Connecticut
Avon’s Caroline Schaefer to be inducted into Connecticut Field Hockey HOF – The Collinsville Press
Avon’s Caroline Schaefer, played four years at Colgate University. (Bob Cornell photo courtesy Colgate University)
AVON, August 14, 2024 – Avon High graduate Caroline Schaefer will be inducted into the Connecticut Field Hockey Hall of Fame at the organization’s 24th annual induction ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 8, at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington at 3 p.m.
Schaefer is one of three players being inducted for their play at the high school level.
She was a standout player at Avon from 2010-13, helping the Falcons win three consecutive North Central Connecticut Conference (NCCC) championships and advance twice to the Class M semifinals. She scored 19 goals in her scholastic career, including 10 goals as a sophomore in 2010.
She was an All-NCCC and All-State player in her junior and senior year along with being named to Southern New England regional team honors from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) in her final two seasons at Avon.
After graduating from Avon in 2014, she played field hockey at the Division I level for four years at Colgate University where she was named team captain as a senior. She was a three-time NFHCA national Academic Squad selection and made the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll and the Raider Academic Honor Roll in each of four years at Colgate. She scored two goals and had six assists as a midfielder for Colgate.
She graduated from Colgate in 2018 and currently lives in New York City.
Avon’s Caroline Schaefer plays defense in a 2013 game under the lights at Avon High.
Previous Avon High players in the Hall of Fame include Kristen Weldon (college player at New Hampshire), Tara Morris (high school player) and Kelly McCollum (high school player). Former Avon High coach Bonnie Tyler is a member of the Hall of Fame along with current Avon High coach Terri Ziemnicki.
For reservations, please email Terri Ziemnicki at HockeyCoachTAZ @cox.net or call at 860-212-2299. Deadline to reserve your ticket is Thursday, Aug. 29. Tickets are $65 each.
Established in 1999, the Connecticut Field Hockey Hall of Fame recognizes those who have contributed to the enhancement of field hockey in the state through participation, support, service or achievement.
Connecticut Field Hockey Hall of Fame
2024 induction class
College player
Kirsten Kilburn, Mount Holyoke College (North Branford)
Courtney Watts Russo, Rhode Island (Cheshire)
Umpire (officials)
Deb Stolle, Wallingford
High school coach
Kyle Seaburg, Norwalk High
High school player
Caroline Schaefer, Avon
Leah Helm, Haddam-Killingworth
Nancy Shepard Gatta, Old Saybrook
Honorary
Dawn O’Neil, Willington, long-time director of the CIAC field hockey tournament and head coach at E.O. Smith, Somers (1980-95) and Hall (2002-04).
Connecticut
Canadian aerospace company Bombardier launching new ‘fast track’ training program in Connecticut
WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. (WTNH) — Bombardier, a Canadian company, is launching a new “fast track” training program in Connecticut.
The new program will expand Connecticut’s aerospace industry by creating an accelerated pathway for experienced aircraft maintenance technicians to receive new certifications and enter high-demand careers quickly.
“We know the demand for aviation technicians far exceeds the number of students we can currently prepare throughout our traditional programing alone,” Dr. Alice Pritchard, executive director of Connecticut technical education and career system, said. “Our goal is to create a sustainable workforce solution that can continue producing skilled aviation technicians for years to come.”
The program is set to start soon at the company’s service center at Bradley International Airport.
Connecticut
Injuries reported in multi-vehicle crash on I-91 South in Hartford
Injuries were reported in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 91 South in Hartford on Wednesday morning.
State police said the four-vehicle crash happened around 5:55 a.m.
The highway was briefly closed between exits 30 and 29A. It has since reopened.
According to state police, injuries were reported, but the extent is unknown.
The crash remains under investigation.
Connecticut
Avon daycare releases dates, times that former employee accused of sex assault worked at other Connecticut locations
AVON, Conn. (WTNH) — In light of recent information that a now-former Avon daycare employee accused of sexually assaulting children had filled in at multiple Connecticut locations, the company has released a timeline of when and where he had worked.
Jan Carlos Berrios Otero’s employment with BrightPath Early Learning began in January 2022, according to a letter sent out to families. Within the last four years, he had filled in at daycare locations in Simsbury, Windsor and West Hartford.
According to BrightPath, Berrios Otero had covered partial shifts at the following locations on the following days:
- Simsbury, Jan. 20, 2026: Berrios Otero covered a shift for about four hours and 20 minutes
- Windsor, Sept. 16, 2025: Berrios Otero covered a shift for about six hours at the 555 Day Hill Road location.
- West Hartford, Sept. 24, 2025: Berrios Otero covered a shift for about three hours at the Park Road location
BrightPath stated that to its knowledge, there are no known allegations, complaints or incidents that occurred during these time frames.
Berrios Otero, 29, is facing six counts of risk of injury to a minor, six counts of fourth-degree sexual assault, and two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a minor for allegedly sexually assaulting five boys ages 3 to 5 during the month of March.
BrightPath is working to identify all students who were in attendance in Berrios Otero’s classroom during the partial shifts that he had covered, and will communicate with the families directly as soon as possible, the letter stated.
“Please know, we also understand our review is taking a considerable amount of time; however, the time we take to ensure we are supplying the most accurate information is critical,” the letter said. “We are working diligently to get information to law enforcement and the appropriate governing agencies to support their investigations, and of course to all our families.”
According to BrightPath, Berrios Otero underwent a state and federal background check, which includes state and national criminal records searches and a review of the sex offender registry.
During the background check, which is renewed every five years, Berrios Otero had no prior convictions and was thoroughly vetted through the company’s hiring requirements. He additionally complied with staff qualifications and training.
The daycare says it is conducting a review of all of its records for the past four years across all of its Connecticut centers.
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