6:40pm–#Shelton CT– Firefighters are on the scene of a structure fire at Super Saver Liquors at 864 Bridgeport Avenue. Special thanks to Bobby Johnston for sending in the photo from the scene.
Month: December 2018
Merritt Crash
6:14pm–#Stratford CT– #cttraffic– A multi-car crash on the Merritt Parkway northbound just before the Sikorsky Bridge.
Shelton Girl Scouts Help Kids at Boys & Girls Village
How about some likes for these kids?
Using a portion of their cookie sale proceeds, the troop of eight middle-school aged girls purchased gifts on the wish lists of disadvantaged children served by the Boys & Girls Village organization. Monetary donations were also gathered from troop families to help meet their needs, for a combined donation of over $300.
“The girls are old enough to understand how blessed we are and how much we have,” explained troop co-leader, Kathryn Cavallaro. “They said they wanted to so do something to give presents to other children, and gifts at the holidays are a great way to help and get the girls involved.”
The troop is a long-standing community partner with Boys & Girls Village, which serves over 800 at-risk children each year. In addition to providing financial contributions in the past, the troop has also conducted a pajama drive, collecting and donating pajamas to these children in need.
“We are all in this together, and it is good to care for kids in need,” said eleven-year-old Emma T.
With the majority of clients ranging in age from 5-17 years old, Boys & Girls Village serves children and families in at-risk situations. The organization provides a broad range of services including behavioral health services, educational and vocational programs, and permanency planning. In its 75-year history, it has transformed over 30,000 lives across the state.
“This is a shining example of how a community banding together can do so much,” said Dr. Steven Kant, CEO of Boys & Girls Village. “It’s remarkable that these young leaders are building a strong sense of giving at such an early age, and a reminder to us all that acts of kindness are incredibly meaningful to those who are in crisis. We and the families we serve are grateful to Troop #60443.”
To explore how your group can partner with Boys & Girls Village, or to learn more about the organization, please visit www.bgvillage.orgor call 203-877-0300.
(Press release)
OPEN SPACE GRANTS
HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that $4.8 million in state grants are being awarded to support the purchase of 1,139 acres of land for 15 projects in 14 Connecticut municipalities that the state will designate to be preserved as open space.
The grants are being awarded through the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition program, which is administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and assists local governments, land trusts, and water companies in purchasing open space using funding from the Community Investment Act and state bond funds. This grant program requires match by the grant recipient and requires the open space land be protected by a conservation and public recreation easement, ensuring that the property is forever protected for public use and enjoyment.
“Connecticut’s tradition of preserving open space has helped define our landscape and preserve its important natural resources and geographical beauty,” Governor Malloy said. “These grants continue our open space preservation legacy and will increase the availability of open space for our residents across our state.”
These open space projects move the State of Connecticut further in achieving its goal of protecting 673,210 acres of land – approximately 21 percent of land in the state. At this time, Connecticut has more than 500,000 acres designated as state or local open space land.
“Since the program began in 1998, more than $125 million in state funding has been awarded to municipalities, nonprofit land conservation organizations, and water companies to assist in the purchase of more than 36,400 acres of land, including farmlands, in 139 cities and towns,” DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee said. “These important open space properties protect natural resources and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.”
The December 2018 Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition grant awards announced today include (locally):
Town: Fairfield Project Title: 760 Oldfield Road Sponsor: Town of Fairfield
Grant: $82,500 Acreage: 3.6 acres
Description: This 3.6 acre parcel is principally made up 2.8 acres of tidal wetland, which is part of the Pine Creek Open Space Preserve. The property will offer direct access to Pine Creek, its prime habitat, and Oldfield Road Bridge. The Conservation Commission intends to construct a bird blind for wildlife viewing.
Town: Shelton Project Title: Pearmain Preserve Sponsor: City of Shelton
Grant: $82,500 Acreage: 6.71 acres
Description: This acquisition includes a portion of an approved, but yet to be filed, subdivision. The acquisition would provide a critical buffer to an established trail known as the Pearmain Path, which is located on a property protected with a prior grant from this program. The trail leads to a popular youth campsite within a parcel known as Nicholdale Farm, which is owned by the local land trust. This project falls within the Means Brook Greenway.
