Governor, Lt. Governor Mark 50th Anniversary of Roe V. Wade
Press Release: Governor Ned Lamont and Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz released the following statements regarding the 50th anniversary of the January 22, 1973, landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade:
Governor Lamont said, “For almost five decades, United States courts have protected the constitutional rights of women to make their own healthcare and reproductive decisions. Now today, in the aftermath of Dobbs, we are faced with an activist court that has decided that they know better. The courts have turned back the clock to an era that saw dangerous and life-threatening situations in which women died or were left severely injured because they could not access the medical care that they should have every right to access on their own. I am grateful to live in Connecticut, where our laws make it clear that government will not interfere in reproductive freedom. As long as I am governor, I will do everything in my power to block laws from being enacted that restrict the right to choose.”
Lt. Governor Bysiewicz said, “On this 50th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, rededicating ourselves to protecting women’s reproductive rights is more important now than ever. Let’s be clear, the fight to protect these freedoms did not end on Election Day. Connecticut has always been a leader in advancing women’s rights, and last year we proved our commitment by expanding upon who can provide critical healthcare to women in need. We have opened our doors to women who need care if they can’t legally receive it in their own state, and we will continue to stand on the side of women to make sure that their right to choose is always protected.”
For more information on reproductive rights in Connecticut, visit ct.gov/reproductiverights.
Westport Property Transfers: December 19-23; Highest Sale at $5.7 Million on Post Road West
Westport Town Clerk’s Office:
Total Conveyance Tax: $58,568.75.
Total Sales: $23,427,500.00.
Highest Transfer Price: 57, 79, & 85 Post Road West: $5,750,000.
Lowest Transfer Price: 31 Hogan Trail: $700,000.
Transfers:
57, 79, & 85 Post Road West: $5,750,000
8 Mayflower Parkway: $3,550,000
4 Willow Walk Road: $2,887,500
140 Long Lots Road: $1,825,000
17 Gault Avenue: $1,820,000
5 Terra Nova Circle: $675,000/$675,000
8 Darbrook Road: $1,300,000
39 Maple Avenue South: $1,300,000
104 Old Road: $1,250,000
300 Lansdowne: $925,000
97 Newtown Turnpike: $770,000
31 Hogan Trail: $700,000
Morning Weather Report
Today
A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. West wind 6 to 14 mph.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Northwest wind 8 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow
Partly sunny, with a high near 41. Wind chill values between 25 and 35. North wind 6 to 9 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Increasing clouds, with a low around 27. North wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable in the evening.
Westport Wrecking Ball: 6 Laurel Road, Built in 1930, Prepares for Demolition
An application for a demolition permit for Westport’s 6 Laurel Lane was put before the Westport Historic District Commission last week. Built in 1930, the home has 2,158 square feet of living space and is situated on a 0.34 acre property. It was sold in January 2022 for $705,000. Because the house was built more than 50 years ago, the application was reviewed by the Westport Historic District Commission, who unanimously voted to waive the 180 day delay and allow for a demolition permit to be approved. For upcoming Historic District Commission meetings and their agendas, click here.
“Liquor Stickers” help Combat Underage Drinking
Press ReleaseFirst Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker and Human Services Director Elaine Daignault have announced the Westport Prevention Coalition's (WPC) new campaign to combat underage drinking in Westport. The WPC began working with alcohol retailers in December to provide complimentary “Liquor Stickers” to local package stores.
The campaign provides free information cards and “Liquor Stickers” to legal-age alcohol purchasers at the point of sale. The materials seek to raise community awareness about increased levels of underage drinking in Westport, and to encourage adults to do their part to prevent teens from accessing alcohol in the home.
"Liquor Stickers" seal the top of unfinished liquor bottles to monitor consumption. A broken seal indicates that someone has opened the bottle. These simple stickers offer an easy system that may prevent youth from accessing liquor in private homes.
At the time of publication, the following local retailers are participating in the campaign:
The Grapevine at King’s Corner
Black Bear Wine & Spirits
Kindred Spirits & Wine
Green’s Farms Spirit Shop
Dan’s Liquors
"There's a reason why alcohol and other substances such as nicotine and cannabis aren't legal for individuals under age 21", explains WPC co-chairs Kevin Godburn (Westport Youth Services) and Margaret Watt (Positive Directions). They continued, "Substance use in the teen years can disrupt healthy brain development and create a potential for lifelong consequences including a future of addiction and mental health problems. We encourage residents to talk to their children about the dangers of alcohol and drug misuse and help spread the word to other community members.”
According to the 2021 Youth Survey conducted by Positive Directions on behalf of WPC, Westport teens reported drinking at a rate higher than the 2019 CT state average–even though the survey occurred during the pandemic when social opportunities were rarer.
Together we can take steps to help reduce underage access to these substances.
Be aware that teens who drink often access alcohol at home or in a friend's home. Use liquor stickers to seal the tops of your liquor bottles, and/or keep your alcohol in a locked cabinet to prevent access by your children or their friends.
