NEW MILFORD -- Frank Merkling , 82, longtime music critic and writer for The News-Times, died Saturday at Hartford Hospital after a brief illness. Merkling had lived on Buckingham Road, New Milford, since 1974. He was a founder and longtime chairman of the New Milford Commission on the Arts , on which he served for more than 25 years.

Frank Merkling was, by all accounts, a gentleman whose appreciation for and love of the arts was at the heart of his being. He edited music magazines and was the music and art critic and a feature writer for The News-Times for nearly a quarter of a century before retiring in 2002.

The finalists in Sky 1 HD's hit music show have told Sky News of their delight after their self-penned efforts dominated the download charts within hours of being on the show.

Get local and national news updates via E-mail. It's Labor Day. So while you're lounging on the couch watching marathons of "I Love Lucy" or "The Office," the kids might be getting restless.

Dutch star joins devs on stage in Ibiza. Superstar turntablist Tiesto is the official European ambassador for DJ Hero 2, Activision's announced. The news came via a press conference this morning in Ibiza, where the Dutch mix master took to the stage to discuss his role in the game. We have a badly taken photo to prove it. In addition to appearing as a playable character in the sequel and ...