President, Governor Lowers Flags to Respect California Shooting Victims
Governor Ned Lamont today announced that – in accordance with a proclamation from President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. directing flags to be lowered throughout the country as a mark of solemn respect for victims of the mass shooting last night in Monterey Park, California – he is directing U.S. and state flags in Connecticut to fly at half-staff beginning immediately until sunset on Thursday, January 26, 2023.
Accordingly, since no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags, including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise, should also be lowered during this same duration of time.
“My heart breaks for those who were killed and injured in last night’s mass shooting in Monterey Park,” Governor Lamont said. “This tragedy at the hands of an individual with a gun is a sad and terrible reminder that more action is needed to prevent deadly shootings like this.”
Gretchen Hoeltzel, 56, Died; Former Westporter
Gretchen Hoeltzel, 56, of West Stockbridge MA, passed away on December 13, 2022 at Berkshire Medical Center with her husband and mother by her side.
Born in Elkhart, Indiana on July 2, 1966, she was the daughter of Rudolph L. and Mary Ball Hoeltzel. She grew up in Indiana and Westport, Connecticut, and graduated with honors from the University of Massachusetts.
She married Alan Champney of Dennis, Massachusetts in September 1994 and spent most of her married life on the Cape, where she and Alan owned and operated L'Alouette Bistro in Harwichport. She enjoyed days off at the outer beach and long walks with the many dogs she adopted. Along with Alan, she loved hosting and feasting with family and friends. She is remembered by all who knew her for her loving kindness, gentleness, and free spirit.
Gretchen is survived by her husband Alan, her mother Mary of Stockbridge, her brother Lloyd Hoeltzel and his wife Angela and daughter Sylvie (Gretchen's niece) of Secaucus New Jersey, along with several cousins and extended family.
SERVICES - There will be a Celebration of Life for Gretchen on the Cape in April. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Berkshire Humane Society in care of Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230. To send remembrances to the family please go to www.finnertyandstevens.com
Published by The Berkshire Eagle on Jan. 21, 2023.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 41. North wind 7 to 9 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 28. Light and variable wind.
Tomorrow
A 50 percent chance of rain after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Light southwest wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Tomorrow Night
Rain. Low around 36. South wind 7 to 14 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Westport Property Transfers: December 26-30th; One Property Sells for $1.2 Million
Westport Town Clerk’s Office:
Total Conveyance Tax: $3,045.00.
Total Sales: $1,218,000
Transfer:
31 Ellery Lane: $1,218,000
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.