“we all show up to help”; 29 Rowers Rescued from Long Island Sound
Westport Fire Department photoPress Release:
Westport Police, Westport Fire, and Westport EMS responded to Compo Beach on a report that there were numerous people in the water after a boat they were operating capsized. Responding units found a chaotic scene of youths swimming to shore, arriving by boat, and some still in the water near Cockenoe Island. First Responders immediately began providing care to those individuals who were on shore and coordinating the recovery of people in the water. While accounting for and locating all the people involved, medical care was provided, and two individuals were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
At this time the initial investigation indicates that three (3) rowing sculls and one (1) chase boat launched from Saugatuck Rowing Club. Each rowing scull is 60 feet long and held nine (9) rowers ranging in age from 14-18 while the chase boat was operated by their coach. When the boats reached the area of Cockenoe Island, the weather began to change, and the rowers attempted to return to the rowing club. The rowing sculls began to take on water causing two of them to capsize throwing 18 people into the water. These individuals swam to the chase boat and began to hang onto the side of that boat which caused the chase boat to sink as well. Another chase boat from the rowing club arrived on scene and began to shuttle people to Compo Beach Marina.
At the time of this incident the air temperature was approximately 40 degrees, and the water temperature was 44 degrees.
In total there were 29 people from the rowing club that were involved in this incident.
The following agencies assisted Westport Emergency Services with this incident:
Fairfield Police Marine Division
Stamford Police Marine Division
Noroton Fire Boat
Norwalk Police Marine Division
Norwalk Fire Marine Division
US Coast Guard
The following Emergency Medical Services provided a combined 8 ambulances and 20 personnel:
Norwalk Hospital
American Medical Response (AMR)
Darien EMS
Westport Board of Education assisted by providing a school bus to transport the individuals from Compo Beach to Saugatuck Rowing Club.
“This was truly a team effort” Chief Koskinas stated. “We are grateful for our surrounding agencies who assisted us with this incident and remind our communities that when a large scale event, like this, happens we all show up to help.”
New Date For Firefighter’s Whiskey Tasting To Fund Replacement Of AED’s For First Responders
This 2nd annual event was originally scheduled for Friday, April 26th, but has been re-scheduled for Wednesday, April 24th. The Westport community is gathering to raise funds for replacing the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) machines used by first responders.
Hosted by the Westport Firefighters Charitable Foundation, the event will be held at Autostrada of Westport from 5:30 to 10:00 p.m. It promises to be an enjoyable evening filled with entertainment and elegance, right in the heart of our town. Attendees will be welcomed with a red-carpet entrance and can enjoy drinks, delicious bites, and participate in a silent auction featuring contributions from local donors.
The goal of this fundraising gala is to ensure that every Fire, Police, and EMS vehicle in our community is equipped with functional AED machines, which are crucial in emergency situations. AEDs are portable devices that deliver an electric shock to the heart to correct abnormal rhythms, particularly during sudden cardiac arrest. This condition occurs when the heart's natural electrical system malfunctions, and prompt treatment is vital to prevent fatalities. The existing AEDs in Westport are reaching the end of their lifespan and require replacement, with a fundraising target set at $75,000.00.
Westport Firefighter Robert Lenois, President of the Westport Firefighters Charitable Foundation, emphasized, “AEDs are a crucial piece of equipment needed to have a positive outcome during a cardiac arrest. The money donated during this event is going to save lives.”
Police Chief Foti Koskinas expressed appreciation for the Foundation's efforts and highlighted the significance of AEDs in their emergency response procedures. “The Westport Firefighters Charitable Foundation should be applauded for their efforts. AEDs are an integral tool when we respond to cardiac arrest events. Westport’s first responders have used AEDs successfully and have saved the lives of many people in Westport.”
All members of the community who wish to support this cause are invited to join the event on April 26th. Together, we can contribute to the safety and well-being of our friends, neighbors, and loved ones through our collective generosity.
Tickets can be purchased online here: 2nd Annual Whiskey Tasting
Various Sponsorship packages are also available for businesses and organizations interested in demonstrating their commitment to community health and safety. For more information, please contact rlenois@westportct.gov
UConn Fans Turn Mitchell’s Westport Into Husky Heaven
On Wednesday night Mitchell’s on the Post Rd. in Westport hosted a truly one-of-a-kind event when they brought the legendary UConnHead Coach Geno Auriemma and his many members of his 2024 Big East Champion Women’s Baskeball team to meet their fans, celebrate their accomplishments and to raise funds for their student athlete involved charity, Bleeding Blue For Good.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Above, left, Page Bueckers joins Legendary UConn Women’s Basketball coach Geno Auriemma on stage to speak with the nearly 200 Husky fans gathered for the event. At right, Husky KK Arnold joins Auriemma and the moderator.
The was a sea of smiling faces at the event as nearly 200 members of Huskey Nation ranging in age from elementary schoolers to one gentleman who was 100 years young. Fans waited on lines to take photos with UConn stars such as Paige Bueckers who at guard is averaging over 21 points a game, Aziz Fudd, KK Arnold, Qadence Samuels, Ashlynn Shade, Ice Brady, who stepped in when starting center Aaliyah Edwards left a game recently with an injury, and other teammates. Fans came through the door carrying almost anything that could be signed, from posters to player-numbered jerseys, basketballs, sneakers and even photo mat boards and frames.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The UConn players were gracious, charming and patient, maintaining their big smiles through some serious writer’s cramps trying to make clear signatures on some very difficult-to-sign items. Geno and his team made sure every fan got the most out of what may be a once in a lifetime opportunity for many.
