Local News in Bridgeport, Fairfield, Stratford, Norwalk, and Beyond!
The Connecticut Department of Transportation is excited to announce its first-ever “Name the Snowplow Contest.” The CTDOT Name the Snowplow Contest allows residents across Connecticut to submit their best and most creative names for four snowplows, which represent the four CTDOT maintenance districts in Connecticut. Winners will have their snowplow names featured on the side of a CTDOT tandem axle Tow Plow. The winners will be photographed next to the newly named snowplow and featured on our website and social media pages.
Connecticut residents have until December 31, 2021, to submit their most creative snowplow name using the submission form on our website. In January, all qualified names will be presented to the public, who will vote and select the winners.
“December through February is our busiest time of the year with snow activities,” said CTDOT Commissioner Joseph Giulietti. “The Name the Snowplow contest is a fun way to connect the community to the work of the DOT. We want to create snowplow safety awareness to help keep travelers and our snowplow drivers safe.”
Connecticut residents can submit original and creative snowplow names here: Name the Snowplow Contest. Educators and the public may request printed forms by contacting: ctdotmedia@ct.gov or The Connecticut Department of Transportation, Commissioners Office, Attn: Name the Snowplow Contest, 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131-7546. Forms are available in English and Spanish. All names must be submitted by December 31, 2021.
The Stratford Library Board of Trustees has a special gift for the community this holiday season. As of December 15, 2021, the Library will be fine-free and no longer charge fees for the late return of materials. According to Library Director Sheri Szymanski, “The Stratford Library is happy to join the growing national movement of fine-free libraries. We at the Stratford Library want to let you know how grateful we are to serve this special town. The Library’s mission is to empower and enrich our diverse community by providing access to innovative services, information and ideas. Fines restrict access for people who are struggling economically and have proven ineffective in encouraging the timely return of materials. We want people to use the library and fines prevent people from doing that.” In an effort to provide equal access to books, information, knowledge and learning, the Stratford Library is joining a forward trend in Connecticut along with
libraries in Stamford, New Haven, West Haven, Hartford and Middletown which currently have fine-free policies. This means that all outstanding fines at the Stratford Library will be wiped out. Library cards will no longer be blocked due to overdue fees and all Library users will have access to both physical and virtual resources. The Library will continue to send out reminders and encourages patrons to return materials by their due dates. Patrons will still be responsible for the cost of any lost or damaged items. For further information about the fine-free policy, check the Library website at: www.stratfordlibrary.org/fine-free-faq or call: 203.385.4160.
(HARTFORD, CT) – State Representatives Jennifer Leeper (D-Fairfield, Southport), Cristin McCarthy Vahey (D-Fairfield) and Laura Devlin (R-Fairfield, Trumbull), and State Senator Tony Hwang (R-Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston, Westport) announced that the $1.25 million state bonding request for the purchase and renovation of a new Operation Hope facility in Fairfield has been placed on the state’s bonding commission’s agenda by the Governor.
Rep. Leeper said, “I am proud to live in and work for a community that rallies together for a common cause and the greater good. This request for Operation Hope has been a bipartisan effort among my legislative colleagues and me to provide assistance to a selfless organization that continually assists our community during their greatest moments of need. With the prospective funds, Operation Hope will have the capability to remain here in Fairfield, serving even more families in need.”
“Operation Hope is a critical resource for community members in need of food, supportive housing and social work services,” said Rep. McCarthy Vahey. “I am both happy and proud to support the state’s investment in an organization that works alongside our community to empower those in need.”
“What a welcome early Holiday present; Operation Hope does so much for our community. During the pandemic, we have seen an uptick in food and housing insecurity and this state money will permit Operation Hope to serve more families in Fairfield,” said Rep. Devlin. “I want to thank the rest of the Fairfield legislative delegation for their advocacy and Governor Lamont for the bond request approval. We are all very grateful.”
Sen. Hwang,who serves as the ranking senator on the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee’s bonding subcommittee, said, “In placing Operation Hope on the next State Bond Commission Agenda, I am thrilled that my colleagues continue to consider investing in an agency which in turn invests its heart, soul, and limited financial means into supporting those members of our community who truly need it most. Home security and food security are vital components to every person’s life. This funding for Operation Hope will support their worthy mission to end hunger, combat homelessness and provide mortgage foreclosure counseling.”
Governor Ned Lamont said, “Operation Hope provides an invaluable service to those in need in Fairfield and throughout the region, and I am glad that we could partner with the organization on the release of this state funding and support its continued operations.”
