Month: November 2023

Westport’s Holiday Program Seeks Donations

Westport, CT – Human Services Director Elaine Daignault invites community participation in its annual Holiday Giving Program, bringing joy to local families facing financial hardship. The longstanding program is funded entirely by community donations and assists over 80 income-qualified Westport households with school-aged children to purchase gifts and essentials for their families.

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Annette D’Augelli, Human Services Youth and Family Specialist, has run the program for several years. She states, “Human Services has noted an increase in Westport families and individuals experiencing financial insecurity with many facing unemployment, underemployment, food insecurity, and chronic stress associated with providing for their families.” She continues, “The holidays add an additional financial strain on those living paycheck to paycheck.”

Human Services encourages residents, organizations, and local businesses to help their neighbors by donating funds and gift cards to the program. In addition to some special gifts for the children, many parents use the donated funds to purchase essentials like toiletries, shoes, and clothing. Each donation directly benefits income-eligible residents and brightens the lives of those facing financial difficulty during the season.

D’Augelli also notes, “Many households work multiple jobs to cover necessities like food, childcare, and housing. There is little left for gifts or new clothes that children hope to receive for the holiday. The Holiday Program lessons the burden by providing gift cards for parents to buy items from their child’s wish list.”

Westport’s generosity helps Human Services bring smiles to the faces of school-age children who may otherwise go without during the holidays. Donations directly benefit families who qualify for financial assistance throughout the year. No contribution is too small, and every act of kindness counts.

Those wishing to donate cash, checks, or gift cards to the program can securely contribute to the “Family to Family Seasonal Holiday Giving Program” online at www.westportct.gov/donate.  Or contributions can be mailed to the Westport Department of Human Services at Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, CT 06880.  Donations may also be dropped at Town Hall by appointment.

For confidential assistance, Westport residents facing financial difficulties can contact Human Services at 203-341-1050 or humansrv@westportct.gov. 

Please contact Annette D’Augelli at adaugelli@westportct.gov or 203-341-1183 with questions or ideas to support the annual program. 

Bridgeport News: Foot Pursuit

“On November 8, 2023, at 10:22 PM on Wednesday, Bridgeport Police attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop at Indian Ave/Chopsey Hill Ave. The vehicle initially pulled over and appeared to stop, but then suddenly accelerated at a high rate of speed. Eventually, the vehicle came to a stop after hitting the curb of the center median. The driver fled on foot, initiating a pursuit heading northbound on Robert St and Indian Ave. State Police K-9 units were dispatched and tracked the suspect, concluding in the area of Chopsey Hill Rd and Summit St. At the time of the report, the suspect had not been located, and the vehicle was subsequently towed.”

Norwalk News: Robbery Suspects

The Detective Bureau is looking to identify the pictured individuals in connection to an attempted Robbery in Norwalk on 8/3/23. The victim was selling an item online and the suspect attempted to physically take it after offering fake currency. The suspect then indicated he had a weapon before fleeing the scene. A similar incident occurred in Danielson, CT on 10/25/23 involving the same two suspects. If anyone has any information, please contact Detective Taylor at (203)-854-3183 or email

Ltaylor@norwalkct.gov.

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)

TWO ARRESTS – MULTIPLE ARREST WARRANTS

Bridgeport Police Department Call for Service no. 23-07931

Detective Bureau Case no. 23D-0206

Robbery 1st Degree – Kidnapping 1st Degree – Burglary 3rd Degree

The Original Vazzy’s Restaurant – 513 Broadbridge Avenue / Catamount Food Services – 1055 Huntington Turnpike

On January 31, 2023, at approximately 3:40 AM a female employee of The Original Vazzy’s Restaurant and Catamount Food Services entered her workplace at 1055 Huntington Turnpike, Bridgeport CT (Catamount Food Services) and was immediately confronted by two male burglary suspects lying in wait inside the business.  One suspect was armed with a knife and the other with a pointed object.  Both suspects grabbed hold of the victim and held her against her will.  The suspects threatened the victim and took her keys to The Original Vazzy’s Restaurant located across the street at 513 Broadbridge Avenue.  One male suspect left Catamount Food Services with the keys to Vazzy’s while the other stayed with the victim.  For more than an hour Vazzy’s Restaurant was burglarized while the victim was being held against her will at Catamount Food Services.  When the suspect finally returned from Vazzy’s, the victim was let go and both suspects fled the scene.

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Earlier on January 31, 2023, at approximately 2:00 AM, a burglary took place at Whites Diner located at 280 Boston Avenue, Bridgeport, CT.  It has been determined that suspects from the Vazzy’s/Catamount Food Services incident are the same.

The Bridgeport Police Department’s Robbery Squad took charge of this investigation.  Over the last several months, Detective Damien Csech was able to identify both suspects and obtained multiple arrest warrants.  The suspects have been identified as 50-year-old Hipolito Rodriguez of Bridgeport Connecticut and 46-year-old Vincent Deramo of Bridgeport Connecticut.

