News

Microgrid Could Keep Lights On in Fairfield County

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. – Local power plants may be the key to ensuring the power stays on during even the worst hurricanes, nor’easters and blizzards, according to the Two-Storm Panel that studied ways to improve emergency responses to extreme weather.

But even before Hurricane Irene in August and the snowy October nor’easter knocked out power to a record number of Connecticut households, Stamford’s Energy Improvement District advisory board was already studying ways to bring local power grids to the city’s downtown area.

Now, “There is a lot more urgency," said board ...

Comment

Who Are Westport's Top Taxpayers?

By Vanessa Inzitari 8 hours ago

WESTPORT, Conn. – If you've ever wondered who pays the most taxes in Westport, the assessor's office recently released a list of the Top 10 taxpayers in town for 2011.

The following are the top taxpayers, based on the assessed value of their property, which is listed below:

1. Connecticut Light & Power Inc., personal property, $117,338,760

2. Nyala Farms Inc., 60 Nyala Farms Road, $78,272,660

3. Marc and Cathy Lasry, residential, $22,601,600

4. Riverside Office 285 & 355 LLC, 285 and 355 Riverside Ave., $21,990,600

5. Ronnie F. ...

Comments (2)

Westport Home Burglarized Overnight

By Vanessa Inzitari 02/03/12

WESTPORT, Conn. – A home on Clapboard Hill Road in Westport was burglarized Wednesday night while the owner and her children were sleeping, police said.

A video camera, cash and a wallet were reported stolen from the home Thursday morning. Police said the suspect entered the home through an unlocked kitchen door. When the homeowner woke up in the morning, she reported that her kitchen door was open and that her purse was on the deck.

Also from the police blotter:

▪ A laptop computer was reported stolen from a car parked in a lot on the 800 block of Post ...

Comment

Himes Opposes Undoing Slated Defense Cuts

By Staff Report 02/03/12

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. – U.S. Rep. Jim Himes and more than 100 other members of Congress have sent a letter to President Barack Obama supporting his threat to veto legislation that would overturn scheduled defense cuts.

The letter was prompted by legislation, introduced by a group of senators led Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., which would begin repealing the cuts.

“Cuts will always be difficult, but we’ve already agreed to these,” Himes said. “A deal is a deal, and any serious effort to reduce the deficit absolutely – mathematically – must include ...

Comments (1)

Value of Taxable Property Rises in Westport

By Vanessa Inzitari 02/03/12

WESTPORT, Conn. – The assessed value of all real estate, motor vehicles and personal property in Westport increased by about 1 percent last year to $9.65 billion over 2010, Westport Town Assessor Paul Friia announced Thursday.

The town's Grand List for 2011 nets $9,655,275,688, Friia said, compared with $9,553,989,667 in 2010.

This list is the sum of the assessed value of all taxable property in town. Motor vehicle and personal property are valued annually. Real estate values were based on the market values, which were determined in the town's last revaluation Oct. 1, ...

Comment

Witness: Missing Mom Behaved Strangely

By Nancy Guenther Chapman 02/03/12

UPDATE at 9:30 a.m. Friday: The missing baby and her mother have been found in Norwalk.

Here is a statement from Norwalk police Lt. Ashley Gonzalez:

The baby and mother were located in Norwalk at a local hotel at approximately 11:30 p.m. Thursday. A tip was received in response to the Silver Alert stating that she was observed in the area of Westport Avenue. Detectives from the Youth Bureau followed the lead and developed additional information that led to their location. Detectives took custody of the baby and transported her to police ...

Comment

Downtown Westport Merchants Await Newest Retailer

By Vanessa Inzitari 02/03/12

WESTPORT, Conn. – Urban Outfitters, a Philadelphia-based clothing company for men and women, is opening its fourth Connecticut retail location, in downtown Westport, in March. But fans of the store aren't the only ones eagerly awaiting its opening — other downtown merchants are, too.

The trendy apparel chain, which signed a lease for the space at 101-107 Post Road E. last April, announced on Craigslist that it's hiring for a March opening. Westport resident and developer David Waldman, president of David Adam Realty — which owns the property — confirmed the news.

Jill ...

Comment

Gay Slur Sparks Action in Area High Schools

By Erin Lynch 02/03/12

After a gay slur appeared on a Twitter account said to belong to a student at Ridgefield High School, students from Easton, Weston, Wilton and across the country have banded together in an effort to stop cyber-bullying.

“I heard about it on Tuesday and my jaw dropped. How could someone do that?” Weston High School student Katie said in front of Weston’s Lunch Box.

