Month: February 2022

2022-02-09@2:22pm–#cttraffic— Police are looking for a gold GMC SUV wanted in a gun waving incident on I-95 northbound at exit 21. The SUV is now past exit 28 according to radio reports.

This news report is made possible by:

#Norwalk CT– An account was opened at Verizon on Main Avenue. There was also a checked cashed at Peoples Bank on Belden Avenue yesterday using forged documents.

This news report is made possible by:

#Bridgeport Valentine’s Day Event at BMW of Bridgeport featuring Lenox Jewelers. Come by from 1-4pm today. Food, refreshments and our signature Cupid’s Cocktail from Fifth State Distillery. Hope to see you!

HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont announced that he is endorsing a plan developed in consultation with Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani and Connecticut State Department of Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker to eliminate the statewide requirement that is in effect as part of Connecticut’s COVID-19 safety protocols for masks to be worn in all schools and childcare centers effective Monday, February 28, 2022, and on that date allow the determination on whether to require masks in these locations to be made at the local level.

The plan is contingent upon the Connecticut General Assembly voting to extend – through legislation – the governor’s existing executive order that enables the public health commissioner with the ability of implementing mask requirements in certain settings.

Governor Lamont’s COVID-19 emergency declaration and related authority to issue executive orders in response to the pandemic are set to expire on February 15, 2022. On that date, the governor will no longer be able to enact emergency orders on the pandemic. The governor and legislative leaders recently reached an agreement under which the legislature will pass a resolution continuing the public health and civil preparedness emergencies and determine which of the governor’s orders to continue through legislation and which to let expire. The governor recently provided legislators with a list of 11 orders he recommends continue after February 15, 2022.

“Connecticut is seeing a dramatic decline in cases caused by the Omicron variant, and children over the age of 5 have had the ability to get vaccinated for more than three months now,” Governor Lamont said. “With this in mind, I think we are in a good position to phase out the requirement that masks be worn in all schools statewide and shift the determination on whether to require this to the local level.”

While Governor Lamont endorses the plan to eliminate the universal mask requirement for schools and childcare centers, he recommends that it remain in place in other settings where it currently is in effect, including healthcare facilities, facilities housing vulnerable populations, public and private transit, and correctional facilities.

This press release was made possible by:

 Madison, CT- Today, Bob Stefanowski, candidate for Governor of Connecticut, released the following statement calling on the Governor to lift the mask mandate in Connecticut schools in advance of the opening of the legislative session on February 9th: 

“The Governor has maintained full executive authority over the state for nearly two-years and it’s time to end the one-size-fits-all approach for masks in our schools,” said Stefanowski. “I am calling on the Governor to immediately remove the mandate on masks for Connecticut’s schools.”

“Two years ago, Amy and I along with a dedicated group of volunteers, were proud to lead the effort to provide 1.5 million masks to nursing home workers and first responders throughout the state,” said Stefanowski. “But today, two years into the pandemic, it’s time to move our state forward. Most local mandates in Connecticut towns have been lifted for months. Now is the time to do the same in our schools by empowering parents to make this decision for their own children.”

This press release was made possible by:

WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) introduced the Funding Early Childhood is the Right IDEA Act, a bipartisan, bicameral bill to restore full funding for educational and early-intervention services for children with disabilities. U.S. Representatives Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.), Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), and Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) introduced the bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The need for early intervention and pre-school special education services has only increased over the past several decades. However, federal investments have not kept pace with the number of students requiring these services. Programs funded through Part B, Section 619 and Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education (IDEA) Act – which assist states with early intervention services for children with disabilities ages 3-5 and 0-3, respectively – are woefully underfunded, despite high demand for the services these programs provide. The Funding Early Childhood is the Right IDEA Act would assist states in providing this critical support by bringing funding for these programs back to where it belongs.

“Early childhood interventions are critical for young learners with disabilities, but those services were dramatically cut back while schools were remote. This legislation would increase early childhood funding to the levels required by the IDEA Act and ensure our youngest students get the support they deserve and need to get back on track. For far too long, Congress has failed to meet its obligation to fully fund IDEA. I’ll keep pushing until every kid has access to a quality education,” said Murphy.

“For children who experience disabilities, early intervention is critical to give them the tools and resources that they need to succeed as they grow,” said Hassan. “Yet, the current funding does not meet the demand from families across the country who are struggling to access these resources. Closing this funding gap is about making sure that all infants and toddlers are fully included and thrive.”

