Police: Man Arrested after Hitting Jogger and Fleeing to Gas Station to Talk About it
Westport Police Department:
On January 8th, 2023 at approximately 8:06 am Westport Police responded to the area of Greens Farms Rd and Hills Point Rd on a report of an accident with injuries. Upon arrival, the investigating officer determined that there were minor injuries (shoulder pain) and the suspect vehicle had left the scene.
The injured party claimed he was jogging on Greens Farms Rd, crossing Hills Point Rd when he was struck by a vehicle turning left from Greens Farms Rd on Hills Point Road. While speaking with the injured party, a witness arrived and advised that the suspect vehicle was at Cumberland Farms (Hills Point Road/Post Road East) and the suspected offender was inside the business making statements about “hitting a jogger”. Officers responded to the Cumberland Farms where they located the alleged suspect vehicle and operator. The alleged operator was identified as James Doyle.
As a result of the investigation, Mr. Doyle was arrested and charged with the above reference crimes. He was transported to Westport Police Department where he was processed and released on Promise to Appear with a court date of January 19th, 2023 at Stamford Superior Court.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Increasing clouds, with a high near 40. East wind 3 to 5 mph.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Light east wind.
Tomorrow
A 50 percent chance of rain, mainly after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 50. Southeast wind 5 to 8 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Rain. Steady temperature around 48. Southeast wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Charles “Bill” Pryor, 87, Died; Longtime Westporter, World Traveler
Charles William Pryor, 87, of Westport, CT and more recently Ewing, NJ, passed away on December 20th, 2022. He was predeceased by his father Charles William Pryor II, mother Berniece Weikert Pryor and sister Jane Lynn Pryor, and survived by his wife Barbara Caldwell Pryor of 65 years, son William Caldwell Pryor, daughter Jane Lynn Pryor, sister Judith Pryor Taussig and 3 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, 4 nieces and 1 nephew.
Commonly referred to by most as Bill, he was born in Punxsutawney, PA on December 13th, 1935 and spent most of his childhood years moving from town to town as part of the life of a presbyterian minister’s family. By high school, Bill had proven himself as a talented athlete where he excelled in both baseball and basketball in Niagara Falls and Weehawken, for which he received the Most Outstanding Athlete award during his senior year.
Bill attended Rutgers University and Westminster College with basketball scholarships and ultimately earned his degree from New York University, going to night school while working full-time as an accountant for the Ford Motor Company.
Bill’s business career was highlighted by many significant achievements. Shortly after graduating from NYU, he took an accounting position at Avon Products in Rye, NY. From there he rose to the top ranks in the international division with a career at Avon that spanned over 40 years. In 1964, along with just two other employees, Bill transferred to Sydney to establish the Australian division for Avon. During his eight years in Australia, he was promoted to Managing Director, leading the organization in a period of massive growth for the company. In 1972, upon returning to the US, he continued to work in Avon’s international division with responsibilities for parts of the business in Europe and South America. In 1981, he moved to Tokyo as President of Avon-Japan, where he transformed the business into the best financially performing international division. In his final chapter at Avon, Bill served as President of Avon-China where he led the subsidiary to profitability, while achieving ethical recognition for Avon through the establishment of appropriate business practices, government negotiations and relationships. With this, Bill was able to gain approval from the Chinese government for Avon-China to become the first company, after all direct selling in the country was abruptly banned, to re-enter the market. This portion of Bill’s career is well documented as the subject of a Harvard Business School Case Study.
Bill loved to travel, enjoying his favorite restaurants in Sydney, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Paris, Bangkok and Manila in the company of his business associates, friends and family. Sports remained a lifelong interest of Bill’s. He loved golf, and rooting for his favorite sports teams like the Yankees, Mets and Duke Basketball.
Per Bill’s wishes there will be no public funeral or memorial service. At some point in the future, there will be a private ceremony for family members. In lieu of flowers, we invite people to make a donation to a charity of their choosing.
