Month: August 2025

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG STOPS $184 MILLION CUT TO AMERICORPS SERVICE PROGRAMS

(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong today announced the Trump Administration will fully release all withheld AmeriCorps funds, following a lawsuit brought by Connecticut, 23 other states and the District of Columbia.  The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) agreed to release over $184 million in funding for service programs across the country. OMB’s attempted cuts threatened the survival of those programs and the well-being of those who depend on them.

“In the face of what would have been a blistering legal defeat, the Trump Administration chose not to defend the indefensible and will now finally release all $184 million in AmeriCorps funding. This is a good day for programs across Connecticut that have helped stock our food pantries, tutored our kids, assisted homebound seniors, supported our veterans, and helped combat the opioid epidemic. These cuts were irrational, cruel and lawless, and deeply hurtful to people and communities across Connecticut,” said Attorney General Tong.

On April 29, Attorney General Tong and the coalition challenged the administration’s plans to eliminate nearly 90 percent of AmeriCorps’ workforce, abruptly cancel its contracts, and close $400 million worth of AmeriCorps-supported programs. In June, the Court granted a preliminary injunction that reinstated hundreds of AmeriCorps programs that were unlawfully cancelled and barred AmeriCorps from making similar cuts without formal rulemaking. Despite the order, OMB continued to withhold over $184 million intended for outstanding service programs, including AmeriCorps Seniors programs, and many programs funded with highly competitive federal grants. The coalition filed an amended complaint in July to add OMB as a defendant. On August 8, the coalition then filed a motion for preliminary injunction, seeking an order to stop OMB from withholding the funds.

On Thursday, August 28, when OMB’s response for these actions was due in Court, the Trump Administration instead agreed to fully release the previously withheld funds as quickly as possible.

This relief means that service programs across the country will be protected from the administration’s devastating attempted cuts. AmeriCorps supports national and state community service programs by funding and placing volunteers in local and national organizations that address critical community needs. Organizations rely on support from AmeriCorps to recruit, place, and supervise AmeriCorps members nationwide.

As of the 2024 program year, AmeriCorps engaged 2,255 members and volunteers across 253 service locations throughout Connecticut, contributing to a total investment of $12.4 million in the state. Locally, AmeriCorps programs secured over $2.9 million in external funding from businesses, foundations, public agencies, and other sources across Connecticut. This local investment amplified community impact and enhanced the value of taxpayer contributions.

AmeriCorps programs in Connecticut address critical community needs through various initiatives:

•             Education: Members support early childhood education, literacy programs, and college readiness initiatives.

•             Public Health: Volunteers engage in health education, nutrition assistance, and mental health support services.

•             Economic Opportunity: Programs focus on workforce development, financial literacy, and housing assistance.

•             Disaster Services: Members assist in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.

•             Environmental Stewardship: Initiatives include conservation projects and environmental education.

•             Veterans and Military Families: AmeriCorps Seniors organizes and manages Veterans Coffeehouses across the state. These gatherings offer veterans and their families a welcoming environment to connect, share experiences, and access essential resources.

Attorney General Tong was joined by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai‛i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin, and the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania in filing the lawsuit.

Second Juvenile Arrested in Armed E-Bike Robbery; Four Suspects in Custody After Investigation

The Ansonia Police Department has arrested a second juvenile suspect in connection with the armed robbery of an electric bicycle that occurred on August 26, 2025. The 15-year-old Ansonia resident was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Robbery 1st Degree, Robbery 1st Degree, Larceny 2nd Degree, Criminal Use of a Weapon, and Carrying a Pistol Without a Permit. The juvenile was transported to the Juvenile Detention Center pending a hearing.

This arrest follows an extensive investigation that began on August 26, 2025, when officers responded to a reported armed robbery involving a juvenile victim whose electric bicycle was taken at gunpoint. Responding officers quickly located a suspect riding the stolen bike, which was later recovered on Sunset Drive. Surveillance and patrol efforts led to a traffic stop where a 17-year-old juvenile suspect was taken into custody. Officers recovered a loaded firearm and narcotics from the suspect, who was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Robbery 1st Degree, Carrying a Pistol Without a Permit, Larceny 2nd Degree, Interfering with a Police Officer, and Possession of a Controlled Substance (2 counts). The 17-year-old was also ordered detained and transported to the Juvenile Detention Center in Bridgeport.

The investigation additionally led to two other arrests on narcotics charges stemming from the same traffic stop. Sheldon Haley, 45, of Ansonia, was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and released after posting a $5,000 bond. Kylen Sanders, 31, of West Haven, was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (2 counts), Possession of Narcotics with Intent, Tampering with Evidence, Interfering with a Police Officer, and Failure to be Fingerprinted. Sanders, who refused to be processed during booking, was held on a $50,000 bond and arraigned in Derby Superior Court.

With the arrest of the second juvenile, both suspects in the armed robbery have now been taken into custody. The Ansonia Police Department continues to actively investigate this incident. Additional details will be released as they become available.

A photo of Sanders is attached from a prior 2020 arrest, as he refused to be photographed during this investigation.

Norwalk Mother Arrested After Infant Rescued from Unattended Kiddie Pool

Norwalk Police have arrested Carla Sanchez, 26, of Norwalk in connection with a July 12th incident in which her one-year-old child was found unresponsive in a backyard kiddie pool. Officer Vazquez responded to the Vollmer Avenue home, performed life-saving measures that revived the child, and the infant was later treated at Norwalk Hospital and fully recovered. Following an investigation by Norwalk Police Special Victims Unit and the Department of Children and Families, Sanchez turned herself in on August 26th and was charged with two counts of Risk of Injury to a Minor. She was held on $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on September 9, 2025.

Sherwood Mill Cove Tide Gate Replacement Project to Begin After Labor Day

Westport, CT – The Public Works and Parks and Recreation Departments announced today that the Sherwood Mill Cove Tide Gate Project is scheduled to begin shortly after Labor Day and will continue through Memorial Day 2026. The scheduled work includes the repair of two tide gates and a spillway, reconstruction of a wooden pier and four short sections of seawalls, as well as repair of the longer seawall sections.

During construction, portions of two municipal parking lots will be used for staging equipment and materials. Residents and visitors should be aware of the following temporary impacts:

Old Mill Parking Lot – 10 spaces will be unavailable.

Soundview Parking Lot – 20 spaces will be unavailable.

The Town of Westport appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation as this important infrastructure project is completed. The work is being conducted in coordination with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).

Questions regarding the project should be directed at the Westport Department of Public Works.

Questions regarding beach operations and parking should be directed to the Parks and Recreation Department.

Additional updates will be shared as the project progresses.

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