2021-12-31@3:31pm–#Fairfield CT– Police were called to the Covid Test Center on Mill Plain Road for a middle aged man who caused a disturbance because he did not have an appointment. He was gone on police’s arrival. Now stay off his lawn!
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2021-12-30@3:49pm– #Fairfield CT–Vehicle was taken from the 400 block on Castle Avenue. The complainant was uncertain if the extra car key was inside the vehicle.
4:26pm– Two vehicles rummaged through overnight but nothing appears to ne missing.
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The Stratford Library will host Joe Diorio for a special “Meet-the-Author” program on Wednesday, January 12 at 6:30 pm. Diorio will discuss his “A Few Words About Words”, on the Library’s Zoom platform. The program is free and open to the public.
Penned by a writer who had to teach himself the rules of English grammar, “A Few Words About Words” offers an easy and accessible approach to understanding and using the English language. In a world dominated by countless print media and social media outlets, written communication is king. Writing “your” when you mean “you’re” and “there” when you mean “they’re” can make the difference between getting or not getting new business. A missing comma can result in a PR catastrophe, and a well-written line can be remembered for generations.And yet, many native speakers struggle with the English language.
Spawned from the widely-circulated and beloved newsletter of the same name, Joe Diorio’s “A Few Words About Words” blends quick-witted anecdotes from more than 30 years of newsletter entries that highlight the common, uncommon, and surprising grammar mistakes most English speakers make. The result is a digestible, all-encompassing look at English grammar. For anyone who has ever wondered whether “also” should follow or precede the verb; if there’s a difference between ‘preventive’ or ‘preventative’; or whether the Oxford comma is as important as everyone says it is, “A Few Words About Words” provides relief for many common grammar anxieties. Humorous, enlightening, and completely comprehensible, “A Few Words About Words” will be the go-to grammar guide you pick up and can’t put down.
To register for the free January 12 Zoom program and receive an invitational link: https://stratfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/8495430.
For further information call the Library at: 203.385.4162.
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2021-12-30@726am–#Fairfield CT– #cttraffic—State police investigated a crash early this morning on I-95 northbound near exit 19. Police say Felix Zhingrl of Middle Village New York struck an unidentified driver in a an 2014 Acura ejecting the driver who is in serious condition at Bridgeport Hospital. State Police ask that if anyone has information regarding the crash to contact Trooper Lebron-Hernandez at Troop G at 203-696-2500.
On December 27, 2021, at approximately 7:43 PM, the Fairfield Police Department responded to a report
of an armed robbery at Fairfield Shell, 1139 Post Road, Fairfield, CT.
Officers arrived at the business and located the victim, an employee, who stated they were just robbed at
gun point and a male subject had taken cash from both registers. The male was described a black male,
wearing a black face covering (similar to that of a balaclava), all black clothing and had a black backpack
on. The victim reported the male exited the store in a western direction on the Post Road but was not sure
if he entered a vehicle. No one was injured during the course of this incident.
Detectives arrived on scene an began conducting a concurrent investigation with Patrol Officers.
Surveillance video revealed a male subject wearing all black with a black backpack and clear gloves enter
the business at 7:38 PM. The male walked around the store and then entered the bathroom before coming
back out into the store again. The male wandered around some more before selecting a roll of Mentos
which he brought to the counter where the clerk began to ring up the purchase. The male paid for the
item and as the clerk was retrieving change from the cash register drawer, the male removed a black pistol
from his backpack, leaned over the counter and held the pistol up to the clerk’s arm. The clerk removed
the cash register drawers and the male began grabbing cash from the drawers until a customer walked into
the store. The male subject then left the store at 7:41 PM and walked out of view of the store’s
surveillance cameras.
Police K9’s were utilized in a subsequent search of the area for the suspect. During the course of a K9
track, clear latex gloves, believed to have been worn by the suspect, were located on the ground in the
parking lot of the gas station. In addition, Detectives processed the scene to include swabbing for
possible traces of the suspect’s DNA.
A review of surveillance footage from businesses surrounding the Shell Gas station allowed Detectives to
develop a number of investigative leads which lead to identifying Torik Baldwin (DOB 10/13/1976) as a
possible suspect. In cooperation with the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of Bridgeport,
several search and seize warrants were applied for and granted. Over the course of a two day period,
Detectives conducted an ongoing surveillance operation on the suspect. This operation culminated with
Baldwin’s arrest at his home on East Main Street in Bridgeport. In addition, the investigation resulted in
the seizure of the firearm believed to have been used in the Robbery (later determined to be a Glock 19
replica BB gun). Detectives also located the clothing believed to have been worn during the robbery as
well as cash believed to be proceeds of the crime.
