Local News

FAIRFIELD WOODS BRANCH LIBRARY CELEBRATES 45 YEARS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE

[Fairfield, CT, April 16, 2014]  On February 11th, 1969, the Fairfield Woods Branch Library opened its doors to the public for the first time.  Five years later, the Branch Library became the busiest of the then 47 branches in Connecticut.  Forty-five years later, it continues to be the busiest branch library of the now 75 branch libraries in Connecticut. Today, Fairfield Woods Branch Library is transitioning into a neighborhood library that responds to traditional community needs as well as the 21st century needs of Fairfielders. It’s not just about books and technology – it’s about championing the cultural lives of its community members and strengthening the neighborhood.  The Branch Library is a place where community-building connections are happening every day. Seniors –…

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Himes Unveils Legislation to Curb Horse-Related Deaths

Bill named after Darien girl requires equestrian helmets to meet safety standards   WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) announced today legislation to require all equestrian helmets manufactured and sold in the United States to meet certain safety standards. The Christen O’Donnell Equestrian Helmet Act – named after a 12-year-old Darien girl who died after being thrown from her horse wearing a hard hat that looked like a helmet but did not in fact meet proper safety standards – will help ensure riders are not misled by unapproved hats that pose as helmets but do not actually protect from head injuries.   “As a parent of two young girls, nothing would cause me greater pain than seeing my daughter hurt or…

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GOV. MALLOY: GLOBAL LEADER IN CORPORATE RELOCATION MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO EXPAND AND GROW JOBS IN DANBURY

Company To Create Or Retain Nearly 1,500 Jobs For Residents Over The Next Five Years   (DANBURY) - Governor Dannel Malloy today announced that Cartus Corporation, a leading provider of global relocation services, is expanding its headquarters in Danbury to grow its presence in the state after considering other options in New York and Texas. As part of the project, Cartus will retain 1,275 jobs in Connecticut and create as many as 200 new jobs for residents over the next five years.   “Cartus’ decision to continue to grow here is another example that our economic development initiatives are working - giving us the tools to compete with other states and win,” said Governor Malloy. “Yet again, an industry leading…

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Arbor Day Celebration April 25

  Tree Seedling Give-Away To Children The Westport Tree Board will celebrate Arbor Day with a special event on Friday, April 25th, in front of Westport Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Avenue, from 2– 5 p.m.   First Selectman Jim Marpe will kick-off this year’s Arbor Day celebration at 2 pm with an Arbor Day Proclamation, followed by introductory remarks from Tree Warden, Bruce Lindsay. From 2-5 pm, a “drive-through” FREE give-away of 100 Kousa Dogwood, 100 River Birch and 100 Douglas Fir tree seedlings (with planting instructions) to school-age children and residents of Westport on a first-come, first-serve basis. The tree seedling give-away has been made possible through the generous donation of Connecticut Light & Power in recognition of National…

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Teen Services Thrives at the Fairfield Public Library

  [Fairfield, CT, April 15, 2014] Five years since its establishment, the downUNDER Teen Center at the Fairfield Woods Branch library is still attracting droves of tweens and teens each day. The downUNDER was created to address the needs of the teens that flock to the library after school and was purposefully planned to be a safe, stimulating, comfortable environment that gives attendees the chance to try new things, explore their interests and make connections with their peers and the community at large. Since the downUNDER opened in 2008, it has seen over 22,000 teen visits from both the Fairfield Woods Middle School, which is adjacent to the library, and the surrounding neighborhood, often filling its 30 person capacity. It still may be the best kept secret in…

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GOV. MALLOY: 5-YEAR TRANSPORTATION CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN WILL CONTINUE INVESTMENTS TO STRENGTHEN AND UPGRADE STATE BRIDGES, HIGHWAYS AND RAIL SYSTEMS AND CREATE THOUSANDS OF JOBS

(WATERBURY, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy, joined by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, U.S. Representative Elizabeth Esty (CT-5)., Mayor Neil O’Leary, state Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) Commissioner James P. Redeker, state lawmakers, representatives from the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA), and members of the state building trades, today announced several of the state’s investments in major highway, bridge and rail projects as part of ConnDOT’s 2014-2018 Transportation Capital Infrastructure Program. The Governor made the announcement at the site of one of the Capital Program’s major projects, the widening of the I-84 corridor in Waterbury, which is set to begin construction this year.   “We have invested millions in our roads, bridges and railways over the…

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Street Fight Leads to Five Arrests

  (Bridgeport, CT – April 14, 2014) – Five people face charges after a street fight Saturday on Taft Avenue. Police Officer Juan Esquilin was sent to 146 Taft Ave. at 9:30 p.m. for a street fight. He was told by a witness that two cars pulled up and about 10 people got out and started to fight with her boyfriend and other people on Taft Avenue. He also spoke with Marcos Dasilva, 24, who stated that he was struck by a car driven by Sean McNamara, 20. Witnesses stated that Dasilva was knocked to the ground during the fight, got up and threw a can of beer at McNamara’s vehicle as it drove away, smashing its rear window. McNamara then backed up and struck…

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Detectives Obtain Arrest Warrant for Suspect in Groping Case

(Bridgeport, CT – April 14, 2014) -- Detectives have secured an arrest warrant charging a city man with approaching and groping two high school students on separate occasions in the East Side. Detectives Martin Heanue and Jorge Cintron secured the warrant on Thursday charging Harry Rodriguez, 40, of Hallet Street. He currently is jailed on unrelated charges. The warrant charges him with two counts of fourth-degree sexual assault, unlawful restraint and two counts each of risk of injury to a minor and breach of peace. He will be served with the warrant in Superior Court. The warrant stems from an investigation started after a report of six incidents in March where a male approached females, improperly touched them and then ran off. Rodriguez…

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GOV. MALLOY RELEASES CONNECTICUT’S CYBERSECURITY STRATEGY

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today released a cybersecurity plan for Connecticut’s utilities to help strengthen defense against possible future threats, such as a cyberattack.  Connecticut is the first state to present a cybersecurity strategy in partnership with the utilities, and will share it with other states working on similar plans.   Governor Malloy initiated the report as part of his 2013 Comprehensive Energy Strategy, which called on the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to work with state agencies and conduct a review of Connecticut’s electricity, natural gas, and major water companies to assess the adequacy of their capabilities to deter interruption of service and recommend actions strengthening deterrence.   “Fulfilling the promise of a more reliable energy future requires…

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