Adam Jacobson

New Canaan Dog Days Set for Sunday

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A hugely popular and free community event for dogs and dog-lovers returns to New Canaan this weekend. New Canaan Dog Days will be held 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 1 at the New Canaan Nature Center (register here). Organized and run by Pet Pantry Warehouse on Grove Street, the family-friendly New Canaan Dog Days is a fundraiser for Adopt-A-Dog. 

We caught up with Pet Pantry Executive Vice President Adam Jacobson to talk about this year’s event. 

Here’s our exchange. ***

New Canaanite: Tell us a little bit about what’s new at New Canaan Dog Days this year, and what fun activities are returning. 

Adam Jacobson: What’s new. .

John DiFederico

PHOTOS: New Canaan Police Station Renovation in Final Stages

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The renovation of the New Canaan Police Station on South Avenue is nearly complete, with the ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for June 4. Several local officers said they view the years-long project as a success, telling NewCanaanite.com during a tour Tuesday of the department that they are very pleased with all the renovations. Police Chief John DiFederico said he was very happy with the modifications, describing the new building as “amazing.”

The renovated and expanded station at 174 South Ave.—a $20 million project, $29 million with soft costs such as insurance and the temporary headquarters downtown—includes all new office space, meeting rooms, locker rooms, systems and an extended sallyport at the back. During an afternoon tour that booked up quickly online, Police Commission Chair Paul Foley detailed the process of the long-lasting project. 

“We were trying to get the building renovated years ago because of things like mold, sewer fleas, and AC issues,” he said. “We patched it together over the years and had continuous meetings debating the best location and the best designs.”

He continued: “We must have looked at 20 locations around town and finally decided that the best option was a renovation.

News

Keith Stanton Richey, 71

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Keith Stanton Richey of New Canaan, community leader and beloved husband, father, and friend, died suddenly on May 20th, 2025. He was seventy-one years old. Born on February 10, 1954, in Los Angeles, California, Keith was the son of Jack Claude Richey and Merle Harriet Falkin. He attended Fairfax High School in Los Angeles and University of Southern California, graduating cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1976. Following his graduation, Keith, always allured by Europe, went on a tour through the continent and received news while abroad that he had been admitted to the University of Texas Law School at Austin with a full scholarship.

Government

Commercial Building Owners Propose Hotel on Locust Avenue

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The owners of adjacent commercial buildings in downtown New Canaan have submitted a proposal to the town that would allow for a new hotel on Locust Avenue. The vision is for a 40-key hotel connecting to an outdoor landscaped patio at 49-51 Locust Ave., according to a pre-application presentation filed with the Planning & Zoning Commission. The proposal for 39 Locust is a mixed-use office or retail space with eight extended-stay hotel keys, the pre-application said. Both buildings are currently three-story brick office buildings with above and below-grade parking, and the plan is for an “adaptive reuse of existing buildings,” according to the pre-application. The hope is to “preserve significant existing setbacks, light, air, and onsite parking,” it said.

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Richard Anthony Franco, Jr., 74 

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Richard Anthony Franco, Jr. passed away May 22, 2025 at his home on Summer Street in New Canaan. Rick was born August 3, 1950, to Gloria and Dick Franco. Unbeknownst to the young couple, Rick would be the first of their eleven children. 

Rick attended St. Aloysius School and was in the first graduating class to complete all eight years in the new school. At an early point in Rick’s academic career he unwisely chose to launch a paper clip off the end of a rubber band, narrowly missing a nun but striking the Monsignor in the head.