Good thing this guy was wearing his seat belt in this one car rollover at 419 White Plains Road in Trumbull, right into the pond between the two funeral homes. One individual was reported to be transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Mentes family, beloved members of both the Bridgeport and Fairfield communities, are facing unimaginable challenges following a devastating house fire that occurred in the early hours of December 28th. Known for their unwavering dedication to helping others, the Mentes family now finds themselves in need of the community’s support.
Mike Mentes, a dedicated Bridgeport firefighter with 17 years of service, was on duty at the time of the fire, protecting the very community he calls home. His wife, Jess, a nursing student, was at home and forced to jump out of a window to escape the flames, saving the family’s beloved dog and cat in the process. Thankfully, their three daughters, Morgan (16), Ireland (14), and Reagan (11), were away at a sleepover and unharmed.
The fire left the Mentes family’s home condemned and destroyed nearly all their belongings, from cherished wedding albums to the girls’ Christmas gifts. Despite their profound loss, Mike and Jess have expressed gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of support from friends, neighbors, and fellow first responders.
During a press conference held earlier today, officials and community leaders, including State Senator Tony Hwang, local fire chiefs, and members of the Fairfield and Bridgeport Fire Departments, highlighted the importance of community solidarity. Senator Hwang reflected, “This is a wonderful opportunity for us to come together and help a family who has always been there for others.”
Mike’s colleagues and local leaders emphasized the critical role that firefighters like him play in protecting our communities, often sacrificing their own safety. Chief Lance Edwards of the Bridgeport Fire Department remarked, “Mike has always been one of the good ones, a dedicated firefighter who now needs our help.”
The Mentes family’s gratitude was heartfelt. Jess urged the public to check their smoke detectors, emphasizing that their own preparedness saved her life. She also announced that part of the funds received will go toward smoke detector programs in Bridgeport and Fairfield to help prevent future tragedies.
How to Help
A GoFundMe page has been established to assist the Mentes family in rebuilding their lives. Additionally, donations can be made through the “Give In Kind” platform, which allows for contributions such as gift cards for essential items and services. Details can be found at the links below:
The Fairfield and Bridgeport communities have demonstrated extraordinary compassion and unity in the wake of this tragedy. As Jess Mentes aptly said, “It takes a village, and what we’ve seen here is that village coming together.”
Thank you for your support in helping the Mentes family rebuild their lives.
Shelton Police have arrested two men in connection with the investigation of a suspicious death at the Residence Inn Hotel on 1001 Bridgeport Avenue.
On December 26, 2024, police charged Daqwon Graham, 30, of Ansonia, with promoting prostitution, and Jordan Rambert, 35, of New Haven, with soliciting prostitution.
The investigation began on October 1, 2024, at approximately 8:00 AM when officers discovered a deceased female in the hotel’s courtyard. Police determined that Rambert had been visiting the woman when she reportedly failed to return to the room.
Search warrants executed on the hotel room and a vehicle linked to the victim revealed connections to Graham. Evidence uncovered supported the charges filed against both men.
Graham and Rambert turned themselves in to Shelton Police on December 26. Both were released after posting $10,000 bonds and are scheduled to appear in Derby Superior Court on January 16, 2024.
Report of a motor vehicle accident on I-95 between Exits 17 and 18 Southbound.
Two youths were struck by a motor vehicle near the intersection of Bell Street and Boston Ave in Bridgeport. They were transported to the hospital, and sustained non life threatening injuries.
Trumbull Police arrested a local teen after he robbed another teen at gunpoint and stole the victim’s dirt bike on Tuesday, December 31st. GIOVANNI DEJESUS, age 19, of Bridgeport was arrested for Armed Robbery and other related crimes. Around 5:00 p.m., Trumbull officers were dispatched to the area of the “Rails to Trails” between White Plains Road and Quarry Road, for a robbery at gunpoint. Arriving officers met with the fourteen (14) year-old victim who stated that he was riding his dirt bike on the “Rails to Trails” near the pump station when another group on dirt bikes approached him. One of the men in that group, DeJesus, approached the victim and pointed a handgun at him while ordering him to get off the bike. DeJesus took the victim’s dirt bike and fled, traveling southerly into Bridgeport. This incident was broadcast to neighboring police departments, and Bridgeport Police officers spotted the fleeing suspect shortly thereafter. Bridgeport officers apprehended DeJesus on Palisade Avenue, where they also recovered a Glock handgun. DeJesus and the gun were both positively identified as being involved in the robbery. No injuries were reported. DeJesus is a convicted felon with a history of serious weapon-related offenses and is listed on the state’s Deadly Weapon Offender Registry. He had just been released from prison a few days prior to this incident.
