2:10pm–#Bridgeport CT– A school bus was aledgedly struck by a Safelite van at 1734 Central Avenue. The van is reported to have fled down Boston Avenue. There are no reported injuries.
Month: June 2014
Milford News: Shooting in Milford UPDATE
12:58pm–#Milford CT–Reports of a shooting at 60 Midway Avenue. Radio reports say the scene is not secure, the shooter ran up to the roof.
UPDATE: Radio reports saying it is a double shooting. Shooting appears to have taken place at 31 Hollywood Avenue and the shooter ran to the roof at 60 Midway Avenue. Scene has been secured by police at 1:05pm, EMS moving in to treat the patients.
UPDATE: EMS has one male with a gunshot wound to the chest being transported priority 1 to Bridgeport Hospital. Additional reports say there is another deceased victim still on scene.
UPDATE: WTNH is reporting 2 dead now.
GOV. MALLOY SIGNS BILL CREATING STATE-WIDE ELECTRONIC BOOK DELIVERY SYSTEM
Legislation Authorizes State Library to Create E-Book Platform
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today signed P.A. 14-82, An Act Concerning a State-wide Platform for the Distribution of Electronic Books, authorizing the State Library to create and maintain a state platform for the distribution of electronic books (e-books) to public library patrons. The bill was passed in response to legislation Governor Malloy signed last year that commissioned the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) to study how Connecticut’s public libraries could gain fairer access to e-books.
“As the role of libraries changes, it’s critical that we continue to provide invaluable resources that support the educational advancement of Connecticut citizens in a digital age,” said Governor Malloy. “We are leading the nation with the passage of common sense legislation that will increase educational opportunities for library patrons.”
The DCP study, found that, while over 90 percent of state libraries were offering at least some e-books to their patrons, the most popular titles were often unavailable or only available at prices well above the consumer price. To increase the availability of e-books and other e-content at libraries, the study recommended, among other things, the creation of a state-wide e-book distribution platform.
“I want to thank the Governor for supporting the creation of the first statewide e-book purchasing program in the nation,” said Rep. Brian Sear (D-Canterbury). “E-books are the technological wave of the future, and this platform will create easy and consistent access and pricing of e-books to libraries throughout Connecticut, and result in significant cost savings.”
“With this new law, the State of Connecticut will ensure our local libraries have a broad selection of e-books,” said Sen. Paul Doyle (D-Wethersfield), Co-Chairman of the General Law Committee. “Prior to this legislation, it was unclear if municipal libraries would be able to continue to provide their citizens with e-book selections. I want to thank Governor Malloy and all those who collaborated on this issue for their support.”
“The e-book legislation was one of the most popular bi-partisan bills of the session,” said Rep. David Baram (D-Bloomfield), Co-Chairman of the General Law Committee. “It represents a comprehensive state strategy to purchase e-books for our public libraries so that patrons throughout the state can enjoy them without the significant cost of purchase. By creating a state purchasing platform, we can flex our economic muscle to acquire e-books, overcoming the restrictive marketing taking place within the industry aimed at promoting private sales for increased profits. This will lower public library costs and provide greater e-book access to Connecticut residents. It was a personal pleasure to advocate this bill as part of our General Law Committee agenda.”
Sen. Kevin Witkos (R-Canton), Ranking Member of the General Law Committee, stated, “I am excited to see our libraries expand and modernize their offerings to encourage reading. Literacy is a key to learning, and reading in any format is important for people of all ages.”
“The use of e-books has exploded in recent years, so this legislation will help libraries offer more resources to the public,” said Rep. Dan Carter (R-Bethel), Ranking Member of the General Law Committee. “Our libraries remain an important part of our community, as well as destinations for family-friendly education and recreation. This is a step in the right direction as we seek to keep libraries outfitted with relevant and useful resources, and encourage reading among people of all ages and backgrounds.”
State Librarian Kendall Wiggin said, “With the recent development of a statewide e-book platform, Connecticut will continue to lead in library resource sharing. It is important that our citizens have the same level of access to e-books as they have to print books and this legislation will allow the State Library to make that happen.”
