#Bridgeport CT– This morning, Detective Winkler arrested Ricardo Torres (DOB: 5/27/88) for the September 24th murder of Jorge Tirado on Fox Street. Torres was charged with Murder, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, and Carrying a Pistol Without a Permit. He is being held on a $2,000,000 bond.
2020-10-20@3:21pm–#Bridgeport CT– Bridgeport Police say a social worker dropped off a gunshot victim at Bridgeport Hospital. There was no further information.
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HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont announced today that the State of Connecticut will be providing up to $9 million in grants to certain nonprofit arts organizations in the state to help them recover more quickly from the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Utilizing federal CARES Act funding from the state’s Coronavirus Relief Fund, the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s (DECD) Office of the Arts will administer the COVID Relief Fund for the Arts program with the goal of supporting:
· Arts nonprofits for whom grants will make a difference in terms of survival or rehiring; and
· Arts nonprofits that have had to curtail operations for a period of time due to the pandemic and which have had limited ability to reopen due to pandemic restrictions and/or have had to pivot their service delivery due to pandemic restrictions.
“Connecticut’s arts community provides an incredible amount of good for our state and supports thousands of jobs,” Governor Lamont said. “The ongoing, global COVID-19 pandemic has impacted so many aspects of our lives, and many of our state’s nonprofit arts organizations are struggling to recover from its impact. This program will provide some support so that these groups can continue providing the services in our state that so many depend on.”
Qualifying organizations will receive a base grant of $5,000. For organizations that have raised funds between March 10 and November 1, 2020, the program will offer a supplemental match of 50 percent of contributed income during that period. The maximum award for any organization is $750,000.
Arts organizations eligible for funding include:
· Performing Arts Centers: Multi-purpose facilities for arts programming, including theaters that present live performances and/or live classes;
· Performing Groups: Groups of artists who perform works of art (e.g., an orchestra, theater, or dance group). To qualify, the organization must either own the venue in which it performs and/or spend more than 20 percent of its annual operating budget on rental of space used to perform; and
· Schools of the Arts: Organizations that have arts education as its primary educational mission (e.g. community art schools).
The Connecticut Office of the Arts will be accepting applications between October 23 and November 3, and all contracts must be executed by December 30. Additional information on eligibility requirements and the application process can be found on DECD’s website.
“The pandemic has wreaked havoc on Connecticut’s nonprofit arts and culture organizations,” Liz Shapiro, DECD’s Director of Arts, Preservation, and Museums, said. “The impact of the arts on our communities and our overall quality of life cannot be overstated, so it is important we extend this financial lifeline to our nonprofits to help them weather this storm.”
Connecticut’s arts and culture sector represent five percent of the state’s economy, generating $9 billion annually and supporting 57,000 jobs. The sector is integral to the tourism industry, with 69 percent of visitors coming to Connecticut for arts and cultural offerings.
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2020-10-20@12:30pm– #Bridgeport CT– First responders were dispatched to the 100 block of James Street for a woman with lacerations to the face. Police are investigating.
Missing since Sunday, October 18th at approximately 3:51 p.m. is 84 year-old Teresa Zangrilli. She is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes. She was last seen near the Marshall’s sign next to the Price Rite on upper Main St. at approximately 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Her phone was last pinged later in the evening near Chopsey Hill Rd. and Reservoir Ave.
Ms Zangrilli was wearing the pink fleece top seen in the attached photograph, when she went missing. She had a beige v-neck top underneath. She was also wearing brown pants and black shoes.
A Silver Alert has been issued.
The Detective Bureau is asking for the public’s assistance with identifying a robbery
suspect. The pictured male is a suspect in a robbery that occurred on 10/15/20 at 6:00
PM at Home Depot on Connecticut Avenue. The male filled a rolling tool storage bin
with DeWalt tools. The suspect then approached the exit door where he was
confronted by the cashier. The suspect pepper sprayed the cashier and fled the store
towards Connecticut Avenue. The suspect is a black male, approximately 5’7” tall and
weighs approximately 150 pounds. He was seen wearing camouflage style pants with a
hooded sweatshirt, jacket, mask and ball cap. If you have any information regarding
this individual please contact Detective John Taranto at 203-854-3102 or at
jtaranto@norwalkct.org. Anonymous tips can be left at any of the following:
Norwalk Police Tip Line: 203-854-3111
Anonymous Internet tips can be sent to Norwalk Police website at: www.norwalkpd.com
Anonymous text tips can be submitted by typing “NPD” into the text field, followed bythe message, and sending it to CRIMES (274637)
HARTFORD, CT) – Recognizing the critical role that New England’s regional wholesale electricity market plays in addressing climate change and cost-effectively reducing economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont and the governors of four other northeast states today issued a statement calling for reforms needed to achieve their states’ respective goals for clean, affordable, and reliable electricity.
“When Connecticut deregulated our electricity sector, we were promised competition, lower risk for ratepayers, more affordable electricity, and a system that respects and accommodates our clean energy mandates,” Governor Lamont said. “What we got is a system that has actively hindered our efforts to decarbonize the grid, and imposed burdensome costs on Connecticut ratepayers to fix market design failures. Working together with our neighboring states, I’m committed to achieving a regional electricity grid that provides the affordable, clean, and reliable electricity that Connecticut families and businesses deserve.”
Governor Lamont, Maine Governor Janet Mills, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo, and Vermont Governor Phil Scott are calling for reform of the regional electricity market design, transmission planning process, and the governance of the ISO-New England, the independent system operator for the New England power system. A vision document outlining specific areas for reform will be released later this week through the New England States Committee on Electricity (NESCOE), a nonprofit entity that represents the collective perspective of the New England states in regional electricity matters.