Coach Auriemma has built a virtually unrivaled women’s basketball program over his 39 years with the University Of Connecticut and is the winningest coach in NCAA history in terms of National Championships with 11, edging out another legendary coach, UCLA’s John Wooden. Auriemma was only one of 9 women’s basketball teams to have perfect season when in the 2015-2016 season they went 38-0. There was no more dominant program or team in the country in the 2010s than UConn as it won four straight national championships and went 151-14 from 2012-16. In 2004 Coach Auriemma joined Men’s Basketball Coach Jim Calhoun when both men and women became the first division one program to win national titles in the same year, a fee repeated in the 2013-2014 season.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
One very dedicated Husky fan, Ivy Toi, a Long Lots 4th grader was going to make the most of here meeting one of her “sheros” Paige Bueckers who wears a trademark elaborately braided hairstyle each game. Ivy, who may be destined to join a Uconn Husky squad one day as she was PAL 4th grade Blue Team Defensive Player of the year, went to Wendy Buten at Moxie Salon who created a perfect replica of Buckers well-known braids. She is pictured here with Coach Auriemma, father John and brother, Bedford Middle 6th grader Everett. Above, left, Ivy poses with Paige, right, Coach Auriemma signs memorabilia for Ivy’s Dad and brother.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Among those attending Wednesday’s event were former First Selectman and Husky fan Jim Marpe, (left). At right, Mitchell’s founder Jack Mitchell (L) and Bill Mitchell (R) and Bruce Blanchard (C).
UConn teamates with autographed Husky Basketballs which were offered at $500. and were quickly snatched up.
Following the speaker’s portion of the event a Q &A session provided the audience to ask questions of Coach Auriemma.
KK Arnold tries, albeit with only partial success, to get Coach to perform his famous “Victory Dance” which he debuted after the Women won the Big East Championship title in 2023.
To see how winning another in a long string of titles over his 39 year career with the University Of Connecticut affects Coach Auriemma, click: Geno Auriemma Victory Dance.
More About Bleeding Blue For Good:
Bleeding Blue for Good provides name, image, and likeness opportunities for UConn student-athletes that help them make a difference.
Bleeding Blue For Good holds clinics, helps support other charitable organizations such as the Tommy Fund. Their involvement and presence substantially boosts charitable event contributions. The presence of the UConn men at a recent Tommy Fund event increased their social media stats by a factor of 10. They recently joined with the UConn Red Cross Club made up of students which holds blood drives and reports to the CT Red Cross.
When speaking to the audience, the organization’s President and Co-Founder, John Malfettone spoke of their recent blood drive efforts. Many blood drives have some attendance, however when UConn Men’s Center Donovon Clingan tweeted that team members would be at the drive, within 16 hours every single slot was filled. According to the Red Cross, every unit of blood saves three lives and as a result of their presence at the drive, they saved 135 lives that day! The Huskies posed for pics and singed autographs delighting those who made donations.
Learn more and how you can help: Bleeding Blue For Good
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Another Overtime Defeat For Staples
It was another setback for Staples in post season tournament play, after Wreckers Basketball also suffered an overtime loss in the FCIAC final last week. On Monday night Staples Boys Ice Hockey faced top seeded BBDI, one of the two best teams in the state in the CIAC State Tournament opening round on that team’s home ice at the Danbury Ice Arena. Staples, which has struggled this year with a record of 7-12-1 faced the co-op team of Bethel, Brookfield, Danbury and Immaculate, SCC/SWC Division III champion Ice Cats with a record of 16-3-1. The Wreckers started the game hot, scoring their first goal just minutes into the first period.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Staples sophomore goalie Mason Mountain (what a great name) stopped shot after shot on goal in the first and kept that streak alive through the second period. The Wreckers may have surprised the Ice Cats, protecting the net and then scoring another goal in the second period. The Cats fought back, scoring in the third period and trailed the Wreckers by a goal. With under a minute to play and with Mountain fiercely protecting the net the Staples fans were on their feet expecting to advance to the next round.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The drama continued until, just 5.5 seconds before the final buzzer, the Ice Cats Jovanni Smeriglio, a Brookfield High school junior found a chink in Mountain’s armor and with a tip in front of the net over Mountain's shoulder, they sent the match into sudden death overtime. The hometown crowd which filled the arena leapt to their feet and roared their approval. BBDI scored within 3 minutes into the OT period for a great come-from-behind victory, ending the hopes for the Wreckers to advance in the next round of the CIAC State Tournament.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Coach Matt Bonn told WestportLocalPress, “I couldn't be more proud of this group. It was an awesome journey, and they showed a lot of grit and resilience against the #1 team in the state. It was an honor to coach these seniors, some of them for three or four years. Seeing everyone's growth and development on and off the ice was special. Once a Wrecker, Always a Wrecker”.
Staples scoring was provided by forwards #10 junior Cooper Paul and senior #9 Tyler Dimaio with assists from #23 senior Trey Wilson. Goalie #1 Mason Mountain had 42 saves.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
