2021-05-21@12:00pm–#Bridgeport CT– There is a crash with injuries at Central and Barnum Avenue. Minor injuries reported. A third ambulance has been dispatched to the scene.
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont announced that a new set of COVID-19 safety protocols regarding the use of face masks will be implemented in Connecticut beginning Wednesday, May 19, 2021, as a result of the updated recommendations released late last week from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The new order will include:
OutdoorsMasks not required
IndoorsVaccinated not required to wear masksUnvaccinated must continue to wear masks
Businesses, state and local government offices and events may choose to require universal maskingMasks will still be required in certain settings such as healthcare facilities, facilities housing vulnerable populations, public and private transit, correctional facilities, schools, and childcare In addition to the revised order, the Connecticut Department of Public Health on May 19 will issue revised recommendations and considerations for masks in businesses, large gatherings and events, and other settings, as well as more detailed descriptions of the settings where masks will continue to be required. As was previously announced, all of the other COVID-19 sector rules for businesses that had been implemented in Connecticut will also be lifted on May 19. “Connecticut is one of the most vaccinated states in the nation, and I couldn’t be more proud of the people of our state who have made the commonsense decision to be vaccinated, as well as all of our healthcare workers who have done an incredible job rolling the vaccine out as quickly as possible,” Governor Lamont said. “If you have not yet been vaccinated, I strongly recommend that you get vaccinated as soon as possible. Dozens of clinics across Connecticut no longer require appointments to receive a vaccination, and it has never been easier to get one.”
Individuals with questions about the COVID-19 vaccination program or who would like to schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine can visit ct.gov/covidvaccine. A list of walk-up clinics that do not require appointments in advance can be found at ct.gov/covidvaccine/walkup.
Those who have further questions or do not have access to the internet can call Connecticut’s COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Assist Line at 877-918-2224.
#Bridgeport CT–The mass exodus at Bridgeport Police , including new recruits continues. Officer Amanda Gonzalez who was made the “face of Bridgeport Police” by the chief has resigned and going to Branford Police Department her last day was today.
Bridgeport Police also lost Officer Crystal Manuele to the state to be a Department of Mental Health Officer on May 18th.
Let’s not forget Officer Recruit Officer Kathleen Edwards who was put on administrative leave after losing her badge and wallet at the double shooting at the illegal after hours bar at 1023 Main Street on Sunday.
Also, Officer Ada Curet, a 38 year veteran retired after the chief put the TNT task force on administrative leave back in April.
Police staffing is approaching critical status yet there are highly trained, seasoned officer who are still on administrative leave or assigned to departments other than patrol as punishment. Some have been reassigned for two years or more. Reverend D. Stanley Lord, President of the Bridgeport Chapter of the NAACP said they have filed a complaint regarding this practice as well as the Bridgeport Police Internal Affairs reports to the chief, not the mayor or police commissioner as they did in the past.
WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) led a bipartisan group of 11 senators calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to set standards on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) found in bottled water to ensure bottled water products are safe for drinking. PFAS are pervasive and persistent chemicals that accumulate in people’s bodies over time, and exposure to these chemicals has been linked to cancer, liver damage, decreased fertility, and other serious health conditions.
“Despite the clear and present danger PFAS exposure presents, there are no enforceable limits on these substances in drinking water in the United States,” wrote the senators in a letter to FDA Acting Commissioner Janet Woodcock. “Given the widespread persistence of PFAS in our environment and drinking water, many people have turned to bottled water to avoid adding toxic chemicals to their bodies. Establishing [Standards of Quality] for bottled water is an important step that will help ensure consumer confidence and protect public health.”
PFAS were first developed in the 1940s and are used in many products across all industries due to their grease-, water-, and oil-repellent properties, including food packaging, nonstick pans, carpeting, and many more. Their properties also make them persistent in the environment, leading to PFAS becoming ubiquitous in contaminating water sources throughout the United States.
When tap water is compromised, many consumers turn to bottled water. The FDA regulates bottled water, but has not set a limit for PFAS chemicals in bottled water. Without nationwide FDA regulations for PFAS in bottled water or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations for tap water, some states have implemented their own PFAS rules for drinking water, but no such state rules exist for bottled water.
This press release was made possible by:
Visit BMW of Bridgeport at: https://www.bmwofbridgeport.com/
The Ansonia Police Department is attempting to locate a juvenile runaway who made statements of self-harm to her family. Alecia Vega, age 15, was last seen today, 5/19/2021, in the area of Pershing Drive and Bridge Street wearing a gray zip up sweatshirt, and gray sweat pants with her hair in a high bun and black headband. Alecia is 5’8”, 210Lbs, with brown hair, and brown eyes. Anyone with information or knows the whereabouts of Alecia is asked to contact the Ansonia Police Department at 203-735-1885. Tips can be left anonymously through Tip411 at the link below.
