Operation Hope’s 40th Anniversary Celebration

From Operation Hope:

We look forward to gathering at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield on Thursday, May 8 to acknowledge the efforts of our volunteers, donors and friends who help us end hunger and homelessness, one person at a time. This year, we are delighted to honor Neighbors Helping Neighbors – Fairfield & Southport, as our “Champion of Hope,” and its co-founders, Helene Daly and Alexis Harrison. Through this grassroots organization, Helene and Alexis have made outstanding contributions in our community and work tirelessly to further our mission. Due to the popularity of this event, we are currently offering a waitlist. Please contact Suzanne Francis, Events Manager, here to be added to the waitlist. Please consider a program ad, a Friends listing or a donation in support of the 40 years of Operation Hope’s efforts. Click here for details. Thank you!

Nicholas “Hot Head” Allwood Charged with Attempted Murder in Bridgeport Double Stabbing

A 27-year-old man arrested last week for holding a female captive on Gregory St. was charged today with Attempted Murder for two recent stabbings in Bridgeport. Nicholas Allwood was arraigned today at Bridgeport Superior Court at 172 Golden Hill St. and charged with Criminal Attempt Murder, two counts of Assault on the First Degree, and two counts of Carrying a Dangerous Weapon.

Allwood is accused of stabbing the same adult male victim twice. The first stabbing happened at the intersection of Iranistan Ave. and State St. on February 10th, 2025. The second happened on Wednesday, April 30th, 2025, on Hanover St. – two hours before the kidnapping arrest. The stabbing victim, a Bridgeport resident, suffered serious injuries during both attacks. Police are not releasing the motive for the assaults.

Detective Elizabeth Santora of the Homicide Unit investigated the stabbings that resulted in today’s charges. 

Allwood, who calls himself “Hot Head,” used an alias when he was shot on Gregory St. on Easter morning. With the help of the United States Marshals Service,  Bridgeport Homicide Detectives subsequently identified him. Allwood was found to have felony warrants in multiple states under his real name and date of birth.

The Bridgeport Police were searching for Nicholas Allwood when he committed the second stabbing on Wednesday. Bridgeport Detectives, Task Force Officers, FBI Task Force Officers and Bridgeport Patrol Officers then conducted nearly two-hour manhunt for him. He was tracked to a house on Gregory St. Officers were readying to enter the house when the kidnapping victim came running out chased by Allwood, who was armed with a knife. Police quickly disarmed Allwood and took him into custody. Officers did not know the female was being held against her will at the time. Allwood was also charged Wednesday with assaulting the female and assaulting a Bridgeport Police Officer, Carrying a Dangerous Weapon, Reckless Endangerment and Possession of Narcotics with Intent to Sell. 

Nicholas Allwood was incarcerated at the Bridgeport Correctional Center when he was charged today. 

Fairfield to Sponsor Workshop to Help Non-Profits and Businesses Reduce Energy Costs and “Go Green”

Fairfield, CT – The Town of Fairfield’s Department of Community & Economic Development, in partnership with Sustainable Fairfield, the Sponsors of Energize ConnecticutSM, Avangrid, Inc. subsidiaries United Illuminating (UI) and Southern Connecticut Gas (SCG), and the Connecticut Green Bank, will offer a free workshop on Tuesday, May 13th, aimed at helping businesses and nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship, undertake energy-related building improvements.

The workshop will feature guest speakers Peter Ludwig of Connecticut Green Bank and Colleen Morrison of UI and SCG.

Attendees can expect to learn more about how to lower their energy costs and fund energy-related improvements including solar installation through programs such as C-PACE and the Small Business Energy Advantage Program.

C-PACE, which stands for Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy, is an innovative program that lets property owners pay for green improvements over time through a voluntary benefit assessment on their property tax bill. C-PACE makes it easier for building owners to secure low-interest capital to fund energy improvements and is structured so that energy savings more than offset the benefit assessment.

The SBEA Program features a no-cost, no-obligation energy assessment of a facility that includes lighting, HVAC, and refrigeration systems and a customized recommendation including an estimate of savings, available incentives, and attractive financing for the balance of the installed costs.


The workshop will be held at the Fairfield Theatre Company, located at 70 Sanford Street in Fairfield.

Parking is available in the Sanford Street Parking lot directly across from FTC or at the Sherman Green Lot (1451 Post Road).

Sign-in and informal networking will commence at 8:00 a.m. The program will commence at 8:15 a.m., and run through 9:30 a.m.

Coffee and a continental breakfast will be provided.

“Energy efficiency is important to our community,” stated Fairfield’s Director of Economic Development, Mark Barnhart. “That’s why we are delighted to be co-sponsoring this workshop that allows organizations to go green while saving money.”

“Our support for the workshop illustrates Sustainable Fairfield’s strong commitment to helping businesses and non-profits, in addition to individuals and households, take meaningful steps for greater sustainability and cost-efficient energy use,” said Bob Wall, Sustainable Fairfield chairman.

The program is free of charge, but advanced registration is encouraged as space is limited. To register, please visit the link here.

