GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES PLANS TO USE EMERGENCY STATE RESPONSE RESERVE FOR HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that in the coming days he will submit a plan to the bipartisan leadership of the Connecticut General Assembly to use funding from the recently created Emergency State Response Reserve to support homelessness prevention and response services throughout Connecticut.

The funds, which are being calculated and are anticipated to amount to at least $5.2 million, will be used by providers in the state that receive funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Continuum of Care program. That program is the federal government’s primary homelessness prevention and support services grant program, and it has been put on pause indefinitely nationwide.

“So many families, veterans, older adults, and people with disabilities depend on the federal government’s Continuum of Care program to stay in their homes, and it is essential that these grants continue so that people do not fall into homelessness and create a potentially crisis situation,” Governor Lamont said. “It is a shame that these funds are being withheld by the federal government and I urge HUD to continue this program immediately. In the meantime, Connecticut will do everything we can to stand with our providers and ensure that these essential programs are able to continue.”

Created in November through Special Act 25-1, the Emergency State Response Reserve was established to facilitate Connecticut’s response to millions of dollars in federal cuts toward essential health and human services programs that are being made by President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans. The Connecticut General Assembly and Governor Lamont set aside $500 million in surplus funding for this purpose, and the enabling statute authorizes the governor to quickly act to offset some of these federal cuts as he determines is necessary while also providing for legislative oversight.

The plan that Governor Lamont will soon submit to legislative leaders for the use of this reserve will also include an allocation to partly offset the loss of enhanced federal tax credits that support the costs of health insurance for tens of thousands of Connecticut residents who receive coverage through Access Health CT.

As required under Special Act 25-1, legislative leaders will have 24 hours upon receipt of the plan to review and – if they choose – disapprove of the expenditures before the funds can be legally transferred.

Stolen Car & Dognapping Reported in Norwalk

A white 2025 Genesis was stolen Monday evening from a liquor store parking lot on Chestnut Hill Road in Norwalk while the owner’s dog was still inside the vehicle. The incident was reported around 7:29 p.m., and police are investigating as they work to locate both the stolen car and the dog.

2025-12-15 @ 7:29 PM — #Norwalk CT

Norwalk Police Arrest Man After Overnight Standoff Tied to Protective Order Violations

Norwalk Police say patrol officers investigated a domestic dispute on December 13, 2025 at approximately 3:28 p.m. After speaking with the victim, officers were told Jeffrey Vigil was allegedly violating an active no-contact protective order.

Police said the investigation determined Vigil had returned to a residence on Old Saugatuck Road following a previous arrest connected to a December 10 domestic violence incident in which police say Vigil discharged a firearm and shot a dog inside the home. The victim reported that Vigil changed the locks and instructed the victim not to return or contact police. Officers also reported they were unable to account for Vigil’s firearms, which police said he was required to surrender under the protective order.

Officers responded to the residence to attempt contact, but police said Vigil refused to exit the home or communicate. Due to the prior firearm discharge and the belief that multiple firearms remained unaccounted for inside the residence, Norwalk Police Emergency Services Unit (ESU) and Crisis Negotiators were called to the scene.

Police said negotiators made repeated attempts to establish communication and encourage Vigil to surrender peacefully. While negotiations continued, patrol officers applied for and obtained an arrest warrant for Vigil as well as a search warrant for the residence. Despite continued efforts, police said Vigil repeatedly refused to surrender, yelled at officers, and stayed inside the home.

Because of his behavior and the potential presence of firearms, police said ESU used multiple tactics to get Vigil to exit safely. When those efforts failed, ESU members entered the residence. Vigil was located on the second floor and taken into custody at approximately 12:05 a.m. without further incident, according to police.

Following the arrest, officers searched the home under the search warrant and reported locating a large quantity of ammunition.

Police listed Vigil’s charges as:

  • Warrant charges: Violation of a standing criminal protective order (2 counts), Criminal lockout
  • On-scene charges: Violation of a standing criminal protective order, Criminal violation of a restraining order, Interfering with an officer

Police said warrant bond was set at $750,000, with an additional $250,000 on-scene bond. Vigil is scheduled to appear in court on December 15, 2025.

Norwalk Police said anyone with information can contact the Norwalk Police Tip Line at 203-854-3111, submit anonymous tips online at norwalkpd.com, or text “NORWALKPD” followed by the message to TIP411 (847411).

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available 24/7 through the Domestic Violence Crisis Center hotline at 203-588-9097, or call 911 in an emergency.

Stratford Woman Killed After Car Leaves Main Street, Strikes Tree

Stratford police are investigating a fatal one-car crash reported early Saturday morning on Main Street near the intersection of Warner Hill Road.

Officers were dispatched to the area around 7:30 a.m. on December 13, 2025, for a reported motor vehicle accident. Police said the vehicle involved was a 2021 black Mercedes GLA 250 and the driver was the only occupant.

According to the preliminary investigation, the Mercedes was traveling northbound on Main Street when it left the roadway and struck a tree. The 27-year-old driver was taken to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead from her injuries.

The crash remains under investigation by Detective Joseph Maverley. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Maverley at (203) 385-4128 or jmaverley@townofstratford.com

.

Westport Public Works Shares Winter Plowing Guidelines and Safety Reminders

The Westport Department of Public Works (DPW) has shared important winter weather information as crews prepare to plow and treat town roadways. Officials are urging residents to slow down and use extra caution when driving during snow and ice conditions.

DPW is responsible for maintaining 124 miles of town roads with a limited number of plow drivers, making plowing priorities necessary. Main roads are cleared first, with special attention given to steep hills and challenging intersections, followed by side streets and then dead-end roads. On side streets, plow drivers typically make one pass to keep roads open while focusing on ensuring main roads remain accessible for emergency vehicles.

Residents are reminded not to pass or closely follow snowplows, as plow trucks have large blind spots and cannot stop or maneuver quickly. Passing plows can be dangerous due to limited visibility, blowing snow that can create whiteout conditions, and snow ridges forming between lanes. DPW notes that slower plowing speeds allow drivers to better apply road salt, helping reduce costs and environmental impact.

The department also emphasized the demanding nature of snowplow operations, which require hours of concentration while navigating large vehicles in dark, cold, and hazardous conditions. Residents are asked to remain patient and cautious when encountering plow trucks on the road.

DPW explained that snowplows angle their blades to the right, pushing snow toward the roadside. As a result, snow accumulation at the end of private driveways is unavoidable and remains the homeowner’s responsibility to clear, not the town’s.

The town also prohibits private snowplow contractors from pushing snow from driveways or parking lots onto public roads, as it creates hazards and interferes with municipal plowing. If snow must be pushed into the roadway due to limited space, contractors are required to re-plow the street until it is safe for travel.

Under Town Ordinance Sec. 50-407, businesses are responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks along their properties. DPW also clarified its mailbox damage policy, stating the town will only repair or replace mailboxes struck directly by a plow blade. Damage caused by snow thrown from the roadway or by private plowing contractors is not the town’s responsibility.

Residents with questions are encouraged to contact Westport Public Works at 203-341-1120.

Exit mobile version