WASHINGTON, DC] – At a hearing of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) emphasized the need for more federal action to expand affordable, reliable internet access to all Americans. Blumenthal praised Connecticut’s goal to ensure every home is connected to broadband in six years and questioned witnesses about necessary federal actions to help meet this goal.
“In Connecticut, our governor has set an ambitious but necessary goal of connecting every home to broadband in less than six years. I say necessary, because this pandemic has shown broadband is an essential need, not a luxury, not a convenience. We need to take broadband as seriously as we do access to electricity or water or any of the utilities that sometimes we take for granted until we don’t have them, as the people of Texas recently saw,” said Blumenthal at today’s hearing.
Blumenthal emphasized the prevalence of the digital gap in states like Connecticut and stressed the urgent need to act, saying: “[T]his issue affects suburban, urban, as well as rural communities and overlooking the city of Hartford or Waterbury, Stamford, New Haven, big cities or their suburbs, is to ignore seniors and communities of color which often lack access to broadband. It also ignores the digital divide that separates those communities from others in our state, even a small state like Connecticut can suffer from this kind of homework gap or digital divide.”
Blumenthal questioned witnesses – University of Virginia professor of media studies Dr. Christopher Ali and Quadra Partners’ Jon Wilkins – about the existing digital divide and actions the federal government should take, asking: “Can you tell me more about how broadband grants would help states, specifically like Connecticut, to ensure that all households including those in cities and suburbs have access to high speed broadband?” Both witnesses agreed that state-tailored, targeted programs would help expand broadband access to underserved communities.
Blumenthal has long supported efforts to expand broadband access and is a co-sponsor of the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act. The legislation would invest over $94 billion to build high-speed broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved communities to close the digital divide and ensure all Americans have fast, reliable, and affordable internet connectivity.
#Fairfield CT– In July of 2020, the Fairfield Police Quality of Life Unit obtained information that Kevin Chesney (DOB: 03/08/1986) of Kings Highway East, Fairfield, was involved in narcotics sales within the Town of Fairfield.
Quality of Life Unit detectives conducted a several month investigation into Chesney consisting of search warrants, undercover operations, and surveilled drug purchases. The investigation revealed Chesney was actively selling cocaine in Fairfield.
Quality of Life Unit detectives obtained a Bridgeport Superior Court Arrest Warrant for Chesney charging him with Possession of Narcotics WITS (With Intent To Sell) and Possession of Narcotics. In addition to the arrest warrant, detectives obtained Search Warrants for Chesney’s Kings Highway East apartment and vehicle.
In the early morning hours of March 4th Detectives from the Quality of Life Unit were conducting surveillance on Chesney. Chesney was taken into custody while exiting his apartment.
Chesney was found to be in possession of his legally registered loaded handgun and multiple cell phones. A search of his vehicle revealed a plastic zip lock bag containing 15 individual baggies of cocaine packaged for sale. $2,000 in cash was seized from Chesney’s apartment which investigators believed to be drug proceeds. Chesney was additionally charged with Possession of Narcotics WITS and Possession of Narcotics.
Chesney’s CT Pistol Permit and registered firearm were seized in the investigation.
Chesney is scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on 3/25/2021.
#Bridgeport CT– Today, The Connecticut Automotive Retailers Association (CAR) along with BMW of Bridgeport and Park City Ford held a press conference to oppose Connecticut Legislation SB 127 also known as the Tesla bill which was co-sponsored by Bridgeport’s own State Representative Christopher Rosario. In essence, the Tesla bill will allow unfair competition by allowing Tesla to operate online in the state without any brick and mortar dealership in the state. General Manager and Executive Vice-President Tim Kraemer of BMW of Bridgeport said “this is important because they (consumers) don’t have the same protections of state and local laws that are in place here in Connecticut to make sure you have the proper rules and regulations on financing, warranty and lemon laws. But more important, service after the sale”. Jason Flint, Vice President and Sales Manager of Park City Ford said he’s “been in business for 31 years. If a customer has a problem they can come directly to him and they can solve it together. You don’t have that when you have a corporate owned store that has no dealer. Kraemer continued that they are locally owned and operated. BMW of Bridgeport and Ridgefield employ over 240 people and in Bridgeport alone they will be pay $257,000 in taxes to the city. Flint said the trend for all car dealers is to move towards electrified vehicles and making a push for greener vehicles to protect the environment. But to have one dealer come in only allow the Tesla charging stations to only work on Tesla’s is wrong.
2021-03-22@12 :22pm–#Bridgeport CT–Units responded to a gasoline spill located at the gas station at the five corners at1210 Madison Avenue at 11:00AM. Approximately 20 gallons spilled into the storm drain located on Madison Ave. An environmental cleanup company, along with DEEP responded to remove the hazard and protect the waterways.
HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Attorney General William Tong are warning Connecticut residents to be on alert for potential scams related to COVID-19 vaccines.
