Month: July 2023

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in launching a partnership between USDA and bipartisan attorneys general in 31 states and the District of Columbia to enhance competition and protect consumers in food and agricultural markets

Attorney General William Tong joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in launching a partnership between USDA and bipartisan attorneys general in 31 states and the District of Columbia to enhance competition and protect consumers in food and agricultural markets, including in grocery, meat and poultry processing, and other markets.

Through a framework established in consultation with the state attorneys general, this new partnership will assist state attorneys general in tackling anticompetitive market structures in agriculture and related industries that are raising prices and limiting choices for consumers and producers. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the partnership at the White House Competition Council meeting, which marked the second anniversary of President Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition.

“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to addressing corporate consolidation and its negative effects on the U.S. economy, such as unfair competition and increased prices,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “By placing necessary resources where they are needed most and helping states identify and address anticompetitive and anti-consumer behavior, in partnership with federal authorities, through these cooperative agreements we can ensure a more robust and competitive agricultural sector. I’m pleased to see that a bipartisan group of states have committed to joining USDA in better protecting the fair and competitive markets that are a critical cornerstone of the American economy.”

“Unfair competition in agriculture hurts families and farmers alike. Working with the USDA and bipartisan attorneys general nationwide, we are cracking down on price gouging, anticompetitive agreements, misuse of intellectual property, and other unfair practices that drive up prices, drive out farmers, and reduce access to healthy, affordable food for all of us,” said Attorney General Tong.

Building on the “whole of government” approach outlined in President Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy, USDA issued a challenge to the state attorneys general to partner with USDA on competition in food and agriculture. This came after more than a dozen state attorneys general wrote to Secretary Vilsack requesting additional support for agricultural competition matters.

Background on Agricultural Competition Partnership

Under this new Agricultural Competition Partnership, USDA is investing in opportunities to combine state and federal authorities, expertise, and market insights. The agency is also leveraging funds to support complex cases and to jointly support research and academic work for use in future cases.

Focus areas of the Agricultural Competition Partnership include:

• Anticompetitive market structures and practices, as well as price gouging and other anti-consumer practices, in food, retail, meat and poultry processing, and other agriculture industries.

• Lack of choices for consumers and producers.

• Conflicts of interest, misuse of intellectual property, and anticompetitive barriers across the food and agriculture supply chains, such as in seed markets.

Specifically, this initiative will enhance the capacity of state attorneys general to conduct on-the-ground assessments of competition and consumer issues, enhance coordination between federal and state agriculture and competition authorities, create new and more independent research programs, and ultimately result in fairer and competitive markets and more resilient supply chains.

At the request of the states, USDA is partnering with the Center for State Enforcement of Antitrust and Consumer Protection Laws, a neutral, nonpartisan organization that provides similar support to the states. The State Center is establishing the necessary mechanisms for the attorneys general to cooperate with USDA. These mechanisms include an oversight committee to establish the project governance and transparency standards for the partnership, and a project selection advisory committee that will review project requests and recommend approval. Both committees will be composed of participating state attorney general offices. Additionally, USDA has engaged the American Antitrust Institute to be a resource for the states on this project.

Milford News- Domestic Violence Assault

Milford News- Domestic Violence Assault

On July 11, 2023, officers responded to a domestic violence incident near Wheelers Farm Road. Upon arrival, an officer observed a vehicle flee at a high rate of speed. They spoke to the victim who was visibly shaken and upset, sitting in their vehicle. The victim had bruising to their face and an abrasion on their leg. The victim said

that Roswell Menefee from Taft Avenue in Bridgeport had dragged the victim out of the shower and began arguing with them. Menefee struck the victim in the face several times and dragged them by the hair across the floor. The victim was able to flee. An hour later, the victim attempted to leave the complex in their car. Menefee blocked the victim from exiting with his car, but the victim was able to leave the lot. Menefee followed and blocked the victim’s car again and exited the vehicle. Menefee approached the car and began throwing items at the car. Menefee also struck the car with a tire iron, and the victim was able to call the police. Police were able to locate Menefee at the Route 15 North rest stop and he was taken into custody and placed under arrest.

Ansonia Homicide

On July 14, 2023 at about 1:40 P.M., the Ansonia Police Department received multiple 911 calls reporting shots fired and a person shot on Hodge Avenue. First officers on scene found a male in the driveway of 124 Hodge Avenue suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The male, Abduljalil Humphrey age 30 of Ansonia, was transported to Griffin Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

During the initial investigation two cars were identified as being involved in the incident and the Ansonia Police Department is attempting to locate the cars.

The first car belonged to the victim and was stolen from the scene after the shooting, it is a 2019 Hyundai Elantra color black bearing Connecticut registration BK 30761.

