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GOVERNOR LAMONT SIGNS LAW ESTABLISHING PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has signed legislation creating a state law that exempts from property taxes the primary residence or motor vehicle of former members of the United States Armed Forces who have a permanent and total disability rating resulting from their active-duty service. The exemption applies to a home that is owned by an eligible service member and is their primary residence. If an eligible service member does not own a home, the exemption will apply to one motor vehicle owned by the service member. To qualify, the former service member must have served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, or Space Force; have a service-connected permanent and…

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Stratford News: Arrest Made in Shooting Incident

The Stratford Police Department’s Detective Bureau is investigating a shooting incident which occurred on Bates Street, Stratford on May 22, 2024 at approximately 8:00pm. Michael James has been charged with Assault 1 st degree with a Firearm and Reckless Endangerment 1 st Degree. These charges stem from Michael James firing a round from his registered firearm while arguing with his 36-year-old step-son Rakeem Mack. The round also struck Michael James’ wife whose name is Lolita Mack-James. Both Rakeem Mack and Lolita Mack-James were transported to the hospital after sustaining non-life-threatening wounds. The investigation has thus far determined that Michael James was in the process of protecting Lolita Mack-James while she was engaged in an argument with her son Rakeem Mack.

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Mayor Ganim and the Department of Public Facilities Announce the Opening of City Parks for Memorial Day Weekend

Bridgeport, CT – Mayor Ganim and the Bridgeport Department of Public Facilities has announced the opening date for the City’s parks for Saturday, May 25, 2024. Mayor Ganim is reminding all residents that checkpoints will be in effect for all visitors to purchase park stickers from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day in September. Residents should be aware that checkpoints will accept Credit Cards and Cash for payment but recommends residents to use Credit Cards as much as possible. There is also the option to obtain Park Stickers at the City’s Parks & Recreation department via Cash or Credit, located at 7 Quarry Rd, Trumbull, CT, Monday through Friday from 8am-4pm. Bridgeport Police Department will be providing additional patrol cars…

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BLUMENTHAL DELIVERS OPENING STATEMENT AT HEARING ON FAILURE OF ZELLE AND BIG BANKS TO ADDRESS SCAMS AND FRAUD

“Zelle and the big banks said they couldn’t help. What they really meant is they wouldn’t help.” [WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, Chair of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), delivered opening remarks at a hearing titled “Fraud Alert!: Shedding Light on Zelle.” The hearing—featuring testimony from two individuals who were victimized by scammers on the peer-to-peer payment (P2P) platform—examined the human toll of schemes on P2P money transfer services, the availability of and processes for consumer reimbursement of money lost to scams and fraud, and the extent of current regulatory and legal protections for consumers. “Zelle markets itself as, ‘a fast and easy way to send and receive money.’ But as this Subcommittee has found, ‘a…

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ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG JOINS MULTISTATE COALITION URGING DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE DEBT RELIEF TO FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS

(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong this week joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general calling on the U.S. Department of Education to swiftly implement recently proposed regulations, which would provide needed relief for some of the nation’s most burdened student loan borrowers and help address the student debt crisis. The proposed regulations would waive or reduce student loan repayment for certain groups of federal student loan borrowers. “For far too many Connecticut families, student loan debt is a crushing, unaffordable burden. This is an economic crisis exacerbated by bad actors in both the for-profit college and loan servicing industries, as well as long-term mismanagement over the course of many, many years and multiple federal administrations. I join attorneys…

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Senator Gaston Celebrates Nearly $1 Million in State Grants for Stratford School HVAC Upgrades

Senator Herron Keyon Gaston, D-Bridgeport, welcomed Monday the release of nearly $1 million in state grants dedicated to HVAC upgrades at Chapel Street Elementary and Wilcoxson Elementary School in Stratford.  "For our students to thrive academically and stay healthy, they need clean air and comfortable classrooms,” Senator Gaston said. “These grants will improve learning environments for students at Chapel Street Elementary and Wilcoxson Elementary and by covering more than 60% of these projects, the state has significantly eased the burden on our local taxpayers." The grants announced by the Department of Administrative Services include: $366,587 for the replacement of boilers at Chapel Street Elementary in Stratford. This grant will cover 61% of the project. $632,957 for the replacement of boilers…

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Eight Bridgeport Students Recognized as Winners in the 19th Annual eesmarts™ Student Contest 

Connecticut students submitted projects to the statewide contest promoting sustainability, energy efficiency, and clean and renewable energy BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Bridgeport students Fatima Awad, Caleb Hayes, Isabella Imran V Bala, Trey Keirans, Suri Nogueira, Alicia Palacios, Renesh Srinivasan and Melinda Villa were recently honored as winners in the 19th Annualeesmarts™ Student Contest.    Presented by Energize Connecticut℠ in partnership with Eversource and Avangrid subsidiaries, United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas, the eesmarts Student Contest invited Connecticut students in grades K-12 to showcase their energy smarts.  Participants chose from a variety of project formats based on their grade level, including poems, essays, posters, billboard advertisements, comic strips, short videos, persuasive images and more.  Isabella won 2nd place in the…

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Westport News: First Selectwoman Announces Fire Chief Appointment

Deputy Chief Marsan Named Chief Westport, CT - First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker announced today that she has appointed Deputy Chief Nick Marsan as the Fire Chief for the Town of Westport Fire Department (WFD) effective July 1, 2024. Nick will assume this role as successor to Mark Amatrudo, who has served the Town as Interim Fire Chief since July 1, 2023. About Nick Marsan: Nick Marsan has been a member of the Westport Fire Department since 2007, currently serving as Deputy Chief, and as the Town’s Emergency Management Director. He has extensive experience in emergency operations, fire safety, and public administration. He began his career as a professional firefighter assigned to Platoon 3 after graduating from the Connecticut Fire Academy…

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