2021-05-19@7:18pm–#Fairfield CT– Today’s vehicle fire is a motorcycle in the middle of Old Post and Beach Road on fire. Firefighters quickly took care of it.
This news report is made possible by:
https://www.naturalannieessentials.com/
#Westport CT–On May 14, 2021 at approximately 8:00 p.m., Westport Police officers responded to the area of 296 Greens Farms Road on a report of a one car accident. Upon arrival, the investigating officer observed that the car involved had heavy front – end damage. The operator of the vehicle was identified as Gayle Gawlik and she claimed she was not injured in the accident. Ms. Gawlik purportedly stated that she was trying to answer a phone call through the car’s blue tooth system when she lost control of the vehicle and ended up striking a cement pillar that was located on the right shoulder. The investigating officer noticed that Ms. Gawlik was unsteady on her feet and also reported that he could detect the odor of an alcoholic beverage on her breath when speaking with her. Due to these indicators of possible intoxication, a standardized field sobriety test was conducted. Ms. Gawlik did not perform to standard and therefore the officer had probable cause to believe that Ms. Gawlik had been operating her vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Ms. Gawlik was placed under arrest and charged with Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs and Failure to Drive in the Proper Lane. She was released from custody after posting a $500.00 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned at Norwalk Superior Court the morning of June 14, 2021.
BRIDGEPORT, CT) – Vineyard Wind, a joint venture between Avangrid Renewables, a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), today announced that space in downtown Bridgeport will serve as the company’s Connecticut headquarters for the company’s Park City Wind (PCW) project. Additionally, the developer also announced that a lease at Barnum Landing has been signed to use the property as a construction and staging location for the 804-megawatt (MW) project.
“We are excited to announce the signing of leases for both our Connecticut headquarters and the construction and staging site for our Park City Wind project,” said Vineyard Wind Deputy CEO Sy Oytan. “The offshore wind industry can help transform Bridgeport’s waterfront into a hub for new and growing industry. By taking important steps like this today, we can lay a larger foundation for the jobs of tomorrow.”
“This headquarters opening in Bridgeport represents some of the best examples of what we’re doing at the state level to invest in our cities and make our state a leader when it comes to our climate,” said Governor Ned Lamont. “These investments will lead to good jobs and cleaner energy. It’s an exciting moment for Bridgeport and our state’s future.”
“Today’s announcement is an important step forward in the state’s broader plans to capitalize on offshore wind energy’s vast economic opportunity,” said David Lehman, commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development. “Having Vineyard establish operations in Bridgeport is great news as it will bring jobs and additional economic vibrancy to the city’s waterfront.”
“We are excited to welcome Vineyard Wind and their growing footprint in Connecticut. This is the latest example of the offshore wind industry’s roots taking hold in Connecticut, making our crucial decarbonization goals possible while sprouting new clean energy jobs,” said Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes.
“This is great news for Bridgeport,” said Mayor Joseph Ganim. “Park City Wind will also offer immediate labor opportunities for our work force as they employ men and women in the construction trade at their Barnum Landing location. We look forward to a ribbon cutting and welcome Vineyard Winds Headquarters to their new downtown offices.”
“Park City Wind is a tremendous opportunity to revitalize Bridgeport by creating thousands of good paying jobs with good benefits in both the wind industry and throughout the local supply chain,” said State Representative Chris Rosario. “With Vineyard Winds headquarters in downtown Bridgeport, and their Park City Wind offshore development at Barnum Landing. They are honoring their commitment to provide these jobs in the great city of Bridgeport.”
The Park City Wind office will be located at 350 Fairfield Avenue and will be home to more than a dozen employees focused on project development, community outreach and workforce development. The office is expected to open this summer with a formal ribbon cutting ceremony.
Vineyard Wind also announced that Barnum Landing, a 15-acre parcel located at 525 Seaview Avenue, will be used during the construction phase of the PCW project, which will include storage and assembly of the transition pieces, the portion of the turbine that anchors the body of the machines to the steel foundation. Once construction is completed, Vineyard Wind intends to use 3 acres of the port site for an operations and maintenance hub that will support local jobs for the 20-plus year lifespan of the project.
The PCW project was selected by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) in December of 2019 to provide 804 megawatts of clean, affordable and reliable energy to the state. PCW, which will provide roughly 14% of the state’s electricity supply, represents the largest purchase of renewable energy in state history and is expected to include an estimated $890 million in direct economic development in Connecticut and support 2,800 full-time equivalent (FTE) job years. AVANGRID, a 50% partner in Vineyard Wind, is headquartered in Orange, Connecticut and has been serving the Constitution State for over a century through its subsidiaries United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas.
