Here are some of the stories and features in this week’s Herald:

• Superintendent Freeman Burr presented a preliminary budget that represents a  6.8% increase over this year.

• More on the Mohegan recess debate.

• Christmas tree season in Shelton is underway and Santa comes this weekend.

• A special story from Shelton High’s Gael Winds explains how a local author was inspired by his hometown.

• Legislators holding food drive at Beechwood this weekend.

• UI customers satisfied with storm response, according to survey by the power company.

• Safety tips for the holidays from the fire department.

• Police news

• At Shelton High: Students inducted into National Honor Society and students honored for encouraging improvement.

• Perillo receives hospice award.

• Flu clinics every Tuesday in December.

• The Kennedy family welcomes baby Chloe.

• Author comes to Written Words to talk about growing up in Holland in World War II.

• A Shelton office park sparkles for the holiday season.

• Meet Yankee, our pet of the week, in need of a home.

• Gaelettes net first victory of the season and other sports news.

• A lot of local events in Spotlight, Library News and Recreation notes.

In this week’s Section B:

• Last minute gifts for holiday parties.

• To give or not to give a pet this Christmas?

• Yes, Jack, there is a Santa Claus.

• Fireside benches.

• Creative gifts for kids (and another article about testing those toys).

• Did someone say Abba? Abba-mania is coming to Connecticut.

• Making holiday cookies with the Twice Baked Twins — and there’s a story about them as well.

• A review of the Mitsubishi Lancer.

• Calendars, Kathleen Turner at Long Wharf and more.

Don’t forget to check out www.SectB.com and SheltonHerald.com for more stories.