James Bairaktaris James Bairaktaris

Earthplace’s Harbor Watch Hosts Water Quality Symposium Thursday with local High-schoolers

Press Release

The Harbor Watch team is proud to announce the return of the Annual Water Quality Symposium on Thursday, December 1, at Earthplace from 6:30-7pm. Throughout the fall season, 11 high school students from Fairfield, Norwalk, New Canaan, Stamford, Stratford, Weston and Westport participated in the River Research Program, focused on studying the water quality in Stony Brook (starting south of the Merritt Parkway in Norwalk to its discharge into Saugatuck River in Westport). These students will present their findings in a conference-style poster session to community members, municipal partners and local teachers.

During this six-week program, the students learned about important local water quality issues and what Harbor Watch is doing to help track down and mitigate sources of sewage pollution in natural waterways. They were also taught methods for bacteria and nutrient testing in water and were exposed to useful field and laboratory skills, data analysis, and presentation skills.

Presentation topics will include a seasonal comparison of bacteria concentrations in Stony Brook, a multiple year comparison of bacteria data of Stony Brook, and macro-invertebrate composition analysis in Stony Brook.

Nikki Spiller, Director of Harbor Watch says, “We believe that all our education programs are vital in providing students in our community with hands-on educational experiences to solve real-world problems. While in our programs, they are given the opportunity to explore a possible career path, develop a better understanding how their actions can impact the health of these rivers and Long Island Sound and gain critical thinking and analysis skills that can be used beyond the sciences.” 

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Obituaries James Bairaktaris Obituaries James Bairaktaris

Frank Richard Mori, Westporter, Died

Frank Richard Mori, of Westport, CT, passed away peacefully on November 22, 2022, in the company of loved ones. Mr. Mori graduated summa cum laude Dartmouth College and went on to earn his master's degree from Harvard Business School. Frank was a titan of industry, starting as a manager at the General Foods Company and working his way toward what would be a long and distinguished career as President and CEO of Anne Klein and CEO of Donna Karan International, where he played an instrumental role in developing the foundations of the fashion industry as it is known today. He was a philanthropic man who served on the Board of Directors of the Stride Rite Corp., Barington/Hilco Acquisition Corp., Dillards Inc., and Horizons.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 4 to 8pm in the Lesko & Polke Funeral Home, Fairfield CT. Funeral services will take place on Thursday at 11am in the Funeral Home, with a reception to follow. A private interment will be held on Friday in Putnam Cemetery, Greenwich, CT. To read his complete obituary, for travel directions or to sign his online guest registry, please visit www.LeskoPolkeFuneral Home.com

Published by New York Times on Nov. 29, 2022.

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James Bairaktaris James Bairaktaris

Westport Man Arrested for Possession of Child Pornography; Released on $150k Bond

Press Release

On August 15th, 2022, Westport Police initiated an investigation into the possession of suspected child pornography by a local resident after receiving a cybertip from National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).  The images contained in the cybertip were confirmed child pornography and the supplier of the cybertip provided the name of John Minehan as the person allegedly responsible for downloading the content.

Along with the provided images and suspect name, NCMEC also provided an IP address of the device(s) used to download the content.  Search warrants were executed to identify the subscriber of the IP address which confirmed the name on the cybertip as John Minehan of Westport, CT.  The Westport Police Detective Bureau executed a search warrant at the residence on October 21st, 2022 and seized several items of evidence suspected of containing child pornography.  A warrant was applied for and granted. 

On November 28th, 2022, Mr. Minehan turned himself into Westport Police where he was charged with the Possession of Child Pornography 1st degree and released on a $150,000.00 bond with a court date of December 8th, 2022, at Stamford Superior Court. 

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James Bairaktaris James Bairaktaris

Morning Weather Report

Today

Showers, mainly after 10am. High near 59. Breezy, with a southeast wind 5 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 46 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tonight

A 30 percent chance of showers before 10pm. Mostly cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 31. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. Breezy, with a west wind 16 to 21 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 38 mph.

Tomorrow

Sunny, with a high near 45. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. West wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

Tomorrow Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 28. West wind 5 to 9 mph becoming calm after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph.

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