Wheels2U Riders Get Free Cup of Joe for Holiday Weekend
Press ReleaseTo celebrate Martin Luther King Day, the Westport Transit District and Steam Coffee Tea are teaming up to offer riders free coffee. Just ride Wheels2U in the morning on Friday, January 13 or Tuesday, January 17, show your proof of completed ride at Steam between 6 AM and 10:30 AM that morning, and receive a free regular coffee. (There is no Wheels2U service on Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 16).
Wheels2U Westport is the Westport Transit District’s on-demand, group ride, door-to -train platform shuttle service. Proof of completed Wheels2U rides can be found in your History on the Wheels2U app. Just tap the three bars in the upper left corner of the screen to reveal the information.
“We are pleased to be collaborating with Steam to help encourage the use of this essential service for our town,” said Peter Gold, Director of the Westport Transit District. It’s also a great promotion for Steam right there on Railroad Place. And, of course, a great cup of coffee for the commuters!”
Riders can use the Wheels2U Westport app to request a pickup between 5:45 AM and 10:00 AM and between 4 PM and 9:30 PM and be taken to or from the Saugatuck or Greens Farms train platform and their front door. Pickups should be requested about 20 minutes before you would normally leave to drive to the station. The fare is $2.00 when paid with the Wheels2U app.
For more information about Wheels2U, including how to download the Wheels2U app and book a ride, go to www.wheels2uwestport.com. For more information about the Westport Transit District’s services for the elderly and people with disabilities go to www.WestportTransit.org.
Steam is located at 16 Railroad Place, Westport, CT and is open between 6 AM and 10:30. For more information about Steam go to https://steamcoffeetea.com/.
Governor Announces Licensed Cannabis Dealers on Day 1 of Legalization
Stock image. Governor Ned Lamont’s Office:Governor Ned Lamont today announced that first legal retail sales in Connecticut of adult-use cannabis to all adults aged 21 and over began this morning at several retailers that have been licensed to sell the products. The licensed retailers were permitted to begin selling cannabis products effective at 10:00 a.m. today.
The opening of the adult-use cannabis market in Connecticut marks the start of an expanded cannabis industry that prioritizes the safe and equitable regulation of adult-use cannabis, as well as the preservation of the medical marijuana market, which continues to serve nearly 50,000 patients in the state. The law implementing these measures was signed by Governor Lamont in 2021 and contains comprehensive reforms addressing equity, criminal justice, public health, and public safety.
This new industry is expected to bring hundreds of new, good-paying jobs to Connecticut as businesses continue to open and expand, including work in production and jobs directly handling cannabis products, as well as industry support like technical jobs, administrative and information technology positions, and security.
The law takes a comprehensive approach to promoting social equity, focused on the neighborhoods most impacted by the war on drugs. It provides for expungement of past cannabis-related crimes and reserves half of all cannabis business licenses for people from impacted neighborhoods. In addition, more than half of the revenue from cannabis sales will be dedicated to a new fund that will be invested in those neighborhoods.
“Today marks a turning point in the injustices caused by the war on drugs, most notably now that there is a legal alternative to the dangerous, unregulated, underground market for cannabis sales,” Governor Lamont said. “Together with our partners in the legislature and our team of professionals at the Department of Consumer Protection, we’ve carefully crafted a securely regulated market that prioritizes public health, public safety, social justice, and equity. I look forward to continuing our efforts to ensure that this industry remains inclusive and safe as it develops.”
“An old conviction for a low-level cannabis possession shouldn’t hold someone back from pursuing their career, housing, professional, and educational aspirations,” Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said. “Governor Lamont and I welcome this change to help people regain their freedom and the opportunity to pursue the careers and jobs they rightfully deserve.”
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection has overseen the regulation of the adult-use cannabis market in the state, ensuring that it prioritizes public health and safety.
“This is an exciting day for Connecticut and our team at the Department of Consumer Protection, which has worked tirelessly to stand up this safe, well-regulated and equitable new market,” Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull said. “We will continue to ensure the patients in our medical marijuana program receive the standard of care and service they have come to expect, and as always, we encourage all adults who choose to purchase and use cannabis to do so responsibly.”