On December 29, 2021, Torik Baldwin (DOB 10/13/1976) of Bridgeport was arrested and charged with
violations of C.G.S. 53a-134 Robbery 1st Degree and 53a-123 Larceny 2nd Degree. He was issued a
court appearance date of January 12, 2022 at Bridgeport Superior Court and held on a $100,000 bond. He
was later released after posting bond through a bondsman.
2021-12-30@11:00AMish– Viewer Sheryl Petmom got stuck in the traffic on I-95 northbound at exit 19. This portion is closed and the traffic camera is turned off. Expect delays if you are traveling. Merritt Parkway may be your best route.
Nearly 200,000 Low-to-Moderate Income Working Individuals and Families Will Receive Significant Boost in State Income Tax Credits
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is directing the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services to retroactively enhance the 2020 Connecticut Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) from 23% of the federal credit to 41.5%. The additional state tax refund will provide needed economic support to low-to-moderate income working individuals and families disproportionately burdened by COVID-19 and its negative economic impacts.
The enhancement will benefit 198,708 households that earned up to $56,844 in 2020 and filed for that year’s EITC. The amount of each household’s enhanced credit is need-tested and depends on the size of its federal credit, which the IRS calculates based on taxpayers’ income, marital status, and number of qualifying children. For example, a single parent of two at the federal poverty level who received a $1,246 state credit in the spring will now receive an additional $1,002 for a total state credit of $2,248.
The $75 million cost of the enhanced credit will be covered by the final portion of the state’s $1.38 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund, made available through the federal CARES Act. Connecticut previously used its Coronavirus Relief Fund to purchase PPE, expand access to testing, and support schools, small businesses, non-profits, nursing homes, hospitals, renters, homeowners, public colleges, and municipalities dealing with the unexpected costs of COVID-19.
“Enhancing the 2020 Connecticut Earned Income Tax Credit provides direct relief to workers doing their best to provide for their families while confronting pandemic-related costs from masks and tests to childcare and internet access,” Governor Lamont said. “The recent bipartisan budget increased this credit going forward because numerous studies show it’s one of the best anti-poverty tools we have. The EITC encourages work, boosts economic stability, and uplifts generations to come. Ultimately, these tax credits improve entire communities because these dollars are being invested right back into our local economy. I thank Connecticut’s outstanding Congressional delegation and our partners in the U.S. Treasury Department for giving us the tools we need to enhance last year’s credit in this time of economic uncertainty for so many.”
“With the federal government’s strong financial support to the state to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic, Connecticut has stood up one of the best testing and vaccination programs in the country,” Connecticut Office of Policy and Management Secretary Melissa McCaw said. “Our hard work, strong fiscal stewardship, and oversight of these dollars has paid off, allowing us to leverage remaining Coronavirus Relief Funds to put more money in the pockets of those who have been deeply impacted by the pandemic and could really use our support. The EITC is one of the most effective programs for getting support to hard-working families who have experienced tremendous economic uncertainty, many of whom have done the work that kept our state and its economy churning throughout this public health crisis. We are grateful to our federal partners for the resources and ability to expand this benefit to our friends, family, and neighbors who have been struggling to make ends meet and provide for their families and it is our hope this will grant them some security in the new year.”
“This enhancement – made possible by federal funds from the CARES Act – provides relief to working families and lifts thousands of children out of poverty,” the members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation said in a joint statement. “It is also a force multiplier for economic recovery across our state. We will continue to fight for investments like these that put money back in the pockets of Connecticut families.”
The governor particularly credited Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven), who successfully fought to create and increase the Connecticut Earned Income Tax Credit as a way of making the state’s tax system more progressive and providing relief to working families.
“Passage of Connecticut’s Earned Income Tax Credit was secured only after a long uphill battle against the opposition of Republican governors,” Senator Looney said. “Our EITC now helps hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents. The governor’s expansion of the EITC will result in lifting more working people out of poverty and putting more money back into our local and state economies. I want to thank Governor Lamont for taking this action to help needy families across Connecticut that suffered immeasurably during the height of the pandemic.”
“The EITC is lifting Connecticut working families and children out of poverty, and thanks to Governor Lamont, those families are about to see a much-needed additional boost at a time they need it most,” State Representative Sean Scanlon (D- Guilford), co-chair of the Finance Committee, said.
The enhanced credit will provide additional support for the children lifted out of poverty by the 2021 federal Child Tax Credit, which expires this week. The Connecticut households receiving the enhanced credit are home to more than 220,000 children and other dependents. Nationally, 97% of federal EITC benefits go to families with children.