For further information, contact Mark Barnhart, Director of Community & Economic Development, at (203) 256-3120 or mbarnhart@fairfieldct.org.


About the Speakers

Peter Ludwig leads outreach for Connecticut Green Bank’s building solutions programs. In this role, he builds strategic partnerships and helps building owners, economic development partners, non-profits, and other partners access Green Bank financing and incentives for green property upgrades.

Prior to the Green Bank, Peter developed and led award-winning affordable housing energy retrofit programs at Elevate.

Colleen Morrison runs the Small Business Energy Efficiency program at UI and SCG. She manages projects across the state of CT alongside their partners at Eversource.

Over the last 14 years, she has worked with the electric and gas utilities across CT, NY, MA, and Maine in various capacities in customer service, billing, financial teams, and now working on the Conservation and Loan Management Team, which focuses on helping customers save money and reduce their energy footprint through efficiency improvements.


About Connecticut Green Bank

The Connecticut Green Bank is the nation’s first green bank.

Established by the Connecticut General Assembly as a part of Public Act 11-80, the Connecticut Green Bank supports the State’s energy strategy to achieve cleaner, less expensive, and more reliable sources of energy while creating jobs and supporting local economic development.


About the Small Business Energy Advantage Program

The Small Business Energy Advantage program is designed to provide cost-effective, turnkey energy-saving services for small commercial and industrial customers who do not have the time, financial resources, or in-house expertise necessary to analyze and modify their energy usage.

The program offers a free energy evaluation and can finance energy efficiency improvements through a zero percent interest loan through your electric utility bill for qualified customers.

Second Arrest Made in 2020 Keystone Nightclub Murder

The Bridgeport Police Department’s Homicide Unit has made another arrest in the high-profile 2020 Keystone nightclub murder of Nyair Nixon. Quinten Mckoy, 33, of Bridgeport, was charged Friday with Murder, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, and Carrying a Pistol Without a Permit in the shooting death of Mr. Nixon, 21, inside the club on September 27, 2020. Nixon was also a resident of Bridgeport.

Mckoy, who is also known by the street name “Quack,” is currently incarcerated on an unrelated case. Detective Thomas Harper of the Homicide Unit served Mckoy with the murder warrant Friday morning at Bridgeport Superior Court at 172 Golden Street.

Mr. Nixon stumbled out of the Keystone nightclub and collapsed at the intersection of Barnum Avenue and Bishop Avenue after being shot in the torso during the early morning hours. Detectives later determined he was shot inside the crowded club following a dispute. He was transported to Bridgeport Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Charles Young was previously charged in connection with Mr. Nixon’s murder.

The Bridgeport Office of the State’s Attorney and the Police Department’s Homicide Unit have kept the investigation active. New evidence led to Mckoy also being charged. The investigation revealed that Young and Mckoy were seen together inside the club and left together after the shooting.

Stratford Smoke Shop Owner Arrested in Cannabis Sales Sting, Over 100 Pounds of Illegal THC Seized

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On April 29, 2025, Stratford Police Department Narcotics, Vice and Intelligence Detectives, State of CT Department of Consumer Protection officials, State of CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services officials and State of CT Department of Revenue Officers, assembled to conduct compliance checks for the illegal sale of THC/Cannabis.
Prior to conducting this compliance check, NVI Unit Detectives received intelligence from a Stratford Police Department School Resource Officer that multiple Stratford Middle School juvenile students were found to be in possession of vape pens.
It was learned that Stratford Middle School students were buying these vape pens from “Smoke Shops” located within the Town of Stratford.
The process to purchase a vape pen from a student was described to the SRO as follows: student/seller would take the payment (money) from the student/purchaser while inside the school building and during school hours. The student/seller would then meet the student/purchaser after school, off of school grounds and hand over the vape pen that had already been paid for inside the school.
NVI Unit Detectives along with officials from the other assisting State of Ct. agencies, entered the Stratford News Smoke & Vape Shop at approximately 1100 hours to conduct the compliance check.
Subsequent to their investigation, Anas Chwiki (11-06-1975) was transported to the Stratford Police Department and charged with SALE OF MORE THAN 1 KILOGRAM OF CANNABIS and SUPPLYING A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WITHOUT A LICENSE.
Anas Chwicki was issued a May 15, 2025 court date. He was released from custody via a WPTA.
NVI Detectives seized a total of 107.546 Pounds (48.892 Kilograms) of illegal THC products along with $4,355.00 cash from the Stratford News Smoke & Vape Shop.

Norwalk Police Arrest Three for Paintball Gun Drive-By Attacks

Norwalk Police arrested three individuals overnight after multiple people were shot at with paintballs from a moving SUV. Officers stopped the suspect vehicle—a gray 2011 Acura MDX—shortly after the incidents and found paintballs and a paintball gun inside.

18-year-old Mason Riina of Norwalk and two 17-year-old juveniles were taken into custody following two separate incidents reported near East Avenue and West Avenue. One victim was struck in the thigh, while another reported being fired at but was not hit. All three face charges of first-degree breach of peace and third-degree criminal mischief. Riina was released on a $500 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on May 13.

