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.
The Stratford Library will go to the dogs with a special program from the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, “Fidelco Puppy Raising” on Saturday, March 18 from 11:30 am-12:30pm.
The program is free and open to the public.
Guest speaker Sarah Silverman of Stratford, puppy raiser turned Fidelco Puppy Raiser
The trainer will present all the information needed to know about raising a German shepherd puppy for a good cause. Insights and orientation to the training program will be followed by a Q&A session with Fidelco staff and current puppy raisers. There is also a live “puppy meet-and-greet” planned. Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation is a recognized leader in the guide dog industry and still the only guide dog organization to exclusively breed the German shepherd dog. More than 1,600 guide dogs from Fidelco have been placed throughout North America
“Fidelco Puppy Raising” will begin at 11:30 am in the Stratford Library Lovell Room on
March 18. The program is free but seating is limited and reservations are recommended at:
#Milford CT–On February 25, 2023, officers responded to the Connecticut Post Mall for a report of a large fight. Upon arrival, they observed Lamont Jefferson, 18 of Derby causing a disturbance with Mall Security officers. Security said that they were attempting to break up a large fight when Jefferson became combative and refused to leave when asked by security. He was taken into custody and charged with Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree Breach of Peace 2nd Degree. He was released on a promise to appear in court.
2023-03-01@11:30am–#Fairfield CT– Police have been dispatched to Tallwood Men’s Health | Hartford HealthCare 1262 Post Road for a customer who ripped the bathroom door off the hinges according to radio reports.
#Milford CT– On February 24, 2023, officers responded to a Robert Treat Drive residence for two 911 hangups where screaming was heard in the background. Officers learned that the resident had a full no-contact protective order
against Keddy Rivera, 28 of Bridgeport. Upon arrival, officers spoke to the victim who appeared in distress and said that Rivera was in the apartment. They found Rivera in the rear bedroom, and he was taken into custody. Rivera was processed and posted bond for his release.
On February 25, 2023, at 11:16 am, police received several calls to the non-emergency number from the victim. The victim sounded out of breath and panicked but said that everything was fine and hung up. Officers responded to the residence and spoke to the victim. They stated that Rivera had called them after his release, violating the protective order. Rivera later turned himself into the police department and was taken into custody and charged with two counts of a violation of productive custody. His bond was set at $70,000.
Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is ordering all executive branch state office buildings closed to the public on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, due to the winter storm that is anticipated to impact Connecticut.
The governor is directing that:
All level 2 state employees who are able to telework shall telework for the duration of the storm related closures; and
All level 2 state employees whose job duties cannot be performed via telework should not report to work in-person.
Level 2 state employees include all of those who were previously designated as “nonessential” based on their respective job duties. Level 1 state employees are those who were previously designated as “essential” and shall report as scheduled or directed. The terminology used for these classifications was modified through an executive order issued in 2018.
“We’ve lucked out so far this winter season with very little snow up until now, however that is looking like it will change Monday night as a significant snowstorm will come through Connecticut,” Governor Lamont said. “While it’s looking like most of the snow will fall during the overnight hours, it will continue into the morning commute, making travel difficult, and some lingering snow is expected to continue throughout the day. Out of an abundance of caution, we will close state office buildings for the day on Tuesday. All level 2 state employees should stay home on Tuesday, and those whose job responsibilities can be completed remotely should do so. I strongly encourage everyone in Connecticut to stay off the roads on Tuesday morning unless absolutely necessary, particularly during the height of the storm so that plow crews can clear the roads and keep everyone safe.”
2023-02-27@8:37pm–#Bridgeport CT– Tonight’s vehicle fire is being hosted by Bridgeport at Court D with a fully engulfed van which the firefighters quickly took care of.
On February 27, 2023, at approximately 5:50 pm the Bridgeport Police Department received a ShotSpotter activation within the 200 block of William Street. A short time later the Bridgeport Emergency Operations Center received a telephone call from a citizen reporting a vehicle had crashed in this area as well. Police and medical personnel responded to the 200 block of William Street and located a motor vehicle accident scene and a victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck. The victim, a 22-year-old Stratford man, was transported to the hospital via AMR Ambulance where he is listed in stable condition. He is expected to survive.
The Detective Bureau has responded and taken over the investigation. Several shell casings and other items of value were observed along William Street between Barnum Avenue & East Washington Avenue. The crime scene is currently being processed by members of the Detective Bureau’s Identification Unit. Police activity is expected in this area for the next several hours.