Katie, who did not want her last name printed, was referring to Twitter account #RHSfagoftheday, where an anonymous user reportedly planned each day to name a Ridgefield High School student he ...

Comments (2)

Police Seek Missing Mother, Baby

By Nancy Guenther Chapman 02/02/12

NORWALK, Conn. – Update, 9:35 a.m. Friday: Mother and baby have been found. The baby is in good condition.

Updated, 7:06 p.m.: A woman and her baby were reported missing Thursday morning and are being sought by Norwalk Police and Connecticut State Police. They may have returned to New Haven.

Kelley Acevedo, 33, has been staying in a New Haven drug rehabilitation facility, according to Lt. Ashley Gonzalez, commander of the Youth Bureau. Acevedo was given a pass Wednesday to appear in Norwalk Superior Court. She took her daughter, ...

Comments (3)

Westport Approves Baron’s South Land Appraisal

By Vanessa Inzitari 02/02/12

WESTPORT, Conn. – In the coming weeks, Westport will find out just how much the 23 acres of town-owned land it purchased in 1999 for $7 million is worth. The property, known as Baron's South, is set to be evaluated by a real estate appraisal and consulting firm in Cheshire.

On Wednesday night, the Board of Finance unanimously approved an appropriation of $15,000 requested by First Selectman Gordon Joseloff for the appraisal, to be conducted by Wellspeak Dugas & Kane.

The Baron's South property is currently being eyed for the development of a senior housing complex, ...

Comment

Phil Who? Fairfield County Staying Spring-like

By Nathan Bruttell 02/02/12

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. - Punxsutawney Phil might have predicted six more weeks of winter Thursday morning, but National Weather Service forecasters believe one of the warmest winters in recent memory is likley to continue in Fairfield County.

While the temperatures might not be record-breaking on any given day, the sustained warmth since October is unusual, said Tim Morrin, observation program leader for the weather service.

“It’s just the fact that we’re so remarkably above normal,” Morrin said, adding readings in Central Park in ...

Comment

Woman Charged After I-95 Crash

By Nancy Guenther Chapman 02/02/12

NORWALK, Conn. – A driver accused of causing a crash on Interstate 95 Wednesday evening in Norwalk fled the scene and was arrested on drug charges two hours later, Norwalk Police say.

Rachel Wood, 31, later told police she was smoking crack, Sgt. Lisa Cotto said.

The accident happened at 4:20 p.m. on the southbound side of Interstate 95, at the Fairfield Avenue overpass, and caused a major traffic backup during rush hour.

Wood drove a 2004 Toyota Solara - owned by a Norwalk woman - onto the highway from exit 15, according to the state police report. She hit ...

Comment

Truck Crash Clogs I-95 at Rush Hour

By Nancy Guenther Chapman, Matt Zalaznick and Casey Donahue 02/01/12

NORWALK, Conn. - Update, 8 p.m.: Interstate 95 has been reopened.

A tractor-trailer crash has closed lanes of I-95 southbound in the Norwalk area, according to the state police.

The trailer overturned between Exits 14 and 15 at 4:39 p.m. Wednesday. Sgt. Donna Tadiello said the trailer hit a barrier and caught fire. Two cars were also involved in the accident.

Traffic was reportedly tied up for miles in both directions.

Firefighters put out the blaze, and the driver of the truck was taken to the hospital with mild to moderate ...

Comment

'Star Trek' Captain Charged with DUI

By Alissa Smith 02/01/12

WILTON, Conn. – The actor who played the captain on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" was charged with driving under the influence in Wilton, police say.

Avery Brooks, 63, who played Capt. Benjamin Sisko on the "Star Trek" sequel, was pulled over near Belden Hill and Seir Hill roads Sunday night, police say.

A phone complaint received by police led to the arrest. Brooks is due in court on Thursday, Feb. 9, and was released with a promise to appear. He lives in New Jersey.

Comment

Helene Rose Swan, 91, Former Westport Resident

By Melvin Mason 02/01/12

NEW CANAAN, Conn.- Helene Rose Swan, a former longtime resident of Westport who had lived in New Canaan since 1991, died after a long illness on Jan. 27 at the Waveny Care Center. She was 91.

Swan was born on March 20, 1920, in Merchantville, N.J., the daughter of the late James F. and Isabel Phillips Brickley.

Swan was married for over 35 years to the late Curtis D. Swan. As a young woman, Swan joined the Red Cross during World War II and was stationed in France with the Army's 101st Airborne Paratroop Division. She and her husband were married in April 1945 in ...

Comment