Once again, there’s been an increase is auto theft and break-in attempts.
At 10:38 p.m. Tuesday night, Representative Town Meeting member Andrew Colabella saw a black Toyota with 5 occupants — wearing masks — make their way down a neighbor’s driveway in the Hillspoint area.
They got into her unlocked vehicle, and opened her garage door. Her keys were not in the car; otherwise they might have used them to steal it, or enter the house.
The owner was home alone. Andrew called the Westport Police. Officer Melissa Bike was on scene within 2 minutes.
Andrew says, “Her professionalism, detailed questions, care, and unique comfort ability brought ease to a terrifying incident.”
Officer Kevin Smith patrolled the entire area, and looked to see if any other properties were entered.
Andrew was impressed too by Detective John Lauria’s “assertive persistence to dust, fingerprint, photograph, and methodically capture any evidence with care.”
The incident serves as another reminder to always remove keys and fobs from vehicles — and, if possible, park them in a locked garage.
Police add: “Keep exterior lights on, and utilize surveillance and/or alarm systems. Call the police immediately to report any suspicious activity. The department strongly advises against confronting any suspects if you observe them on your property. There have been a number of incidents throughout the state where these individuals have resorted to violence when confronted.”
Officer Melissa Bike and Detective John Lauria dust for fingerprints. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
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Badass Bagels is a badass — and very popular — purveyor.
And “How I Built This” with Guy Raz is a badass — and very popular podcast.
Today, the latest episode dropped. The first segment features Westporter Jennifer Balin, and her badass baking and branding. (She works just over the border, on Lois Street in Norwalk.)
As always, Guy does a great job getting to the heart of what people do, and how they do it.
And the experience gave Jennifer a chance to connect with Pete Maldonado, the Chomps grass-fed beef stick founder. (His brand is in Trader Joe’s.)
“The world of entrepreneurs is just amazing,” Jennifer says.
“I have made great relationships with people right here in town as well. Our customer base is flooded with entrepreneurs who want to help me grow. We are expanding, and we love slinging bagels!”
Click here to listen to how Jennifer built this.
Those are some Badass bagels.
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Yesterday’s “06880” lead story described a movement at Greens Farms Elementary School, urging parents not to allow smartphone until their children are out of middle school.
Coincidentally, the Washington Post ran a long story yesterday, about a middle school in Manchester, Connecticut that prohibits cell phone use during the school day. All phones are locked in individual pouches at arrival, then unlocked as students leave.
Interestingly, many youngsters find that not having access to phones during the school day is not all bad.
How did parents react? Click here to read. (Hat tips: Jack Backiel, Chris Grimm)
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Speaking of kids: A large crowd enjoyed Bedford Middle School’s annual art show Tuesday night.
The event also included classical and choral music, and great food. (Hat tip: Dayle Brownstein)
Bedford Middle School art teachers (from left): Dineen Farley, Cecily Anderson, Paula Morgan.
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Speaking still of kids: This Saturday (May 4, 9 a.m. to noon, Kings Highway Elementary School), KHS 5th graders host a car wash.
The cost is $10 per car. Of course, additional donations are welcome.
They’re raising money for their class gift to the school. They’ll donate funds for the Outdoor Learning Center, which will be completed soon.
Additional funding comes from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and parent donations.
Every little bit helps — and the soon-to-move-up Kings Highway students are doing their share.
(Interestingly, 8 members of KHS’ 5th grade class had at least 1 parent who graduated from Staples. And one has a grandmother who did!)
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Westporters can breathe easy again.
AEDs are back at town athletic fields, and other outdoor places.
The devices — Automated External Defibrillators, which are easy to use but crucial life-saving devices during cardiac emergencies — are taken in during cold weather.
But now they’re fully charged, and ready to be used.
We hope they never have to be. But just in case: Know where they are.
And be ready to use them
AED at Winslow Park, near the Westport Country Playhouse parking lot. (Hat tip and photo/Mark Mathias)
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If you missed Tuesday’s great Startup Westport Innovator of the Year event — featuring ESPN CEO Jimmy Pitaro chatting with ESPN host (and fellow Westporter) Mike Greenberg: You’re in luck.
