job opening for Residence Inn Hartford Manchester - Housekeeper in Manchester. Apply here.
  • Community Health Resources posted a job opening for Case Manager: Strickland- Second Shift!- 7016 in Manchester. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Manchester here.

Ok Manchester! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Times Square (Thank you Jean K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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