PUTNAM — The Putnam Police Department will conduct its first Citizens Police Academy, starting April 30. It is free.
The Citizens Police Academy (CPA) is an exciting way to learn about police work. Through a well-prepared and dynamic curriculum, taught once a week for nine weeks, students will learn about the various aspects of police operations. Academy participants will meet many of the men and women who serve in the Putnam Police Department as well as members from our State and Federal partners, as they explain the roles of police officers, investigators, and administrators. Participants will also learn how officers are trained, and how every citizen can help protect themselves and their community against crime, according to Captain Justin Lussier.
Classes will meet on Tuesday evenings for nine weeks, including a graduation ceremony on June 25. Classes will be two hours in length.
Applications will be available on the Putnam Police Department web site at www.putnampolice.com or they can be picked up in person at Putnam Police Headquarters, 189 Church St. Applications will be accepted until March 1. Questions regarding the Citizens Police Academy may be directed to Captain Lussier at
Anyone interested in this program must complete an application and submit to a limited background investigation by the Putnam Police Department that will include a check of their criminal history and driving record. Acceptance into the program will be limited to 25 participants on an individual basis as determined by the chief of Police. Preference will be given to residents of the Putnam Special Services District, however, any local resident may apply.
Students must be a minimum of 18 years of age by the first day of class; however, high school students under 18 who exhibit exceptional maturity and in interest in law enforcement will be considered. Class space is limited, but a waiting list will be held for future classes should the demand exceed available space.
Lussier said: “An important and exciting component of the Academy is providing participants with the opportunity to leave the classroom and participate in many of the practical exercises. This experience will give the participants a first-hand look at the dynamic world of policing in the 21st century. The Citizens Police Academy is an excellent way for community members to become better informed about crime and public safety. It also gives Putnam residents and other community stakeholders an opportunity to develop working relationships with the Police Department members.
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PROVIDENCE — After 49 straight wins the Putnam Science Academy Prep Mustangs suffered defeat last week at the hands of Sunrise Christian Academy. The National Prep School Invitational held at Rhode Island College saw all of the top prep schools take the floor to showcase their skills. The Mustangs rode in 25-0, winners of their last 49 including a win earlier in the season over Sunrise 85-82 that went into overtime.
Sunrise made sure to not let this game get away.
The Mustangs didn’t have enough in the tank late in the second half as a 2-point lead with 4 minutes left, turned into a 15-point loss 75-60. PSA struggled, shooting from outside finishing 3 for 17 and were never in rhythm.
“We just lacked effort,” said Head Coach Tom Espinosa. “We couldn’t match their effort level, intensity wasn’t there. It’s hard to bring it for 40 games in a season and this was one of those games that we didn’t bring it.”
Russell Tchewa was a force for the Mustangs in the early going on his way to 14 points, later being named to the National Prep School Invitational All Star team. Tyson Etienne led the team in the loss with 15. Michigan State commit Malik Hall dominated for Sunrise with 22 points and 13 rebounds.
The team had started the week with a home win over Hoosac 108-81. After the win streak was lost to Sunrise Christian Academy the Mustangs bounced back with a 62-56 win over NBA Academy Latin America after Russell Tchewa continued his eye-opening weekend adding 16 points and 6 rebounds. Now 26-1 on the season, the Mustangs will stay out on the road for a game against Navy Prep and Masters School this week.
Varsity Wins
This past Sunday saw a thriller at Putnam Science Academy when the Varsity boys’ team won on a buzzer beater 81-79 vs Post University JV team. 2019 forward Elliot Germond scooped up a loose ball with 2 seconds left and fired from the elbow as time expired to give the Mustangs their 14th win (14-7), fifth in a row. Tyler Henry led PSA with 27 points, his third consecutive 20-point game. The Varsity team gears up for a three-game week that features an away game at Pomfret at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 8.
Varsity 2 Wins
One game last week for the Varsity 2 team resulted in a 66-50 win over Bartlett on the road. The Mustangs have won three straight games after a 19-point performance for guard Travis Mangual. Play picks up next week with two back-to-back games Feb. 8 at Rocky Hill and Feb. 9 at home vs New York Military Academy.
Lady Mustangs Lose
Derek Marchione’s Lady Mustangs fell to 14-5 after a road loss to Tilton 74-62. Putnam Science Academy has struggled lately dropping three of its last four games that included a loss in the Rose Classic Super Jam to Crestwood and a split in The Mecca with a winnable game against Westridge Academy. But they bounced back for a 60-52 win against DME Academy. Fatima Lee scored 17 points in the loss and Xianna Josephs added 14 points. It doesn’t get any easier with three games this week.
Varsity Girls Lose
The Varsity girls hosted their lone game of the week Feb. 2 but couldn’t keep up with New York Military Academy, which cruised to an 85-45 win. Nasserine Williams had 8 points at half on her way to a team-high 13 points. PSA will be busier next week with three games lined up and two games on the road vs Redemption Christian Academy and Tabor Academy before hosting New York Military Academy Feb. 9 in a rematch.
Josh Sanchas
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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There was a reason for the Woodstock Academy gymnastics team to be happy following its meet with Stonington last week.
