The Stratford Health Department will host Kids Day 2025 at the Paradise Green Farmers Market on Monday, August 25, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at 121 Huntington Road in Stratford. This family-friendly event will feature gardening activities, a Touch-a-Truck experience, arts and crafts, health information booths, free giveaways, and more, making it a fun and educational afternoon for children and their families.
Organizers encourage community members to attend and spread the word by sharing the event details through newsletters, social media, and other channels. With activities designed to engage children and resources to promote healthy living, Kids Day 2025 aims to bring Stratford residents together for a memorable day at the Farmers Market. For more information, call 203-385-4090.
FAIRFIELD, CT — With Tropical Storm Erin forming in the Atlantic and potentially tracking toward the Northeast, State Senator Tony Hwang (R–Fairfield) hosted his annual Hurricane Coastal Resiliency Forum to confront the escalating threats of climate change and extreme weather to Fairfield and coastal communities across Connecticut.
The forum could not be more timely. Rising sea levels and warming ocean temperatures are fueling more intense and dangerous storms, and experts warn that Erin could become another wake-up call for our region. Senator Hwang emphasized the urgent need for action—not just after storms hit, but through continuous preparation, awareness, and education.
“Climate change is real, and it’s accelerating. What we’re seeing with storms like Erin forming in the Atlantic is not a coincidence—it’s a consequence,” said Senator Hwang. “We must be proactive. This is about saving lives, protecting homes, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our communities.”
The event brought together top environmental, safety, and infrastructure experts, including Robert LaFrance (Audubon Connecticut), Jim O’Donnell (UConn CIRCA), Becky Bunnell (Fairfield Flood & Erosion Control Board), and Retired Lt. James Perez (Fairfield Police Department). They shared actionable strategies and emphasized the shared responsibility of residents, officials, and governments to invest in a resilient future.
Forum Highlights:
Sea Level Rise and Climate Projections: Jim O’Donnell emphasized the state’s mandate for municipalities to plan for up to 50 inches of sea level rise by 2050, warning that communities must balance infrastructure investment with economic realities.
Nature-Based Climate Defenses: Robert LaFrance spotlighted the cost-effective protection that marshlands and wetlands offer by absorbing floodwaters, reducing damage, and capturing carbon emissions. “Nature is our best ally when it comes to climate resilience.”
Emergency Response Preparedness: Lt. Perez underscored the need for clear communication and coordinated response plans. He urged residents to be informed and take preparedness seriously. “When warnings come, they must be heeded. Emergency response only works when the community is engaged.”
Infrastructure Investment & Community Choices: Becky Bunnell discussed Fairfield’s current use of ARPA funds to strengthen key infrastructure, such as the wastewater treatment plant. But she also stressed the importance of public dialogue: “We must decide as a community—do we build to minimum standards, or do we go beyond to protect future generations?”
Leadership Through Action
Senator Hwang closed the forum by calling for sustained, bipartisan action to address the climate crisis head-on: “This isn’t just about Fairfield. Every town, every state on the coastline must take climate change seriously. The choice is clear: do nothing and suffer the consequences—or come together, invest smartly, and lead by example. Resiliency and sustainability are not just policies—they are commitments to our community and our future.”
As Erin gathers strength in the Atlantic, Fairfield’s forum served as a timely reminder that the fight against climate change begins with informed leadership and engaged citizens.
Report of a fire on the second floor of a house on the 100 block of Adams Street in Stratford. Firefighters arrived on scene to report that the home owner put out the majority of the fire with a garden hose.
Emergency crews responded to a fire behind the Lowe’s Home Improvement in Milford, where one person tragically died from injuries sustained in the incident. A Milford firefighter was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause.
With the first day of school just weeks away, Westport Human Services is calling on the community to support its annual Back-to-School and Afterschool Care Campaign. The initiative ensures local children have the supplies, clothing, and after-school resources they need, with opportunities for donors to contribute through monetary gifts, Walmart gift cards, or items from the department’s Amazon Wishlist.
Donations help provide essential school items and fund after-school scholarships for elementary-aged children, offering safe and enriching activities for working families. Contributions can be made online, in person, or by mail, with drop-offs and check donations accepted at Westport Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Avenue, Monday through Friday, from 9 AM to 4 PM.
Bridgeport, CT – The Klein Memorial Auditorium today marked a historic milestone with the ribbon cutting for the first building addition in its 85-year history. The $3.8 million expansion—funded primarily by the State Bonding Commission with additional support from the City of Bridgeport—adds an elevator, a wheelchair-accessible restroom, a conference room, and three new offices.
The project also continues a decade-long transformation of The Klein, which began in 2016 with major technical upgrades, new carpeting, and the installation of a large exterior digital sign. Those earlier improvements—including new lighting, audio, and video projection systems—have significantly reduced production costs, expanded programming, and helped attract events like the Bridgeport Film Festival, which The Klein has hosted since its inception in 2021.
“Today we unveil more than just bricks and mortar—we’re unveiling a new chapter in The Klein’s story,” said Executive Director Laurence Caso. “Our new wing increases accessibility and provides much-needed space for our operations and arts education programs. Just as our technical upgrades have fueled more performances and economic activity, these enhancements will greatly improve the patron experience for the 70,000 people who attend events here each year.”
Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Senator Marilyn Moore, Senator Herron Gaston, representatives from the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), Bridgeport city officials, and community leaders joined Caso for the ceremony.
“This is the first expansion of The Klein since it opened in 1940,” said Lt. Governor Bysiewicz. “It’s a place that has hosted legends like Ray Charles, The Temptations, and B.B. King, as well as historic figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The state’s investment ensures this cultural gem remains a vibrant hub for arts, education, and community for decades to come.”
Senator Moore, who played a key role in securing additional funding after construction costs rose post-pandemic, reflected on the theater’s community impact: “This was one of the projects I knew was important for all of Bridgeport. The Klein inspires both young and old, and the opportunities it provides for our youth can change lives.”
The new elevator now provides access to the mezzanine level, including the art gallery, which features rotating exhibits by local artists. The Klein’s after-school and summer program, Klein Theatre Arts (KTA), serves dozens of Bridgeport children each season, teaching theater, dance, music, and film. With the expansion, KTA plans to add writing workshops and other creative programs.
“This addition isn’t just about better facilities—it’s about giving the next generation the tools, space, and encouragement to dream bigger,” said KTA Director Tennessee Davis, a Bridgeport native and professional actor.
The celebration continues tonight with the second performance of KTA’s summer production, Fame Jr., open to the public.
For more information about upcoming shows, visit www.theklein.org.
Trumbull Firefighters were dispatched to Route 25 for brush fires near the new exit 5. They received calls that a man was walking in the median with a torch, setting the fires, according to unconfirmed radio reports. It is not known at this time if the man was apprehended.
Police are looking for a 2003 red Dodge Ram 1500 with black rims and chrome trim in connection with a home invasion in the Huntington area, according to unconfirmed radio reports.
