Month: December 2024

Back-to-Back Vehicle Break-Ins Reported in Bridgeport

Bridgeport authorities are investigating two separate morning incidents of vehicle vandalism that occurred just a short drive apart. On December 17, at approximately 7:38 a.m., security at the University of Bridgeport reported that 5-6 vehicles had their windows smashed in an early morning act of vandalism. Then, on December 19 at around 6:08 a.m., multiple vehicles were broken into on the 50 block of Middle Street. The timing and proximity of these incidents, though more than 24 hours apart, have raised concerns among local residents.

While it remains unclear if the two incidents are connected, the Bridgeport Police Department is actively investigating both cases. Authorities are urging residents to take precautions, such as removing personal and valuable items from their vehicles, to deter theft and vandalism.

Norwalk Police Investigate Hate Incident Involving Prejudicial Flyers Found Near City Hall

The Norwalk Police Department is conducting an active investigation into a hate incident near Norwalk City Hall. Reports received by Combined Dispatch this morning described paper flyers scattered across several streets in the area. These flyers contained prejudicial messages targeting certain cultures and religions, written in various languages.

Authorities are urging anyone with information about this incident to contact the Norwalk Detective Bureau at 203-854-3011. Additional tips can be submitted anonymously via the Norwalk Police Tip Line at 203-854-3111, through the Norwalk Police website at www.norwalkpd.com, or by sending a text with “NORWALKPD” followed by the message to TIP411 (847411).

Rhode Island Man Extradited to Connecticut for Assault and Strangulation of a Child

On December 16, 2024, Ariel Dejesus Valdez, a 28-year-old from Providence, Rhode Island, was extradited to Connecticut following an assault at the North Fairfield Service Plaza on December 7. After the incident, Valdez fled Connecticut and was apprehended in Rhode Island once an extraditable arrest warrant was issued.

Valdez was charged with risk of injury to a child, two counts of reckless endangerment, second-degree strangulation or suffocation, second-degree criminal mischief, third-degree larceny, and second-degree breach of peace. Unable to post a $100,000 bond, he was held at the Bridgeport Correctional Center and was scheduled for arraignment at Bridgeport Superior Court on December 17.

Senator Tony Hwang Appointed Republican Leader of Aging Committee

HARTFORD –  Senator Tony Hwang has officially been reappointed by Senate Republican Leader Stephen Harding to serve as Chief Deputy Leader of the Connecticut Senate Republican Caucus for the upcoming 2025-2026 session of the Connecticut General Assembly. 

Hwang was also appointed to be the Republican Leader of the Connecticut General Assembly’s Aging Committee. This committee has cognizance over all matters pertaining to senior citizens. Senator Hwang has long championed issues benefiting seniors, furthering efforts to allow Connecticut’s elderly residents to age in the setting of their choice.

Senate Republican Leader Stephen Harding in his appointment of Hwang said, “Senator Hwang has been a strong leader in our caucus, playing an integral role in accomplishing major goals for Senate Republicans, as well as the people of Connecticut. Senator Hwang has consistently been a champion for Connecticut seniors and for bipartisan, common-sense compassionate policies which help seniors age in place. He is an ideal person to serve in this leadership role.”

Senator Hwang has supported efforts in recent years to combat elder fraud and abuse, protecting seniors from insidious scams. He has also supported increased respite services for family caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia. In 2023, Senator Hwang voted to expand eligibility for Medicaid Long-Term Care (LTC) Services, and has fought to protect ratepayers of LTC insurance policies.  Senator Hwang will continue the work done by the Aging Committee in PA 24-39 and PA 24-141. These bills sought to improve both the quality of life of residents in nursing homes and those aging in place. Senator Hwang applauded the past work of the Aging Committee passing policies such as creating an online nursing home consumer dashboard and limiting the number of residents in a singular nursing home room. He looks forward to joining the committee and working on issues such as aging in place initiatives and homecare and nursing home affordability.

Senator Hwang remarked, “Our senior residents have spent their lives contributing to Connecticut communities. It is essential that we respect their value, diversity and contributions and we should help with their unique needs. Now, as a leader on the Aging Committee, I will strive to maintain healthcare quality and access, improve utility affordability, lower costs of healthcare/prescription drugs, and address taxation issues for our seniors so they may live and thrive in our communities. We must continue this state’s public safety work to protect them from crime, fraud and abuse.”

GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES NEARLY 23,000 CONNECTICUT RESIDENTS WILL HAVE $30 MILLION IN MEDICAL DEBT ERASED UNDER FIRST ROUND OF STATE’S NEWLY LAUNCHED PARTNERSHIP WITH NONPROFIT

Letters Will Be Mailed Beginning December 23 Notifying Individuals and Families That Their Medical Debt Has Been Erased

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that nearly 23,000 Connecticut residents who have medical debt will be notified in the coming days that some or all of that debt has been eliminated under the first round of a major initiative his administration launched through a partnership with the national nonprofit organization Undue Medical Debt.

The nonprofit contracts with state and local governments and leverages public investments to negotiate with hospitals and other providers on the elimination of large, bundled portfolios of qualifying medical debt owed by patients whose income is at or below four times (400%) the federal poverty level or who have medical debt that is 5% or more of their income. (The current federal poverty level is an annual income at or below $31,200 for a family of four.) Because these medical debts are acquired in bulk and belong to those least able to pay, they cost a fraction of their face value.