The second car is a stolen car, a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Premier color red bearing Connecticut registration BD 24248. The suspect was driving the stolen Chevrolet just prior to the shooting and it was occupied by at least one other person who drove it away from the scene.

If either car is seen please do not approach the car, contact your local police department.  

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the police department at 203-735-1885 or anonymous tips can be left at Tip411 at the link below.

Bridgeport News: 1 Dead In Early Morning Fire


Bridgeport CT– At 0420hrs this morning, July 14, 2023, the Bridgeport ECC received a 911 call reporting a structure fire in Building 43, located in the 400th block of Success Ave. Bridgeport Fire, AMR, and PD were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, the Bridgeport Fire Command observed heavy smoke and fire on the first and second floors of an apartment, causing extensive damage to that unit. Smoke conditions throughout the building necessitated an evacuation. Two individuals from the initial apartment were safely evacuated and transported to Bridgeport Hospital. Their current conditions are unknown. In response to the escalating situation, a second alarm was issued, and the Bridgeport Fire Department received mutual aid from the Stratford and Westport Fire Departments to assist with citywide coverage.

UPDATE

The Bridgeport Fire Department has now confirmed that one person has tragically succumbed to their injuries from the fire earlier today. The condition of the other victim has not been confirmed but is deemed critical. The incident remains an active investigation led by the Bridgeport Fire Marshal Division in conjunction with the State of CT Fire Marshals, and with the support of the Bridgeport Police Detective Bureau.

Due to the ongoing investigation, the identities of the victims are being withheld at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims, as well as the numerous residents displaced by this tragic event. The American Red Cross is providing assistance to those who have been displaced

SUMMER CONCERT SET AT STRATFORD LIBRARY

New England Guitar Society Returns LIVE on July 22 

          The Stratford Library, 2203 Main Street in Stratford, CT will welcome back the popular New England Guitar Society in a live concert on Saturday, July 22 at 2 pm. The concert is free and open to the public.

          The New England Guitar Society was established to create a nurturing environment for classical guitarists to meet, share ideas, perform, compose, teach and grow as musicians. Each season the society holds member meetings, and invites guest artists to perform public concerts and hold master classes at the Milford Arts Council and online.

 For the library concert, NEGS will present a classical guitar journey with music by Mauro Giuliani, J.S. Bach, Astor Piazzolla, Carlo Domeniconi and Francis Kleynjans among others. The six musicians are Ed Dorne, Bobby Fritz, Karthikeya Lakoji, Noah Terranova, John M. Steinhoff and Peter Lewis.

The free concert will be held in the Library’s air-conditioned Lovell Room beginning at 2 pm on July 22.  No reservations will be taken. 

For further information call the Library at: 203.385-4162.

Home Invasion and Robbery Arrests

On the morning of July 12, 2023, two Norwalk residents were taken into custody following their
involvement in several cases of burglary, robbery, and home invasion.
On May 22, 2023, a residence on Lexington Avenue was burglarized, cash was taken, and a
television and other items were damaged. A report was filed with the Norwalk Police
Department on the following day. On May 24, 2023, a home invasion occurred at the same
address, and was reported to investigators the next day. During this incident, two men entered the
residence, cash was taken at gunpoint, as well as a jacket. Detective Nyquist assumed the
investigation of both incidents and worked quickly to develop leads and identify suspects. On
July 8, 2023, a second home invasion occurred at the same address, and was reported
immediately after. During this incident, two suspects entered the home, one armed with a
handgun, and cash was taken after the victim was struck in the head with a handgun. Detective
Ribisl was assigned to the July 8 incident.
Investigators Nyquist and Ribisl quickly identified that one of the suspects was involved
in both home invasions. Their month-long intensive work on the separate cases resulted in search
warrants and arrest warrants for the two identified suspects, Joseph de Jesus Tiburcio Nunez and
Aneudy Martinez. The arrest and search warrants were executed during the early morning hours
of July 12, 2023, by the Norwalk Police Department’s Detective Bureau and Tactical Response
Team, at the two respective residences of the suspects. This investigation remains open and
active, and the investigators request that anyone with information contact them directly.
Detective Matthew Nyquist can be reached at (203)854-3034 and Detective Richard Ribisl can
be reached at (203)854-3181. Information can also be shared anonymously using one of the three
methods listed at the bottom of this press release.

