2021-11-05@11:35am–#Bridgeport CT– #ctfire— At least 30 families are without a home after fire ripped through the 2nd and 3rd floor at the Eldorado Apartments at 1130 William Street. A roofing crew was working across the street when Manuel Morales relized what was going on and ran over with his ladder. He rescued a mother and two babies. When firefighters arrived they rescued an additional seven people hanging from the windows. Assistant Fire Chief Harold Clarke told us it took forty minutes to get the fire under control. There were no reported injuries to either firefighters or civilians.
2021-11-05@10:10am– Firefighters quickly extinguish a basement fire in the 100 block of Maple Street. The fire was confined to the basement and did not extend to the rest of the house.
Governor Ned Lamont today announced the rollout of the Screen and Stay initiative for Connecticut schools that choose to participate. Under the initiative, students and staff identified as close contacts to a known COVID-19 case but who are not yet fully vaccinated will be able to remain in school if they were wearing masks and don’t develop symptoms.
The initiative will bring immediate relief to the frequent and repeated quarantines that continue to impact student learning and place a burden on working families. The innovative, multi-agency solution will aid school districts through the remainder of the fall.
Students and staff are eligible to participate if the close contact with a COVID-19 case occurs under the following circumstances:
Exclusively during the school day (no extracurricular or social contact);
If indoors or on a school bus or other school transportation, and both the contact and the COVID-19 case were consistently masked during the exposure even if brief unmasked periods (e.g., snack time, cafeteria) occurred, as long as six feet or more of space was consistently maintained;
If outdoors, the individuals were masked or unmasked but were supervised by staff (e.g., mask breaks, physical education, recess);
The close contact remains asymptomatic (any symptoms revert to regular isolation/quarantine).
Examples of close contact scenarios that do not support a Screen and Stay approach would be:
Contact with a case during interscholastic or other athletic activities (other than during supervised outdoor physical education and recess);
Contact occurring during social interactions or similar activities outside of school (e.g., birthday parties, dining out, sleepovers);
Contact where the individuals were not consistently and correctly wearing masks indoors and a six-foot distance was not maintained;
The contact occurred between members of the same household (i.e., the contact lives with the case);
If, upon return to school, the contact cannot consistently and correctly wear a mask.
“Throughout this pandemic, we’ve consistently done our best to maintain a safe learning environment for all students and staff, while also understanding that students achieve the greatest outcomes when they have access to in-person learning,” Governor Lamont said. “The recent approval of the COVID-19 vaccines for children between the ages of 5 and 11 marks an incredibly promising development in these ongoing efforts. While that rollout occurs, the Screen and Stay initiative will help ensure that more students can remain in school and we can provide a safe, in-person learning environment.”
“As a state, we have continued to reinforce throughout the pandemic that access to in-person learning opportunities is a priority, particularly due to the significance of the supportive social-emotional environment provided through student and adult interactions during the school day,” Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker said. “Screen and Stay advances our commitment to in-person schooling, where our students learn best.”
“Vaccination remains the easiest way to avoid quarantine from school after being exposed to someone with COVID-19,” Connecticut Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani said. “Our youngest school-age children finally have this opportunity, as well. However, because Connecticut’s community case-rate is stable-to-decreasing, this innovative program can protect students and staff in schools while also prioritizing their social and emotional well-being. Connecticut’s school mitigation strategies remain very strong with high rates of compliance resulting in infrequent cases of transmission in school buildings.”
“Screen and Stay is a creative, family-inclusive, and promising practice that will allow our children to be in-person learners, which we know is incredibly important to their success,” Fran Rabinowitz, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, said.
“The Screen and Stay initiative is a scientifically based, effective approach to keeping teachers and students safe and keeping schools open,” Connecticut Education Association President Kate Dias said. “These have always been our top priorities. The program, while completely voluntary, allows asymptomatic teachers and students to safely remain in school – where teaching and learning are best – without the chaotic disruptions, loss of learning, and family burdens caused by quarantines.”
“Throughout this pandemic, science has been our north star,” Jan Hochadel, president of the American Federation of Teachers Connecticut, said. “It has provided a road map for the many decisions we’ve made as labor leaders when it comes to the health and safety of our members and their students. Data shows that in-person learning is what’s best for a child’s academic growth, as well as their social-emotional well-being.”
2021-11-04@6:30Am–#Bridgeport CT– A viewer this morning sent in this photo of a crash on I-95 southbound near exit 27 between a car and a glass truck. No word if it was a PANE on commuter traffic.
2021-11-04@4:24pm–#Bridgeport CT– A viewer sent in this photo of a hit and run accident on Harriet Street near East Washington Avenue. The striking vehicle might be stolen.
Westport, CT –First Selectman Jim Marpe issued the following update today:
Over the past few weeks, the daily rate of COVID-19 cases in Westport has been trending downward and the Town continues to be in the “gray” category (less than 5 cases/100,000). Therefore, in collaboration with Westport’s COVID-19 Emergency Management Team, as First Selectman, I am hereby rescinding Executive Orders #9 and #10 and lifting the mask mandate in indoor public settings in Westport, effective immediately.
This is certainly an optimistic trend – one that we have been anxious to announce. But we continue to be aware of the potential of stronger strains and breakthrough cases that could impact future recommendations. Those who are eligible are strongly encouraged to get fully vaccinated and/or receive a booster.