The Westport Library recorded the event. Click below to hear some great stories about career paths, innovation, the media and sports landscapes — and Westport.
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Speaking of sports: Jenny Bradshaw is a world champion cheerleader!
The 2023 Staples High graduate — a 4-year Wrecker cheer member and senior captain, now a student at the University of Miami — cheers for the Lady Jags team.
Last week, her Top Gun All Stars won the Senior Medium L6 division title over 8 other teams at the Cheerleading World Championships in Orlando,
This is not Jenny’s first big Worlds award. As a member of the Xtreme Cheer All Stars gym in Danbury, her team Inferno captured a bronze medal in 2022.
Click below for the Lady Jags’ winning routine:
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Joseph Davis and Danielle Leblanc are traveling from their Maine home, on the Canadian border, to teach the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport about how the Anishinabe People were given a framework to guide their lives spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally. They will also share a blessing with the Sacred Pipe.
The event is this Saturday (May 4, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) at the UU Meeting House.
Grandmother Nancy Andry — a UU Westport member — says, “These are incredible teachings by two revered elders. This is a rare opportunity.”
The public is welcome.
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Longtime Westport firefighter Edmund Duffy Jr. died April 25, in Minneapolis. He was at 82.
He began his service as a volunteer firefighter in 1959, at 18. In 1964 he transitioned to a full-time firefighter, dedicating another 32 years to the profession. Even after retirement, he remained committed to helping others.
Ed proudly served in the Army Reserve from 1964 to 1969.
His family says, “Ed valued the simple joys in life, cherished his blue-collar origins, and treated everyone with respect and kindness, regardless of their background.”
When not working at the firehouse, Ed was a landscaper. He enjoyed baseball, softball, bowling, fishing, and collecting model trains.
Ed is survived by his daughter Elizabeth (Matthew), brothers Charlie (Rose) and Denis (Mary), sisters Anne-Carol and Donna, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was predeceased by his wife Susan and daughter Deborah.
A visitation will be held on May 9 (4 to 7 p.m., Harding Funeral Home). A burial ceremony will follow on May 10 (11 a.m., Assumption Cemetery).
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Westport Animal Shelter Advocates.
Edmund Duffy
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Most people call it “the Longshore exit road.” The official name is Herbert Baldwin Road (in honor of the first selectman who, in 1960, pushed for the purchase of a failing country club — destined to be an 180-home development — for $1.9 million).
Whatever you know it by: It’s a very pretty spot.
Especially in spring, as today’s “Westport … Naturally” image shows:
(Photo/Claudia Sherwood Servidio)
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And finally … on this date in 1536, England’s Queen Anne Boleyn was arrested and imprisoned on charges of adultery, incest, treason and witchcraft.
(Police, education, sports, business news — “06880” covers it all. It’s all in today’s Roundup — as it is every day, 24/7/366. Please click here to help support our work. Thank you!)
Wild video routine 👍🏼👍🏼
I remember him as Sonny Duffy. He was friends with my cousin Mike, who ran the batting cages. Sonny could really hit a baseball and I remember him as a good athlete. My condolences to the family.
I don’t understand why people still leave their cars unlocked. Our police have been warning us of the risks and have been urging people to simply lock their cars and to not leave any valuables in plain site. And it’s a relief to read that schools are finally setting limits on cell phone use at school. I’ve heard that some parents are worried about reaching their kids or being reached by them. But the kids can play messages when they get their phones back at the end of the school day. Most of us went to school at a time when if we needed to reach our folks, or them us, the principal’s office would intervene and help.
But how did they get into the unlocked car and then open the garage door? Key point not covered above. How did they gain entry to the garage??
I’m sure through the garage door opener in the car.
I always keep my car in the (closed) garage, but now I also keep my garage door opener in my purse instead of in the car. I figure if the car was stolen when I’m out shopping, the address could be determined from the license number.
I’ve been more careful than ever since my catalytic converter was stolen from the parking lot at Norwalk Hospital last year.