The Office of the Attorney General and the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection have recently learned of a new scam in which fraudsters, posing as COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers Moderna and Pfizer, sent consumers a “COVID-19 survey” offering rewards for their opinions about the vaccine. To obtain the so-called reward, consumers are required to provide their credit card information, supposedly for “shipping purposes.” State officials are warning residents not to be fooled – this is a scam that is designed to rip people off for money.
In another scheme, fraudsters sent a letter impersonating the governor’s office that suggests the vaccines are dangerous and directing consumers to a website that attempts to capitalize on people’s fears and is yet another way for bad actors to scam people out of information and money. The COVID-19 vaccine is medically proven to be safe and effective, and consumers should not visit links that may be set up to steal their information.
Finally, there have been recent reports of scammers who pose as vaccinators and ask for sensitive information, such as social security numbers and bank information. Consumers will never be asked for this information to receive the vaccine.
State officials are offering the following tips for consumers to protect themselves against vaccine-related scams:
Do not pay anything to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, do not trust promotional offers related to the vaccine. Those who have specific questions can check with their state or local health departments or with their healthcare providers.
Ignore sales ads related to the vaccine. The vaccine cannot be bought anywhere. It is only available at federal and state-approved locations, and is being offered at no cost to anyone.
Beware of unsolicited emails or texts concerning the vaccine, including offers of rewards or payments. While some people may receive emails or texts from their healthcare providers or authorized vaccine providers, those contacts only come after they have signed up for them. If you receive a contact that seems suspicious, consumers can contact their healthcare or vaccine provider.
Do not share personal, financial, or health information with unfamiliar people. Nobody from a vaccine distribution site, healthcare provider, pharmacy, or health care payer alike a private insurance company or Medicare will call, text, or email consumers asking for their Social Security number, credit card number, or bank account number in connection with the vaccine.
“We can’t let scam artists stand in anyone’s way when it comes to getting the vaccine,” Governor Lamont said. “The truth is the vaccine is safe. The public health officials I trust have communicated that to all of us, and if I wasn’t sure of the vaccine’s safety, I wouldn’t have taken it myself. Please, remember that if something seems like misinformation, it probably is, and you can always get the most updated facts on our website, and from you trusted community leaders.”
“Getting vaccinated is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself and your family from COVID-19, but it’s also an open door for scammers to take advantage of widespread confusion and anxiety,” Attorney General Tong said. “If you get an unsolicited message offering rewards or payments related to the vaccine, ignore them and report it to state and local authorities.”
“The prevalence of these scams should not discourage consumers from getting vaccinated,” Connecticut Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle Seagull said. “But consumers should keep their guard up, protect their personal information, and take steps to avoid becoming the victim of a scam. Consumers also play an important role in preventing scams by reporting suspicious behavior.”
“It’s important that people know these vaccines have been tested, are safe, and are highly effective in protecting you from hospitalization, severe illness, and death due to COVID-19,” Connecticut Acting Public Health Commissioner Dr. Deidre Gifford said. “The healthcare provider you receive your vaccine from will need some basic information from you, but you should not give personal health information to anyone who sends you an unsolicited request. If you receive mail, calls, or see other ads that indicate this vaccine isn’t safe, don’t believe it. Do your research first. Visit our website and talk with those you trust if you have questions rather than taking unfounded claims at face value.”
If anyone becomes aware of a vaccine-related scam or believes they may be the victim of a scam, they should file a complaint with state and local authorities using the following methods:
Suspicious activities related to vaccine distribution practices or concerns for public health should be reported to local law enforcement or local public health officials.
Suspected fraud or business-related scams can be reported to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection by visiting ct.gov/DCP or sending an email to dcp.complaints@ct.gov.
If anyone believes they have been the victim of a scam or have been contacted by a scammer, they should contact the Office of the Attorney General at 860-808-5318 or attorney.general@ct.gov.
For the most up-to-date information about where, when, and how to receive COVID-19 vaccines in Connecticut, visit the state’s website at ct.gov/covidvaccine.
General information about the vaccine is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19.
The state’s 2-1-1 information hotline is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer questions.
This press release was made possible by:
Visit BMW of Bridgeport at: https://www.bmwofbridgeport.com/
2021-03-22@12:12pm–#Southport #Westport CT– #cttraffic– A crash involving multiple cars and a tractor trailer I-95 northbound near exit 19. Minor injuries are reported.
2021-03-21@10:37pm–#Fairfield CT– Firefighters were called for smoke in a home on Bibbins Avenue. Firefighters discovered it was a potted plant (post your own puns) which was then brought out of the house.
2021-03-21@8:55pm–#Milford CT– #cttraffic– A crash involving a car and motorcycle on I-95 southbound near the rest area at exit 41. Prayers for the family as it sounds like a fatal crash.
2021-03-21@3:35pm–#Bridgeport CT– #ctfire– Firefighters kept a structure fire limited to the the third floor in the 500 block of Capital Avenue. Everyone safely made it out of the structure and the fire did not extend to the neighboring homes.