Arrested: Joseph de Jesus Tiburcio-Nunez, 18, of 261 Ely Avenue, Norwalk
Bond: $350,000

  • Case 23-29763
    o Burglary 3rd/Conspiracy to Commit Burglary 3rd
    o Criminal Mischief 3rd/Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Mischief 3rd
  • Case 23-30208
    o Home Invasion/Conspiracy to Commit Home Invasion
    o Robbery 1st/Conspiracy to Commit Robbery 1
    st
    o Larceny 3rd/Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 3rd
    o Intimidation of a Witness/Conspiracy to Commit Intimidation of a Witness
  • Case 23-39987
    o Home Invasion/Conspiracy to Commit Home Invasion

Arrested: Aneudy Martinez, 22, of 111 Lexington Avenue, Norwalk
Bond: $25,000

  • Case 23-29763
    o Burglary 3rd/Conspiracy to Commit Burglary 3rd
    o Criminal Mischief 3rd/Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Mischief 3rd

Norwalk Police Tip Line: 203-854-3111

Anonymous Internet tips can be sent to Norwalk Police website at: www.norwalkpd.com
Anonymous text tips can be submitted by typing “NORWALKPD” into the text field, followed by the

message, and sending it to TIP411 (847411)

U.S. Department of Energy Awards the City of Bridgeport Public Schools an Energy Efficiency Grant, Led by University of Connecticut Efforts

Bridgeport, CT – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it has selected a proposal submitted by the University of Connecticut (UConn) and Bridgeport Connecticut Public Schools (BPS), to implement comprehensive energy efficiency and renewable projects at two Bridgeport public schools through the U.S. DOE’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs. The total award for two projects and support for the energy efficiency workforce development and training is $3.6 million, of which over $3 million is expected to be invested in technology and upgrades for the schools. The DOE funding will support an effort to design and implement equipment retrofits and upgrades for two Bridgeport K-12 schools, Geraldine Johnson Elementary and Luis Munoz Marin Elementary. The schools will serve as demonstration sites for all 39 schools in the City of Bridgeport, and for thousands statewide and nationally. The projects focus on the use of renewables and smart control systems to achieve deep energy savings and create healthy learning environments. The grant will also support workforce development initiatives in the state. The ENERGIZE CT programs administered by United Illuminating, an Avangrid Company, is a partner in the grant and will provide incentives and rebates to support the project. The two schools will receive deep energy retrofits by installing Siemens controls and building management systems, new condensing boilers, heat pump water heaters, VFD’s, and energy efficient lighting with controls. The schools will also receive retro commissioning of heating and cooling systems to improve energy efficiency and indoor air quality. BPS will install solar and battery systems where possible to lower GHG emissions and electricity costs, and to provide resiliency to these schools that serve disadvantaged communities as emergency shelters. Public engagement with this funding opportunity has been unprecedented, as this project was one of only 24 projects selected nationwide. K-12 schools submitted over 1,000 Concept Papers from 48 states and 2 Territories, totaling nearly $5.5 billion in requests. After receiving feedback on their proposals, Local Education Agencies (LEAs) from 44 states submitted 236 eligible Full Applications, totaling $1.62 billion in requests. Due to high demand and overwhelming evidence of public need, DOE more than doubled the first tranche of funding from $80 million to $178 million to support the program. “I would like to thank the U.S. Department of Energy for awarding Bridgeport’s Public Schools with an Energy Efficiency Grant,” stated Mayor Ganim. “It’s an honor to receive funding to help provide our students with infrastructure improvements that can not only benefit our sustainability initiatives but will also be a great addition to the learning environments to our students. Bridgeport students deserve access to healthy learning spaces while influencing the importance of energy efficiency. With this grant, we hope this will serve as a model for adaptation in the City of Bridgeport to continue our journey towards being an environmentally friendly city.” The project will also support workforce development by funding students in apprenticeship programs with scholarships at the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System and provide internships for engineering students at Housatonic Community College (HCC) and the UConn who will work with Loureiro Engineering to support engineering design, construction management, and measurement and verification activities. K-12 learning modules will be developed and delivered to students in the Bridgeport Public School System by UConn’s Vergnano Institute for Inclusion on energy efficient technologies for schools and their impacts on student health and learning. UConn will partner with local government agencies and Sustainable CT to disseminate project lessons learned and results to other school systems in Connecticut. This competitive grant is a part of the $500 million Renew America’s Schools program, which aims to help K-12 public schools across the country make energy improvements that (1) improves air quality and occupant comfort, creating healthier and safer classrooms that support student learning, (2) reduces energy use and energy costs, generating sustainable savings that can be redirected towards educational initiatives, (3) lowers emissions, reducing community exposure to pollutants putting America on a path to a net-zero energy economy by 2050, and (4) promotes Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education, Career and Technical Education (CTE), and workforce development, creating a pipeline of employees prepared for a clean energy future.

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