Ensure that kids aren't drinking at your house, and call ahead when your kids are invited to a party to make sure that adults will be home and making sure alcohol is not available.
CT's "Social Host Law" holds adults (age 18+) responsible if someone under 21 drinks on their property. Penalties include a $2000 fine per youth who was drinking, as well as up to a year in prison. The Social Host Law applies even if the adults were not on site and/or were unaware that teens were drinking in their homes. (This law also applies to cannabis.)
First Selectwoman Tooker encourages residents to "Thank your retailers for doing their part to protect Westport youth by participating in this important initiative with the Prevention Coalition."
Morning Weather Report
Today
Rain, mainly after 11am. High near 42. Calm wind becoming east around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight
Rain, mainly before 2am. Low around 37. East wind 6 to 11 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tomorrow
A 40 percent chance of rain, mainly before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. West wind 6 to 15 mph.
Tomorrow Night
A 20 percent chance of rain before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Northwest wind 10 to 13 mph.
Westport Police: 5 Westport Tobacco/Vape Vendors Pass Undercover Compliance Check
Westport Police Department: On Wednesday January 18, 2023, the Westport Police Department working with the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement Program (TPEP) conducted unannounced compliance inspections of establishments that sell tobacco products and/or electronic cigarettes. The inspections were performed in an effort to determine compliance with state laws concerning the prohibition of the sale of e-cigarettes and/or tobacco products to youth under the age of 21.
Retailers are required by state law to inspect the photo ID of anyone who appears under the age of 30 before selling a tobacco product or electronic cigarette. Free online training is available to anyone who would like to learn more at: www.cttobaccotraining.com.
A total of 5 unannounced compliance inspections were conducted. Of this total, 0 (zero), establishments were found non-compliant with Connecticut General Statutes 53-344 (Sale of tobacco to a person under 21) or Section 53-344b (Sale of an e-cigarette to a person under 21).
Learn more at https://www.ct.gov/dmhas/tpep
Tobacco retailers are licensed by the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS). Non-compliant inspection results are referred to DRS for possible administrative action.
The following retailers were found to be compliant:
Shell/A1 Smoke Shop – 322 Post Road East
Cumberland Farms – 690 Post Road East
Westport Cigar & Vape – 1248 Post Road East
Merritt Country Store – 337 Main Street
WP Convenience – 1761 Post Road East
Westport Man Arrested (again); This time for Property Damage
Contributed photo
On December 21st, 2022 Westport Police initiated an investigation after a complaint was made regarding damage caused to landscaping at property owned by the Westport Housing Authority. The complainant provided video surveillance of the alleged suspect driving over grass areas of the property causing significant damage. Through the surveillance footage, the investigating officer identified the alleged suspect as James Doyle. The officer applied for and was granted a warrant charging Mr. Doyle with the above crime. On January 13th, 2023, the investigating officer witnessed Mr. Doyle driving his vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. Mr. Doyle was arrested and transported to Westport Police Department where he was processed. Mr. Doyle was released on court set bond of $2500 with a court date of January 23rd, 2023 at Stamford Superior Court.
Mr. Doyle was also arrested for striking a jogger just last week and again in November for Stalking. Staples Basketball Defeated By Danbury In Final Moments, 63-54
Center Chris Zajac is surrounded by Danbury players after pulling down one of his 10 rebounds.
The undefeated Wreckers traveled to Danbury to take on the undefeated Hatters on Tuesday night and in the end, only one would remain undefeated. Unfortunately for Staples, that team would be Danbury. They are now the last team in the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference (FCIAC) to post a loss. The Wreckers knew they had a tall task in challenging GametimeCT’s #5 team in the state and they would have to play their best to prevail. For most of the game they did so. Staples was in control leading by as much as 9 points late in the 3rd quarter. They lead by 6 points with a little over 5 minutes to play but that was the point at which the Hatters went into overdrive. In just the next three minutes Danbury scored repeatedly and with 2:17 left to play they had built a 5 point lead. Staples cut the lead to just two points, but in the last 1:35 of the game the Hatters were unstoppable scoring seven unanswered points to pull off a come from behind victory. Danbury had outscored the Wreckers 27-10 in the final period to remain undefeated with their 63-54 victory.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Bright spots for Staples included senior guard, co-captain Cody Sale who led the way for the Wreckers scoring 16 points. Senior center, co-captain Chris Zajac managed to add 15 ponts and pulled down 10 rebounds for yet another of his trademark double-doubles despite missing most of the first half by being in foul trouble. Freshman standout Sam Clachko's poised play resulted in him chipping in 9 points.
The Staples Wreckers will be looking to redeem themselves and get back on track Friday night at home facing the Black Knights of Stamford High School.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Partly sunny, with a high near 50. West wind 8 to 14 mph.
Tonight
A 20 percent chance of rain after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow
Rain and snow likely before 10am, then rain. High near 43. Calm wind becoming east 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Tomorrow Night
Rain, mainly before 1am. Low around 36. East wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.