Month: October 2021

HARTFORD, CT – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that Ranpak Holdings Corp. (NYSE: PACK), a global leader of environmentally sustainable, paper-based packaging solutions for e-commerce and industrial supply chains, is creating an 80,000 square foot innovation and automation center in Shelton, Connecticut. The company expects to initially employ 35 workers at the facility and increase that amount to around 80 to 100 workers by 2024.

“Ranpak wanted a skilled workforce and a location that fuels innovation and next generation thinking. They found everything they needed right here in Connecticut,” Governor Lamont said. “Connecticut is one of America’s great manufacturing states and we are glad to welcome Ranpak to our advanced manufacturing community.”

Ranpak’s innovation center will serve many purposes. Housed within an 80,000 square foot mixed-use facility will be a showroom for Ranpak’s automation and robotics product offerings; an innovation center for research and development in automation and AI applications; and approximately 50,000 square feet of dedicated manufacturing and assembly space. Construction of the new building, located at 57 Waterview Drive, is expected to be complete by the fourth quarter of 2022.

“Ranpak is thrilled to invest in our growth in end-of-line automation and robotics solutions at our new center in Shelton, Connecticut,” Omar Asali, chairman and CEO of Ranpak, said. “We are committed to building state-of-the-art technologies to advance Ranpak’s mission to deliver automated and sustainable packaging solutions. Our Connecticut facility will be an ideal location to develop and scale new innovations to drive our mission forward. We look forward to bringing high-quality jobs to Fairfield County, and thank Governor Lamont and his administration for welcoming us as new members of the community.”

With global headquarters in the Cleveland, Ohio area, Ranpak employs over 850 people around the world, including the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Singapore and multiple locations across the United States. Earlier this year, Fast Company magazine recognized Ranpak as one of “the ten most innovative logistics companies of 2021” for their eco-friendly packaging solutions.

“Ranpak is going to make a great addition to Connecticut’s manufacturing ecosystem,” David Lehman, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, said. “Their commitment to innovation and sustainability fits well into the business ethos of our state.”

“Ranpak’s decision to locate their new facility in Connecticut underscores what we know to be true – our talent, our location, and our culture of innovation are powerful assets for companies looking to be best-in-class in their industries,” Peter Denious, president and CEO of AdvanceCT, said.

This press release is made possible by:

(Westport, CT) – On Saturday, October 23, 2021, from 10:00am to 2:00pm, the Westport Police
Department will again partner with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration for the
twenty-first National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The event will be held at the Westport

Center for Senior Activities located at 21 Imperial Avenue.

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health
issue. According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.7 million people misused
prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million
people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives. The study shows that a majority of abused
prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.
The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction

and overdose deaths.

Please note that collection sites cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps, only pills or patches. Vape
pens where the batteries can be removed, can be disposed of at the drug take back. Vape pens where
batteries cannot be removed will not be accepted at the drug take back. The service is free and

anonymous, no questions asked.

Residents are also reminded that a year-round collection bin is located in the lobby of Westport
police headquarters, where prescription drugs can be properly disposed of at any time rather than

waiting for designated collection dates.

For those seeking more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October

23 rd Take Back Day event, visit https://takebackday.dea.gov/

Last April, Americans turned in approximately 420 tons of prescription drugs at 5,060 collection
sites operated by the DEA and its state and local law enforcement partners. Please join the Westport
Police Department in doing our part to help continue the success of this vital initiative.

This press release was made possible by:

Mayor Hoydick brings extensive background in economic development, property management, and local and state leadership to the Board

Hartford, CT – (Oct. 18, 2021) – The Connecticut Green Bank proudly announces the appointment of Stratford Mayor Laura Hoydick to its Board of Directors. Hoydick has served as the first woman Mayor of Stratford since 2017, after serving in the State House of Representatives for the 120^th District starting in 2010. In addition to being a Ranking Member of the Energy and Technology Committee while in the House, Mayor Hoydick held critical roles on the Banks, Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committees. Under Mayor Hoydick’s leadership in Stratford, the town has added five solar arrays to public buildings, brought in textile recycling and solar compacting trash and recycling receptacles.

“We thank House Republican Leader Candelora for his appointment of Mayor Hoydick to our Board,” said Green Bank Board Chairwoman Lonnie Reed. “In 2011, Laura and I worked together as leaders on the Energy and Technology Committee, and played an important role in the creation of the Green Bank. It is very fitting that Laura joins our Board now as we take the Green Bank to version 2.0, expanding our scope through recent bipartisan legislation led by Governor Lamont.”

As Mayor, Hoydick uses her experience as the Executive Director of the Stratford Chamber of Commerce to advocate for economic development and redevelopment in Stratford, focusing on budgets that reduce the town’s mill rate. She continues to advance important projects such as the Transit-Oriented development around the Stratford Train Station, the development of the Exit 33 interchange off of I-95 and the improvement of the Interchange at Exit 32.  She has made significant progress in advancing the development of the Stratford Army Engine Plant location and worked with state and federal authorities to bring the Raymark site contamination remediation to a successful close.

“I am looking forward to joining the Board of Directors of the nation’s first green bank that we created through unanimous bipartisan legislation back in 2011,” said Mayor Laura Hoydick. “Over the last decade, the Connecticut Green Bank has proven that it can mobilize multiples of private capital investment to support public policy and accelerate the green economy of Connecticut.”

