Month: March 2014

Shooting Investigation Leads to Gun Arrest

(Bridgeport, CT – March 11, 2014) – A city man faces charges after an investigation into a weekend shooting led to a foot chase and gun seizure.

Sgt. Jason Amato developed information that a shooting that wounded a 16-year-old in the thigh stemmed from a conflict between rival groups from different neighborhoods and that members of the group responsible for the shooting were in the Charles F. Greene Homes Monday. He also learned that one person in the group was in possession of a gun.

Plain clothes officers entered the apartment complex, and observed a group of four males across the street outside a bodega. When police converged, one of the males fled on foot holding his waistband. Police and members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which partners with the department to reduce gun violence, gave chase.

The suspect, later identified as Lorenzo Carter, 19, of Bridgeport, was found hiding behind 45 James St. As police retraced Carter’s route, they recovered the suspect’s cell phone and, a few feet away, a handgun. The gun contained 13 live rounds and later was determined to be reported stolen out of Shelton last year.

Carter was charged with interfering with police, carrying a pistol without a permit, theft of a firearm and illegal transfer of a firearm. His bond was set at $150,000.

GOVERNOR APPOINTS NEW SOUTHPORT HARBOR MASTER

First Selectman Mike Tetreau announced today that Governor Dannel P. Malloy has appointed

Fairfield resident Louis Schueler to serve as Harbor Master for the harbors and navigable

waterways of Southport.

Pursuant to Sections 4-1 and 15-1 of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Governor appointed Mr.

Schueler to serve in this position starting March 6, 2014 with a term ending June 30, 2016 or until

a successor is appointed and has qualified, whichever is longer, in succession to former Harbor

Master Patrick Carroll.

Louis Schueler has served on the Harbor Management Commission (HMC) for eight years. In

addition, Mr. Schueler served as President of the Community Sailing of Fairfield (CSF) for nine

years and is still currently a member.

Upon graduation from Boston University, Mr. Schueler received a Second Lieutenant’s commission

in the United States Air Force through the Air Force R.O.T.C. program. From 1959 to 1965,

Mr. Schueler served in the United States Air Force. He then flew in the 60th

Squadron. Mr. Schueler served as Pilot for United Air Lines for 32 years. He served as Chair

of the JFK Domicile’s Employee Assistance Program and later received the JFK Flight Office

“Captain of the Year” award.

Mr. Schueler, a 49-year resident who moved to Fairfield on December 15, 1965, is married with

three daughters and five grandchildren and enjoys volunteering and helping others.

In his letter of interest to the HMC, Mr. Schueler wrote, “Having worked with the HMC and

Captain Carroll, I am familiar with the Harbor Master’s role in accomplishing the (duties of Harbor

Master). I have also been an active member of the CSF serving as President for nine years. I have

taken a participating role with the HMC in planning the upcoming dredging project in the area

surrounding the Lower Wharf and Ye Yacht Yard where CSF’s boats are docked.”

Mr. Schueler said, “I am deeply honored to have been appointed to this important role which I

sought to follow in the path of Captain Patrick Carroll and to continue to maintain the principles set

forth in the Harbor Management Plan. I look forward to serving our residents and our great town.”

First Selectman Tetreau said, “I am pleased the Governor has chosen Louis Schueler, who like

many, including the Harbor Management Commission, recognizes that Mr. Schueler is extremely

capable and well-qualified to assume this key position. I thank the Governor, the HMC, as well as

former Harbor Master Pat Carroll for his 23 years of outstanding service and dedication.”

Last October, the First Selectman announced that the Fairfield Harbor Management Commission

(FHMC) was accepting resumes from Fairfield residents interested in being considered for the

position of Southport Harbor Master.

The Southport Harbor Master is a state official appointed by the Governor of Connecticut for a

three-year term pursuant to Sec. 15-1 of the Connecticut General Statutes. The Harbor Master

serves as an ex-officio member of the HMC and is responsible for the safe and efficient operation

of Southport Harbor. It is the responsibility of the Harbor Master to assist the HMC with

implementation of the Southport Harbor Management Plan adopted by the Fairfield Representative

Town Meeting (RTM) and approved by the State of Connecticut. In conducting his or her

duties, the Harbor Master must work cooperatively with the HMC, Fairfield Police Department,

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,

Fairfield Shellfish Commission, and all other agencies and organizations with responsibilities

affecting Southport Harbor.

The Southport Harbor Master is a part-time job. The Harbor Management Commission pays

$660.00 a month plus expenses, such as printing and mailing, and the State pays a one-time annual

payment of $750.00.

