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🌱 Patch AM: What led to a police cruiser being hit during a West Hartford stop?

Spotted on the West Hartford calendar: After Teaching Through 61 U.S. Colleges, Mr. EWS Returns with Affordable Online Fashion Class

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Good morning to you West Hartford! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What led to a police cruiser being hit during a West Hartford stop?
  • Meet the West Hartford woodturner turning recovery into hope for others
  • How a West Hartford campus library is becoming a new front door

Also on today's calendar: After Teaching Through 61 U.S. Colleges, Mr. EWS Returns with Affordable Online Fashion Class and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What is the longest word in the dictionary? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Mainly cloudy, showers around, with a high of 74 and low of 65 degrees.
  • Sunday: A shower and t-storm; humid, temps: high: 79, low: 61.
  • Monday: Mostly sunny and less humid, with a high of 80 and low of 57 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Man, woman arrested after allegedly fleeing traffic stop, striking police cruiser in West Hartford (courant.com) — West Hartford police say a man and woman from Hartford were arrested Friday after a traffic stop near 200 Prospect Avenue turned into a pursuit and a police cruiser was struck. The driver allegedly fled onto I-84 West before both suspects were caught in Farmington and charged with offenses including pursuit, interference, and narcotics possession. Anyone with information can contact West Hartford Police or use their anonymous tip line.
   

• John Spaziani beat cancer some 15 years ago and wanted a way to help other cancer patients. An article in a woodturning magazine gave him just the idea he needed. (popularwoodworking.com) — An 85-year-old West Hartford woodturner, John Spaziani, is handcrafting wig stands to support cancer patients after surviving the disease himself 15 years ago. He's already donated 50 beautifully turned stands to Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington, where staff say his work brings hope and comfort to people in treatment.
   

• Less Books, More Belonging: Rethinking the Academic Library (high-profile.com) — A major renovation at the University of Saint Joseph's Pope Pius XII Library in West Hartford is transforming it from book-heavy stacks into a flexible learning commons and campus "front door." The redesign emphasizes collaborative study areas, private rooms, a café, and an admissions welcome center, all shaped through workshops with students, faculty, and staff.
   

📸 Around West Hartford

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Welcome home!
    This R.E.D. Friday, we celebrate the return of Connecticut's 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry Regiment from the Middle East while keeping all those… (Nextdoor Elmwood at Chatfield)
  • Explore the Thursday 20 August 2026 preview for upcoming Connecticut veteran events, fundraisers, and community programs featured in this week's calendar edition!
    Check out the full lineup. #CTVets #VeteransCalendar #SupportOurVeterans https://ctvetsbulletin.org/2026/08/20/cvbs-thursday-20-august-2026-preview… (Nextdoor Elmwood at Chatfield)
  • Chipotle posted a job opening for Crew Member in West Hartford. Apply here.
  • Fox Restaurant Concepts posted a job opening for Dishwasher in West Hartford. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near West Hartford here.

🗞 Nearby News

Hartford

  • Rules: UConn Football Home Opener Ticket Contest (wfsb.com)
  • Man charged with OUI after driving wrong way on Route 2 in East Hartford, police say (wiltonbulletin.com)
  • 11-Year-Old Hartford boy reunites with man he helped save at Keney Park (fox61.com)

Avon

  • Avon Pet Food Company Recalls Dog Food After 3 Dogs Fall Ill (patch.com)

Ok West Hartford! 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: Smiles, because it has a mile between "s". (Thank you Sharon M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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