On November 6, 2023, Vicent Deramo was taken into custody by Orange PD and transported to the Bridgeport Police Department where he was served with an outstanding arrest warrant for Failure to Appear in the 2nd Degree.   Bond is $5,000.  While in custody at the Bridgeport PD, he was also served with an outstanding arrest warrant for the Whites Diner incident.  Deramo was charged additionally with Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Burglary in the 3rd Degree, and Criminal Trespass in the 3rd Degree.  Bond was set at $150,000 and he was arraigned the same day.  The Bridgeport Police Department’s Court Liaison Officer will submit a habeas corpus petition with the court here in Bridgeport for the Vazzy’s/Catamount Food Services incident.  Deramo will be charged with Kidnapping in the 1st Degree, Robbery in the 1st Degree, Burglary in the 3rd Degree (2 counts), Larceny in the 4th Degree, Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree, and Threatening in the 2nd Degree.  Bond is set at $150,000.

Hipolito Rodriguez is already in custody with the CT Department of Corrections on unrelated charges.  The Bridgeport Police Department’s Court Liaison Officer will submit a habeas corpus petition with the court here in Bridgeport for both incidents.  For the White’s Diner incident, Rodriguez will be charged with Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Burglary in the 3rd Degree, and Criminal Trespass in the 2nd Degree. For the Vazzy’s/Catamount Food Services incident, Rodriguez will be charged with Kidnapping in the 1st Degree, Robbery in the 1st Degree, Burglary in the 3rd Degree (2 counts), Larceny in the 4th Degree, Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree, and Threatening in the 2nd Degree.  Total bond is set at $300,000.     

BPD Robbery Squad Detective Damien Csech has done an outstanding job as the case officer and should be commended for his dedication to duty.

Bridgeport News: Man Shot

#Bridgeport CT–On November 6, 2023, at approximately 8:40 pm Bridgeport Police responded to a ShotSpotter activation and citizens reports of shots fired within the 1200 block of Park Avenue.  ShotSpotter is a gunshot detection system. Once gunshots are fired in an area covered by this service, police receive a notification within one minute directing them to the location of the gunfire. 

Upon arriving in the area, Officers quickly located a crime scene.  Minutes later, a 24-year-old Bridgeport man presented at an area hospital suffering from numerous gunshot wounds. The victim had been transported to the hospital via private vehicle.  He is listed in stable condition. 

The Detective Bureau has responded and taken charge of the criminal investigation.  A crime scene was located within the 1200 block of Park Avenue to include the Gulf Gas Station at the intersection of Park Avenue & Wood Avenue.  Multiple items of evidence were located.  Those items have been collected and processed by the Police Department’s Forensic Identification Unit. 

Detectives conducted interviews, canvassed the area, and documented their investigation.  The Bridgeport Police Department is asking for your help in solving this crime.  Anyone with information is asked to contact the case officer, Detective Kenny Mckenna, at 203-581-5245.  Citizens can also utilize the Bridgeport Police Tips line at 203 576-TIPS.

Book Scientists


The Stratford Library Children’s Dept. will offer Book Scientist kits for children ages
3-12. Each kit includes books and activities. Books are selected based on the age
of the child participating. This month the theme is Dinosaurs (November 17).
Return the Library books when they are due and keep everything else! To register,
visit the website at stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events. For more information
about Library programs and services for children, call 203.385.4165 or visit
stratfordlibrary.org/kids.

November Storytimes


The Stratford Library Children’s Dept. offers weekly storytimes for children.
Storytimes meet at 10:30 am. On Mondays, Toddler Time meets for ages 0-2. On
Tuesdays, Preschool Storytime meets for ages 3-5. Baby Lapsit meets on Thursdays
for babies 0-18 months. Friday Fun offers stories and songs for ages 2-5. (No
storytimes on November 23 and 24). Enjoy early literacy activities and meet other
families at Library storytimes. To register, visit the website at stratfordlibrary.org,
then choose Events. For more information about Library programs and services for
children, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org/kids.

Teen E-Cigarette and Tobacco Addiction (PROTECT) Act

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) have reintroduced the bipartisan Preventing Opportunities for Teen E-Cigarette and Tobacco Addiction (PROTECT) Act to combat the rising usage of harmful e-cigarettes and flavored tobacco products among American youth. This legislation aims to address the adverse effects of nicotine found in these products on long-term health and adolescent brain development. The bill has received strong support from various policymakers and organizations, acknowledging the urgent need to counter the escalating public health crisis stemming from widespread teen e-cigarette use.

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Senator Blumenthal highlighted the urgency of preventing another generation from falling victim to tobacco addiction, emphasizing the detrimental effects posed by e-cigarettes and deceptive marketing strategies used by manufacturers. Representative Wasserman Schultz echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the bill’s crucial role in providing tools to combat the profit-driven push by the e-cigarette and tobacco industries to target and addict young people. The PROTECT Act would allocate $500 million over five years to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to enhance research, education, and messaging about the risks of tobacco products, offering grants and resources for organizations focused on reducing youth e-cigarette use.

Endorsed by organizations such as the American Lung Association, American Heart Association, and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the PROTECT Act aims to counter the epidemic of youth vaping, acknowledged as a significant public health concern. Leaders from these endorsing organizations have emphasized the urgency of ending the crisis through independent research and effective interventions while praising the bill’s measures to address youth e-cigarette addiction and cessation strategies, aiming to prevent the initiation of vaping among minors and aid in overcoming nicotine addiction.

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