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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds traffic safety projects that prevent fatalities, serious injuries
[HARTFORD, CT] – Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) and U.S. Representatives John B. Larson (D-CT), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Jim Himes (D-CT), and Jahana Hayes (D-CT) announced $1.749 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support six traffic safety projects across Connecticut.
The funds are awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program established to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.
“More people are dying on Connecticut’s roadways than ever before, and this $1.7 million in federal funding will help towns plan and make serious safety improvements to prevent these senseless tragedies from occurring,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal. “These critical projects target traffic and roadway issues at the local level so that Connecticut motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists can feel safer on the roads.”
“Every year during my Walk across the state, I’m reminded of how many roads in Connecticut are unsafe for pedestrians. It’s unacceptable that pedestrian fatalities in our state are at a 40-year high when we know how to prevent these deaths. This $1.75 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help towns across the state develop actionable plans to make their streets safer for pedestrians, bikers, and drivers,” said Sen. Chris Murphy.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was not only about rebuilding America’s crumbling infrastructure, it was about improving transportation safety,” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro. “Accident rates in Connecticut are on the rise, and residents need safer communities. With this funding, the Naugatuck Council of Government will begin to enact their Vision Zero Action Plan which will create more accessible and inclusive transportation options aimed at making our communities walkable, healthy, and safer while supporting growth and opportunity.”
“Our state has lost hundreds of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians to tragic roadway incidents over the last two years,” said Rep. John Larson. “The Connecticut delegation worked hard to secure funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make traffic safety improvements that will save lives. These resources will allow West Hartford, Winchester, and Newington to adopt community-wide approaches to ensure safety on the roads, including through new infrastructure upgrades and technologies.”
“Safer streets will make commuting more accessible, equitable, and enjoyable for Connecticut residents,” said Rep. Jim Himes. “I’m thrilled that the Town of Greenwich and the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments are receiving federal funds to develop plans that prioritize preventing traffic accidents and providing safe roads for pedestrians and bikers.”
“The historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated $5 billion to the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program. Connecticut will receive over $1 million to address critical roadway issues and make our communities safer,” said Rep. Jahana Hayes. “The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments has been awarded over $300,000 to support the Vision Zero Action Plan, aimed at reducing deaths and serious injuries from traffic crashes, and Newtown is set to receive $80,000 to help create a transportation safety action plan. We fought hard for this win. Now, residents in my district will see change in their communities.”
$320,064 to the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments for the NVCOG Vision Zero Action Plan Update
$200,000 to the Town of Winchester for the SS4A Action Plan for the Town of Winchester
$80,000 to the Town of Newington for the SS4A Supplemental Planning Grant for the Cedar Street Corridor
$80,000 to the Town of Newtown for the Newtown Comprehensive Safe Streets Community Action Plan
$400,000 to the Town of Greenwich for the SS4A Planning Grant to Create A Transportation Safety Action Plan
$669,007 for the Town of West Hartford for the Speed Management Pilot Program
The SS4A program supports the Department of Transportation’s goal of zero deaths and serious injuries on our nation’s roadways. This comes at a time where traffic fatalities are at the highest level in decades.
In June 2023, Blumenthal reintroduced the Road to Zero resolution to reduce traffic fatalities and improve roadway safety for drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and others on the road. Introduction of the resolution follows yesterday’s announcement by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that over 9,000 people died in traffic crashes during the first three months of 2023. By improving data collection and promoting access to safe, reliable transportation, the Road to Zero resolution aims to end roadway fatalities by 2050.
Traffic fatalities are the leading cause of death for Americans under 54, killing over 100 people every day.
On October 27, 2023, at 4:21 PM, emergency services responded to a reported structure fire at a residence on Treadwell Avenue, dispatched by the Fairfield County Regional Dispatch center. Upon arrival, the homeowner had discovered smoke within the house. The Westport Fire Department arrived swiftly with multiple units, including 4 engines, a ladder truck, a rescue team, and the shift commander. Engine 4 from the Saugatuck Fire Station was the first to arrive within 2 minutes and 6 seconds of the dispatch, swiftly addressing the working fire and conducting searches within the home. Fortunately, no injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported. The Westport Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire, while Westport Police Department and EMS provided on-site assistance. Additionally, fire departments from Fairfield and Norwalk covered additional calls at Westport Fire Headquarters during the incident.
