We look forward to gathering at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield on Thursday, May 8 to acknowledge the efforts of our volunteers, donors and friends who help us end hunger and homelessness, one person at a time. This year, we are delighted to honor Neighbors Helping Neighbors – Fairfield & Southport, as our “Champion of Hope,” and its co-founders, Helene Daly and Alexis Harrison. Through this grassroots organization, Helene and Alexis have made outstanding contributions in our community and work tirelessly to further our mission. Due to the popularity of this event, we are currently offering a waitlist. Please contact Suzanne Francis, Events Manager, here to be added to the waitlist. Please consider a program ad, a Friends listing or a donation in support of the 40 years of Operation Hope’s efforts. Click here for details. Thank you!
Fairfield Emergency Communicators received a number of calls for a crash with downed wires and utility poles. When firefighters arrived, they found two cars ensnared in the power lines. The victims needed to remain in their cars for about 20 minutes for UI to arrive and turn off the power. All occupants refused medical treatment on the scene.
Fairfield, CT – The Town of Fairfield’s Department of Community & Economic Development, in partnership with Sustainable Fairfield, the Sponsors of Energize ConnecticutSM, Avangrid, Inc. subsidiaries United Illuminating (UI) and Southern Connecticut Gas (SCG), and the Connecticut Green Bank, will offer a free workshop on Tuesday, May 13th, aimed at helping businesses and nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship, undertake energy-related building improvements.
The workshop will feature guest speakers Peter Ludwig of Connecticut Green Bank and Colleen Morrison of UI and SCG.
Attendees can expect to learn more about how to lower their energy costs and fund energy-related improvements including solar installation through programs such as C-PACE and the Small Business Energy Advantage Program.
C-PACE, which stands for Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy, is an innovative program that lets property owners pay for green improvements over time through a voluntary benefit assessment on their property tax bill. C-PACE makes it easier for building owners to secure low-interest capital to fund energy improvements and is structured so that energy savings more than offset the benefit assessment.
The SBEA Program features a no-cost, no-obligation energy assessment of a facility that includes lighting, HVAC, and refrigeration systems and a customized recommendation including an estimate of savings, available incentives, and attractive financing for the balance of the installed costs.
The workshop will be held at the Fairfield Theatre Company, located at 70 Sanford Street in Fairfield.
Parking is available in the Sanford Street Parking lot directly across from FTC or at the Sherman Green Lot (1451 Post Road).
Sign-in and informal networking will commence at 8:00 a.m. The program will commence at 8:15 a.m., and run through 9:30 a.m.
Coffee and a continental breakfast will be provided.
“Energy efficiency is important to our community,” stated Fairfield’s Director of Economic Development, Mark Barnhart. “That’s why we are delighted to be co-sponsoring this workshop that allows organizations to go green while saving money.”
“Our support for the workshop illustrates Sustainable Fairfield’s strong commitment to helping businesses and non-profits, in addition to individuals and households, take meaningful steps for greater sustainability and cost-efficient energy use,” said Bob Wall, Sustainable Fairfield chairman.
The program is free of charge, but advanced registration is encouraged as space is limited. To register, please visit the link here.
For further information, contact Mark Barnhart, Director of Community & Economic Development, at (203) 256-3120 or mbarnhart@fairfieldct.org.
About the Speakers
Peter Ludwig leads outreach for Connecticut Green Bank’s building solutions programs. In this role, he builds strategic partnerships and helps building owners, economic development partners, non-profits, and other partners access Green Bank financing and incentives for green property upgrades.
Prior to the Green Bank, Peter developed and led award-winning affordable housing energy retrofit programs at Elevate.
Colleen Morrison runs the Small Business Energy Efficiency program at UI and SCG. She manages projects across the state of CT alongside their partners at Eversource.
Over the last 14 years, she has worked with the electric and gas utilities across CT, NY, MA, and Maine in various capacities in customer service, billing, financial teams, and now working on the Conservation and Loan Management Team, which focuses on helping customers save money and reduce their energy footprint through efficiency improvements.
About Connecticut Green Bank
The Connecticut Green Bank is the nation’s first green bank.
Established by the Connecticut General Assembly as a part of Public Act 11-80, the Connecticut Green Bank supports the State’s energy strategy to achieve cleaner, less expensive, and more reliable sources of energy while creating jobs and supporting local economic development.
About the Small Business Energy Advantage Program
The Small Business Energy Advantage program is designed to provide cost-effective, turnkey energy-saving services for small commercial and industrial customers who do not have the time, financial resources, or in-house expertise necessary to analyze and modify their energy usage.
The program offers a free energy evaluation and can finance energy efficiency improvements through a zero percent interest loan through your electric utility bill for qualified customers.
One man was injured when he rolled over in front of the rest area on the Merritt Parkway northbound. He was transported to the hospital with unknown injuries.
Fairfield, CT — May is recognized nationally as Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Fairfield Police Department reaffirms its commitment to supporting wellness initiatives within the community and addressing mental health-related challenges with compassion, professionalism, and care. The Fairfield Police Department understands that individuals experiencing mental health crises may sometimes come into contact with law enforcement. When those situations arise, our goal is to respond with empathy, patience, and a deep understanding of the unique needs of those involved.