“Operation Hope has been serving the vulnerable residents of Fairfield, Bridgeport and across our region for over 35 years. We have been instrumental in leading the way for collaboration across Fairfield County and are focused on ending homelessness and hunger – one person at a time. To continue to be present for those in need of food, housing and clinical support, we need a base of operation that is safe, accessible and able to move us into the future. Our current situation is tentative and unable to meet our needs. This funding will stabilize our operation and allow us to help our neighbors not only solve their crises, but build skills and access opportunities to truly thrive. We are grateful to our local delegation – Representative Jennifer Leeper, Representative Cristin McCarthy Vahey, Representative Laura Devlin and Senator Tony Hwang – for working together to strengthen our community. The State’s investment in our efforts will lead to greater outcome for those in need,” said Executive Director of Operation Hope CT, Carla Miklos.
If approved next week, the $1.5 million bonding request will provide the needed funds to purchase and renovate a property for Operation Hope to consolidate its programs into one facility. The new location will include its homeless resource center, community kitchen, food pantry, affordable housing, housing first, case management and counseling programs. This facility will provide a long-term solution to Operation Hope’s needs, allowing them to continue serving over 2,000 individuals and families each year. The estimated total cost of the project is $4 million.
While not officially approved, most bonding requests that appear on the Commission’s Agenda are approved. Their upcoming meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 21, 2021.
2021-12-15@11:18pm–#Bridgeport CT– #ctfire– A woman told me and my Facebook Live audience that on Sunday her boyfriend threatened to “do something”. She filed a police report. Three vehicles were found to be on fire behind 459 Noble Avenue. It appeared that the fire extended to a detached garage nearby. You know the fire marshal will be investigating!
2021-12-14@3:56pm–#Bridgeport CT– Two senior citizens were struck by a car on Fairfield Avenue near Park Avenue across from Walgreens. The striking vehicle did stop and cooperating with police. The two seniors did not have life-threatening injuries.
The City of Bridgeport has been advised by KRONOS of a nationwide cyber hack on their systems. There is currently no further update on the breach, a date for repair, or restoration.
What does this mean?
KRONOS is utilized by the BPD as a time management system for daily rosters and overtime.
KRONOS has essentially “locked in” their systems in order to secure and identify the threat, and work through fixing the problem.
BPD is not currently using KRONOS for daily rosters, overtime, etc.
In addition to impact of our time management systems in KRONOS, we share concerns of any breached personal information. At this time we are not aware of data being compromised.
FROM KRONOS:
Has any data been compromised as a result of this incident? Our investigation is ongoing, and we are working diligently to determine whether customer data has been compromised. We will keep you updated as new information becomes available.
What information does KRONOS have from BPD and its Personnel?
Fortunately, BPD only uses KRONOS for time management; data is employment information only and does not include personal info.
Data within the system is PO Name, address, phone number, employee info of hire date, number and accrual of PTO and overtime.
KRONOS does NOT have birth dates, social security numbers or any other personal / bank /financial information.
What next?
Instructions may need to be adjusted as we work through facilitating BPD rosters. Your attention and patience is appreciated.
How do I report OT and other PTO?
All BPD supervisors are to maintain accurate rosters documenting time off, overtime, etc.
All members of service are to complete an “overtime validation form” and submit to their supervisors who will then submit an overtime sheet to payroll on a daily basis.
If you have submitted time off in the system, you will have to reconfirm your time off with your immediate supervisor as soon as possible.
If you have any specific questions about PD time submissions – please contact your supervisor directly.
We are making every effort to address this matter and any other concerns. We will follow up when KRONOS offers further information.
If you have any questions specific to KRONOS or city cyber security – please contact Curtis Denton.
The city of Bridgeport uses a human resource management platform called Kronos which as been has been hit with a ransomware attack, revealing that information from many of its high-profile customers may have been accessed. Sources tell me that payroll and email is currently down. UKG, Kronos’ parent company, said the vital service will be out for “several weeks” and urged customers to “evaluate and implement alternative business continuity protocols related to the affected UKG solutions.” According to ZD Net’s article “The City of Cleveland sent out an urgent message on Monday, telling WKYC that UKG contacted them and other clients to tell them that the ransomware attack may have compromised employee information like names, addresses, social security numbers, and employee IDs.”
2021-12-14@1:59am–Bridgeport police received a shotspotter activation a Ogden Street and they found a person shot in the leg in the 70 block of Brooks Street. Police say the person suffered from a non-life threatening gunshot wound to the leg. Victim was transported to the hospital. This is an active investigation at this time. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Bridgeport Police at 203-576-TIPS.
