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.
Happenings NOW 2-16 thru 2-18 2012
2/18
Respect Shout Out To St. Vincent’s Hospital!~ Homeless man requesting a ride to St. V’s not for a medical problem but because it’s cold out and they give him a hot meal as well. That’s what Jesus would do! I know you can’t help the entire city but that is a fantastic testimonial!
2/17
10:47pm–Bridgeport CT– An armed robbery just occurred in the apartment of a woman at 1260 Boston Ave. She was knocked to to the floor and cannot get up.
10:33pm–Bridgeport CT–Police at Bridgeport Hospital investigating a sexual assault on a 14 year old girl by a known person. Because of her age I don’t expect any further updates or details.
7:22pm–#Bridgeport CT–If you give a couple counterfeit twenty dollar bills to the Pizza Hut delivery guy it’s not going to take a lot detective work to figure out who gave it to him…
2:39pm–Bridgeport CT–Quick response prevents car fire from spreading to the building at the Shell Station at 1917 Boston Ave. Firefighters arrived to thick billowing smoke
from the middle bay which contributed to the initial reports from 911 callers that the building was engulfed in flames. Fortunately the fire station is located just down the block from the gas station and the ability to quickly get water on the burning Volkswagen in the middle bay prevented the fire from extending elsewhere int the building.
12:27am–Norwalk CT–Two car accident has injured parties in the road and the Laurel Athletic Club on North Ave. hit hard enough by one of the cars to call out the building inspector.
2/16
11:08pm–Bridgeport CT–#nakedwoman– Catherine St. and Washington Ave. a dad reports his daughter is allegedly intoxicated, outside taking her clothes off…….
10:11pm–Bridgeport CT–Man in the 200 block of Pequonnock Street his back window was shot out by a firearm.
8:55pm–Bridgeport CT–Armed robbery outside 1016 Nobel Ave. Man in dreadlocks and gold teeth robbed a woman, he fled towards East Main Street.
8:12pm–Stratord CT–Pedestrian struck by a hit and run car outside 139 Jackson Ave. Police and EMS on the way.
8:01pm–Bridgeport CT–Armed robbery at Marina Village outside building 43 taking the victim’s wallet and $20 by two men one with a sawed off shotgun pepper sprayed the victim. Police on scene with K-9 tracking the suspects
6:37pm–Bridgeport CT–Fire in the garbage chute evacuated building one at the Greene Homes on Highland Ave. Quickly extinguished no extensions
12:31pm–#Seymour CT–Bank robbery at Webster Bank, Route 67. Police are looking for a Green Cadillac Plate # 439 ZOX which comes back to Denver Ave. in Bridgeport. The car was last seen getting off exit 12 on Route 8
11:57am–Fairfield CT–EMS on the way to a sledding accident on Barlow Road at Fairfield University
2:22am–Bridgeport CT–An armed robbery just occurred on Park Terrace by two men with guns. The fled in a dark car possibly a Pontiac down Columbia Street.
1:38am–Bridgeport CT–Police have the hands full with large groups at Madison and Federal and also at the social club on 2200 North Ave.
Bridgeport CT–Earlier tonight I head a police broadcast that cars that were parked at the schools may have been ticketed by mistake. I’ll contact the police spokesman and find out what you should do with your ticket if you got one. This is only for cars that were parked in the school parking lots.
2/15
11:16pm-Bridgeport CT–Report of a large street fight and shots fired at Boston Ave. and Remington Street.
10:04pm–Fairfield CT–Fire and EMS respond to an 84 year old man who was walking along Fairfield Woods Road and Stratfield Road, fell and could not get back up.
9:08pm–Bridgeport CT–A man was just robbed at gunpoint on Madison Ave. and Garfield Ave. The robber took his white GMC Sierra that had a red snowplow on the front. CT Plate 92CJ98 10:17pm–UPDATE–The car was recovered at High Ridge Drive.
8:15pm–Bridgeport CT–The Subway 1739 East Main Street was just robbed at gunpoint by two men.
8:02pm–Bridgeport CT–Another report of a unresponsive person in front of a church this time at 1869 Main Street.
7:55pm–Trumbull CT–EMS on the way to Christian Heritage School 575 White Plains Rd for a 17 year old with a head injury after a fall in the gym.