“Mayor Hoydick’s dedication to her community is made obvious through her service, volunteerism, and leadership,” said Bryan Garcia, President and CEO of the Green Bank.  “She has always been a steadfast proponent of the green bank model to enable private investment in our green economy to make clean energy more affordable and accessible to our families, businesses, and communities.”

Mayor Hoydick also serves as the Chairman of the Greater Bridgeport and Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization, and the Vice Chair of the Connecticut Metropolitan Council of Governments. She is a director for the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, and is a member of the board of Sustainable CT from which the Town of Stratford has achieved Silver Certification.

For more information about the Green Bank, please visit www.ctgreenbank.com.

About the Connecticut Green Bank

The Connecticut Green Bank was established by the Connecticut General Assembly in 2011 as the nation’s first green bank and has since supported the creation of more than 23,000 green energy jobs in the state, while reducing the energy cost burden on over 55,000 families, businesses, and nonprofits. The Green Bank’s vision is a planet protected by the love of humanity and its mission is to confront climate change and provide all of society a healthier, more prosperous future by increasing and accelerating the flow of private capital into markets that energize the green economy. This is accomplished by leveraging limited public resources to scale-up and mobilize private capital investment into Connecticut. In 2017, the Connecticut Green Bank received the Innovations in American Government Award from the Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center for Democratic Governance and innovation for their “Sparking the Green Bank Movement” entry. For more information about the Connecticut Green Bank, please visit www.ctgreenbank.com

This press release was made possible by:

The Stratford Library concludes its 2021 season of “Sunday Afternoon Talks” series of informative and entertaining talks featuring prominent local guest speakers “The Secret of Becoming a Great Communicator” with Jim Cameron on Sunday, November 7. The talk, presented on the Zoom format, is also a hybrid event that allows visitors to attend and watch in the Library’s Lovell Room.  It is free and open to the public.

 Long-time commuter advocate and newspaper commentator Jim Cameron will offer a lively presentation and Q&A about the art of communication.  Cameron will share some funny and insightful tales about his 40 years as a news reporter, media trainer and public relations consultant. He will also reveal the inside scoop on how to “Master the Interview” with his best public relations tricks.

 A former NBC News anchor, Jim Cameron is a recipient of the George Foster Peabody Award. A Connecticut resident for over 25 years, he served on the Metro-North Commuter Council and authors a weekly newspaper column, “Getting There” which runs in the Hearst daily and weekly newspapers including the Greenwich Time. An archive of 12 years of his commentaries can be found on his blog, “GettingThereCT” He is also author of his first book “Off the Record: Confessions of a Media Consultant”.

The “Sunday Afternoon Talks” series, hosted by Charles Lautier of Stratford, is held from 2-3:30 pm on the Zoom platform.  To register online and receive a Zoom invitation for the November 7^th program visit: https://stratfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/7555042.

For further information call the Stratford Library at: 203.385-4162 or visit: www.stratfordlibrary.org

This press release was made possible by:

2021-10-20@8:30PMish–#Milford CT– #MTA– The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) reported that a person was struck by a train on the New Haven Line near Buckingham Avenue. Numerous reports say the person died at the scene. Trains are proceeding slowly through the area.

2021-10-20@5:40pm–#Milford CT– #cttraffic– A three car crash on I-95 northbound at exit 40. No word on any injuries.

During the early morning hours of Saturday, October 9, 2021, the Norwalk Police Department
received a 911 call from a Norwalk resident who reported that an intruder had entered their
home, assaulted a juvenile inside the home, and then fled. The caller stated that they had been
awoken by the victim child screaming, that they observed the intruder running through the house,
and that they then saw the person flee out the front door. Police responded and found the child
shaken, terrified, and injured. The child was transported to Norwalk Hospital for treatment.
Detective Patrick English and Detective Kristina Lapak of the Special Victims Unit responded to
the scene that morning, along with Lieutenant Art Weisgerber from the Crime Scene Unit. As the
lead investigator, Detective English tirelessly committing himself to the apprehension of the
suspect. Detective English steadfastly worked every lead and put forth an exhaustive effort
which culminated in the issuance of an arrest warrant for Ilmer Rivera-Zuniga, in a very short

time. On the evening of October 18, 2021, Det. English was able to locate and apprehend Rivera-
Zuniga in South Norwalk.

The child has since been released from the hospital, and faces a long path to recovery.
Arrested: Ilmer Rivera – Zuniga, 22, with a last known address of 8 Larsen Street, Norwalk
Charges:
 Home Invasion
 Kidnapping 1st
 Criminal Attempt at Aggravated Sex Assault of a Minor
 Risk of Injury to a Minor
 Assault 3rd
 Strangulation 3rd
Bond: $1,000,000

Norwalk Police Tip Line: 203-854-3111

Anonymous Internet tips can be sent to Norwalk Police website at: www.norwalkpd.com

2021-10-19@4:51pm– #Bridgeport CT– Police are reporting an assault at Omega with no further details.

5:35pm– Three juveniles were on Wheeler Avenue trying to steal items when the owner approached the juveniles and was assaulted. The suspects fled the scene before police arrived.

This news report is made possible by:

2021-10-19@10:13pm–#Bridgeport CT– Don’t go to sleep yet Bridgeport! It’s time for the routine garbage chute fire at 985 Fairfield Avenue.