THE CITY OF BRIDGEPORT AND MAYOR GANIM LAUNCH NEW ANTI-BLIGHT ORDINANCES

Bridgeport, CT – The City of Bridgeport and Mayor Ganim have announced updates to the City’s Anti-Blight Ordinances. Adjusted by the City Council, these updates enhance the city’s ability to strengthen enforcement and improve the process for addressing blighted properties throughout the city. The updated ordinances are designed to ensure a more effective system while creating a prompt and efficient process for property owners who wish to appeal blight citations. The changes are part of the City’s continued efforts to maintain safe, clean and well-maintained neighborhoods across Bridgeport. Key Updates Include: Reduced Cleanup Timeline: Property owners now have 10 days to address blight violations after receiving notice New Fee Schedule $150 per day for occupied properties $250 per day for vacant properties…

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Mugshot of Malik Z. Smith associated with a Fairfield Police investigation into a $1 million fraud scheme.

Fairfield Police Arrest New York Man in $1 Million Fraud Scheme Targeting Resident

Fairfield, CT – On 2/2/2026, Malik Z. Smith (DOB 1/13/2001) of Flushing, New York turned himself in to the Fairfield Police Department on a Fairfield Police warrant. Smith was charged with Larceny in the First Degree, issued a court set $200,000 surety bond and appeared in Bridgeport Superior Court last month. The charge stems from a fraud investigation that began on 3/11/2024 after a Fairfield resident reported being contacted about what was described as a loan affiliated with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The resident was led to believe the funding was part of a legitimate SBA program and was instructed to provide personal and financial information in order to secure the loan. During the course of the scheme,…

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GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES LANDMARK FEDERAL GRANT TO TRANSFORM RURAL HEALTH CARE IN CONNECTICUT

State To Receive Funding for Dozens of Projects Spanning Health Care, Workforce, Technology, and Community Support Across Rural Communities (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that Connecticut is receiving a $154 million federal grant through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), a sweeping initiative designed to improve health outcomes, expand access to care, and strengthen the social and economic foundations of the state’s rural communities. The Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) will serve as the lead agency on behalf of the state, partnering with other state agencies to implement dozens of projects organized across four core initiatives. “Rural Connecticut has unique challenges, and its residents deserve the same access to high-quality care and support as anyone who…

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Mugshots of Le Chen and Fangzeng Huang alongside gold bars representing a Fairfield gold scam investigation.

Fairfield Police Make Arrests in Two Gold Scam Investigations

Fairfield, CT – The Fairfield Police Department has made arrests in two investigations involving financial scams that targeted elderly residents and resulted in significant financial losses through the purchase of gold. In the first case, Le Chen, age 40, of Flushing, New York, was arrested and charged with Conspiracy to Commit Larceny in the First Degree and Conspiracy to Commit Telephone Fraud in the First Degree. Chen was held on a $175,000 bond and appeared at Bridgeport Superior Court on 3/3/2026. The charges stem from a June 2025 incident in which a Fairfield resident was directed to withdraw funds and purchase gold, which was later collected by a courier. The Fairfield resident in this case sustained an approximate loss of…

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Mugshot of Fredrick Jerome Pate alongside a Taurus G2C 9mm handgun and loaded magazines recovered during a Norwalk traffic stop.

Norwalk Police Make Arrest Following Traffic Stop

On March 2, 2026, at 10:52 AM, Norwalk Patrol Officer Arvanitakis observed a Jeep Grand Cherokee traveling westbound on Westport Avenue displaying an improper printed temporary registration plate affixed to the rear of the vehicle. Officer Arvanitakis conducted a motor vehicle stop in the area of 315 Westport Avenue. During the stop, the operator of the vehicle, identified as Fredrick Jerome Pate, was found to be operating with a suspended driver’s license. Further investigation revealed that the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee was unregistered and uninsured. Officers conducted a search of the vehicle and recovered a 9mm magazine loaded with seven rounds from the rear passenger area. Officers also located a Taurus Arms G2C 9mm handgun in the trunk of the…

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