Residents Invited to Participate in Parks Master Plan Public Workshop

Westport, Conn. – The Parks and Recreation Department invites community members to take part in shaping the future of Westport’s parks by attending the second Public Workshop as part of the Parks Master Plan process.

The workshop will be held on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Komansky Room at The Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road.

The Town’s consultant, BL Companies, will facilitate the session, which will provide residents with the opportunity to engage directly with the consultants, share feedback, and learn more about the planning process.

“These public forums are a vital step in ensuring public feedback as the Town develops its Parks Master Plan,” said Parks and Recreation Director Erik Barbieri. “Please join us and share your thoughts as we plan the future of our incredibly important Westport parks system.”

Public Workshop Details

  • Location: Komansky Room, The Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT
  • Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2025
  • Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Walk the Extra Mile at Compo Beach with Rach’s Hope!

Fourth Annual Family Fun Walk – Sunday, October 5, 2025 at 3 PM

Westport, CT — Lace up your sneakers, grab your family and friends, and head to Compo Beach on Sunday, October 5th at 3:00 p.m. for Rach’s Hope Family Fun Walk: Walk the Extra Mile 2025. This heartwarming and lively event combines community, music, food, and fun—all in support of families facing the unimaginable challenges of critical illness.

Hosted by Fairfield County non-profit Rach’s Hope, this one-mile beach walk has quickly become a cherished annual tradition. Walkers of all ages will join together at Ned Dimes Marina to celebrate community spirit, honor the legacy of Rachel Doran (Staples High School Class of 2015), and raise funds to provide food, transportation, and lodging for families with children in Intensive Care Units across the country.

Adding a special touch to the walk, participants are invited to join Rachel’s grandfather as he continues his inspiring personal pledge to walk 1,000 miles each year in her memory.

The afternoon doesn’t stop at the finish line—guests can look forward to:

  • Live acoustic music from Fairfield’s own Ellis Island Acoustic
  • Fresh, hot slices from  Pizza Pie Wagon gourmet pizza truck
  • Beer and wine compliments of Greens Farms Spirit Shop
  • Signature black-and-white cookies
  • Exclusive Rach’s Hope swag!

“This event is about more than just taking steps by  the beach,” said Lisa Doran, of Rach’s Hope. “It’s about walking together—shoulder to shoulder—with families who need our strength, our resources, and our love.”

All proceeds directly support Rach’s Hope’s mission to ease the financial and emotional burden for families during the toughest moments of their lives.

This is a rain-or-shine celebration. Tickets and donations can be made at RachsHope.org.

Event Details:

  •  Sunday, October 5, 2025
  • 3:00 p.m.
  • Compo Beach – Ned Dimes Marina, Westport, CT
  • Tickets, donations & info: RachsHope.org

About Rach’s Hope:
Founded in memory of Rachel Doran, who passed away at 21 after a critical illness, Rach’s Hope, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Connecticut non-profit dedicated to helping families nationwide with children in intensive care units.

Stratford Secures Ella Grasso Property for Affordable Housing Development

Stratford, CT – Wednesday, September 17th, marked a milestone moment for Stratford as the long-awaited conveyance of the Ella T. Grasso Regional Center property was finalized. After years of negotiations with the State of Connecticut and many

discussions with the State’s Department of Administrative Services, the Town of Stratford now officially holds title to the property, paving the way for more than 100 units of affordable senior housing under the direction of the Stratford Housing Authority,

LLC.

The Ella T. Grasso Regional Center, located in Stratford, closed in 2016. The Connecticut General Assembly approved its transfer to the Town in 2018 for the purpose of affordable housing development. Since then, Stratford has worked closely with the state Office

of Policy and Management (OPM), to complete the conveyance.

Despite delays over the eight-year period, yesterday’s conveyance ensures the property will serve Stratford residents in need of affordable housing.

Mayor Laura R. Hoydick celebrated the achievement, stating: “This is a historic and significant moment for Stratford. The conveyance of the Ella T. Grasso property allows us to move forward with plans that will directly benefit and support our seniors. With

more than 100 units of affordable housing to be developed through an agreement between the Town and the Stratford Housing Authority, we are not just building homes; we are strengthening our community and honoring our commitment to provide dignity, security,

and opportunity to those who have given so much to Stratford.”

As part of the original Connecticut State delegation that initiated the conveyance in 2018, Representative Joseph Gresko expressed his gratitude for the completion of the conveyance, remarking, “After nearly eight years, I am proud to have shepherded the

conveyance of the Ella T. Grasso property through the State Property Review Board. Working in partnership with Mayor Laura Hoydick and the Attorney General’s Office, we were able to bring this long process to a successful fruition. This milestone reflects

true collaboration and will provide lasting benefits for the Stratford community.”

