Connecticut

Could mini-liquor bottles be banned in Connecticut?

Published

4 months ago

December 13, 2025

Could mini-liquor bottles be banned in Connecticut?

Have you still seen a lot of mini-liquor bottles, littering the streets in Connecticut?

Members of one environmental group said they still see them, and believe a ban is the best way to solve a multi-tiered problem.

State data shows in the past 12 months, ending September 30, there were more than 93 million mini-liquor bottles sold in our state.

The group supporting local bans says it’s not just the litter, but also the fact mini-liquor bottles are easy to conceal and consume on the job, in the car, or at school.

The group “Connecticut Towns Nixing the Nip” met this week, working on strategies to get a legislative hearing on the issue in the upcoming 2026 session.

Right now, stores collect a 5-cent surcharge for every mini-liquor bottle sold, resulting in about $5 million annually for town and city environmental cleanup efforts.

Town funding from nip sales

Average revenue per year 2021 to 2025.

“Having talked to a number of towns, well a few towns, they like the money, said Tom Metzner, a member of the group. “It’s fairly broad in how it can be used. It’s environmental. It doesn’t have to be used for cleaning up nips. And so the towns have become somewhat silent on the issue of banning nips.”

The group cited Chelsea, Massachusetts, where minis are banned, both litter and alcohol related EMS calls decreased.

The Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of Connecticut, which devised the “nickel per nip” program, said banning the mini-liquor bottles would be unprecedented.

Instead, it said the environmental group should be challenging municipalities to prove they actually use the money for cleanup.

Legislative leaders suggested several years ago the way to really do this is to have a redemption program for mini liquor bottles, and now, that could be possible.

At least one state with the Clynk bottle collection program has redeemed mini-liquor bottles for cash.

The company just announced a major expansion in our state, but it told us it is not aware of a redemption program for mini-liquor bottles here any time soon.

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Connecticut

School Bus Driver Arrested, Local Officials Take Action: CT News

Published

8 hours ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

School Bus Driver Arrested, Local Officials Take Action: CT News

Patch AM brings you the breaking and trending news stories of the day in Connecticut. These stories and headlines feature articles from across the state. You can go directly to your local Patch by clicking here.

Breaking news:

School officials said counseling and support services will be available Monday for anyone who may need them.>>>Read More.

A motorcyclist was killed and a passenger was seriously injured after a collision with a pickup truck, police said.>>>Read More.

A 26-year-old was killed in the crash.>>>Read More.

Police are investigating a homicide that took place in town.>>>Read More.

Police said they are searching for the suspects.>>>Read More.

Trending news:

The beloved restaurant was wiped away but is coming back.>>>Read More.

A buyer is still being sought for the unique restaurant.>>>Read More.

A new restaurant has announced a soft opening.>>>Read More.

The location marks the company’s first in Connecticut and fifth in the United States.>>>Read More.

The brand has over 410 stores across the country and is expanding its presence in the Northeast.>>>Read More.

LuAnn’s newest cafe is set to open.>>>Read More.

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Connecticut

Colorblends’ stunning displays make their spring return

Published

20 hours ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

Colorblends’ stunning displays make their spring return

A local favorite is back.

Colorblends is known for its garden and gallery house.

In the next few weeks, visitors will see vibrant flower bulbs coming into bloom in the garden.

You can also see works of art displayed in the gallery, in partnership with Ursa Gallery.

“We’re a wholesale flower bulb supplier, so it’s basically a living catalogue of everything that we carry,” says Colorblends owner Tim Schipper. “We have a lot of regular visitors that know to come a couple times in the spring time to see what’s going on.”

The garden and house are open until mid-May.

An artist reception is set for April 18 from 3 to 6 p.m.

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Connecticut

Man Threw Rocks At Home, Deflated Tire: Plainfield Police

Published

1 day ago

April 5, 2026

Press Room

Man Threw Rocks At Home, Deflated Tire: Plainfield Police

PLAINFIELD, CT — A man is accused of throwing rocks at a home and banging on the homeowner’s door, police said.

At 9:37 a.m. Saturday, police received a call for a report of vandalism to a motor vehicle on Church Street in Plainfield.

The caller reported that a Walmart delivery order containing perishable grocery items had mistakenly arrived on their front porch, police said.

The caller reported that upon realizing the items were perishable, the bags were placed inside their refrigerator to prevent spoilage, police said.

“The caller stated that an unknown male had then arrived at their residence and began throwing rocks at the residence, was banging on the door shouting profanities, and deflated a tire on the caller’s vehicle in the driveway,” police said in a news release.

After reviewing surveillance footage, officers made contact with the accused, Kyle Wilczek, 28, at his residence nearby and placed him under arrest without incident, police added.

He is charged with second-degree breach of peace and two counts of third-degree criminal mischief and was released on a $5,000 bond.

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