GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES STATE GRANTS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF 13 BRIDGES ON LOCAL ROADS

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto announced that the State of Connecticut is providing $16.8 million in state grants to 11 towns and cities to support the reconstruction of 13 bridges on locally owned roads. Awarded under the latest round of the State Local Bridge Program, which is administered by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), this state-funded program operates as a cost-matching grant that provides municipalities with 50% of the project costs necessary for the reconstruction of municipal bridges. Cities and towns are required to administer all design and construction aspects of their projects, while CTDOT oversees project milestones and provides guidance. The grants awarded under this latest round of the program include:…

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ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG BLOCKS FEDERAL CUTS TO SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH GRANTS

(Hartford, CT) Attorney General William Tong announced that a U.S. District Court judge granted a temporary restraining order blocking the U.S. Department of Education from terminating congressionally approved school-based mental health grants. The order in the case joined by Attorney General Tong and a coalition of 14 state attorneys general comes just days before the Department of Education would have begun terminating grants providing critical mental health services to Connecticut public school students at the end of July. Terminating the grants would have resulted in the projected loss of $3 million used to support social workers in Hartford, New Britain, Vernon, and Waterbury schools through 2029. “Another victory against the Trump administration. The court has once again stepped in to…

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GOVERNOR LAMONT, CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ANNOUNCE $52.9 MILLION IN RECOVERY FUNDS FOR CONNECTICUT FARMERS

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Connecticut Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt, and the members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation announced that the Connecticut Department of Agriculture has received a fully executed agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture establishing a $52.9 million Farm Recovery and Support Block Grant for eligible Connecticut farmers who experienced losses in 2023 and 2024 due to severe weather events. Under the Farm Recovery and Support Block Grant, farmers making at least $1,000 in farm income who have at least $500 in documented losses from weather events in 2023 and 2024 will be eligible. Payments may cover up to 95% of losses, not to exceed $1 million per year per category. Any…

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BLUMENTHAL PRESSES FDA & TAYLOR FARMS FOR ANSWERS ABOUT CYCLOSPORA OUTBREAK

“The outbreak and subsequent cover-up of its origins have eroded public trust in the food supply and created an unacceptable risk to public health.” [WASHINGTON, D.C.] — U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), today demanded answers from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Taylor Farms about the record-breaking cyclosporiasis outbreak and the backroom dealing by the Trump Administration that may have delayed the government’s response to this ongoing public health crisis. In letters sent today to FDA Acting Commissioner Kyle Diamantas and Taylor Farms Chief Executive Officer Bruce Taylor, Blumenthal sought records and information about the ongoing investigation into the outbreak and the influence of Taylor Farms on staffing and…

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WESTPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT WARNS OF AN UPTICK IN SCAM TELEPHONE CALLS

(Westport, CT) The Westport Police Department has recently received numerous inquiries and official complaints regarding a telephone scam involving someone who is falsely claiming to be a member of the agency. The names and ranks of the calling “officer” vary, as do the circumstances detailed in the calls. However, the caller typically tells victims that they missed a court date and/or a jury duty appearance and attempts to convince them they need to take immediate action to rectify the situation and avoid arrest. The caller will then explain that they need to receive some form of instant payment, typically Green Dot cards, to be able to provide a new court date. This is a scam. The Westport Police Department will…

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Bridgeport Public Library Announces August Programs and Summer Reading Events

BRIDGEPORT PUBLIC LIBRARY ANNOUNCES AUGUST PROGRAMS AND SUMMER READING EVENTS The Bridgeport Public Library is inviting residents of all ages to participate in a variety of free educational and family-friendly programs during the first week of August. The library’s “Plant a Seed, Read!” Summer Reading Program continues through August 28 at all Bridgeport Public Library locations. Children, teens, and adults can sign up, track their reading, and earn rewards while enjoying programs and activities throughout the summer. Residents can call or visit their local branch to learn how to participate. On Saturday, August 1, the Beardsley Branch will host “Daisy’s Dinosaur” from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Puppeteer Robert Rogers will present an original story designed to inspire discovery, patience,…

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Bike Struck

A bicyclist was struck at the intersection of Iranistan Ave and State Street in Bridgeport. According to one on scene witness, the bicyclist pulled out in front of the car and was the cause, but there is nothing confirmed. The driver of the motor vehicle did appear to be cooperating with the police, and the bicyclist was cared for for his injuries.

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STRATFORD LIBRARY ANNOUNCES AUGUST TEEN PROGRAMS

STRATFORD, CT – The Stratford Library Association has announced its lineup of August programs for teens at the Stratford Library, located at 2203 Main Street. The events are open to students in grades 7 through 13, with a mix of creative activities, games, and clubs throughout the month. The Teen Summer Reading Program continues through August 15. Participants can log the minutes they spend reading for chances to win weekly prizes and be entered into the grand prize drawing. Registration is open through August 15. On Tuesday, August 4, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., teens can learn the art of paper-folding flowers and paint their own flower pots during Flower Art and Flower Pot Painting in the Lovell Room. No…

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TEEN, FATHER ARRESTED FOLLOWING DOUBLE SHOOTING ON BRIDGEPORT’S WEST SIDE

BRIDGEPORT, CT – Bridgeport Police have arrested a 14-year-old male and his 46-year-old father in connection with Thursday's double shooting at Laurel Avenue and Grove Street. Both were taken into custody several hours later at a motel in the North End by the Detective Bureau's Shooting Task Force, which investigates non-fatal shootings. The 14-year-old was charged with Carrying a Pistol Without a Permit, Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, and Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm. He was processed at police headquarters and transported to juvenile detention. His father, Damien Mullins, 46, of Bridgeport, was charged with Tampering with Evidence. He was held on a $25,000 bond. At approximately 4:00 p.m. Thursday, Bridgeport Police received a ShotSpotter activation reporting several rounds…

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