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A Fresh New Look for Newtown Patch

We refreshed our site to make it even more user-friendly.

No, you're not losing it! Patch looks different today. We did a quick visual nip-and-tuck to the homepage to make it even more user-friendly. And we've moved a couple pieces of furniture. For those keeping score:

  • We tweaked some words in our navigation bar to save space (e.g., "" is now "Commute," our "Neighborhood Gallery" is "Pics & Clips" and "" is now called "Directory"). 
  • We moved the weather icon next to the Patch branding so you can find it more quickly! 
  • We moved, well, YOU closer to the top! (Our "shout stream" is now front and center to show all your comments off.) 
  • Today's "Events" moved to the right side of the page so you'll still know what's happening today.
  • And of course we prettified a few things. 

While the site might look a little different today, we still offer the same robust coverage of everything happening in your . That was, is, and will always be our mission.

We hope you'll let us know what you think of our tweaks -- drop me a line at gary.jeanfaivre@patch.com or offer a comment below! 

Carla Kron March 29, 2012 at 01:42 pm
"While the site might look a little different today, we still offer the same robust coverage of everything happening in your community. That was, is, and will always be our mission." This is not true. It stopped the day Hoa walked out the door. There is no coverage of the up-to-date news here. No one from the Patch is seen at the local government meetings providing insight on things like the town budget issues now. Articles are labeled as local news such as Newtown Sportsbeat when the article had nothing to do with the Newtown. It is such a disappointment to see what happened to this Patch after it had been such a great and respected source of local news. Can you please tell me what the future holds for this publication?
Newtowner March 29, 2012 at 02:52 pm
Aol is in the process of cutting costs at Patch to try to stop the bleeding of money. First the freelance budgets were cut in Q4 of 2011 and now editors are being fired left and right leaving one person to cover two or more patches. The guy in charge of Newtown Patch is actually the editor of Milford patch.
Its a shame this happened to such a great site. The problem is Aol Patch lost over $100 million last year and they are trying to make sure that doesn't happen again. Welcome to Patch 2.0
Carla Kron March 29, 2012 at 05:14 pm
Thank you Newtowner. I was aware of that. I am simply asking the editorial staff a question. I would like to know if the Patch is going to start covering town news again or not. Since this was probably the best Patch in the state it seems like a terrible strategy to sacrifice it.
The Bearded One March 29, 2012 at 11:43 pm
Hoa did a great job covering local events especially during the October snow storm. The patch has been a disappointment since she left. How about more focus on Newtown related stories and weekend events?
Sam Mihailoff March 30, 2012 at 02:50 am
I am so happy to see all the perky new terms and titles
Now, if something could be associated with the spiffy new look...CONTENT, perhaps??? I see nothing! The editor requested suggestions, and a few of us responded...so much for wasting our time, since NOT ONE was acted upon. Who was hired to do this hype...I'd use stronger desciptors of Patch but certainly would not want be red flagged as being inappropriate
G March 30, 2012 at 03:47 am
Yes....Patch looks different today. The comment I left 2 days ago is gone. There was nothing offensive about the comment - merely a response to someone who didn't care about our town. But apparently I've been censored? Is this what the new Patch is all about - "No news, we just repeat what we read elsewhere, and ask our readers about their favorite color, food, dog breeds, and trees."
Of course, this comment will be gone by Friday 8 a.m.
Sam Mihailoff March 30, 2012 at 11:04 am
***
G... although we have disagreed sometimes short of meeting each other in the field behind the school house when the bell rang, I find it necessary to alert you of the new "seemingly automated" policy being used on the "new and improved" Patch If three (3) readers find an entry to be "inappropriate" it is AUTOMATICALLY deleted....YES, computer generated censure!!! Now, oft times you have stated that I talk from varying orifices....but this is the scoop! It was recently done to me and this was the "written" explanation from Gary, the 3rd editor since Hoa's departure. Now, I'm not sure if he still is the editor since Patch seems to change on a weekly basis, but I suppose this automatic deletion does conserve time for an editor to actually read the posted entry and then duly edit if need be.
NaughtyorNice March 30, 2012 at 03:15 pm
Robust? Are you serious? Sigh. What happened to Hoa?
Sam Mihailoff March 30, 2012 at 05:59 pm
G-
I'm not looking for any discourse with you. All I did was share the latest and greatest Patch manuever...contact the editor.. NOT ME!!!
NaughtyorNice March 30, 2012 at 06:39 pm
When the editor is doing double duty in several other Patches this is what you get. I still can't believe the nerve of calling this coverage "robust"
I bet they are laughing their heads off at the bee.
G March 31, 2012 at 03:55 am
Sam - not sure what it was I said but the comments were deleted pretty quickly. I'm not asking for you to defend me, but did I write anything that was inappropriate, in your opinion?

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Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Thomas Paine June 18, 2013 at 01:47 pm
Why is it the panel for this event does not include a single advocate for gun-owners' rights? WithRead More all due respect to Chief McNamara, why does the panel no include a person who can speak to gun safety from a gun-owning civilian's perspective? ML, you claim that the assembled folks "do not offer judgements about gun ownership" but they are not including a single voice that can offer perspective on gun ownership. I have been to "education" sessions sponsored by Meg's March for Change and they are one-sided indoctrinations into gun control advocacy. >>>> I was in Hartford for the public hearings in January when both Meg and March co-founder Nancy gave their personal testimonies and they all but threatened the legislators on the panel with election day retribution for all those who did not tow the gun-control line of thinking (i.e. March and CAGV). To suggest that Meg "does not offer judgements" is fallacious and disingenuous.
Nancy Bocian June 17, 2013 at 06:53 pm
I'm so concerned that she's caught somewhere in the woods. Are there any people who are looking forRead More her on foot?
Carol Chapman June 18, 2013 at 03:14 pm
Laura Dorr 6 hours ago near Newtown via Mobile Good news it looks like Norma is staying in the areaRead More so we will feed her and set the trap this weekend, prayers and keep your fingers crossed we get her!! (via Laura's FB page)
Nancy Bocian June 18, 2013 at 04:37 pm
So glad to hear this.
Betsy Kraushaar June 17, 2013 at 07:54 am
If you have goodies left that you are interested in donating to our Girl Scout Troop...pleaseRead More contact me. Our troop has been saving/ fundraising for a senior trip to Europe for the past 5 years. Thanks in advance, Betsy
Llyod Christmas June 17, 2013 at 09:01 pm
Hi Betsy! We have tons of children's books left, and would be more than happy to donate them. HowRead More should I get in touch with you to drop them off?
Betsy Kraushaar June 17, 2013 at 10:46 pm
Lloyd, My email is betsykraushaar@charter.net....I'd love to get some books...Thanks!!!
Every Friday, Rain or Shine, Lone Activist Stands
Elissa Bass June 14, 2013 at 08:44 pm
I do too.
Amy Pare June 16, 2013 at 09:28 am
This is amazing. Where is she standing?