Not only did it capture its sixth straight victory (5-0 in the Eastern Connecticut Conference), it once again cleared the 140 mark with a 143.95 effort to post the win over the Bears (131.5).
“We still are making little mistakes, but overall, I think we’re doing really well. We’ve raised our start values and are doing so much better than I think we thought we could going into the season,” said senior Lydia Taft.
There were some gaffes in the meet with the Bears for the Centaurs; a fall on the bars; a couple of falls off the beam.
The Centaurs made up for those.
“We had some silly falls and we made 140 with those falls and those falls counted. We really did a good job,” said Woodstock Academy coach Kasey Tocchio. “The atmosphere was really good in there. It was loud and it was kind of like how the (Eastern Connecticut Conference championship) will feel. They were enjoying it and I think that really helps them compete.”
The tournament season is not all that far off.
The Centaurs had one meet this week Jan. 28 against Old Lyme (the event ended too late for this edition) and will compete against the Killingly/Putnam/Tourtellotte cooperative Feb. 4 before the ECC Championship is held at Deary’s Gymnastics in Danielson at 6 p.m. Feb. 13.
The Centaurs will be seeking their 10th straight title in that event.
One plus for Woodstock Academy is the presence of senior Taft.
Dubbed “The Comeback Kid” by former Woodstock Academy head coach Robin Deary-Fillmore, Taft has recovered from back troubles which limited her to participating in just one meet last year to be one of the leaders of the team this season.
“I’m really happy to be back. I’m pleased with how I’m doing. I think I’m doing better than expected. It was hard to come back, but it’s so much fun to compete with the team and I really missed it last year,” Taft said.
Taft said the injury, which affected her spine, was possibly due to a few too many gymnastic meets. Thus, she has continued to scale back her training and is still receiving physical therapy to keep the pain at bay.
The senior nailed her floor routine, posting a 9.55 score to easily place first in the event against Stonington.
Taft also was first in the bars with a 9.2, third in the vault (9.2) and second on the beam (8.8).
“She had a rough year (in 2018), a sad year and we were all feeling for her because she is a kid who comes in here and works so hard and is such a good teammate and wants it for everybody else. For her to be the comeback kid this year is awesome,” Tocchio said.
Taft didn’t have a lot of breathing room in the All-Around competition.
She finished with a 36.75 while fellow senior Ali Crescimanno was just three-tenths of a point back at 36.45.
“That’s pretty normal,” Crescimanno said. “We go back-and-forth and try to figure out our scores in practice and they come out to the same, sometimes. I fell on bars (against Stonington), she fell on beam; it could have come some place different.”
Crescimanno was tops in the vault with a 9.45, second in bars with a 9.0 and floor (9.4) and finished with an 8.6 on the beam.
Despite the two butting heads on the scoresheet, it does not translate to their personal relationship.
“Me and Lydia really do motivate each other,” Crescimanno said. “We’ve been together in the gym since we were so little and it’s always been back-and-forth between the two of us. It’s so fun to compete against her. It doesn’t really matter who wins or who comes in second.”
Tocchio is not foreign to the concept.
She and Justine Basley competed against one another in high school as members of the same Killingly High School team and often finished in similar 1-2 fashion.
“It’s really cool and we’re so happy Lydia is back. It helps push Ali and helps push Lydia and they help push the rest of the team,” Tocchio said. “That competition makes for a really good team atmosphere. It really ties everyone together. It’s funny because it makes it more neck-and-neck but it really does make the team better.”
Senior Maddie Grube was best on the beam for the Centaurs with an 8.9 against Stonington.
Grube finished with a 34.0 all-around score while Jenna Davidson tied for third in the floor exercise (9.1) and was third in the all-around with a 35.55. Abby Vaida added a 33.45 all-around score.
“They have all stepped up tremendously,” Tocchio said. “Honestly, we could probably have five captains on this team. They are such leaders in different ways and are always pushing each other. Abby, Maddie, Jenna, Emily (Arters) on vault, those are the scores that are getting us to that 145-ish score,” Tocchio said.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
The Woodstock Academy
PHS ranked
5th in Class S
By Shawn Bates
The Lady Clippers are having their way it seems with all opponents with the exception of Montville and an overtime thriller with Fitch. The Ladies are currently ranked fifth in the Class S and have a 13-2 record.
Last week they faced St. Bernard’s and won at home 36-24 Jan. 22 behind Abby St.Martins‘s 17 points followed by Kaleigh Lyons’ 8 points and Molly McKeon’s 7 points.
Then Jan. 25 the Ladies traveled down Rt. 395 to face the Redgals in a 41-39 barn burner. The Redgals boxed and one Kaleigh Lyons, who only scored 4 points Molly Mckeon 11 points and Abby St.Martin netted 10 points for the victory in Killingly.
Boys
The Clippers had a rough go at it this week facing 3 good ECC teams in Lyman, Griswold and Plainfield.
The Clippers lost to Lyman 65-63, 48-62 to Griswold and 65-28 to Plainfield. With the Clippers facing Grasso, Thompson and Montville — all teams they have previously beaten this year —wins should put coach Deary and his boys into the State Tournament by the weekend if all goes well. Putnam is 6-7 at this time.
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