The complete list of supporting organizations includes: All4Ed, American Federation of Teachers, American Occupational Therapy Association, American Physical Therapy Association, American Psychological Association, American Speech-Language Hearing Association, Assistive Technology Industry Association, Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs, Association of California School Administrators, Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs, Association of University Centers on Disabilities, Autism Society of America, Autism Speaks, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, California School Boards Association, Center for Law and Social Public Policy, Center for Learner Equity, Child Care Law Center, Coalition for Adequate Funding for Special Education, CommunicationFIRST, Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf, Council for Exceptional Children, Council for Learning Disabilities, Council of Administrators of Special Education, Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Cure SMA, Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children, Division for Learning Disabilities of the Council for Exceptional Children (DLD), Early Edge California, Early On Michigan Foundation, Easterseals, Educare Learning Network, First Five CA, First Five LA, First Five Years Fund, Higher Education Consortium of Special Education (HECSE), IDEA Infant Toddler Coordinators Association, Learning Disabilities Association of America, Los Angeles Unified School District, Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF), Michigan Division for Early Childhood, National Association for the Education of Young Children, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, National Association of School Psychologists, National Association of State Directors of Special Education, National Center for Learning Disabilities, National Disability Rights Network, National Head Start Association, National Organization for Women (NOW), National Parent Teacher Association, National PLACE, National Women’s Law Center, Nemours Children’s Health, Parent to Parent of Georgia, Parents as Teachers, RespectAbility, San Diego Unified School District, Start Early, Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, The Advocacy Institute, The Arc of the United States, The Early Care and Education Consortium, The National Down Syndrome Congress, The Superintendents Association (AASA), Unite-LA, ZERO TO THREE.

In November, Murphy joined U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) to reintroduce bipartisan, bicameral legislation to fully fund IDEA. The IDEA Full Funding Act would require regular increases in IDEA spending to finally meet our commitment to America’s children and schools. Murphy also urged Appropriations Committee Chair Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Vice Chair Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) to maintain the $2.6 billion increase in IDEA funding that has been included in both the House and Senate appropriation bills for fiscal year 2022, and aligns with President Biden’s budget request. Thanks to a push by Murphy, Van Hollen, and Hassan, the American Rescue Plan included billions in dedicated funding to support students with disabilities.

This press release was made possible by:

2022-02-06@10:18pm–#Ansonia CT– #ctfire– Firefighters are on Dempsey Road where a homeowner was grilling a steak outside and it caught the shingles on the side of the house to catch fire. The shingles were just smoking when firefighters arrived.

If it were really bad our sponsor would have made it Like It Never Even Happened!

BRIDGEPORT, CT – The Bridgeport Police Department is pleased to announce that Shanda Scott has been hired to fill the vacant position of Victim’s Services Coordinator. Mrs. Scott will serve as a point person by offering direction, resources, and information to members of the Bridgeport community that have been the victim of a violent crime and are in need of assistance.

Mrs. Scott is a Bridgeport resident and comes to us with extensive community outreach experience working in New York City with youth and victims’ services. Her qualifications, presentation and expressed desire to work with the Bridgeport community were just some of her strong points. Her mission in this capacity is to limit the impact of violent crime and tragedy through information, referral, support, and education.

Mayor Ganim met with Mrs. Scott and expressed his support for this position, “We appreciate Mrs. Scott joining the department to provide residents with help. Having a professional with the know-how and resources is critical for individuals that may be dealing with trauma as the result of a crime.”

Deputy Chief Baraja stated, “I am thankful for the support from the Mayor and the Chief and look forward to working with our newest team member. I am confident that with Mrs. Scott, we will be able to provide enhanced services to the community.”

The position of Victim’s Services Coordinator became vacant following the retirement of a long time employee. After an extensive search and interview process this position was filled by Shanda Scott on January 18, 2022.

If you or a family member have been the victim of violent crime and are seeking help, please feel free to contact Mrs. Scott at 203-576-7714 or shanda.scott@bridgeportct.govThis press release was made possible by:

2022-02-03 #Milford CT–, Milford Police responded to Golden Hill Healthcare, 2028 Bridgeport Ave, on the report of a breach of peace incident. Investigation led to the arrest of David Santiago who was accused of causing a
disturbance and hitting two females inside the facility. Santiago was released on a promise to appear in court.

This news report is made possible by:

2022-02-05@4:07pm–#Fairfield CT– First responders on the way to Shrub Oak Lane where there are downed wires across an Amazon Truck. Everyone is safely out of the truck.

This news report is made possible by: