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BEACON FALLS — In recent elections nationwide, it has been Democrats trumpeting change, in contrast to Republicans’ status quo. But here it is the GOP working to remake its image, in hopes of balancing a local government controlled largely by Democrats. Among 15 total winners in November’s municipal elections, only four were Republicans and just two, Town Clerk Kurt Novak and Board of Education member Bill Fredericks, actually beat Democrats for their seats. Many Democrats won their seats unopposed, after the seemingly disorganized Republican Town Committee failed to compile a full slate of candidates. So it was unsurprising that when caucusing last Wednesday at the senior center, an assembly of 39 registered Republicans elected a 25-member body that included 17 people who were not on the committee at the start of the current term. Howard Daniels, Jr., Leonard Greene, Ursula Henry, Helen Mis, Brian Ploss, Susan Ploss, James Woodward and Judith Wrenn will be the eight holdovers when a new term begins in March.

BEACON FALLS — Hurricane Irene dealt strong—but not debilitating—blows to Beacon Falls Saturday night and Sunday as the storm flooded several areas, including a steep rise in the Naugatuck River, and caused numerous downed trees and power outages.

BEACON FALLS — Woodland’s growing Hawk Productions continued to spread its wings as the group won a number of awards for two short films. The group, which operates in Ralph Riello’s digital media production courses, earned honors at the Connecticut Student Film Festival and the Connecticut Student Innovation Expo held earlier this year. At the Connecticut Student Film Festival, Woodland won the People’s Choice Award for their short film, “Checkmate,” a short drama entered in the 84-Hour Film Challenge. The challenge required films to be produced in fewer than four days.