Alex

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…

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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.

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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…

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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…

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

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…

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Bridgeport News: Narcotics Arrest

On December 14, 2024, Officer Fischetti conducted a proactive walkthrough of the Charles F. Greene housing complex and observed several males loitering near Building 5. Officer Fischetti and Officer Lewin engaged with the group to ensure they were neither trespassing nor involved in the sale of narcotics. During this interaction, the males complained about another individual, Gregory Thompson, a 21-year-old who does not reside in the complex. While speaking with Thompson, he attempted to retrieve his wallet, at which point Officer Fischetti noticed a baggie of narcotics. Officer Fischetti attempted to secure Thompson’s arm, but Thompson fled, leading to a brief foot pursuit. Officers successfully detained Thompson and placed him under arrest. Upon searching Thompson, Officer Fischetti discovered 18.7 grams…

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Stratford Police Shut Down Illegal Cannabis Sales at S&T Smoke and Snack Shop

A year-long investigation by the Stratford Police Department, in coordination with state and federal agencies, has resulted in multiple arrests and the seizure of significant amounts of illegal cannabis products from the S&T Smoke and Snack Shop at 562 Honeyspot Road. Between December 2023 and January 2024, police conducted four undercover buys at the shop, leading to the seizure of illegal cannabis, THC gummies, and vape products. Employee Brion Henry Jr. was arrested and charged with four counts of Illegal Possession with Intent to Sell Cannabis. Despite this action, illegal sales continued. In May 2024, a Confidential Source under 21 purchased a vape product, and employee Scott Marsillo was found with bulk marijuana packaged for street sale. Marsillo was charged…

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Car Backfiring causes Lock Down at School

At 1:24PM, the Bridgeport ECC received a ShotSpotter activation in the 1400th block of North Ave. As a precaution, Geraldine Johnson School was placed on a lock-in/lock-out. The Bridgeport Police Department investigated the area and positioned at the school as a precaution. However, the incident has been determined to be backfire from a vehicle. There are no further details at this time.

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GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES CONTINUATION OF HEAD START ON HOUSING: A STATE PROGRAM INCREASING ACCESS TO PERMANENT HOUSING FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that his administration will be continuing Connecticut’s recently launched Head Start on Housing pilot program, a first-of-its-kind initiative in Connecticut and the nation that identifies young children who are enrolled in Head Start and whose families are experiencing homelessness and connects them with permanent housing support. Launched in 2022 under the Lamont administration, the program is jointly administered by the Connecticut Department of Housing and the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, and it leverages existing support from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s voucher program to connect these families with housing. Head Start is a program that provides low-income families with young children access to free services centered around early learning and…

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