This press release was made possible by:
Shelton News: Car And Motorcycle Collide
4:50pm–#Shelton CT– Report of a crash between a car and motorcycle in front of 442 River Road near the Citgo Station. Radio reports say the 40 year old motorcyclist struck the rear of the car and the cyclist landed on top of the car.
This news report is made possible by:
Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service Receives Major Grant
Westport Volunteer EMS has received an $80,000 grant from the Daniel Edward Offutt, III Private Foundation Trust to purchase a new state of the art cardiac monitor/defibrillator and to help fund the purchase of a new paramedic fly car. A new Physio-Control Lifepak 15 cardiac monitor/defibrillator, costing $30,000, will replace a 12-year-old Lifepak 12 unit. The new unit features advanced functions such as Carbon monoxide and meth hemoglobin monitoring as well as numerous other advanced functions ranging from vital signs monitoring to heart pacing. In addition, $50,000 is allocated to the replacement of a paramedic fly car that has reached the end of its useful life after 16 years of service.
“We rely primarily on numerous individual donations each year from the community to purchase supplies and fund long-term capital acquisitions necessary to run the ambulance service. Nevertheless, large grants like the one from the Daniel Offutt Trust have become essential because of new technology and super inflation in our costs” said Yves Cantin, President of Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service. Richard Orenstein, Trustee, added “We are pleased to fulfill Dan Offutt’s wish of community support and volunteerism by assisting Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service in its critical life-saving mission.” Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Services dedicates itself to saving lives and providing the best pre-hospital emergency care for all who live, work, or pass through Westport. The organization's 120 volunteers work alongside seven town employees to respond to all medical emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service (WVEMS) is a non-profit, tax-exempt, charitable organization founded in 1979 that serves the Westport, Connecticut community and its nearly 30,000 residents, hundreds of businesses, and some of the busiest roadways and passenger railroads in the country. Each year WVEMS volunteers respond to nearly 2500 emergency medical calls and train over 2,000 in CPR, EMR and EMT classes from their downtown headquarters. The organization relies on tax-deductible donations to buy and maintain a fleet of state-of-the-art emergency vehicles and essential equipment and supplies, from heart monitors to bandages. WVEMS volunteers proudly serve over 18,000 volunteer hours annually.
Harry Helps Hope
Harry’s Wine & Liquor Market, Fairfield, recently sponsored its annual “Rare Bottles” fundraiser for Operation Hope of Fairfield to support its efforts to end hunger and end homelessness in the local community. On Saturdays throughout the month of October, Harry’s released a handful of hard-to-find bottles that were sold at 8:00 am on a first-come, first-serve basis, with a portion of the proceeds of bottle sales donated to Operation Hope. Each Saturday, a line snaked out the door before the doors opened, where patrons were eager to have the opportunity to snag some very rare bottles of scotch, bourbon, and whiskey. The fundraiser raised $8,346.00, which will be used to help finance the Food Pantry, Affordable Housing program, and the new Homeless Response Center. Operation Hope is deeply grateful to Harry’s management, staff and customers for its continued commitment to community and for sharing our goal that one day, we will reach a day when everyone in our community has supportive relationships, hope for the future and a place to call home.
Bridgeport News: Cops Nab Kid In Stolen Car
5:47pm–#Bridgeport CT– Police arrested a juvenile in a stolen vehicle on Bell Street.
This news report is mad possible by:
Bridgeport News: Pedestrian Hit
5:11pm–#Bridgeport CT– A man was hit at the intersection of Iranistan and State Street. The man received a gash to the head and was transported to the hospital. The driver remained on scene and was cooperating with police.
Getting Spoiled!
On Saturday after the BMW of Bridgeport X-5 Launch Event, Tim Kraemer presented me with the keys to an X-3 to drive around for the week. I have to tell you, besides the nice ride, it’s like driving a car from the future! You should stop down at 43 North Avenue for a test drive of any BMW this week. They have some great end of the year specials going on. Check out the X-5, what a beautiful ride!
I’ll be back in the Interstate race car next week which is also a nice ride, but for this week I’ll gladly be pampered!
