I have covered a variety of news topics and beats in the greater Southington and Greater Meriden areas since 2006 with both the New Britain Herald and Meriden Record-Journal.
I moved to Southington at the start of 2011 after previously living in New Britain. A 2005 graduate from the University of Hartford with a bachelors degree in journalism and media broadcasting, I immediately joined the New Britain Herald and was assigned to cover all things news in Newington.
Within six months, I was assisting in a number of area towns, including Southington, Berlin and New Britain.
In 2007, I joined the staff at the Record-Journal and was immediately assigned the Southington beat before moving to cover police, court and fire news in Meriden, Wallingford, Southington and Cheshire. I was involved in providing live coverage at the trial of Steve Hayes, who was given a death sentence in November for his role in a deadly 2007 triple homicide in Cheshire.
I grew up in Ashburnham, Mass., a small town on the New Hampshire border about an hour outside Boston and 45 minutes from Worcester. I attended Oakmont Regional High School and was a 2001 graduate, playing on the varsity baseball, soccer and basketball teams during my time there.
I am an avid MLB fan with a heart that lives and dies with the Boston Red Sox, although as a baseball fan growing up I am proud to say that one of my favorite players was Tino Martinez. I wished him and the Yankees success – provided that success is no more than the Red Sox have.
When I find free time, I enjoy spending my days playing baseball or softball. I like cooking and generally just enjoy being social with friends and family. I also love meeting new people and hearing their stories, so please tell me about yourself if you see me.
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license to inject beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that our beliefs are on the record will cause us to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.
I am registered as unaffiliated and often lean towards liberal policies, although I remain fiscally conservative and like to keep an eye on government spending. I was raised Roman Catholic but have since found myself drifting away from the church. I hold general Christian morals and beliefs but also feel that every situation is different and a spiritual connection with God is more important than practicing every Sunday.
Contact Information
Cell, 860-256-1714, Email, Jason.Vallee AT patch.com, Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SouthingtonPatch, Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/SouthngtnPatch
A Southington teenager is facing criminal charges after police said this week that he used fraudulent names and date of births in an effort to avoid receiving infractions for possession of alcohol by a minor.
Robert Braddock Jr., former finance director of Chris Donovan's fifth-district congressional campaign, appeared before a federal judge in New Haven Monday.
The state's U.S. senators and representatives attended a hearing Friday in Hartford on the issue.
The state's U.S. senators and representatives attended a hearing Friday in Hartford on the issue.
There's a lot of space open for development and while rumors have included hotels, restaurants and more, what would you like to see built?
The following arrest information was provided by the Southington Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction.
Take a look at what's ahead for meetings, events and more.
The cable enterprise needs a new neighbor and we are turning to Cheshire Patch readers
Take a look at what's ahead for meetings, events and more.
Try following the trail of melted butter? Southington police are searching for a 200-pound, fiberglass lobster statue stolen from a local business.
A bill passed by the House to require tattoo artists to be licensed by the Connecticut Department of Health now moves to the senate.
Try following the trail of melted butter? Southington police are searching for a 200-pound, fiberglass lobster statue stolen from a local business.
A bill passed by the House to require tattoo artists to be licensed by the Connecticut Department of Health now moves to the senate.
The always dapper dressed Myers, 61, took sublime pleasure in fostering up-and-coming musicians and performing cover tunes in Plantsville, the state and internationally.
The always dapper dressed Myers, 61, took sublime pleasure in fostering up-and-coming musicians and performing cover tunes in Connecticut - and internationally.
Students received degrees ranging from bachelor's to doctorates during a weekend-long ceremony on the Storrs campus. Congratulate your graduate right here on Patch.
Students received degrees ranging from bachelor's to doctorates during a weekend-long ceremony on the Storrs campus. Congratulate your graduate right here on Patch.
Longtime Hamden resident Thornton Wilder received the Pulitzer Prize 75 years ago this month for his play, 'Our Town', but 85 years ago he received a Pulitzer for his novel, 'The Bridge Of San Luis Rey' — a book that continues to speak to us.
Longtime Hamden resident Thornton Wilder received the Pulitzer Prize 75 years ago this month for his play, 'Our Town', but 85 years ago he received a Pulitzer for his novel, 'The Bridge Of San Luis Rey' — a book that continues to speak to us.
Test anxiety can make finals a nightmare! Learn tips on how to take control of exam worries.
