🌱 Woman Found Dead At Hotel + Man Arrested For Threatening Mall Sec.

Hi all. It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the The Haddams-Killingworth Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Mostly sunny. High: 71 Low: 45.
• Saturday: Sunny and pleasant. High: 75 Low: 50.

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Here are the top three stories in The Haddams-Killingworth today:

1. Authorities are currently investigating a woman's death at a hotel on the nearby Berlin Turnpike. Police were called the night of Wednesday, May 24, about an unresponsive woman found at the Twin Spruce Motel. Police said the woman, 61, was dead on their arrival at the scene. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is still looking into the woman's death, but police say "At this time, the death does not appear to be suspicious in nature." (New Haven Register)
2. A man in nearby New Britain was arrested in connection to threats that were allegedly made to shoot Meriden Mall security. Police did not find a firearm on Jean Espenschied, 65, when they arrived, nor did anyone see him with a weapon - however, it is not Espenschied's first rodeo, and he has also been "the subject of a bomb threat in 2020 where he threatened the Hospital of Central Connecticut-New Britain." Espenschied has been charged with second-degree breach of peace, and was released from custody until arraignment on Jun. 6, after his $10,000 bond was posted; he is currently prohibited by a Tuesday, May 23, risk protection order from purchasing or possessing firearms, ammunition, or deadly weapons. (Thehour.com)
3. The Killingworth Library Association Summer Fun Raffle launched on May 25, with three packages to be highlighted by the Library Association in the coming weeks. The first is The Connecticut Wine Tour Package, offering a family/friends tour across Connecticut, with tastings for two-to-six people at seven different wineries, with a bonus cookbook on offer as well. The package is valued at $532.00. Purchase tickets in person at the library or online on the library’s website. The raffle drawing will be Jun. 17, 2023. (hk-now.com)

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Today and tomorrow in and around The Haddams-Killingworth:

Friday, May 26

• Music With Margie At Killingworth Library (11:00 AM)

Saturday, May 27

• First Church Annual Tag Sale Donation Day At First Church of Christ, East Haddam (9:00 AM)
• Gypsy At Goodspeed Opera House (3:00 PM)
• Chris Marolda At Sliders Grill & Bar, Middletown (7:00 PM

From my notebook:

• Goodspeed Musicals is announcing the ensemble cast of the world premiere of the musical Summer Stock! The ensemble will include Erika Amato, Hannah Balagot, DeShawn Bowens, Ronnie S. Bowman Jr., Nicholas Cunha, Emily Kelly, and more. (Goodspeed Musicals via Facebook)
• Students, staff, and more recently ran (or walked) the course at Franklin Academy's road race, racing toward the end of the school year. (Franklin Academy via Facebook)
• I-Park Foundation, Inc.'s first Open Studios this season will be open on Sunday, May 28, at 2:00 p.m.! Michigan-based composer Alexis Bacon and five additional artists will showcase the work they created in the I-Park Foundation's May residency. (I-Park Foundation, Inc. via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday! I'll catch up with you soon with another update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.