Local News in Bridgeport, Fairfield, Stratford, Norwalk, and Beyond!
Author: Stephen Krauchick
DoingItLocal is run by Steve Krauchick. Steve has always had interest with breaking news even as an early teen, opting to listen to the Watergate hearings instead of top 40 on the radio. His interest in news spread to become the communities breaking news leader in Connecticut’s Fairfield County. He strongly believes that the public has right to know what is happening in their backyard and that government needs to be transparent. Steve also likes promoting local businesses.
#Westport CT–On Saturday, March 4, 2023, at approximately 11:30PM, officers responded to the area of 575 Riverside Avenue on a report of a motor vehicle accident with serious injuries.
The initial report was that the nature of the accident was vehicle versus pedestrian.
Emergency responders located and rendered aid to a male victim that had been struck by a southbound vehicle. The victim sustained life-threatening injuries and was ultimately transported to Norwalk Hospital for further treatment.
Members of the Westport Police Department’s Accident Investigation Team, along with the Accident Investigation Team of the Fairfield Police Department, responded to the scene to conduct the investigation into the incident. This necessitated a temporary closure of Riverside Avenue in both directions of travel and has since been re-opened to traffic.
The operator of the vehicle remained at the scene to speak with responding officers and is fully cooperating. The accident remains under investigation by the Westport Accident Investigation Team.
The victim in this incident has been identified as Matthew Balga, age 54, of Norwalk, CT.
On March 5, 2023 at approximately 0135 hours Bridgeport Emergency Operations Center received a call regarding a pedestrian struck in the 1756 block of East Main Street and the vehicle fled the scene. The pedestrian, later identified at Jimenez, Juan was transported to Bridgeport Hospital in critical condition by American Medical Response. Next of kin was notified and brought to Bridgeport Hospital.
The Bridgeport Police Serious Crash Team arrived on scene and are in the process of investigating the incident.
Anyone with information about this Serious Crash can call Officer Thomas Gallbronner at 475-422-3247 or utilize the Bridgeport Police Tip Line at 203-576-TIPS.
2023-03-05@1:41am–#Bridgeport CT– A pedestrian struck at East Main and Boston Avenue. CPR is reportedly in progress.
Police said in a statement: “On March 4, 2023, at approximately 7:25pm, Bridgeport Police responded to the area of Boston Avenue and Palisades Avenue on a ShotSpotter activation. Citizens also called the Bridgeport Emergency Operations Center reporting numerous shots fired and a person shot.
Police officers, along with AMR Ambulance medics, responded to the area and located an unresponsive 35-year-old Flushing NY man lying on the ground next to an apartment building at 1525 Boston Avenue. The victim, a Chinese food delivery driver, suffered numerous gunshot wounds and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officers secured the crime scene and notified the Detective Bureau (DB). The DB Homicide Squad has taken charge of the investigation and Detectives from the Identification Unit are currently processing the scene. The homicide investigation has produced strong leads and continues at this hour. The Bridgeport Police Department is in the process of notifying next of kin. Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to call Homicide Detective Keith Hanson at 203-581-5243 or utilize the Bridgeport Police Tips Line at 203-576-TIPS. “
2023-03-04@7:30PMish– #Bridgeport CT– Witnesses said they heard 4 gunshots and unconfirmed reports Chinese delivery person was killed by a teen in a botched robbery attempt on Palisades Avenue near the intersection of Boston Avenue. I’m told the delivery person lay there still clutching the bags of food. An unconfirmed report said a Bridgeport Police officer gave chase and captured the teen. Although the homicide is unconfirmed, EMS left the scene without a patient. Detectives are on the scene investigating.
2023-03-24 #Norwalk CT–A staff member at Brookside Elementary School was arrested for assaulting three fifth-grade students. On February 24, 2023, the Norwalk Public Schools contacted the Norwalk Police Department about the incident. Stefanie Sanabria, a Math Coach, put a martial arts chokehold on the students in class, causing one to lose consciousness. The School Nurse helped the unconscious student right away. The police started investigating and found out what had happened. On March 3, 2023, the police issued an arrest warrant for Sanabria. The Special Victim’s Unit and Patrol Division arrested Sanabria at her house with the help of the Danbury Police Department. The investigation is still ongoing. Sanabria faces charges of Strangulation 2nd, Risk of Injury to a Minor, and Reckless Endangerment 2nd. Her bond is $20,000, and her court date is on March 10, 2023.