The handgun that was recovered is a Glock model 19, 9 mm, that is fitted with a “switch” device on the slide, making the weapon fully automatic. In addition, the gun also had a thirty (30) round extended magazine, and dozens of rounds of 9 mm ammunition which were also recovered. Trumbull detectives are continuing the investigation to identify the origin of the weapon. The stolen dirt bike was later located in the basement of DeJesus’ Bridgeport residence and was returned to the owner. DeJesus was transported to the Trumbull Police Department where he was charged with Robbery 1st degree, Larceny 2nd degree, Illegal Possession of an Assault Weapon, Criminal Possession of a Pistol, Illegal Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine, Carrying a Pistol Without a Permit, and Criminal Possession of Ammunition. He was held on a $300,000. bond and is scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on January 14th, 2025
Report of a fire in the back of a home on Louvain Street in Fairfield. Firefighters arrived on scene and stabilized the situation. There was no visible sign of fire by the time we arrived on scene. It’s unknown the extent, if any, the fire had on the home.
(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong today advised Connecticut consumers and businesses of new rights and requirements set to go into effect on January 1, 2025 regarding opt out rights under the Connecticut Data Privacy Act (CTDPA).
“We’re all familiar now with the ‘ask site not to track’ pop-ups. Starting January 1, you can install a simple browser extension to answer that question once and for all—and sites you visit will be responsible for knowing and following your preference. This is a key step forward for consumer privacy rights, and I urge consumers on January 1 to take advantage of this right to control their data,” said Attorney General Tong.
The CTDPA was enacted in July of last year—one of the first comprehensive consumer privacy laws in the country. Several of the CTDPA’s key provisions have subsequent effective dates, including a critical requirement that controllers honor global opt out preference signals (“OOPS”) sent by consumers. The OOPS provisions allow consumers the ability to opt out of targeted advertising and the sale of their personal data across all activities online in one place.
Beginning on January 1, 2025, Connecticut consumers can send their OOPS through a variety of platforms to “signal” to websites that they are opting out of targeted advertising and the sale of their personal data. Each consumer’s opt out “signal” will be sent automatically by using, for example, the Global Privacy Control through a privacy protective browser or browser extension. Over 40 million people already use the GPC.
All businesses covered by the CTDPA must respond to a consumer’s OOPS. This signal must be sent from a platform or mechanism that enables the business to accurately determine whether the consumer is a Connecticut resident. If a consumer’s OOPS conflicts with that consumer’s previously given privacy choice or their voluntary participation in that business’s loyalty rewards or discount program, the business must still comply with the OOPS. Though, the business may notify the consumer of the conflicting signals and ask the consumer to confirm their choice with the understanding that it would affect their previously given privacy choice or participation in their loyalty rewards or discount program.
Effective January 1, 2025, businesses subject to the CTDPA must treat Connecticut residents’ privacy preferences submitted through browser signals as requests to opt-out of sales or targeted advertising. To implement the GPC, businesses can get started here.
Consumers should note that not all Connecticut businesses are covered by the CTDPA. The law includes specific revenue thresholds and exempts certain industries regulated by other privacy frameworks—such as health care companies subject to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1966 (HIPAA).
For more information about the CTDPA, visit the Attorney General’s FAQ page here.
For more information on the DOT bridge project virtual public informational meeting for the project go here: https://portal.ct.gov/dotstratfordmilford0301-0557?language=en_US
The meeting will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
There was a report of a crash at Stratford Avenue and Carroll Avenue. According to unconfirmed radio reports, one car came to a stop right next to a structure but not inside it. No word on any injuries.
2025-01-01@11:19pm–#Bridgeport CT
Report of a pedestrian struck at Madison Avenue and Frank Street. The person was transported to the hospital. Police said the vehicle fled the scene. The victim was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
2025-01-01@5:54pm–#Bridgeport CT