Representative Ben McGorty added his appreciation for the outcome, saying, “I’m grateful to see the conveyance of the Ella T. Grasso property finalized after so many years. This was a long process, but through teamwork and persistence, we were able to get

it done for the benefit of Stratford.”

The Stratford Housing Authority will now lead the development effort, focusing on high-quality, affordable housing that reflects both community priorities and legislative intent.

Mayor Hoydick summed up the importance of the occasion, “This finalization represents the fulfillment of a vision nearly a decade in the making and signals a new chapter for the Ella Grasso property – one centered on service, community, and opportunity.”

Fifth Raid at Norwalk Smoke Shop Uncovers Hidden Trap; Teen Employee Charged

On September 17, 2025, Norwalk Police Special Services executed a search-and-seizure warrant at A and Z Tobacco & Vape Shop, 108 Connecticut Avenue, as part of an ongoing investigation into smoke shops suspected of selling cannabis without a state license. It was the fifth warrant at this location—and the first under the A and Z name—and investigators say they found a concealed trap built into store shelving holding 15.8 pounds of nitrous oxide “flavored gas,” 2.32 pounds of marijuana in pre-rolls and containers, 1.08 pounds of THC vape products, and 1.22 pounds of cannabis gummies. Police highlighted that Connecticut law prohibits selling products with THC above 0.3% without a state-issued license and noted FDA warnings that inhaling nitrous oxide from canisters can pose serious health risks, including death. A 16-year-old employee received a juvenile summons for violation of restricted substances, possession with intent to sell over 1 kilogram of cannabis, possession of paraphernalia, and sale of 1 kilogram or more of cannabis; the case remains under investigation.

Bridgeport Firefighters Rescue Two Victims from Early Morning Blaze

Bridgeport, CT – At approximately 1:05 a.m., the Bridgeport Fire Department was dispatched to the 100 block of Bick Terrace for a reported structure fire. Fire units arrived to find a working fire with members of the Bridgeport Police Department already removing one victim from the building.

Firefighters launched an aggressive attack, and during a primary search, Ladder 5 located a second victim inside. Both victims were transported by AMR to St. Vincent’s Hospital for treatment. The fire was brought under control within 30 minutes. The cause of the blaze is under investigation by the Bridgeport Fire Marshal’s Office.

BLUMENTHAL, MARSHALL, LANDSMAN, & LAWLWER INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL BILL PROMOTING INFANT SCREENING FOR VIRUS THAT CAUSES BIRTH DEFECTS

cCMV is the most common infectious cause of birth defects, affecting 1 out of every 200 births.

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) and U.S. Representatives Greg Landsman (D-OH) and Mike Lawler (R-NY) introduced the Stop CMV Act, legislation to raise awareness of Congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV) and encourage early screenings for newborns to allow for early treatment and intervention. cCMV is a common virus that can cause deafness, seizures, & other serious birth defects and health conditions in babies, and early screenings can help prevent severe health complications. 

“The Stop CMV Act provides health care providers with the tools and resources to identify cCMV and incentivizes newborn screenings—critical action to ensure babies affected by cCMV receive the quality care they need. cCMV is the most common infectious cause of birth defects, often leading to serious health conditions and developmental delays, and yet it all too often goes undetected and untreated. By raising awareness and encouraging early intervention, the Stop CMV Act supports families and children impacted by cCMV and reduces the risk of the illness,” said Blumenthal.

“Too many families are blindsided by Congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV) simply because it goes undetected,” said Marshall. “I am proud to cosponsor the Stop CMV Act – a bipartisan bicameral effort that will invest in early screening and intervention to ensure every child has the best shot at a healthy future.”

“Every parent wants their kids to grow up healthy and strong. The bipartisan Stop CMV Act will help make that possible by expanding testing, research, and awareness so more children are diagnosed early and get the care they need. This is about protecting the health of our kids and giving families peace of mind,” said Landsman.

“Congenital CMV is the most common infectious cause of birth defects in America, yet too often it goes undetected. The Stop CMV Act will help ensure families get answers early, doctors have the tools they need, and children have the best chance at a healthy start in life. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation because protecting the health of our youngest and most vulnerable is something we can all agree on,” said Lawler.

The Stop CMV Act authorizes new funding to incentivize hospitals and other health care facilities that care for children to screen babies for cCMV within the first 21 days after birth. The legislation also authorizes funding to collect data on cCMV and to encourage research, education, and training of health care providers, families, and the general public.

The full text of the bill can be found here.     

Fire On Da Roof!

Firefighters responded this afternoon to Garavel Subaru on Main Avenue in Norwalk after a reported solar panel fire broke out on the roof. Crews quickly arrived on scene around 3:03 p.m. to address the incident and ensure the flames did not spread further into the dealership building.

The blaze was confined to rooftop solar panels, and no injuries have been reported at this time. Firefighters remained on scene to secure the area and investigate the cause of the fire.

2025-09-19@3:03pm #Norwalk CT #ctfire

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