2023-03-03@3:11pm–#Bridgeport CT– It was food burning on the stove, no structure fire in the 1500 of Boston Avenue, but now you know what all the noise was about!
Connecticut – On Thursday, March 2nd, the Connecticut General Assembly’s Human Services Committee voted to pass House Bill 6616, to expand HUSKY to those otherwise eligible, regardless of immigration status, up to age 18. The committee vote comes just over two weeks after the bill received overwhelming support during a 12-hour public hearing in which over 700 people testified in support of expanding HUSKY to undocumented immigrants. While this is great news for undocumented youth who are now one step closer to receiving the healthcare coverage they need, the amended bill falls short of the original proposal to expand HUSKY to age 26.
“We are thankful to the co-chairs and members of the Human Services Committee who were instrumental in ensuring HUSKY expansion up to age 18 moved out of committee,” said Luis Luna, HUSKY for Immigrants Coalition Manager. “This vote is a confirmation of what we know and echoes what the co-chairs stated during the debate – that this program is working and improving the daily lives of those who are able to access it. Currently, income-eligible undocumented children 12 and under and postpartum individuals are able to access HUSKY and the program has been a success with service providers. This vote shows that our legislators are listening to overwhelming support behind this issue as 84 percent of Democrats, 83 percent of Black voters, and 76 percent of Latinx voters support expanding HUSKY to all immigrants regardless of age. But the fact is healthcare needs don’t end after age 18. The bill’s passage out of the Human Services committee is another important step in our march towards health equity in our state. We look forward to continuing to work with legislators to ensure our immigrant communities, no matter their age can access healthcare.”
“I’m an undocumented mother with 3 kids, two are 14 years old and one is 20 years old. As an undocumented family, it is very difficult for us to survive in this country because we do not qualify for health insurance due to our status. I’m happy that the Human Services Committee voted HB 6616 out of the committee to expand HUSKY access to those under 18. I know the importance of kids and teenagers having access to health care. One of my 14-year-olds has thyroid problems which become inflamed and painful, preventing him from eating or talking. I’ve had to take him to the emergency room for the pain because we cannot afford to see the specialist we were referred to. With the passage of HB 6616, my 14-year-old would be able to access the care he needs. But I also have a 20-year-old daughter who, unlike my 14-year-olds, cannot access healthcare in the school-based health center. She needs access to health care too as she suffers from anemia and irregular menstrual bleeding to the point of going to the hospital twice because we cannot afford to see the specialists. That’s why I need Connecticut legislators to support HB 6616 so that kids up to 18 can have access to care, but also keep fighting to expand the age so that my 20 years, myself, and my husband can also access healthcare.” said Olga Gutierrez a Bridgeport resident and member of Make The Road CT’s fightback committee.
“My interfaith colleagues and I have heard from thousands of our members that access to healthcare is a crucial concern for their families and neighborhoods, especially when it comes to mental health,” said Rev. Matthew Hogue-Smith, Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance, who represent 49 congregations in Greater Hartford. “Connecticut must take the necessary steps to ensure everyone, regardless of age or immigrant status, has access to quality, affordable mental healthcare. This committee vote means that thousands of undocumented adolescents are one step closer to having the health coverage they need and will help address the mental health crisis among our youth. But what happens when they turn 18 and that coverage is no longer available? Age 18 to 26 is a critical time for the first breaks in diagnosis for Bipolar and Schizophrenia and the length of time from the first break to wrap-around care helps determine the prognosis by the age of 26. The absence of insurance makes affording mental health care nearly impossible. Expanding HUSKY for all, regardless of immigration status, is not just morally right but also in the best interest of everyone living in our state. We can’t have healthy communities unless everyone has access to quality, affordable care.”
#Milford CT–On February 28, 2023, Herlyne Demosthenes, 26 of Stratford was taken into custody for an arrest warrant stemming from a fraud incident reported in January at the Holiday Inn Express while she was an employee. CHARGE(S): Credit Card Theft (12 Counts) and Larceny 3rd Degree.
#Bridgeport CT–On Tuesday afternoon, the Bridgeport Emergency Communications Center (ECC) received a report of an ongoing assault in the 100th block of Aldine Ave. The incident occurred at around 2:21pm, prompting the Bridgeport Police Department to respond immediately to the scene.
Upon arrival, the police encountered a heated altercation between two parties, which led to the deployment of their taser unit. The authorities were able to apprehend one suspect and took them into custody.
Currently, an active investigation is ongoing regarding the assault, and the authorities have not disclosed any further details regarding the incident.