7:33pm–Fairfield CT–The mulch is on fire….again. At One Rod Highway
6:15pm–Norwalk CT–Man down in bank of snow in front of the Miracle Temple Church of God 2 Trinity Place. EMS on the way.
12:15pm–Bridgeport CT–Bank robber arrested–A city man was arrested Friday after he robbed a bank on the city’s East Side. Police were called to the Bank of America branch at 975 E. Main St. at approximately 12:45 p.m. The robber entered the bank, passed a note to a teller requesting money and the teller complied.However, he did not flee the bank but instead sat down in the lobby. When police arrived, officers found the suspect still inside the bank. He was detained, identified as the suspect and it is in custody. Police identified him as Harold Watt, 43, of 938 State St.He was charged with first-degree robbery and held on $50,000 bond
Editorial–Is Fairfield Anti-Union?
I have to ask why is Fairfield anti union? They strung the firefighters out on their contract for a long time, heck even the nurses union. Fairfield has a proven track record of being anti-union, from the First Selectman Tetreau to a lot of members on the RTM. Forget a pay raise, did you know that the Fairfield Police haven’t had a cost of living increase since 2009? Give them a half way decent health care plan, we count on their well being to protect us. Contact First Selectman Tetreau at FirstSelectmanFFld@town.fairfield.ct.us or call him at 203-256-3030. You can find your RTM members here
The press jumped all over Republican Governor in Michigan for being anti-union. Is this another media double standard because Fairfield is Democratic?
Fire At Congregation Beth El Fairfield
Assistant Chief Scott Bisson stated, “The school did an excellent job in exercising their fire evacuation plan which allowed them to account for each child outside of the school and kept the kids safely away from the school so firefighters could do their work.”
The building was not significantly damage and was able to be occupied immediately after the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Fairfield Fire Marshall’s office but appears to be accidental in nature related to weather conditions. The flames were coming from a broken gas pipe connected to the HVAC unit on the roof. Southern Connecticut Gas was called to the scene to assist with securing the equipment. Fairfield Woods Road was shut down for approx. 20 minutes during the fire although parents were allowed to the front of the building to pick up children from school staff. Twenty people were evacuated for approximately 1 hour and there were no reported injuries. Four engines, two ladders, the Shift Commander and Safety Officer responded to this incident. The last fire unit cleared the scene at 3:02 PM
Fire on Roberts Street Bridgeport With Rescue
Police were called to 158 Roberts Street around 9:30am Wednesday morning for a report of shots fired. A fire also broke out at the as well and first responders tried to sort out what was taking place. Our residential corespondent Miguel Masso was just trying to get to work for the first time since the blizzard hit. The day before he and neighbors dug out Roberts Street by hand. Fortunately a firefighter was also involved with the dig out and instructed everyone to clear the hydrant that was used to put out this fire. Police had to handle the scene as an active shooter on scene as you can see in the video. Firefighters arrived and rescued a woman from the third floor as flames could be seen on the second floor as captured by resident correspondent photographer Deborah Lee Miller Riley. Police and firefighters also rescued two dogs. Witnesses said a man with emotional problems may have been yelling and screaming in the house to make people think there was a shooting. Police and SWAT team personnel did find a ma on the second floor with burns laying on the floor. No guns were found inside the building. As you can expect police an fire departments are investigating.
Happenings NOW 2-12 thru 2-14 2013
2/14
Bridgeport CT–A teen from Laurel Court was jailed after threatening to shoot his mother after she complained about him bringing a gun into the house. Marquise King, 18, was arrested Monday and held on $250,000 bond. Officers responded to the home at 6:47 p.m. on a threatening complaint. According to witnesses, King threatened to shoot his mother after she confronted him about having a firearm in the house when she has young children. After the threat, the women hid in a closet and called 911. Police arrived and detained King without incident and, after getting consent to search the house, police recovered a .357 Magnum handgun, a box of .38-caliber bullets, five .357-caliber bullets and one .22-caliber round. King was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit, threatening, reckless endangerment and two counts of risk of injury to a minor.