2023-02-27@5:45pm–#Bridgeport CT– A person has been shot in the 200 block of William Street. Witnesses told me that there were multiple shots fired between two different guns. Witnesses said the person shot was in a car. Detectives are just starting their investigation.
City Prepares for Storm Predicted to Bring 4” to 7” of Snowfall
Bridgeport, CT – In anticipation of the pending snowfall due to impact Bridgeport, Mayor Joe Ganim is declaring a snow emergency for the city to take effect at 6:30 PM today, February 27th. During the snow emergency, residents must move their cars off posted snow emergency streets and heed alternate side of street parking on all other streets. Snow emergency streets are marked with white signs with red lettering. A list of snow streets can be found on the City’s website by clicking here or the full link: http://www.bridgeportct.gov/content/341307/341423/342861/342870.aspx.
Forecast The City of Bridgeport anticipates snow will become heavy at times Monday night into early Tuesday morning before tapering to snow showers by late Tuesday morning as the low pressure redevelops to a coastal low just south of Cape Cod. The snow will finally come to an end by Tuesday afternoon as the low-pressure system moves out to sea. Anticipated snow accumulation is a general 4 to 7 inches of snow. For more information, visit bridgeportct.gov/snow
Emergency Operation Plan is in effect with enforcement of No Parking on Snow Emergency streets to ensure that plows and public safety crews can clear the streets. On all other non-emergency streets, residents must heed alternate side of the street parking: February 27th is an ODD number day; therefore, residents should park on the side of the street with addresses that are ODD numbers. After the snow emergency operation plan goes into effect at 6:30 PM on February 27th 2023, vehicles that are not following parking restrictions will be subject to fines and towing. The easiest way to tell the ODD- or EVEN- numbered side of a street is to check the street address of buildings. If the address ends in an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) then that building is on the ODD side of the street. If the address ends in an even number (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) then that building is on the EVEN side of the street.
Snow Emergency Parking Lots – In the event that parking is not available for residents on non-emergency streets, Snow Emergency Parking Lots will be open to the public for parking which include all school parking lots in their district and the Health Department parking lot at 752 East Main Street.
Parking in the school and City parking lots listed will be permitted:
Geraldine Johnson School
Cesar A. Batalla School
Jettie S. Tisdale School
Hall School
Central High School
If school is not cancelled on February 28th, cars will need to be moved by 5AM in order for parking lots to be cleared in time for staff and students.
Vehicles Towed for Public Safety Enforcement – Owners of vehicles that do not comply with the parking ban on emergency streets or alternate side of street parking will have their vehicle towed and incur a minimum $130 towing fee.
Sidewalks – Commercial and/or residential owners who push snow into the streets or do not clear snow on the sidewalks in front of their buildings are subject to a $100.00 fine per ordinance for each incident.
Adopt a Hydrant – residents are encouraged to clear snow and make a path to a fire hydrant in their neighborhood to assist the Bridgeport Fire Department in case of fire or another emergency.
Plowing – BridgeportStreets within the City are prioritized to clear major travel routes first. This allows public safety vehicles access to most parts of the City. The initial plowing activities also provide most residents a clearing within two-to-three blocks of their home and most destinations in the City. Other factors include locations of schools, hospitals, major commercial centers, and other facilities with large public interest. For snow plowing issues, call 203-576-7130.
Any plowing issues or concerns can be reported using mobile application Bridgeport 311.
Operation Care – To help protect the homeless population from unsafe temperatures, please call 2-1-1. Homeless Outreach Team has begun contacting the homeless population to connect them to shelter such as Prospect House and Bridgeport Rescue Mission.
Public Facilities – February 28th
Sanitation and Recycling will be postponed
Transfer Station will be closed
Brown Bag collection will be postponed
Parks will be closed
Snow Related Emergencies
During the storm, residents may call the Bridgeport Emergency Operations Center hotline at 203-579-3829 with any snow related emergencies.
If residents suffer a loss of electricity call the United Illuminating customer hotline at 800-722-5584. Both numbers are for 24-hour emergency service.
Immediate danger to life and health issues call 9-1-1.
For the latest updates and information about the snowstorm, residents are asked to check Bridgeportct.gov/snow, local media and follow the City of Bridgeport on Twitter and Facebook.