Repeat Offender Busted After Main Street Vandalism Caught on Camera

Bridgeport police officers called out a vandalism complaint at 1000 Main Street. EOC Dispatch relayed that the store owner, Dave Schneider, had a clear photograph of the suspect. Upon arrival, officers obtained the image and canvassed the surrounding area. A male matching the description, identified as 46-year-old Michael Young of Bridgeport, was located riding a white and purple bicycle near Fairfield Avenue and Seely Street. After initially refusing verbal commands, officers detained Young at 856 Fairfield Avenue. A search of Young’s possessions revealed a black Nautica jacket matching the suspect description and a plastic bag containing black jean shorts and a hoodie with tags still attached later confirmed stolen by Schneider. Schneider conducted an in-person identification and positively identified Young as the offender. Young was transported without incident to 300 Congress Street for booking. He was also involved in previous burglaries at this location.

WANTED FELON FACES NEW ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE IN BRIDGEPORT

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A wanted felon arrested by Bridgeport Police on Wednesday afternoon is being charged with Attempted Murder in Connecticut. Nicholas Allwood, 27, will be arraigned on the new charge Friday, after he stabbed a man multiple times on Hanover Street Wednesday morning. It was the second time in three months Allwood stabbed the same victim. Both times the victim suffered serious injuries.

The department’s Homicide Unit secured a warrant for the new charge within 24 hours. 

Bridgeport homicide detectives recently identified Allwood by his real name and had been actively searching for him when he attacked the victim again on Wednesday.  Bridgeport detectives, task force officers and patrol officers conducted a manhunt for Allwood during midday on Wednesday. They eventually tracked him to a house on Gregory Street, where a female he was holding hostage escaped by running out of the home. Allwood chased after the woman brandishing a knife. Officers disarmed him on the street and took him into custody. The female suffered non-life-threatening injuries after being assaulted by Allwood.

Nicholas Allwood was charged with Kidnapping in the First Degree, Assault in the Second Degree, Unlawful Restrain in the First Degree, Threatening in the Second Degree, Carrying a Dangerous Weapon , Assault on a Public Safety Officer, and Possession of Narcotics with Intent to Sell for the incident on Gregory Street.

At the time of his arrest on Wednesday, Allwood was wanted on an Attempted Murder warrant out of New York and a Felon in Possession of a Weapon warrant from the United States Marshals Service. He was also wanted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement out of New York. 

Nicholas Allwood has an arrest record that extends across the country.

Allwood’s bond for the Attempted Murder Charge in Connecticut is $1 million dollars.

Bridgeport detectives are still investigating the motive for the stabbings.

FAIRFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT RECOGNIZES MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Fairfield, CT — May is recognized nationally as Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Fairfield Police Department reaffirms its commitment to supporting wellness initiatives within the community and addressing mental health-related challenges with compassion, professionalism, and care. The Fairfield Police Department understands that individuals experiencing mental health crises may sometimes come into contact with law enforcement. When those situations arise, our goal is to respond with empathy, patience, and a deep understanding of the unique needs of those involved.

To that end, the department has developed and maintained a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), comprised of officers who have received specialized training to safely and effectively respond to calls for service involving mental or behavioral health issues. These officers are equipped to de-escalate situations and connect individuals with appropriate resources.

Additionally, the Fairfield Police Department is proud to have a licensed social worker embedded within the agency. This social worker assists in handling cases that originate through police calls for service and provides ongoing support to individuals and families facing mental health challenges. By offering follow-up care and resource coordination, our social worker helps bridge the gap between law enforcement and community-based mental health services.

In 2022, the department formalized its commitment to integrated mental health response by creating the Fairfield Police Behavioral Health Network. This network meets on a quarterly basis and brings together the department’s embedded social worker, members of the Crisis Intervention Team, and other stakeholders to review current practices, discuss recent cases, and identify ways to better serve the Fairfield community. The Fairfield Police Behavioral Health Network serves as a forum for continuous improvement, collaboration, and innovation in how law enforcement and mental health services intersect.

As part of our continued efforts to lead in this area, the department is also expanding its mental health support program by introducing a social work intern. This position is designed not only to provide additional assistance to our current caseloads, but also to serve as a learning opportunity for future social workers. The role represents a growing collaboration between the fields of law enforcement and social work, an innovative model that enhances community support and helps shape the next generation of mental health professionals.

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Fairfield Police Department is raising funds throughout May to support our Behavioral Health Network. Proceeds will be used to provide continued training for members of our Crisis Intervention Team, assist in offering critical resources to members of the Fairfield community facing mental health-related challenges, and support programs that enhance networking and outreach opportunities coordinated by our embedded social worker.

Mental Health Awareness Month is a time to reduce stigma, raise awareness, and reaffirm our shared responsibility to care for one another. The Fairfield Police Department remains dedicated to promoting mental wellness and ensuring that all individuals are treated with dignity, respect, and compassion, because mental health is public safety.

For more information about our Crisis Intervention Team, embedded social worker program, or fundraising efforts, please contact the Fairfield Police Department at (203) 254-4800 or visit our website at www.fpdct.com. Anyone willing to donate to this worthy cause can do so at https://fpdct.com/about/donate.php.

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