Westport Weston Health District (WWHD) Director of Health Mark Cooper stated, “We are in support of this action for those in the lower risk category for severe COVID illness and who have been vaccinated, so long as the local transmission rate remains low. If everyone proceeds with caution and some common sense, we may be able to enjoy the coming holiday season with family and friends in a more traditional manner. For those in a higher risk category for severe COVID illness, masking is still highly recommended because, although the transmission rate is low, the COVID virus is still in the community.”
According to the CT Department of Public Health (CT DPH):
Outdoors
Masks are not required to be worn by anyone.
Indoors:
Vaccinated individuals are generally not required to wear masks.
Unvaccinated individuals must continue to wear masks.
Masks will still be required in healthcare facilities, facilities serving vulnerable populations, public and private transit, correctional facilities, schools (public and non-public, when students are present), and childcare facilities.
Some businesses, state and local government offices, performance spaces, and certain events, may still require universal masking.
FAIRFIELD – On November 3, 2021, at approximately 7:30 AM, the Fairfield Police Department received a report of an armed robbery which had occurred on Main Street in Southport in the area of The Southport School. The reporting party, an employee of The Southport School, reported that she and a co-worker were walking to the school after parking their vehicles. As they approached the school they noticed an unfamiliar male subject on Main Street near the school. The male approached the two female subjects, displayed what was described as a black/silver handgun and demanded they hand over their phones and bags. The female subjects complied and then fled into The Southport School which was briefly placed into a “secure school” condition until police were able to clear the area. The suspect was described as a black male in his late teens or early 20’s, clean shaven, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and baggy dark denim jeans. He reportedly fled the area toward Harbor Road where it is believed he entered a vehicle and further fled the area. No injuries were reported during this incident. A subsequent investigation led to the identification of several juvenile suspects who are believed to have been responsible for an early morning crime spree throughout the state, including the robbery in Fairfield. These juveniles are believed to have been traveling in a stolen vehicle from New Haven when they committed an armed robbery in Clinton, CT in the early morning hours on 11/3/21. Following the Clinton incident, juveniles in the same vehicle traveled to Branford, CT where they committed a carjacking and another armed robbery. At this point, it is believed that they traveled to Fairfield in the stolen vehicle where one of the males committed the Southport robbery. They are then believed to have traveled to Norwalk where they attempted to commit another carjacking about 20 minutes after the Fairfield incident. The male responsible for the Fairfield robbery was identified as a 15 year old juvenile male with a prior arrest record. The New Haven Police Department held a “Take into Custody” order for this juvenile for an incident unrelated to the Fairfield robbery. He was taken into custody by the New Haven Police Department during the evening hours on 11/3/21. Charges are currently pending.Numerous police agencies throughout the state are conducting active investigations into the crimes committed by the juveniles involved in this crime spree. These investigations are ongoing and will further develop over time. “Law Enforcement in Fairfield and throughout the State have been working in overdrive to combat juvenile crime trends, but until these individuals are held accountable for their actions, this behavior will continue,” said Chief Robert Kalamaras. “I commend our Officers for their diligence and ability to identify the individual responsible in such a timely manner. It is a testament to the quality of Officers we have here in Fairfield and throughout the state.” Fairfield First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick stated, “It is fortunate that no one was injured in these incidents, but if this isn’t a wakeup call to the state legislature that they need to review the current laws surrounding juvenile justice, I don’t know what is. The residents of Fairfield, along with residents across the state are rightfully concerned when a 15 year old, with prior records, is carrying a gun and pointing it at teachers and other individuals throughout the state. The current laws are allowing criminals a free pass and are putting Fairfield residents in danger. I am adding my voice to the call for the Governor to ask for a special session of the state legislature to address the juvenile justice laws and provide appropriate consequences.” The Fairfield Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety of our residents and remains dedicated to maintaining a safe community, protecting life and property, and reducing crime.
On November 3rd, 2021 just after 4:00pm, the Bridgeport Emergency Communications Center received multiple calls of a male shot at the intersection of Trumbull Ave and Reservoir Ave and Bridgeport Police were immediately dispatched to the scene. The 19 year old Victim was transported to St. Vincent’s Hospital with life threatening injuries.
The Bridgeport Police Fusion Center was quickly able to obtain a license plate for the responsible suspect vehicle which was discovered to be stolen out of Trumbull. Members of the regional Auto Theft Task Force were able to locate the vehicle and patrol officers attempted a motor vehicle stop. The driver engaged officers in pursuit and was eventually stopped on State Street. The 15 year old operator was immediately taken into custody. A 19 year old passenger, Carlos Matos of Bridgeport, fled on foot but was later apprehended hiding in a nearby backyard.
Through multiple interviews, it was found the Victim was waiting at the corner of Trumbull Avenue to get his 9 year old cousin off the school bus. The Victim remains hospitalized in critical condition with life threatening injuries. The 15 year old suspect responsible for the shooting was charged with Attempted Murder, Assault in the 1st Degree, and additional felony charges. The juvenile suspect’s name is being withheld at this time due to his age and he was transported to the Bridgeport Juvenile Detention Center. This investigation was accomplished through the collaborative efforts of the Bridgeport Police Detective Bureau, the Regional Auto Theft Task Force, Fusion Center, ID Unit, Patrol Division, and the States Attorney’s Office.
2021-11-04@12:32pm–#Stratford CT– Report of a person falling from a 15 foot ladder at the Power House Gym at 99 Beardsley Avenue with a possible dislocated shoulder along with a possible broken leg and ankle.