Under this first round, the Lamont administration invested approximately $100,000 from the state’s allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, and Undue Medical Debt was able to negotiate with a secondary market partner (i.e. collections agency) and a national provider to acquire approximately $30 million in qualifying medical debt for Connecticut residents.

There is no application process for this medical debt relief and it cannot be requested. Instead, residents whose debt has been identified for relief will receive a branded letter from Undue Medical Debt indicating which debt or debts have been eliminated. Letters under this first round will be delivered to Connecticut residents through the U.S. mail beginning December 23, 2024.

Governor Lamont said that his administration intends on continuing to partner with Undue Medical Debt to enact further rounds of medical debt elimination. The governor and the Connecticut General Assembly worked together to make $6.5 million in ARPA funding available for this initiative.

“Medical debt comes to patients at an extraordinarily difficult time when they are dealing with serious health ailments, and it can frequently follow them around for decades and impact nearly every aspect of their lives,” Governor Lamont said. “This erasure will lift the significant emotional toll that this type of debt has on individuals who do not have the means to get out from under their debt, especially for those who are simultaneously experiencing significant medical problems. This first round will provide relief for thousands of Connecticut residents, and I am hopeful that by continuing this partnership with Undue Medical Debt, we can help thousands more Connecticut residents get their debt relieved.”

“We’re very grateful to the State of Connecticut for this sizable investment in medical debt relief and I’m glad this first round of letters is landing in time for the holiday season,” Allison Sesso, CEO and president of Undue Medical Debt CEO and president said. “Debt relief is only one, albeit important, piece of the puzzle in removing an emotional and financial burden on families. I’m very glad that Governor Lamont has also committed to upstream solutions by way of legislation to ensure medical debts do not negatively impact one’s credit score.”

In addition to this initiative, Governor Lamont recently signed legislation enacting a law that prohibits health care providers and hospitals in Connecticut from reporting a person’s medical debt to credit rating agencies for use in credit reports. That new law – which went into effect on July 1, 2024 – was enacted to protect patients who may have otherwise been apprehensive about seeking essential medical care for fear that any inability to pay could negatively impact their credit rating.

Mural Unveiled AND Behind The Scenes of a Press Conference

In all jobs, there is behind-the-scenes work. A press conference is no different. You see them all the time, how is it put together? I thought you might enjoy this!

Bridgeport, CT – Today, the City of Bridgeport proudly unveiled the historic Hi-Ho Towers mural, a dynamic new addition to the City’s urban landscape, located on North Avenue. This project reflects a collaborative investment of approximately $70,000 each by the City of Bridgeport and Hi-Ho Energy Services, demonstrating a shared commitment to beautifying the City and celebrating its rich history.

Hi-Ho Energy Services, originally founded in 1927 in the Whiskey Hill neighborhood of Bridgeport, has deep roots in the City. Though now primarily providing oil and HVAC services in Connecticut, Hi-Ho remains dedicated to maintaining its legacy in Bridgeport.

The Hi-Ho Towers, once used as a coal storage structure dating back to the early 1900s, has become an iconic part of Bridgeport’s skyline. This new mural transforms these historic structures into a vibrant work of public art, adding a new dimension to their significance.

During the unveiling, Mayor Ganim expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “The overall idea that we can, building by building, structure by structure, and sometimes artist by artist, continue to beautify what is in this great city right now is a large contributor to our efforts of renewing some of the older structures in Bridgeport.”

Renowned artist Brian Kaspr, based in Norwalk, was commissioned for the mural project through John Paul Ogrodnick of JPO Art LLC. Kaspr’s abstract style provided the perfect medium to capture the spirit of Bridgeport. The mural took approximately 10 full days to complete, showcasing Kaspr’s dedication to delivering a meaningful addition to the City’s public art portfolio.

The Hi-Ho Towers mural marks another milestone in Bridgeport’s ongoing efforts to embrace the arts and enhance public spaces. With projects like these, Bridgeport continues to foster a vibrant and inclusive cultural environment.

Waterbury Man Arrested After Fleeing Police, Drugs Worth $18,000 Seized

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On December 12, 2024, officers spotted a black BMW driving recklessly throughout various city streets at different times. The vehicle was observed in the North End, the East Side, and later back in the North End. Despite numerous attempts to conduct motor vehicle stops, these efforts were unsuccessful. Subsequently, dispatch reported that a vehicle had struck several cars on Main Street and Fairview Avenue, and a male suspect was fleeing the scene. Shortly thereafter, the suspect, identified as 28-year-old Jose Guillermo Rosado of Waterbury, was spotted on Westfield Avenue and taken into custody by Officer Sorie Kamara.

An inventory search of the suspect’s vehicle revealed significant evidence. Officers found 1,325 wax folds containing a white powder substance, which tested positive for fentanyl. Additionally, 54 grams of a white rock-like substance tested positive for crack cocaine. The search also uncovered 10.5 grams of loose fentanyl rocks. The total estimated street value of the narcotics was approximately $18,000. Officers also found $258 in cash, along with a scale and sandwich bags, indicating intent to distribute.

The suspect now faces multiple charges, including engaging police in pursuit, evading responsibility, failure to obey a stop sign, reckless driving, having unreadable license plates, interfering with an officer, possession with intent to sell narcotics, and operating a drug factory.

The bond for Jose Guillermo Rosado has been set at $150,000.

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