“It is far past time that New England reforms how its electric grid is managed,” Governor Mills said. “The wholesale electricity markets must advance and support clean energy laws and policies, as the states demand decarbonization and markets and consumers support more renewables. ISO-New England must keep pace with state priorities and it must be more transparent and accountable in its decision making, broadening its focus to include consumer and environment concerns as well as reliability and cost.”
“To meet to our administration’s goal of net zero emissions in Massachusetts by 2050, the Commonwealth needs a regional electricity system that can support the delivery of clean, affordable, and reliable energy to residents and businesses,” Governor Baker said. “My administration looks forward to working with our partner states, ISO-New England and stakeholders to build a more transparent, modern and cost-effective power system that will allow New England states to meet our ambitious climate change and clean energy goals while creating a better future for our residents.”
“Here in Rhode Island, we’re committed to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonizing our future,” Governor Raimondo said. “I’m proud that we’re on track to achieving 100 percent renewable energy by 2030. In order to meet our shared clean energy goals and aggressively combat climate change, it’s clear we need to take a regional approach.”
“I’ve long said our work to address climate change can and must also work to make energy more affordable for Vermonters, so I’m pleased to be a part of this regional approach to achieving both of these priorities,” Governor Scott said. “With a strategic, multi-state approach we can have a greater impact on both climate change mitigation and energy affordability.”
In the coming months, the states will convene open and accessible forums to ensure that all interested stakeholders have an opportunity to participate in further refinement of the principles of the shared vision.
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Insurance Department Commissioner Andrew N. Mais and Insurance & Real Estate Committee Co-Chair Senator Matt Lesser join the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) in issuing a warning to anyone considering purchasing a Health Care Sharing Ministries (HCSMs) product, discount, or risk-sharing plan. Consumers are strongly encouraged to take the time to fully understand what they are and how they work before purchasing.
These offerings are either not health insurance plans, or they are unauthorized insurance products. They are not Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliant and, unless they constitute an unauthorized insurance product, do not fall under the jurisdiction of state or federal regulators. The NAIC has a full description of these products.
In a true HCSM, members typically pay a monthly fee that allows them to submit qualifying medical expenses for sharing with others in the group. The group may pay part of a health care bill by sharing funds from other members. However, they are not legally required to do so.
“Consumers should research, prior to purchasing a product, if it comes with protections required by Connecticut and/or federal law and is marketed by a licensed insurance carrier or licensed broker in Connecticut,” Commissioner Mais said.
In 2019, Commissioner Mais issued a cease and desist order against a HCSM for conducting an insurance business illegally in Connecticut, and potentially placing consumers at risk.
“I’ve personally heard from constituents who have paid for products they believed were health insurance. These reports are alarming – and consumers should be on the lookout,” said Senator Matt Lesser. “Many of these products claim to be “Health Care Sharing Ministries” which are not insurance and may not cover needed medical care.”
Consumers are inundated with increased advertising and marketing for products that may not be health insurance, are not approved or licensed in the state and may not have the required consumer protections under state and federal law. These products are being marketed on TV, the Internet and through social media and telemarketers.
Licensed producers, brokers and agents are also cautioned that under Connecticut law, any person who sells, or aids or assists anyone in the sale of, an unauthorized insurance product will be liable to pay any unpaid claims. In addition, any Insurance Department licensee assisting in any such sale will be subject to administrative action by the Department.
Anyone with questions can contact the Connecticut Insurance Department by email at insurance@ct.gov or by calling 860-297-3900.
Additional resources:
· List of licensed carriers selling ACA-compliant plans in Connecticut.
· Access Health CT – the state health insurance exchange
· Find a licensed broker/agent
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Police UPDATE: In a report I was first to tell you about police confirmed:
On October 18, 2020 Jennifer Brelsford was found deceased inside her home at 176 Goddard Avenue. Detectives quickly identified a person of interest, who is believed to be responsible for the murder of Brelsford. This person is Corey Ramos 7/8/90, who is the estranged boyfriend of Brelsford. Detectives worked with law enforcement in Connecticut and Vermont to track the whereabouts of Ramos, and we learned that he crossed into the State of Vermont yesterday after Brelsford was killed. Detectives alerted law enforcement in New England and New York to be on the lookout for Ramos.
On October 19, 2020 Ramos attempted to illegally cross the northern border from Vermont, into Canada. US Border Agents, US Customs and Border Protection officers and Royal Canadian Mounted Police worked together to detain Ramos over the border in Canada. Ramos was transferred back into the custody of United States law enforcement. Ramos is being held by the Vermont State Police, charged as a fugitive from justice based on a felony warrant issued today in Connecticut that charges Ramos with two counts of violating a protective order. It is anticipated that Ramos will be charged with the murder of Brelsford in the coming days, and will be extradited back to Connecticut to await trial.
The alleged suspect Corey Ramos, 20, was captured by customs agents trying to enter Canada. This is unconfirmed by police at this time.
2020-10-18@ 7L:55pm– Bridgeport Police were dispatched to 176 Goddard Avenue to check on the well being of a person who resided at that location. Responding officers located a 40-year-old female, identified at Jennifer Brelsford deceased inside the residence with obvious signs of trauma to her body. Detectives responded to Goddard Avenue and are processing a crime scene at this location. Investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of Brelsford and ask that anyone with information about this crime call Detective Heanue at 203-581-5242, or citizens can call the Bridgeport Police Tips Line at 203-576-TIPS. An autopsy is expected to be conducted on October 19, 2020, that will determine the cause of death.
2020-10-18@6:28pm–#Fairfield CT– A child has a partially severed finger from a car door on Jessica Lane. First responders on the way.
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