2:01pm–Fairfield CT–A air conditioning unit on the roof created a smoke condition at Congregational Beth El on Fairfield Woods Road.
12:51pm–Norwalk CT–Merritt Parkway northbound near exit 40 is SHUT DOWN due to a car accident. Extrication with injuries. Two more ambulance requested to the scene.
12:43pm–Norwalk CT –Merritt Parkway northbound near exit 40 is an accident with injuries.
3:44am–Bridgeport CT–Assault on Huntington Road and Nobel Ave. sends one to Bridgeport Hospital.
3:06am–Bridgeport CT–Report of a car crash in front of 233 North Ave.
2/13
1:53am–Bridgeport CT– One in custody after trying to steal an oil truck from Standard Oil on Bishop Ave.
1:19am–Bridgeport CT–Report of a man staggering in the middle of Harmony Street…..Is it from possible intoxication or is the street not plowed?
1:10am–Stratford–Police reporting that Main Street by Sikorsky is very slippery. Requesting public works to treat the road.
12:29am–Bridgeport CT–Father calls police his two sons one 14, the other 18 left home earlier in the evening with a laptop seeking a Wi-Fi signal headed towards North Avenue near the McDonald’s have not returned.
12:00am–Bridgeport CT–Report of a street fight out near McLeavy Green called in by an officer working a detail in the area.
2/12
11:19pm–Fairfield CT –Significant mulch fire at the Greencycle at One Rod Highway.
9:30pm–Bridgeport CT–Odor of smoke indoors at 3900 Park Ave. 6th floor. UPDATE–Police and fire marshal called to the scene for someone starting newspapers on fire in the hallway.
Bridgeport CT–The Department of Public Works reminds all residents and business owners to shovel the sidewalk and walkways in front of their home or business, including curb cuts, for pedestrian safety. If sidewalks are not cleared, the City may clean the sidewalk and charge the owner a fee for doing so, as well as impose a $100 per day fine for violating a City ordinance.
6:50pm–Bridgeport CT– Two busted for pushing snow into the street on State and Yale Streets.
6:00pm–Fairfield CT–Two road rage incident calls to police on Black Rock Turnpike….ahhh we are getting back to normal…..
Bridgeport CT– Report all non-emergency storm-related issues to the City’s Emergency Operations Center at 203.576.1311. Call takers are fielding a high volume of calls, please leave a message with your name, address and phone number should it go to voicemail.
12:21pm–#Bridgeport CT–Water main break at Gilman, Balmforth Street and Sailors Lane area. Expect media blitz, for some reason they love these things!
Citizens Clear City Streets From Blizzard
After a historic blizzard that dropped over thirty inches of snow over the state cities and towns strained to clear the roads
from such a staggering blanket of snow. Ambulances and firetrucks getting stuck to and from calls were a common site as well as citizens pushing them out. There have been a great number of stories of neighbor helping neighbor and I was proud to give the good citizens an audience on our Facebook page, asking for examples and oh we got man of them! The city of Bridgeport announced that they may not be able clear all roads until next Sunday. People then started posting on our Facebook page photos of neighbors clearing their own streets! I have to admit I looked at the fire hydrant three houses down from my house and thought of taking the fire department’s suggestion of digging hydrants out for our safety. But there was about five feet of deep snow, even with my snow blower I’d probably be a medical call before I finished. Clearing an entire street by hand? Amazing! We got many examples.
Inspired, we teamed up with Fire Engine Pizza at 2914 Fairfield Avenue, for a Street Clearing Talent Contest! Send us a video of you and your neighbors clearing the street of snow in a creative way, i.e. a rap, a dance, a parody or just having fun, whatever! Use your imagination! Sent the video or Youtube link to doingitlocal.com@gmail.com along with your contact info. The wining group will get TEN free pizzas from our good friends at Fire Engine Pizza in Black Rock. The gang at the bar will select their winner Friday night! If there are other businesses that would like to contribute prizes contact me at the e-mail above!
FirstDuePhotography.smugmug.com
Happenings NOW 2-8 thru 2-11
**Live Breaking News Feed**
2/11/2012
6:51pm–Bridgeport CT–A woman being threatened by known 18 year old with a silver handgun. Victim is hiding in a closet. Police on scene. 7:00pm–UPDATE–One in custody.
