HK Sports: The HK Girls Basketball team defeated St. Bernard, 45-29, in the final of the First Annual DeRita Construction Holiday Classic last night. Shelby VanHuysen, who scored 14 points in the win, was voted tournament MVP. Jordan Schultz scored 9 and Allie Rand scored 6. Named to the All-Tournament team were HK's Rand, Valley's Stephanie Marois, Plainfield's Kate Montgomery and St. Bernard's Emma Sternlot. Visit the HK Sports Gallery for more photos.

The DeRita Construction Holiday Tournament Champions

All Tournament Team Kate Montgomery, Emma Sternlot, Allie Rand and Tournament MVP Shelby VanHuysen.

Youth and Family Services of Haddam-Killingworth, Inc will hold a MOM & TOTS program in the Killingworth Children's Library this winter. Children ages 2-4 are welcome. Children must be accompanied by Parent/guardian. Each session will include: Free Play, Story Time, & Music and Movement. Mom and Tots will be held on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., February 4th 2008 through March 31st 2008. There is a $25 charge for the eight week session. Checks can be made payable to: Youth and Family Service of Haddam Killingworth, Inc. 91 Little City Road Higganum, CT 06441. The program will be facilitated by Youth and Family Services of Haddam-Killingworth, Inc., Youth Activities Coordinator. Please call 1-860-345-7498 to register.

Town of Killingworth
Office of the Tax Collector

Notice is hereby given to the taxpayers of the town of Killingworth, that the second installment of Real Estate and Personal Property taxes on the Grand List of October 1, 2006, is due and payable on January 1, 2008. Motor Vehicle Supplemental tax bills are also due on January 1, 2008, in one installment. If not paid on or before February 1, 2008 the installment becomes delinquent and subject to interest at a rate of 18% per annum (1 ½ for each month or fraction thereof) dating back to the original due date of the bill. A minimum interest charge of $2.00 is applicable to each delinquent tax bill. Two months of interest will be due on February 2, 2008.

You may pay by mail. Please return payment coupon(s) attached to bill with your payment. Checks should be made payable to: Tax Collector. Mail postmarked (U S Postal Service postmark only) on or before February 1, 2008 will be considered an on time payment. If you would like a receipt returned to you, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

As a matter of law, the taxpayer is liable to the town for the tax installment(s) as they become due and payable. Liability is not created by, nor dependent upon receipt of a tax bill. Therefore, failure to receive a bill does not relieve the taxpayer of the requirement to pay the statutorily required interest when a late payment is made.

Michele B. Nuhn
Tax Collector

HK Sports: The HK Girls Basketball team gained a place in the finals of the DeRita Holiday Classic with a, 70-49, win over Valley Regional last night. HK dominated from the start taking a, 21-8, lead in the first quarter. The Warriors tried to regroup after closing the gap to 36-20 at the half, but HK pulled away and was able to give time to several younger players in the final quarter.

The Cougars will face St. Bernard in the finals tonight at 8:00 p.m. at the HK Fieldhouse. Jordan Schultz led the Cougars with 19 points followed by Allie Rand with 14, Shelby VanHuysen with 10 and Michelle Fillion with 9. Stephanie Marios led the Warriors with 13.

Jordan Schultz and Deanna Loso in action last night against Valley Regional

The Killingworth Youth League will hold Spring registration for its Baseball and Softball leagues on Saturdays, January 5 and January 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the HK Middle School.

Boys and girls ages 6-16 are eligible to play. Must be playing age by April 30, 2008 (For first-year T-ball players, must be playing age by July 31, 2008)

T-ball: Age 6
Instructional: Ages 7-8
Minors: Ages 9-10
Majors: Ages 11-12
Juniors: Ages 13-14
Senior League: Ages 15-16

First-time players must provide original birth certificate at registration. Bring two copies of the registration form. Uniform sizes will also be taken at registration. Registration fee: $70 per player; $120 if there are 2 children from one family in the league; $150 if there are 3 or more children from one family in the league. All fees include uniforms

Payment is expected at the time of registration. Checks should be made payable to Killingworth Youth League or KYL. Financial assistance is available for any child in need. Confidential calls may be made to KYL president Alan Kostek at 860-663-2700. In lieu of a fundraiser, parents will be required to assist at the concession stands during the season (can be your child's games or any other team's games). Anyone interested in participating in the league as a coach or in some other volunteer capacity is encouraged to attend the monthly meetings held at 7:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at the Killingworth Firehouse.

HK Sports: The HK Girls Varsity Middle School Basketball team defeated rival North Branford on Thursday, Dec. 20, 48-40, in overtime. HK recovered from a 23-31 deficit at the end of the 3rd quarter to tie the game at 36. Seventh grader Beth Riedy sank 1 of 2 foul shots to tie the score in the 4th quarter and force the overtime period.