The Social Equity Council was created by that same law that Governor Lamont signed in 2021 and has been tasked with ensuring the adult-use cannabis market is grown equitably and to bring funds from the program back to the communities hit hardest by the war on drugs.
“The opening of this new marketplace is an important milestone in the work of the Social Equity Council and a culmination of a lot of hard work over the past year,” Paul O. Robertson, deputy commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development and chair of the Social Equity Council, said. “In my role as chair, I will be focused on ensuring we fully capitalize on this opportunity to lend a helping hand to those negatively impacted by the war on drugs.”
There are three taxes on the retail sale of cannabis, including the state’s usual 6.35% sales tax, a 3% sales tax dedicated to the city or town where the sale occurs, and a tax based on THC content that will cost approximately 10% to 15% of the sale price.
As of today, the retailers in Connecticut that have been licensed to sell cannabis products to all adults aged 21 and older include:
Affinity Health and Wellness (New Haven)
The Botanist – Danbury (Danbury)
The Botanist – Montville (Montville)
Fine Fettle Dispensary – Newington (Newington)
Fine Fettle Dispensary – Stamford (Stamford)
Fine Fettle Dispensary – Willimantic (Willimantic)
RISE Branford (formerly Bluepoint Wellness of Connecticut) (Branford)
Still River Wellness (Torrington)
Zen Leaf Meriden (formerly Willow Brook Wellness) (Meriden)
For more information about adult-use cannabis in Connecticut, visit ct.gov/cannabis.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. Wind chill values between 20 and 30. West wind 8 to 11 mph.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tomorrow
Mostly sunny, with a high near 39. Wind chill values between 20 and 30. Northeast wind around 7 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Northeast wind around 6 mph.
One Hospitalized after Bridge Street Car Accident
At 6:12 PM this evening, the Westport Fire Department along with Westport PD and EMS responded to a multi-vehicle crash in front of 40 Bridge Street. One driver of a vehicle was trapped in their car and required extrication using hydraulic extrication tools. After removal from the vehicle, the patient was transferred by Westport EMS to local hospital.
No other injuries were reported.
The last unit cleared the scene at 7:13 PM.
Fire Department: Simple Accident Causes Kitchen Fire on Berndale Drive
At 12:32 PM on January 9, 2023, the Westport Fire Department received a call from a central monitoring station reporting a smoke detector activation at 22 Berndale Drive. While en route, the alarm company updated fire dispatch that a person on scene reported a fire in the house.
The assignment was upgraded from 1 engine to: 4 engines, 1 heavy rescue, 1 shift commander, 1 mutual aid truck company from Wilton, Westport EMS, and Westport PD.
First arriving units reported a stove fire with extension to the cabinets above. A hand line was deployed and the fire was extinguished with approximately 20 gallons of water. The fire did not extend beyond the cabinets and the smoke in the house was removed over an hour period using fans. The house sustained smoke and fire damage, but the house remained habitable.
The fire appears to have started by bumping the knob on an electric range top and accidently turning on the burner with items stored on top. The NFPA recommends that you keep anything that can catch fire–oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, curtains–away from your stovetop. Fire Marshal Terrence Dunn said, “Do not store items on your stovetop. The household had a monitored fire alarm system which significantly reduced the amount fire damage and saved the life of a family pet.”
The last fire department unit cleared the scene at 2:00 PM and no injuries were reported.
Morning Weather Report
Today
A 30 percent chance of snow before 10am. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 43. Calm wind becoming northwest around 6 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 29. West wind 3 to 6 mph.
Tomorrow
Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
Tomorrow Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Calm wind.
New Neighbors: Clarendon Fine Art to Main Street; First in US
Main Street will be less mainstream as Clarendon Fine Art announced their future opening at 22 Main Street. The UK based fine arts gallery group has galleries throughout London and the United Kingdom, with Westport being their first gallery across the pond. Through bright artwork and a facelift to the downtown building, the company announced “The world’s leading art gallery group is opening its doors in the USA for the first time in Westport, CT. With over 80 beautiful galleries across the UK and beyond, our mission is to make art accessible to everyone.” No word yet on the exact opening date, however posters describe January 2023. WestportLocal.com photo