6:48pm—Bridgeport CT–Report of about 10-15 people fighting at the corner of Fairfield Ave. and Brewster Street. One man armed with a crowbar.
6:25pm–Stratford CT–Report of a heavy odor of natural gas at the Army National Guard at 53 Armory Road
4:05pm–Bridgeport CT–Upper Main Street to the Merritt Parkway is backed up due to a jackknifed tractor trailer.
Bridgeport Street update–The following streets have been plowed. A travel ban remains in effect throughout the City. Please stay off the roads so crews can continue to remove snow. The complete list of passable streets can be found here…..
1:55am–Norwalk CT–Firefighters on scene at 11 Cliffview Drive for smoke in a house. UPDATE–2:09am–It took quite a bit of investigation but firefighters did discover a fire in a wall and taking care or it.
2/10/2012
All city buses are cancelled for Monday. Get updates here.
11:18pm–Bridgeport CT–Police officer reporting a very strong odor of natural gas in the 400 block of Lakeside Drive. Plows are needed to get the gas company in since the road is not plowed. The officer is in a army vehicle and was able to get in. UPDATE: Damaged meter on 395 Lakeside Drive. The house meters zero readings. National Guard will be needed to bring the gas company in since the road was not plowed.
All Judicial Branch courthouses and offices will be closed on Monday, Feb. 11, 2013
Bridgeport timeline for street clearing: “Major roads are expected to be cleared by Tuesday or Wednesday;
Secondary roads are expected to be cleared by Thursday or Friday; and All remaining residential roads are expected to be cleared by Saturday or Sunday.”
10:39pm–Stratford CT–Fist fight in the lobby at the Stratford Inn aka the Ramada Inn on Lordship Blvd. Police on the way!
10:12pm–Bridgeport CT–DOT worker threatened and harassed by tow truck operator from Milford at Chopsey Hill Rd
9:33pm–Bridgeport CT–Woman gets stuck in the snow at South and Columbia Ave. Then she gets robbed at gunpoint, then shot in the buttock and leg.
8:06pm–Stratford CT–Firefighters investigating a strong odor of natural gas outside the Honeyspot Hotel on Honeyspot Road.
Fairfield update: DPW is reporting that our primary goal is to get one pass, one lane open on all roads. This may not be fully achieved until Monday. The road clearing progress is going slower than anticipated due to the large amounts of snow and the need for pay loaders to assist with clearing. We need to have roads clear for school buses before schools can open. We will provide updates on our progress tomorrow. It may take 2-3 days to get everything back to normal.
Bridgeport has cancelled school Monday and Tuesday, Shelton has cancelled Monday. We don’t normally cover cancellations but WTNH does a great job, see complete list here.
12:12pm–Fairfield CT–Firefighters performing CPR to an alleged overdose patient who is in cardiac arrest now on Old Field Road. EMS cannot give a estimated time of arrival, they are stretched to the limits on calls and slow travel conditions. They have asked for mutual aid. UPDATE–12:22pm–Firefighters transporting the patient via firetruck. Patient is now breathing on their own.
2/9/2012
10:01pm–#Fairfield CT–First responders sent to Burroughs Road for an unresponsive infant. Firefighters report that a snow plow is needed to get to the child. UPDATE-1010 pm–Firefighters walk to house to get to unresponsive child. The child is now breathing and semi responsive. Traffic cannot pass on the road, a snowplow is needed. AMR still on the way. UPDATE–10:19pm–AMR is told to meet a police cruiser to be driven to the home to attend to a semi-responsive infant.
UPDATE–11:25pm—I just spoke with the shift commander at Fairfield Police Department and he said the child on Burroughs Road is fine and was safely transported to the hospital.
8:30ish #Bridgeport CT–Around 8:30 a police car was sent to PC Richards Warehouse parking lot on Pine Street for a gray car with possibly someone trapped inside. It took awhile for the officer to locate the car and he sounded winded when he reported that he located the vehicle and that the windows were fogged. He seemed surprised when he found the occupant alive. The officer said the man was talking and alert and the man told the officer he had been there since Thursday. I will be contact Bridgeport’s Police’s media person for more details and will pass it on when I get it.