To that end, the department has developed and maintained a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), comprised of officers who have received specialized training to safely and effectively respond to calls for service involving mental or behavioral health issues. These officers are equipped to de-escalate situations and connect individuals with appropriate resources.
Additionally, the Fairfield Police Department is proud to have a licensed social worker embedded within the agency. This social worker assists in handling cases that originate through police calls for service and provides ongoing support to individuals and families facing mental health challenges. By offering follow-up care and resource coordination, our social worker helps bridge the gap between law enforcement and community-based mental health services.
In 2022, the department formalized its commitment to integrated mental health response by creating the Fairfield Police Behavioral Health Network. This network meets on a quarterly basis and brings together the department’s embedded social worker, members of the Crisis Intervention Team, and other stakeholders to review current practices, discuss recent cases, and identify ways to better serve the Fairfield community. The Fairfield Police Behavioral Health Network serves as a forum for continuous improvement, collaboration, and innovation in how law enforcement and mental health services intersect.
As part of our continued efforts to lead in this area, the department is also expanding its mental health support program by introducing a social work intern. This position is designed not only to provide additional assistance to our current caseloads, but also to serve as a learning opportunity for future social workers. The role represents a growing collaboration between the fields of law enforcement and social work, an innovative model that enhances community support and helps shape the next generation of mental health professionals.
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Fairfield Police Department is raising funds throughout May to support our Behavioral Health Network. Proceeds will be used to provide continued training for members of our Crisis Intervention Team, assist in offering critical resources to members of the Fairfield community facing mental health-related challenges, and support programs that enhance networking and outreach opportunities coordinated by our embedded social worker.
Mental Health Awareness Month is a time to reduce stigma, raise awareness, and reaffirm our shared responsibility to care for one another. The Fairfield Police Department remains dedicated to promoting mental wellness and ensuring that all individuals are treated with dignity, respect, and compassion, because mental health is public safety.
For more information about our Crisis Intervention Team, embedded social worker program, or fundraising efforts, please contact the Fairfield Police Department at (203) 254-4800 or visit our website at www.fpdct.com. Anyone willing to donate to this worthy cause can do so at https://fpdct.com/about/donate.php.
New Takeout Concept from the Founders of Village Bagels Aims to Grow Through Franchising
Fairfield, CT — The Riina family officially opened their newest venture, Bar Bagel, with a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 1st on Black Rock Turnpike. The new bagel shop is a streamlined, takeout-focused offshoot of the well-established Village Bagels, originally founded in 1995 by John Riina.
With 30 years of experience in the bagel business, Riina developed Bar Bagel as a quick-serve concept designed for convenience without sacrificing quality. Unlike Village Bagels, which includes a full delicatessen, Bar Bagel offers a simplified menu and experience, making it an ideal model for future franchising.
The long-term vision is to expand Bar Bagel through franchising, offering everything from recipes and store buildout support to training in operations and baking.
The store is managed by John’s son, Rocco Riina, who oversees daily operations, scheduling, and food preparation. With a background in graphic design, Rocco also created the Bar Bagel branding and website, positioning the new business for modern growth.
The ribbon cutting was attended by local supporters, family, and friends, all welcomed with enthusiasm and appreciation from the Riina family. As the business grows, Bar Bagel intends to bring its takeout-focused model to more communities across the country.
Two second-degree nursing students were recognized for outstanding performance during clinical rotations at a partner medical center.
FAIRFIELD, Conn. (April 28, 2025)— Tatum Nordin ’25 and Taylor Walker ’25, nursing students at Fairfield University’s Austin Campus, were honored with Flower Bud Awards by St. David’s North Austin Medical Center. The prestigious award recognizes exceptional students who embody the core qualities of compassion, empathy, and professionalism during their clinical rotations.
Nordin and Walker are in their third semester of the Accelerated Second Degree Nursing program at the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies. They were assigned to St. David’s as part of their Medical-Surgical Nursing II course.
“The qualities for which Tatum and Taylor received recognition are fundamental to Fairfield’s Jesuit identity and the Egan School’s vision, mission, and purpose,” said Christina Trezza, MSN, RN, CNE, CCM, instructor of the practice and clinical coordinator in Austin. “It is no surprise that these exceptional students are turning heads with their outstanding and compassionate care for patients. I am so proud of them.”
The Flower Bud Award draws inspiration from the DAISY Award, an international nomination-based award given to registered nurses who demonstrate extraordinary compassion and outstanding clinical skills. The DAISY Foundation recognizes the Flower Bud Award as a companion award for nursing students.
Nordin and Walker received their award certificates in a ceremony attended by several of their Fairfield classmates, the nurse manager, and the chief nursing officer at St. David’s. The two students were celebrated for their dedication to excellence, exemplified by their enthusiasm for learning and clinical experiences.
“Nursing school is incredibly challenging, so this recognition is a sign that all my hard work is paying off,” said Walker. “I am genuinely grateful for the acknowledgement and support from St. David’s.”
Modest and sincere, Walker was quick to recognize her friends and faculty at Egan Austin. “I would not be at this point without my classmates, clinical instructor, and nursing professors,” she said. “This award honestly belongs to everyone!”
