Police Looking for Information on 1989 Death of Westporter found Burned on Main Street
Contributed photo of Joan M. Werktin.Westport Police Department:
On May 24, 1989 at approximately 11:00 pm, officers and fire personnel were dispatched to a report of a fire in the rear of the 337 Main Street shopping plaza. Arriving first responders observed a female body had been burned at that location near the wood line. Shortly thereafter, the deceased’s husband contacted police to report her missing.
The deceased, Joan M. Werktin, then age 38, of Westport, had allegedly left her residence earlier that evening to go grocery shopping, but never returned home. Her vehicle, a white 1988 BMW 325, was located parked in the front of the shopping plaza. Joan Wertkin was a petite white female with long dark hair and a thin build. On the night of her death, she was reportedly wearing a dark colored running suit made of velour type material. Investigators do not believe she drove herself to the Main Street location.
The murder of Joan Wertkin is an active investigation and is being evaluated with advanced techniques. Anyone with information is asked to contact Lieutenant Jillian Cabana and Detective Philip Restieri at (203) 520-3831 or coldcasetips@westportct.gov.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Rain, mainly before 4pm. Areas of fog before 4pm. High near 50. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight
A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly before 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 48. Southwest wind around 7 mph.
Tomorrow
A chance of showers before 1pm, then rain likely after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 60. Southwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tomorrow Night
Rain before 1am, then showers likely after 1am. Low around 42. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Howard Simon, Active Westport Community Member, Died
Howard Simon, long time resident of Weston, died on Friday, December 30th after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He is survived by his wife, Amy Simon, his daughters Katherine McCarty (Matthew), Lisa Simon Bailey (Jeff), his sons Matthew Simon, David Simon (Andrea), James Simon and five grandchildren: Ross Simon, Evan Simon, Marshall Bailey, Reed McCarty and Kira McCarty.
He was born in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1932. He was predeceased by his parents, I. E. Simon and Gertrude L. Simon, his brothers, Jerrold Simon and Ronald Simon and his son, Bruce Simon. Howard attended St. Paul Central High School followed by University of Minnesota where he studied Business Administration and was a member of Phi Epsilon fraternity.
He joined his family's manufacturing business, Simon and Mogilner, in Birmingham, Alabama where he directed sales and marketing before becoming CEO. Howard then worked as an early pioneer in financing for cellular communications and independent tv stations before representing Major League Baseball players as an agent.
Howard was an avid tennis player, sports fan, and loved his monthly poker game. He followed politics and current events with keen interest. He was a mentor and advisor who was always happy to provide advice and business guidance. Above all, he was known for his affable personality, engaging everyone he met with midwestern charm.
Funeral services will be held on at 11 am on Wednesday, January 4th at Abraham L. Green and Son Funeral Home, 88 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT. Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff at Jewish Senior Services, Bridgeport, who cared for him with great compassion and kindness.
Westport Book Shop Welcomes January Artist Katya Lebrija
The Westport Book Shop is pleased to welcome mixed media artist Katya Lebrija as guest exhibitor for the month of January at the Book Shop’s Drew Friedman Art Place.
Katya is exhibiting several pieces from her Destinations collection. These works freshly map both real and imagined places. The viewer is drawn in with strongly composed fields that feel unexpectedly light and free because they defy perspective. They might indicate a road somewhere, with aqueous palettes and amorphous forms beckoning elsewhere. Externally oriented, and inwardly directed, these pieces invite delightful deciphering and reflection.
“My journey as an artist consists of endless exploration and experimentation. I am fascinated by using different materials in my art, and work with different mediums like acrylics, gesso, ink, collage, oil pastels, and charcoal on surfaces like canvas, wood, or paper. My Mexican heritage and roots inspire most of my subjects. The richness of the Mexican culture frees my work, and I reinterpret reality by introducing abstract elements to my compositions,” said Katya.
Katya was born in Mexico City. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design from Universidad Anáhuac in 1995. After graduating, she worked as a freelance Graphic Designer until December of 1999, when she moved to the United States.
Katya Lebrija’s art has been exhibited in various sites throughout Connecticut, Vermont, and New York City, as well as in her native Mexico City. She often participates in juried group shows and has had several solo exhibitions since 2013.