On October 26, 2023, Norwalk Police Detectives visited the Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Riverhead, NY, to execute an extraditable warrant for Corey Poole. This arrest stemmed from a 2021 investigation into the fraudulent purchase of a Jeep Grand Cherokee worth over $50,000 using fake identification at a local car dealership. Following an extensive inquiry, detectives identified Poole as the primary suspect, uncovering his involvement in similar crimes across various jurisdictions in Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania. Poole, a 22-year-old resident of 5 Seaman Ave Hempstead NY, was taken into custody and transported back to Norwalk Police Headquarters, where charges of Larceny in the First Degree, Identity Theft in the First Degree, and Forgery in the Third Degree were filed against him. His bond was set at $250,000, and his court appearance is scheduled for November 9, 2023. Citizens with information can contact the Norwalk Police Tip Line at 203-854-3111 or submit anonymous tips via the Norwalk Police website (www.norwalkpd.com) or by texting “NORWALKPD” followed by the message to TIP411 (847411).
Bridgeport, CT – The City of Bridgeport’s Office of Planning and Economic Development (OPED) has partnered with the Bridgeport Downtown Special Services District (DSSD) to close out its second year of the “Color It In” mural project. The project produced over 30 murals in the downtown area of Bridgeport; helping to utilize vacant walls and spaces to add to DSSD’s initiatives to beautify the City. Murals have been placed throughout all areas of downtown, leaving no stone unturned with exposing residents and visitors to public art.
“I would like to thank the Bridgeport DSSD for partnering with the OPED department to help make our downtown area an oasis for artists in our City,” Mayor Ganim stated. “It has been a pleasure to see many of our buildings serve multiple purposes for our residents and visitors; leaving lasting impressions on the ways we’re committed to improving the quality of life in Bridgeport. I extend much gratitude to all the artists as well; their tireless work towards their murals cannot be unnoticed as they carry beautiful colors and messages that greatly improve the vibrancy of downtown.”
The “Color It In” Artists’ Reception will be held on Thursday, November 16, from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM at The Bijou Theatre. Preceding the reception, Bridgeport DSSD will also host a Public Art Walk on Friday, November 10, from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM. The walk will be a guided trail to view all murals and sculptures placed throughout the downtown area. Those who are interested in the walk are encouraged to meet at the DSSD office at 938 Broad Street for refreshments before the walk begins.
(Hartford, CT) — Attorney General William Tong today joined 42 attorneys general throughout the country suing Meta in federal and state courts alleging that the company knowingly designed and deployed harmful features on Instagram and its other social media platforms that purposefully addict children and teens. At the same time, Meta falsely assured the public that these features are safe and suitable for young users.
The attorneys general assert that Meta’s business practices violate state consumer protection laws and the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). These practices have harmed and continue to harm the physical and mental health of children and teens and have fueled what the U.S. Surgeon General has deemed a “youth mental health crisis” which has ended lives, devastated families, and damaged the potential of a generation of young people.
“Meta saw American kids as a ‘valuable and untapped market’—nameless factors on a bottom line to maximize profits. They enabled kids to access addictive platforms riddled with harmful messages built to override self-control that one developer likened to ‘behavioral cocaine.’ Their abusive practices have unleashed a youth mental health catastrophe. Attorneys general today are blanketing the country in coordinated federal and state court actions to hold Meta accountable for their blatant violations of consumer protection and child privacy laws. Meta’s actions are egregious, but we know they are not the only bad actor in social media. Other investigations—including into TikTok—are active and ongoing and we will not hesitate to use the full weight of our enforcement authority to force this broken industry to respect the law and the safety and wellbeing of our children,” said Attorney General Tong.
