2023-10-25@1:19pm– #Fairfield News: Firefighters and police boats were dispatched for what was thought to be a fishing boat on fire in Long Island Sound near the Penfield light. Turned out to be diesel smoke from the engine, no fire or any boats in distress.
Now you know what all the sirens were about!
On Saturday, October 28, 2023, from 10:00am to 2:00pm, the Westport Police Department will again partner with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration for the twenty-fifth National Prescription Drug Take Back Day along with community partners at the Aspetuck Health District and Westport Together. The event will be held at the Aspetuck Health District located at 180 Bayberry Lane, Westport.
According to a report published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), most people who misused a prescription medication obtained the medicine from a family member or friend. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that last year, more than 93,000 people died of drug overdoses in the United States, marking the largest number of drug-related deaths ever recorded in a year.
In the words of DEA Administrator Anne Milgram, “Take Back Day is a critical effort to curb the historic surge in U.S. overdoses. We know prevention starts at home. The simple step of clearing out medications that are no longer needed makes our homes safer, prevents prescription drug misuse, and, ultimately, can help save lives.” In partnership with local law enforcement, Take Back Day has removed more than 8,300 tons of medication from circulation since its inception. Please join the Westport Police Department in doing our part to help continue the success of this vital initiative. Please note that collection sites cannot accept illicit drugs, needles, or sharps, only pills or patches. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container. The cap must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage. 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 installed 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.
A number of our viewers asked about a crime scene at Crescent Avenue this morning. I reached out and the Bridgeport Police said in a statement:
On October 24, 2023, at approximately 6:07am, the Bridgeport Emergency Operation Center received a call reporting that an operator on a motorized bike was struck near the intersection at Waterview Avenue and Crescent Avenue. The striking vehicle fled the scene and did not remain on scene nor did to render any appropriate aid to the victim. The twenty-four-year-old victim identified as Jeffrey Omar Enamorado of Bridgeport, was transported to Bridgeport Hospital with life-threatening injuries but later succumbed to his injuries.
On behalf of the Bridgeport Police Department, we extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim.
The cause of the crash, as well as the identity of the suspect vehicle, is currently under investigation by the Bridgeport Police Department Traffic Division.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Thomas Gallbronner with the Traffic Division at (203) 576-7640, or utilize the anonymous tip line, at (203) 576-TIPS (8477).
State Senator Herron Keyon Gaston has welcomed the allocation of $1,070,514 in funding to Bridgeport-based schools to enhance tutoring services and boost student outcomes, particularly in mathematics. This funding is part of the state’s High-Dosage Tutoring Program, aiming to provide additional educational opportunities and bridge educational disparities throughout Connecticut.
The primary focus of this funding is to improve mathematics proficiency among middle and high school students. In response to state data indicating the need for progress in mathematics education, these funds will support in-person tutoring, which has proven to be the most effective way to address learning gaps. Schools in Bridgeport will utilize these funds to integrate or expand in-person tutoring during school hours, starting in January 2024. The state will also oversee the effectiveness of this tutoring to guide other school districts in effectively supporting their students.
State Senator Gaston expressed gratitude to the State Department of Education for their investment in the education system, emphasizing the importance of providing additional support to students who require assistance in math, thus enhancing their educational experience.
2023-10-24@4:56pm–#Bridgeport CT–It was brush burning in a backyard in the 1200 block of Howard Avenue that brought out the fire department. Radio reports say the homeowner extinguished the fire.
#Fairfield CT CT– 2023-10-23@7:46PM
A man on Greenfield Street reportedly received burns to his arms and legs when his lighter “malfunctioned” according to radio reports.
Connecticut, alongside a coalition of 50 states and territories, has reached a $20 million settlement with payment processor ACI Worldwide. This settlement stems from a 2021 testing error by ACI, which led to the unauthorized withdrawal of $2.3 billion from Nationstar Mortgage (also known as Mr. Cooper) customers. In Connecticut, the state will receive $558,740 from this settlement, which includes a $220,000 additional payment due to the state’s leadership role in the multistate, multi-agency action.
The violations occurred on April 23, 2021, when ACI Payments erroneously used live customer data during a test of its Speedpay platform, leading to unexpected and sometimes multiple mortgage payments being withdrawn from customer accounts. In some cases, this exposed consumers to overdraft or insufficient funds fees. While the majority of withdrawals didn’t go through, 1.4 million transactions totaling $2.3 billion were processed, affecting 480,000 Mr. Cooper customers, including 7,136 consumers in Connecticut. The settlement mandates ACI to use artificially created data for testing systems or software, separate testing and development from consumer systems, and undergo regular reporting for two years to ensure compliance.
This multistate settlement aims to protect consumers and ensure that such errors are not repeated, and it has been applauded by Attorney General Tong and Banking Commissioner Jorge Perez. Impacted consumers have already received compensation through a separate class-action settlement. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has also issued a $25 million penalty and consent order against ACI, further committing the company to consumer safeguards.
#Milford CT– 2023-10-23@1:13PM
Report of a car crash with extrication on Route 15 North by Exit 55.
The highway around that area is being temporarily shut down.
2023-10-23@11:41am–#Westport CT– #Fairfield CT– A car with three occupants on Greens Farm Road struck a police car. The car fled on I-95 before being abandoned there. Fairfield Police K-9 located the suspects on Valley Road (near Guyer Road) and they were taken into custody.
Governor Ned Lamont and Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker have unveiled a comprehensive report, titled “The LEAP Effect: Taking A Systemic Approach to Improving Attendance & Engagement.” The report showcases the success of Connecticut’s Learner Engagement and Attendance Program (LEAP), an effective student intervention program. LEAP focuses on building trust with families, removing attendance barriers, and reengaging students in school through home visits and check-ins. It emphasizes community partnerships and collaborative efforts to address chronic absenteeism by visiting families and identifying solutions that involve both schools and the community.
The report highlights that LEAP is succeeding as part of a comprehensive system of attendance support, reinforcing the importance of a unified approach. Hedy Chang, Executive Director of Attendance Works, notes that home visits by trusted adults who act as allies for students and their families are essential in encouraging school attendance, especially during uncertain times. LEAP was launched in early 2021 to reengage students and families in schools during the late stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was developed collaboratively with Connecticut’s Regional Educational Service Center (RESC) Alliance, involving partnerships with Attendance Works, the Parent Teacher Home Visiting initiative, and organizations like Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) and EdAdvance.
The LEAP Effect report offers insights into the LEAP home visiting model’s core components, the program’s support structure, and its funding approach. A comprehensive evaluation of LEAP underscores its positive impact on students and families, improving school attendance and enhancing relationships and connections between schools and families.