The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services plans to issue checks for the additional credit to eligible households before the end of February.
“The Department of Revenue Services is proud to administer Connecticut’s Earned Income Tax Credit, which puts money back in the pockets of hard-working families,” Connecticut Department of Revenue Services Commissioner Mark D. Boughton said. “I applaud Governor Lamont for this important investment in the working families who continue to sustain Connecticut and contribute to our comeback.”
The Connecticut Earned Income Tax Credit was created in 2011 and has had varying rates over the last decade, including 30% in 2011 and 2012, 25% in 2013, 27.5% from 2014 to 2016, and 23% from 2017 to 2020.
The rate was recently increased to 30.5% under the fiscal year 2022-2023 biennial state budget that Governor Lamont signed into law in June. That newly enacted increase brings Connecticut’s rate higher than the neighboring states of Massachusetts and New York, which are both at 30%.
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*I received this press release AFTER I got the press release from the governor saying there was a delay in distribution of test kits. Check the websites prior to going to make sure they are available.
BRIDGEPORT, CT – The City of Bridgeport will be distributing Take Home COVID Test Kits to residents and partner agencies as part of the statewide effort to decrease long lines and provide COVID tests in each municipality. The dates for distribution of the Test Kits remains pending as updates from the State of Connecticut indicate a delay in delivery.
Bridgeport EOC with the Health Department are coordinating efforts to receive and distribute more than 15,000 COVID testing kits; each kit contain two tests. At this time, Bridgeport testing kits will be allocated to community agencies in an effort to expedite grassroots testing availability for the most socially vulnerable community members. The city will also facilitate a Drive Thru and Walk Up Testing Kit site for the general public upon receipt of the test kits. Registrants will receive 1 Kit per Walk Up, 2 Kits per Drive Thru vehicle.
Bridgeport residents in need of a Take Home Test Kit MUST register with the city’s Office of Emergency Management beginning this evening, December 29th, 2021.
Drive Thru/Walk up; DATE TBD
Residents that are unable to register online may call 203-579-3829 and leave a message. Please include your name and phone number within the voicemail to ensure call back and preliminary registration info.
As a reminder, COVID testing continues to be available at multiple locations throughout the city. A complete list of locations can be found at GetTestedBPT.com and here:
Governor Ned Lamont today released the following statement with an update on Connecticut’s anticipated shipment of COVID-19 at-home rapid tests:
“Due to shipping and warehouse delays outside of the State of Connecticut’s control, our state’s anticipated shipment of COVID-19 at-home rapid tests are currently delayed from arriving in Connecticut. My staff and multiple state agencies have spent the past several days working around the clock to accelerate the movement of our tests through what is clearly a shipping and distribution bottleneck on the West Coast amid unprecedented international demand for tests. I want to thank our municipal and emergency management partners who have quickly and efficiently established their methods of distribution of the tests, clearly communicating them to their communities. My administration is in regular communication with city and town leaders, and we will provide updates as we have them in order to distribute the tests as quickly as possible. I thank our staff and leadership at the Department of Administrative Services, the Department of Public Health, the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, and the Connecticut National Guard for their incredible work to execute on this test delivery.”
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HARTFORD, CT– Governor Ned Lamont announced that he is calling up nearly 100 Connecticut National Guard soldiers and airmen to assist in the logistical operations for the immediate distribution of the three million COVID-19 at-home rapid tests and six million N95 masks that he announced yesterday the state has purchased to help curb the spread of COVID-19 during this heavy travel and holiday season.
The at-home tests and N95 masks are being distributed by the state to municipalities and school districts. Each municipality and school district will then determine how best to provide them to people who live in their respective cities and towns.
While ordered to duty, the Connecticut National Guard soldiers and airmen will also perform missions to alleviate the effects caused by the current Omicron variant surge.
“As these at-home tests arrive in Connecticut over these next several days and weeks, the National Guard will help provide support on behalf of the state to ensure that they are distributed to each municipality and school district,” Governor Lamont said. “The Connecticut National Guard has provided an incredible amount of support throughout this pandemic, and I thank them for their ongoing commitment to the residents of our state.”
“Our state is facing a challenging time. It is a time for caution and deliberate action, not worry,” Major General Francis Evon, adjutant general of the Connecticut National Guard, said. “Our soldiers and airmen have resolutely supported Connecticut and our communities throughout this pandemic. At this point, our COVID-19 response is well-refined, and I have full confidence that Connecticut’s Guard will meet any demand asked of them by the state as they have over the last two years. We are committed to doing whatever it takes to help keep schools open, keep the economy running and keep our neighbors safe.”
The activation is 100% federally funded.
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