“I Am Adam Lanza’s Mother” Sparks Debate About Mental Health

Although there have been plenty of discussions about gun control, what about the topic of taking a closer look at mental health issues?

In the wake of the tragedy that took the lives of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., a blogger from across the country was arguably the first to break through the noise and galvanize a debate around mental health. Liza Long’s blog post about raising a mentally ill child, “I Am Adam Lanza’s Mother,” talks about her experiences raising her 13-year-old son, whom she describes as a gifted but unpredictable child who has threatened to kill her and himself. As she put it, “I love my son. But he terrifies me."  Her blog post quickly went viral, got picked up by the The Huffington Post and others, earned a million likes on Facebook, and led to Long's appearance on CNN to talk about the way mental illness…

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NRA: Put ‘Armed Police Officers’ in Every School

In a press conference held Friday morning, the head of the NRA called for armed police officers to guard our nations schools

During its first press conference since the Sandy Hook School shooting last Friday, the National Rifle Association (NRA) called for schools to be armed with police officers. "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun," said NRA executive Wayne LaPierre. He said school children defenseless "and the predators of the world know it and exploit it." LaPierre urged Congress  ”to appropriate whatever is necessary to put armed police officers in every school in this nation. Middletown Resident Craig Pruitt says the NRA's idea is worth considering. "It maybe more effective and cheaper than banning guns," he said on Facebook.  "Also, it will create jobs." At least one Patch reader does not agree. "We can't even afford …

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Diocese Asks Bells Be Rung to Include Mother and Shooter, What's Your Take?

Governor Chafee asked bells be rung 26 times tomorrow in honor of the victims of Sandy Hook, the Diocese ask they ring 28 times, to include the mother and the shooter in our prayers

To honor the memory of the 26 victims who lost their lives in the shootings,  Governor Lincoln Chafee has called for a statewide moment of silence at 9:30 a.m. on Friday and has asked that buildings, which have the ability, ring bells 26 times during that moment in honor the victims. The Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island recommends churches ring the bells 28 times, which would include a ring for both the shooter and his mother.  "We think praying for all souls best reflects Christ’s message of forgiveness and love for all, and that we should especially pray for those souls who may need our prayers the most," said  Ruth Meteer, Communications Director for the Diocese. Patch reader Lisa De Chambeau said a ring should be included for his …

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Bob Cosgrove

5:11 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012

It should ring for Nancy Lanza she was a victim also her son was not a victim so it should be 27.   more ›

As Newtown Buries The Dead, Is it Too Soon to Discuss Gun Control?

President Obama will announce his thoughts on gun policy Wednesday

As Newtown buries the victims this week, the conversation for gun control is already in full swing.  President Barack Obama will announce his thoughts on gun policy Wednesday, according to CNN. Some say it is too soon to engage in these political discussions.  "With a doubt it is too early," said Montalvo on the Middletown Patch Facebook page. "I am tired of people making this a political issue! For goodness sake let the families grieve." Others remained fierce in their belief that stricter gun control regulations would have prevented such a killing, saying the victims were shot multiple times and with semi-automatic weapons, according to Fox News. The National Rifle Association (NRA) of America made their first statement on Tuesday about …

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Mom, Will We Be Safe In School Tomorrow?

How a Middletown mother answered this question

How You Can Help The Newtown Community

Contributions can be made to the "Sandy Hook School Support Fund" through the United Way of Western Connecticut

In the aftermath of Friday's horrifying shooting in Newtown, Conn., the world is left stunned and overwhelmed.  Many are expressing feelings of helplessness and ask "how can I help?" The website of Connecticut Govenor Dannel Malloy, links to United Way of Western Connecticut's Sandy Hook School Support Fund. United Way of Western Connecticut has partnered with Newtown Savings Bank to create the 'Sandy Hook School Support Fund' that will be able to provide support services to the families and community that has been affected. Here is how you can contribute: Check donations may be mailed to: Sandy Hook School Support Fund c/o Newtown Savings Bank 39 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470 Credit cards can be processed online here.  For questions …

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Ryan Lanza, Wrongly Named As Mass Murderer, Left To Grieve

Hoboken man learns his brother killed 27 people, including their mother.

  Ryan Lanza was at his job in Manhattan on Friday when news outlets began to report that he had massacred 20 school children in a sleepy Connecticut town. The reports said Lanza, a 24-year-old Quinnipiac University graduate, had murdered someone in his Hoboken apartment and then drove to Newtown, Conn., where he used a .223 caliber rifle to kill 27 people before turning the gun on himself. The dead included his mother, Nancy, a kindergarten teacher. Lanza's thoughts quickly went to his developmentally disabled younger brother, Adam, who he began to fear may have been responsible for the violence at Sandy Hook elementary school, friends said. As media reports continued to name Ryan Lanza as the shooter and plastered his face across world, …

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