Month: June 2024

GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES STATE FUNDING TO ADDRESS FLOODING AT JOBS POND IN PORTLAND

State Funds Expected To Unlock a Federal Matching Grant That Will Be Used To Install Pumps and Divert Groundwater to the Connecticut River

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont, who serves as chairman of the State Bond Commission, today announced that he has scheduled the commission to vote at an upcoming meeting on the approval of an allocation of $187,500 in state funding that will be used to install pumps at Jobs Pond in Portland to address an ongoing situation in which rising groundwater has been causing flooding in nearby neighborhoods.

The pumps will be used to divert groundwater from the pond to the Connecticut River.

The governor explained that the approval of these state funds is expected to unlock $562,500 in federal matching funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to assist in the effort. At Governor Lamont’s direction, the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection have been working with the Town of Portland on finding a solution to address the groundwater levels.

“This is a very unique and complex situation because even though rainfall in the region is above normal for this time of year, water levels at the pond have continued to rise even on days when we’ve received no precipitation, and it’s still not clear exactly what is causing it and why this has been unlike any other event the pond has experienced in recent decades,” Governor Lamont said. “By releasing these state funds, we can unlock federal matching dollars that will initiate action to pump waters from Jobs Pond into the Connecticut River, which we are hopeful will mitigate the impact of this flooding. I’ve directed our state emergency management and environment teams to remain in continuous contact with Portland officials on this situation. I thank U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and his staff for their willingness to collaborate with our state and the town on this effort.”

The State Bond Commission will vote on the funding at its next meeting, which will be held on Friday, June 7, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. in Room 1E of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

Norwalk News: Narcotics Arrest

On June 4, 2024, members of the Norwalk Police Special Services Division, in collaboration with the Stamford Police Narcotics/Organized Crime Unit, arrested Hunter Wells after an extensive eight-month investigation. Investigators executed search and seizure warrants on Wells, his vehicle, and his person. Throughout the investigation, Wells sold Percocet pills containing fentanyl, ecstasy, and marijuana to undercover officers on numerous occasions. The investigation remains ongoing. Hunter Wells, aged 31, of Norwalk, CT, faces charges for two counts of the sale of a narcotic substance and three counts of the sale of cannabis. His bond is set at $140,000.

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Bridgeport News: Bus Fire extended to building

Bridgeport Fire Department responded to a school bus fire at Jones Avenue and Oak Street. Everyone was off the bus when units responded. Additional crews were requested due to exposure issues. The fire was declared under control in 30 minutes and is under investigation by the Fire Marshal’s Office. The building next to the bus was also affected, and is also out at this time.

Fatal Collision motor vehicle versus motorcycle

On June 2, 2024, at approximately 6:18 pm, the Bridgeport Emergency Operations Center received several calls for an accident involving a motorcycle versus a motor vehicle. The callers stated the collision occurred at 1853 Stratford Avenue and the two occupants of the motorcycle were unconscious on the ground. Bridgeport Fire Engine Units, American Medical Response (AMR), and Bridgeport Police Officers were dispatched to the location. Bridgeport Police Units arrived on scene and observed two individuals on the ground next to Stratford Avenue and Edwin Street. The two individuals appeared to be seriously injured and unresponsive. The two individuals received medical assistance and they were transported to the Bridgeport Hospital Medical Center by AMR.

The Bridgeport Police Serious Crash Team and the Southern Fairfield County Traffic Unit were requested and responded to the location. The scene was reconstructed, and a preliminary investigation was completed, and it was determined a 2012 black Chevy Equinox was traveling south on Bishop Avenue and attempted to turn left onto Stratford Avenue and struck a 2004 black Suzuki GSX-R1000 that was traveling east on Stratford Avenue, causing the motorcycle to strike a parked 2014 white Dodge Ram 1500.

The 2004 black Suzuki GSX-R1000 was being operated by 32-year-old Carlos Jean Parra Rodriquez of Stratford, CT. with a 21-year-old passenger identified as Deivi Suarez of Allentown, PA. While at the hospital the operator and passenger sadly succumbed to their injuries.

The operator of the 2012 black Chevy Equinox was identified as an 18-year-old male of Bridgeport CT., and the passenger was identified as a 15-year-old female of Bridgeport, CT. The operator didn’t sustain any injuries however, the passenger was treated at Bridgeport Hospital Medical Center, and she sustained minor injuries.

The Fatal Collision is being investigated by the Bridgeport Police Traffic Division. Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Eroildo Quiles at 475-422-6141, Eroildo.Quiles@bridgeportct.gov or the Bridgeport Police Tips Hotline at 203-576-TIPS.

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