Although two veteran players, captains Cloe Savino and Shaina Rowley fouled out in the fourth quarter with their amazing defensive efforts, the team was still able to get the win. Riedy led all scorers with 18 points, including 6 points in overtime. Veteran 8th grader Shawna Skwarek scored 12 points, 6 of them in the overtime period. Shaina Rowley also added 7 points to the offensive effort. The HK middle school team is now 1-1 on the season.

The HK High School Boys Basketball team defeated Derby, 80-43, to advance to the finals of the Wilcox Tech Christmas Tournament Friday in Meriden. Steve Landell led the Cougars with 24 points. HK Will face Platt-Meriden in the finals.

The CIAC All-State teams have been announced for the Fall seasons. Junior Erin Moriarty was chosen First Team in Volleyball; Senior Liam Isleib was chosen First Team for Soccer and goalie Greg Cumpstone was given an Honorable Mention; Senior Leslie Zules was chosen First Team in Field Hockey; Senior Jarrod Ramsey was chosen Second team for Football and Junior Siobhan Blancaflor was given an Honorable Mention in Soccer.

HK Sports: Thanks to the generosity of DeRita Construction, the Haddam Killingworth High School Girls Basketball Team will be hosting the 2007 DeRita Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament. This event will take place at the HK High School Field House on Thursday,December 27 and Friday, December 28. The schedule is:

December 27:
2:00pm St. Bernard JV vs Plainfield JV
4:00pm Valley Regional JV vs H-K JV
6:00pm St. Bernard varsity vs Plainfield Varsity
8:00pm Valley Regional Varsity vs H-K Varsity
December 28:
2:00pm JV Consolation game
4:00pm JV Championship game
6:00pm Varsity Consolation game
8:00pm Varsity Championship game

An award ceremony will follow both Championship games. Snow date is December 29th. The HK Girls Basketball Team would like to invite the community to attend. All youth who enjoy or play basketball are encouraged to wear their team uniform, bring a parent, and cheer us on.

For Your Safety
As our Holiday Season moves into full swing, thoughts should be of safety as we travel our roads and byways. It is for this reason that I find it necessary to close Lovers Lane at this time.

Water has risen to a height that it now covers the roadway in two different areas. The weather forecast for the upcoming week indicates that the night time temperatures will be below freezing. Combining these two factors assures us of a road condition that will be far from safe for you and your family to travel.

I sincerely hope that this temporary closing will not cause you a great deal of inconvenience, but, rather, that you will understand your safety and that of your family are of the utmost concern to me.

May you be safe during this Holiday Season and have a most rewarding New Year.

Richard J. Cabral
First Selectman

According to the Hartford Courant, Killingworth Animal Control Officer Marian Smith of Higganum was injured when a gun in her husband's discarded pants discharged and a bullet grazed her legs. Her injuries were not life-threatening.

In other Hartford Courant news, Killingworth attorney David Thomas has given up his law license citing an unspecified "medical problem" after being accused of overcharging for legal work he did on a waterline project on Cedar Island in Clinton.

Tuesday December 18:
• 4:43 AM: Medical emergency, Pond Meadow Rd
• 11:14 AM: Medical emergency, Route 148
Thursday December 20:
• 5:02 PM: Fire alarm, North Roast Meat Hill Rd
• 5:29 PM: Fire alarm, Route 148
Friday December 21:
• 1:56 AM: Fire alarm, North Roast Meat Hill Rd

HK-TV's Annual Holiday Show Telethon and a showcase of this year's Shoreline Idol competitors was held on Friday morning. The telethon, which raises money through pledges, donations and a silent auction, is being held this year to benefit the Terrie Lusis Scholarship Fund and Sgt. Jason Lantieri Scholarship Fund. The Holiday Show will be re-broadcast through January 2nd. Pledges can be sent to HKHS - HKTV Telethon, PO Box 569, Higganum, CT 06441. The winner of the 3rd Shoreline Idol Competiton will be announced on January 18, 2008.

HK High School students man the phones

Donna DiGregorio's first grade class presents a check for $500

Behind the scenes with the HKTV Crew

Fire Marshal Jim McDonald recently announce the winners of the 2007 Fire Prevention Poster Contest. Winners were chosen from the fourth and fifth grades at Killingworth Elementary School and Haddam-Killingworth Middle School. The fourth grade winner is Megan Toman, the daughter of John & Cherie Toman. The fifth grade winner is Halie Serbent, the daughter of John and Michelle Serbent. They both received $50.00 Savings Bonds.

The town's two winning posters will be judged against the other winners in Middlesex County. The County contest will be completed by February 1, 2008. Should one or both win they will be awarded a $200.00 Savings Bond. The County winners are invited, along with their parents, teacher, and principal, to attend a luncheon that will be held on March 27, 2008. The state wide winner will be announced at the luncheon.

All winning posters at the County level will be exhibited in various area around the states, including the State Capital during the month of October.

KES Art Teacher Alexis Kelsey, Megan Toman and Jim McDonald. Photo courtesy K. Milano

HKMS Principal Mim Wagner, McDonald and Halie Serbent