“The Connecticut Library Association is extremely pleased that Governor Malloy has signed the legislation that will enable the Connecticut State Library to create a statewide e-book delivery system,” said Connecticut Association President Richard Conroy. “Connecticut is a national leader on this issue, and we applaud the Governor for recognizing the importance of providing e-books to all of our State’s residents in a fair and equitable way. As the market evolves, we anticipate that this important new service will have a positive influence on the relationship between publishers and libraries with regard to e-books.”
Studies show that e-books are now the preferred book format for many readers. Between 2002 and 2012, e-book share of trade publishing revenue increased from 0.05 percent to roughly 23 percent. In 2012, nearly 80 percent of libraries reported that they experienced a dramatic increase in the demand for e-books during the previous year.
Bridgeport Firefighters Top $116,000 in Fundraising for Burn Center
Bridgeport Firefighters Top $116,000 in Fundraising for Burn Center Bridgeport Firefighters Local 834 recently presented the proceeds of its latest United for Recovery fundraiser to the Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital. This year’s donation of nearly $50,000 brings the total amount raised in the annual event’s three years to more than $116,000. A number of Bridgeport firefighters joined in presenting the latest proceeds of the annual “United for Recovery” fundraiser to the Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital. Holding the check (l-r) are fundraiser chairs Melissa Emanuel, a burn center nurse, and her husband, Fire Capt. Sal Emanuel; and pumper engineer Sheila Vega, who was a burn center patient in 2012. At far left are Bridgeport Hospital Foundation President Steve Jakab, Chief Operating Officer Norm Roth, burn center surgeon Roselle Crombie, MD; and pumper engineer Zoltan Szabo, fundraiser co-chair.
The proceeds supported the construction and ongoing maintenance of the new family hospitality suite added to the burn center as part of an extensive modernization that was completed in 2012. The idea for the suite was inspired by firefighters. The United for Recovery fundraiser has been held all three years at Vazzano’s Four Seasons in Stratford, with an average attendance of nearly 500 people per year, including many local, state and federal government officials.
“Ongoing support of the burn center from the firefighting community, especially in Bridgeport, has been exceptional,” said Steve Jakab, president of the Bridgeport Hospital Foundation. “These are men and women who know first-hand about the high level of expertise and resources needed to treat burn patients.”
Established in the early 1970s, the Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital is the state’s only American College of Surgeons-verified burn care facility, serving nearly 200 inpatients and more than 800 outpatients each year.
Norwalk News: Car Crashes Into CVS
11:20am–#Norwalk CT–A car has crashed into the CVS at 696 West Avenue. First responders on the way. Servpro can make it like it never even happened!
Bridgeport News: Structure Fire
2:11am–#Bridgeport CT–Firefighters quickly knock down a fire at the corner of Park Street and Shelton Street. If there is damage our friends at ServPro can make it like it never even happened!
Bridgeport News: Street Robbery on Iranistan Avenue
2:08am–#Bridgeport–A woman was just robbed of her purse in the 1400 block Iranistan Avenue.
Bridgeport News: Car Thief Suspect Nabbed After Foot Pursuit
12:40am–#Bridgeport CT–A suspect wanted in a car theft was just apprehended by police after a brief foot purist in the 3500 of Park Avenue (near Olive Street).
Bridgeport News: Man with a Knife and Machete
11:26pm–#Bridgeport CT–If driving in the 600 block of Palisade Avenue avoid the man with the machete and knife walking in the street.
Man Charged After Yelling Racial Epithets at the Bus Station
(Bridgeport, CT – June 2, 2014) – A city man faces charges after making threats and yelling racial epithets at the downtown bus station.
Officer Luis Melendez responded Sunday at noon to a disturbance at the Water Street depot.
Other patrons were about to physically confront the suspect, later identified as Lawrence Lucher, 44, of Bridgeport, when a security guard intervened. After initially refusing to leave, Lucher walked out of the station.
When police arrived, the security guard pointed out the suspect to police. Upon seeing the security guard, he hurled another racial epithet and did so again when he was brought to the booking area of the police department.
Because of his erratic behavior and other bizarre statements he made, he was taken for a psychiatric evaluation.
He faces charges of threatening and breach of peace.