The HMC had received and reviewed all submittals and provided a list of recommended nominees

to the Governor. Pursuant to the Connecticut General Statutes, the Governor must appoint the

Harbor Master from a list of not less than three nominees provided by the HMC.

Connecticut’s Only Zoo Invites Public to “Spring Forward” for Amphibians with FrogWatch USA™

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. and SILVER SPRING, Md. – March 10, 2014 – Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo invites Connecticut residents to take advantage of Daylight Savings Time, and “Spring Forward” for amphibians through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) FrogWatch USA™citizen science program. The zoo, in collaboration with Yale University’s Peabody Museum, will teach families, students, and others how to be citizen scientists through both classroom and experiential learning. Working with experts, volunteers will learn about local frog species, travel into wetlands throughout the region, and observe and record the frog and toad calls they hear. While at the zoo, volunteers also will have a chance to get up close and personal with amphibian education animals.

 

“FrogWatch is a terrific way for us to engage a new generation of people interested in conservation,” explained Jim Knox, education curator, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo. “This program brings conservation to life and shows how we all can play a part in protecting these animals.”

 

FrogWatch USA™is dedicated to collecting information about frog and toad populations, raising awareness about amphibians and wetlands, and engaging the public in science. Since 1998, FrogWatch USA™ volunteers have collected data on the frogs and toads heard calling in their local wetlands during evenings from February through August. Together, these volunteers contribute to a long-term, nationwide effort to gather information on species presence, habitat use, and changes over time.

 

Why frogs?

Amphibians play an important role in the health of ecosystems, but more than one third of the world’s amphibian species are currently facing the largest mass extinction event since the dinosaurs. Even in the United States, previously abundant amphibian populations have experienced dramatic declines.

 

“Frogs, toads, and other amphibians are sensitive to changes in the environment and therefore act as environmental indicators for factors that could negatively impact ecosystem and human health,” explained Rachel Gauza, AZA’s education and outreach coordinator. “The data collected by FrogWatch USA™ volunteers can be used to help understand the scope and geographic scale of amphibian declines and inform conservation and management efforts.”

 

Volunteers do not have to be a frog or toad expert to make an important contribution. More than 100 FrogWatch USA™ chapters across the nation are available to train and support interested volunteers. In southern Connecticut, AZA-accredited Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo leads a chapter in conjunction with Yale University’s Peabody Museum. Visit the zoo’s website, BeardsleyZoo.org

or Facebook page for details about local FrogWatch events.

 

This season, FrogWatch USA™ unveiled a new web platform developed in partnership with the National Geographic Society so volunteers can register and enter data online, as well as use maps and graphs to explore their observations alongside those of volunteers throughout the country.

 

“Seeing your observations reflected online in real time and comparing them to others adds a whole new element to what was traditionally an outdoors-only program,” said Shelly Grow, AZA’s director of conservation programs. “We are thrilled with what the National Geographic Society has done for FrogWatch USA™ and think volunteers will be, too.”

 

By moving to an online system, FrogWatch USA™ data are now readily accessible to anyone with an interest in frogs and toads. Volunteers may more about FrogWatch USA and how to participate by visiting www.aza.org/frogwatch

. Volunteers are invited to post their amphibian photos, experiences, and videos by “leaping” into the FrogWatch USA™ online community on Facebook, YouTube, and Flickr.

Himes to Host “How to Fund Your College Education” Financial Aid Event

Presentation will connect students with university representatives

for help with the financial aid process

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) will host an event on Sunday, March 16, at the Trumbull Public Library to connect students who need help paying for their higher education with financial aid professionals and information on navigating federal financial aid options. “How to Fund Your College Education” is a free information session that will feature representatives from the University of Bridgeport, Fairfield University, and Sacred Heart University explaining best practices for identifying grants and student loans and tips for filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). They will also be available to answer any questions attendees may have.

 

“We must ensure that all students, regardless of their background or financial situation, have the opportunity to get the education and skills they need to excel in our modern economy,” Himes said. “The FAFSA is the first step towards accessing the multiple types of financial aid available for higher education. I am happy to host this event highlighting the importance of FAFSA completion, and I hope you will join me there.”

 

Anyone interested in attending should RSVP by calling (203) 333-6600 or by emailing Shante Hanks at Shante.Hanks@mail.house.gov or Paul Coyle at Paul.Coyle@mail.house.gov.

 

WHO:                    Congressman Jim Himes

Representatives from the University of Bridgeport, Fairfield University, and Sacred Heart University

WHAT:                  “How to Fund Your College Education”

WHEN:                  Sunday, March 16 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. Registration begins at 2:30.

WHERE:                Trumbull Public Library, 33 Quality Street, Trumbull

Exit mobile version