8:08pm–#Bridgeport CT #cttraffic- I-95 northbound near exit 26 Wordin Ave. A DOT worker plowing hit an abutment while plowing hitting his head on the windshield. He is in an out of consciousness, EMS on the way.
4:12pm–Bridgeport CT–EMS transporting 5 to the hospital for carbon monoxide poisoning from 1070 Main Street
12:26pm–Bridgeport CT–An Old Town Road woman came home to find her father frozen to death in the driveway.
11:11am–Fairfield CT–Report of a man falling off the roof of his house on Woodridge Avenue. First responders on their way.
10:56am–Bridgeport CT–EMS on the way to Warren Street and Railroad for a woman who was stuck in her car now has “cold temperature exposure” problems according to EMS
2/8/2012
7:21pm–Bridgeport CT—-EMS was on scene with a naked man,possibly on PCP at North Ave./Capitol Ave. He then got in his car and fled. Doesn’t he know there is a travel ban??? Police on the way. UPDATE–Police corrected the location to North Ave. and Islandbrook. The naked man fled in a silver Buick with another man who was dressed.
DO NOT put your hand down the chute of your snow blower!!! Westport EMS on the way to help a man who did just that.
4:49pm–Fairfield CT–Sparking wires in the 1200 block of Bronson Road.
4:40pm–Bridgeport CT –Reports of down sparking electrical lines down on Tudor Street.
4:13pm–Shelton CT–A car hit snow plow, extrication needed for occupants of the car at 144 Huntington Street.
3:43pm—Bridgeport CT–Firefighters on scene at 494 Amsterdam Avenue reporting there was an explosion at the back of this building, no fire, all occupants out for the building safely. Firefighters turning off gas to the building and requesting gas company to the scene.
3:36pm–Bridgeport CT–Report of a structure fire at 494 Amsterdam Avenue
3:24pm–Fairfield CT–Watch those trees sledding! Firefighters EMS on the way to the golf course on Jefferson Street for a 6 year old girl who struck a tree while sledding.
2:11pm–Bridgeport CT–Man calls police that he is outside Walgreens near the Shell Station on North Ave. he has located the man that stabbed him earlier walking in the area.
Re-tweet from Governor Malloy’s Office:
We’re asking all #CT residents to prepare for road closures starting at noon. Limit nonessential travel. More info soon
11:36am–Norwalk CT–Firefighters rush to Flax Hill Park for someone or something under the ice. Firefighters on scene confirm it is a dog and they are attempting a rescue. UPDATE–Sad to report the dog did not make it. Divers pulled from the water. Here are pics an story from The Hour
Man With Knife Attacks Police, Man Shot by Police
Around 9pm Thursday night police were called by University of Bridgeport about a man with knife. When police arrived the man engaged police on a foot pursuit down Atlantic Street. The man ran into an apartment complex at 557 Street where a stand off occurred. The man attacked police with the knife and police tased him 3 three times, the man still did not drop the knife and lunged at police when officers shot him according to our sources. The suspect is alive and at the hospital, the extent of his injuries are not known at this time. One police officer was taken to the hospital as well. I saw him walk to the ambulance with an oxygen mask. Again, injuries are not known at this time but he appeared alert with no life threatening injuries. An investigation is underway. As with all breaking news facts will change so if we get any updates we will post them on DoingItLocal.com.
Robber Wanted Captured After Pursuit
A man warming up his car in Bridgeport was in for a big surprise when a man jumped into the car, sped off towards Fairfield. The man who stole the car then went to Southport and robbed the Southport News at 3564 Post Road just after 1pm Tuesday. Police got a description from the shop owner and located the silver Buick and engaged it in pursuit. The chase ran through Fairfield and into Bridgeport where Bridgeport Police joined in the chase. The pursuit ended when the Buick almost crashed into the Maple Mart Grocery and Deli on Hancock Ave. A foot pursuit through the backyards before police caught up with him and brought him into custody. Sergeant Sue Lussier told us the suspect was wanted in connection in an attempted robbery at McDonald’s on Fairfield Avenue, Andros Diner on Villa Avenue and the Cumberland Farms at 975 Kings Highway. Police are still on the scene collecting evidence.