Katya’s artwork will be on exhibit at the Book Shop through January 31, 2023. All artwork on display is available for purchase.
To see more of Katya’s work, visit her website: www.katyalebrija.com You can follow her on instagram at @katya.lebrija.
Westport Book Shop, a nonprofit used book store, is downtown Westport’s only source for gently used and antiquarian books, vintage vinyl records, CDs, DVDs and audio books. It is located at 23 Jesup Road, right across Jesup Green from the Westport Library.
The Book Shop’s “Drew Friedman Art Place” is an area of the store dedicated to exhibiting the work of community artists year-round, on a rotating basis. Miggs Burroughs, a Trustee of the Drew Friedman Community Arts Center, and a founding member of The Artists Collective of Westport, is curating these exhibits, which change monthly.
The art exhibit is open to the public during the Book Shop’s business hours: Sundays and Mondays from Noon to 5 p.m., and Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. Calm wind becoming west around 6 mph.
Tonight
Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Calm wind.
Tomorrow
Showers likely, mainly after 1pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 54. East wind 5 to 11 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tomorrow Night
Showers likely, mainly after 1am. Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a steady temperature around 51. Southwest wind 7 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
First Sunset of 2023
Tonight’s pastel colored skies marked the start of 2023 and another year of South Beach scenes like this. Photo by Nancy Lally for WestportLocal.com
A Photographic Review of 2022
A snapshot of our community in the past 365 days. A lot has changed within the year, and yet, a lot has not. Click to enlarge each photo. January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
New Year’s Day Weather Report
Today
Sunny, with a high near 52. West wind 6 to 10 mph.
Tonight
Increasing clouds, with a low around 36. Light west wind.
Tomorrow
Partly sunny, with a high near 51. Calm wind becoming west around 6 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Calm wind.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Sunny, with a high near 52. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Tonight
Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Calm wind.
Tomorrow
Showers likely, mainly after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 51. Light southwest wind. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tomorrow Night
Showers, mainly before 1am. Low around 43. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Fire Chief: Battery from Vacuum Causes Garbage Truck Fire
The Westport Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a fire in a garbage truck on Fairview Drive. The fire department responded with two engines and the Shift Commander. Units arrived and found the garbage truck operator had dumped the garbage from the truck and extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher. Upon further investigation, the cause of the fire was found to be the lithium batteries for a battery-operated vacuum cleaner. The garbage truck operator heard an explosion and saw smoke from the truck's rear. The operator was able to dump the garbage to extinguish the small fire.
Improper disposal of lithium batteries can cause fires. Lithium batteries are unlikely to catch fire if handled and disposed of properly, but they can, through faults inside the battery or from external damage. And when they do catch fire, the consequences can be severe.
Smart Safety Tips for Devices with Lithium-Ion Batteries
These batteries are in cell phones, laptops, tablets, electric cars, and scooters. Lithium batteries store a lot of energy and can pose a threat if not treated properly. Unfortunately, like any product, a small number of these batteries are defective. As a result, they can overheat, catch fire, or explode.
Be Smart if using any devices powered by lithium batteries:
When purchasing devices, ensure the equipment has the Underwriters Laboratories Mark. The UL mark shows that the product has been safety tested.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for charging and storage.
Do not charge a device under your pillow, bed, or couch.
Always use the manufacturer's cord, and power adapter explicitly made for the device.
Keep batteries/devices at room temperature. Do not place it in direct sunlight.
Store batteries away from anything flammable.
If a battery overheats or you notice an odor, change in shape/color, leaking, or odd noises from a device, discontinue use immediately. If safe, move the device away from anything that can catch fire and call 9-1-1.
Lithium Battery Disposal
Do not put lithium-ion batteries in the trash.
Recycling is always the best option.
Take them to a battery recycling location or contact your community for disposal instructions.
Do not put discarded batteries in piles.
Westport residents may recycle these types of batteries at the transfer station; Recycling Center is located at 300 Sherwood Island Connector. Form more infomration https://www.westportct.gov/government/departments-a-z/public-works-department/recycling