Obituaries James Bairaktaris Obituaries James Bairaktaris

Sally Lyon, 83, Died; Staples High School Graduate

4/27/1939 - 12/29/2022

Sally was an artist. She designed silver jewelry and taught art in her community. Later in her life she became an accomplished plein-art painter in the Hudson River Valley. Born in Norwalk, CT, Sally Guthrie Lyon died on December 29, 2022. The daughter of the late Dr. C. E. Guthrie, veterinarian, and Marjorie Guthrie in Wilton, CT, she graduated from Staples High School and earned a degree in Fine Arts from Michigan State. She is survived by five siblings: Joseph Guthrie, Sonoma, CA; Jane Guthrie, Manhattan Beach, CA; Sidney Guthrie, Berkeley, CA; Susan Guthrie Rawls, Philadelphia, PA; and Margaret Guthrie VanAcker, Wilton, CT and her longtime companion, Brad Kato, Rhinebeck, NY.

She will be buried in the family cemetery in Silvermine, CT. https://www.lastingmemories.com/sally-guthrie-lyon

Published by the Daily Freeman from Jan. 23 to Jan. 27, 2023.

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Morning Weather Report

Today

Rain before 1pm, then rain and snow likely between 1pm and 4pm, then a chance of snow after 4pm. Temperature falling to around 36 by 1pm. Northwest wind 9 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Tonight

A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. Northwest wind 11 to 16 mph.

Tomorrow

Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. Wind chill values between 20 and 30. West wind 13 to 16 mph.

Tomorrow Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. West wind 5 to 13 mph.

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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