“Businesses have a duty to minimize the harm their product may cause, and to disclose when their product may have harmful effects, particularly on children,” said Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli. “Our priority is to protect public health and safety, and I support the Attorney General in joining this action to bring about change in Meta’s business practices.”
The federal complaint, joined by Connecticut and 32 other states and filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleges that Meta knew of the harmful impact of its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, on young people. Instead of taking steps to mitigate these harms, it misled the public about the harms associated with use of its platform, concealing the extent of the psychological and health harms suffered by young users addicted to use of its platforms. The complaint further alleges that Meta knew that young users, including those under 13, were active on the platforms, and knowingly collected data from these users without parental consent. It targeted these young users noting, as reported in a 2021 Wall Street Journal article, that such a user base was “valuable, but untapped.”
While much of the complaint relies on confidential material that is not yet available to the public, publicly available sources including those previously released by former Meta employees detail that Meta profited by purposely making its platforms addictive to children and teens. Its platform algorithms push users into descending “rabbit holes” in an effort to maximize engagement. Features like infinite scroll and near-constant alerts were created with the express goal of hooking young users. These manipulative tactics continually lure children and teens back onto the platform. As Aza Raskin, the original developer of the infinite scroll concept, noted to the BBC about the feature’s addictive qualities: “If you don’t give your brain time to catch up with your impulses, . . . you just keep scrolling.”
Meta knew these addictive features harmed young people’s physical and mental health, including undermining their ability to get adequate sleep, but did not disclose the harm nor did they make meaningful changes to minimize the harm. Instead, they claimed their platforms were safe for young users.
These choices, the complaint alleges, violate state consumer protection laws and COPPA. The federal complaint seeks injunctive and monetary relief to rectify the harms caused by these platforms.
In parallel complaints filed in state courts today, eight states have made similar allegations.
These lawsuits are the result of a bipartisan, nationwide investigation led by the attorneys general of Colorado and Tennessee. Nearly all the attorneys general in the country have worked together since 2021 to investigate Meta for providing and promoting its social media platforms to children and young adults while use is associated with physical and mental health harms. While some states have pursued litigation in state court and others in collective federal action, the attorneys general will continue to work together as the litigation continues.
The multistate coalition that brought today’s complaint is also investigating TikTok’s conduct on a similar set of concerns. That investigation remains ongoing, and states have pushed for adequate disclosure of information and documents in litigation related to TikTok’s failure to provide adequate discovery in response to requests by the Tennessee Attorney General’s office.
States joining the federal lawsuit are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Filing lawsuits in their own state courts are the District of Columbia, Florida, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, and Vermont.
Lauren Bidra, Special Counsel for Media and Technology and Legal Intern Caroline McCormack assisted the Attorney General in this matter.
WASHINGTON–U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined a group of 32 colleagues in urging Congressional leaders to extend funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides financial assistance to access high-speed internet for 172,54 households in Connecticut and more than 21 million working families across the nation.
“We write to urge you to extend funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides over 21 million working families with financial assistance for broadband access, to help bridge the digital divide so they can continue to afford the broadband services they need for work, school, health care, and more,” wrote the senators. “Should ACP funding not be extended, millions of Americans could be at risk of losing access to broadband.”
“Failing to extend funding would be irresponsible,” they continued. “We urge you to extend funding for the ACP in a government appropriations package and include a long-term solution that ensures efficient spending of taxpayer dollars.”
On October 20, 2023 Silas Dedrick, age 18, of Ansonia was arrested by warrant for his involvement in a shooting on September 17, 2023 on Rockwood Avenue. Dedrick was charged with Assault Second Degree with a Firearm, Assault Second Degree, Reckless Endangerment Second Degree, Threatening First Degree, Unlawful Discharge and Altering Identification Marks on a Firearm, he was held on a $50,000.00 bond to be arraigned at Derby Superior Court on October 23, 2023.
The shooting occurred when Dedrick, armed with a gun, attempted to intervene in an altercation between a 47-year-old female relative and her boyfriend. There was a struggle over the gun and the female was shot once in the arm. The female was transported to the hospital and treated for her injury. The firearm used in the shooting had no serial number or identifying markings.
