The 17-year-old charged in connection with last September’s carjacking of an Aston Martin from the garage of a Bayberry Lane home would not face a home invasion charge — if he agrees to serve 8 1/2 years in prison.
Assistant State’s Attorney Elizabeth Moran made the offer on Tuesday, at State Superior Court in Stamford. It came “in light of the defendant’s age, behavior while being out on release and lack of adult record.”
The teenager has until October 9 to make a decision. Click here for the full story, on CT Insider.
Footage from a security camera of last September’s carjacking.
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Spotted lanternflies are (ugh!) back.
But we don’t have to just sit back and look at their fascinating and ugly selves.
Joe Schnierlein, Aspetuck Land Trust offers these tips, via the Pennsylvania Department of Forestry:
SQUISH THEM
And when you do so, do it well. One adult can lay about 80 eggs.
REMOVE ALL TREE OF HEAVEN
The Tree of Heaven is also invasive, so you are doing double duty. Click here for information.
WRAP TREES AND BUSHES WITH STICKY TAPE
Wrap tape around a tree or shrub. Lanternflies get stuck as they climb up the plant. Tape made by Catch Master (4 30-foot rolls for about $24 is so sticky that you also need to put screening or mesh about 1/2 to 1 inch over the sticky tape, to keep birds from getting stuck in it.
SPRAY WITH VINEGAR & SOAP, OR VINEGAR ALONE
Reports are that this is effective. however, plants may react to the acidity.
REMOVE THE EGG MASSES
Click here to see the lanternfly’s life cycle. Spotted lanternfly egg masses can be laid on any surface (outdoor furniture, fence posts, etc.).
Spotted lanternflies last year, at Winslow Park. (Photo/Michael Mossman)
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A reader writes:
“The Old Mill neighborhood is fed up with the blue crab industry that has arisen on our pristine beach.
“Participants arrive from New York State around low tide anytime after 5 p.m., when they can park legally on Hillspoint Road adjacent to the two concrete stairways down to the beach.
“They often come in groups of 15 at all hours of darkness, each with a bright LED flashlight fastened to their head. The lights disturb the precious marine ecosystem, and the surrounding neighbors’ sleep.
Old Mill crabbers, with LED lights.
“The crabbers harvested crabs the night the town closed the beaches to swimming as a result of the recent huge rainstorm. This could cause serious illness to unsuspecting consumers at the end of the commercial supply chain.
“Perhaps most disconcerting is the trash left behind each night, next to where they park: beer bottles and cans, plastic bottles, food packaging, wet socks, used rubber gloves, cigarette butts, plastic buckets and more.
Old Mill garbage.
“This is just what we see. Who knows what they are discarding in the water that is hidden.
“The town needs to prohibit overnight parking in this area starting at 5 p.m. to any vehicle without a Westport beach permit, and needs to patrol the Old Mill parking lot after 10 p.m.
“This abuse must stop. Our beaches are not intended to support a commercial industry, especially one unsupervised and unchecked by health officials.”
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Registration for Westport Parks & Recreation Department programs begin online this coming Wednesday (September 4, 9 a.m.).
To prepare: Sign in to your online account. Under “Account Options,” you’ll see your name with a pencil next to the edit button. Select the edit button; then choose the “Contact Info” tab.
Verify that your email address is current; select the save button at the bottom. You will be directed back to the “account options” page.
Under your family name, you will see your family members. Follow the steps below for each family member.
select “manage family members”
choose a name from the list
Under “Family Member Information,” make any necessary changes. Make sure that the grade (if applicable) is correct; hit “Save.”
Go to “Contact Information” to verify your cell/home phone, and provide carrier if interested in receiving text messages. Make sure your email is current. Click “Save.”
If you are not able to log into your online account, do not create another profile. Email recreation@westportct.gov or call 203-341-5152.
Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities — the non-profit that helps children with learning and attention differences reach their full potential — has a new short video.
It tells the story of who the group is, and what they do, while inspiring and comforting parents of kids with LD and ADHD.
The film — which features honorary chair Henry Winkler – was created by Westporter Robert Steven Williams.
All interviews wee conducted at the Southport School. Click below to watch:
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Storyfest — the Westport Library’s 7th annual genre-spanning literary festival (and the largest in Connecticut), celebrating all forms of storytelling — is just 3 weeks away.
Earthplace calls this a “wonder-‘fall'” time of year.
The environmental and educational center welcomes September with live performances, foraging and wildlife programs, a community volunteer clean-up day, a “Harvest Homecoming” including a nature walk, canoe paddle, family campfire, after-school activities and more.
Yesterday, “06880” reported that the longtime resident/TEAM Westport chair/Westport Country Playhouse board member will be honored — with his wife Bernicestine McLeod Bailey — at the WCP gala with Kristin Chenoweth and Mary-Mitchell Campbell on Saturday, September 14.
The previous week — on September 6 ( 2 p.m.) — Bailey will be featured at the Senior Center, through their “This is Your Life” project.
A collaboration with The Legacy Project USA, it’s an up-close-and-personal look at the lives of friends and neighbors, both well known and quiet — before and during their time here.
Rozanne Gates, co-owner of The Legacy Project, will moderate the event. The public is invited.
Harold Bailey Jr.
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Hummingbirds don’t usually fly too quickly to be photographed.
But this one hung around in Marvin Frimmer’s yard long enough to be captured — photographically, of course — for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
And finally … today is National College Colors Day. We’ll celebrate with 3 of the greatest college fight songs in the history of athletics.
Feel free to disagree.
(Here’s one thing no one has to fight over: support for “06880.” We all agree: This is where Westport meets the world. To support our work, please click here. Thank you!)
Several “06880” readers were saddened to report the removal of 3 shade trees at Old Mill Beach.
I asked Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department for the back story. Here’s the answer, from parks superintendent Mike West:
“During last Wednesday evening’s thunderstorms, 1 of the 3 leaders of that Norway Maple came down (see photo).
(Photo courtesy of Westport Parks & Recreation Department)
“When I inspected the tree with our team, we identified other points of concern on both of the remaining leaders.
“Unfortunately, the only way to eliminate any safety concerns was to remove the remaining portion of the tree.
“It was sad to see the tree removed, but we’re lucky no was injured.”
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The Remarkable Bookcycle — the free, funky mobile library that wheels around town — is back at Compo Beach.
It’s been rehabbed by Ryan Peterson. It looks great!
Feel free to grab a book. Or donate one.
Or do both.
(Photo/Ryan Peterson)
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Three Westporters were honored at the White House yesterday, as part of a salute to all 2023-24 NCAA champions.
Staples High School 2021 graduate Paddy Donovan is a goalkeeper on the Clemson University men’s Division I soccer national championship. It’s coached by Mike Noonan, a ’79 Staples alum and star on the Wrecker’s ’78 state title squad. This was the 2nd NCAA title in 3 years for Noonan and the Tigers.
Congratulations to both!
Head coach Mike Noonan (front row, 2nd from left, white shirt), Paddy Donovan (middle row, far right, orange shirt), and Clemson Tigers at the White House.
Also honored: Janna Moore. The Tufts University rising sophomore — and daughter of 2nd Selectwoman Andrea Moore — was a member of the Jumbos’ Division III national champion crew team.
Janna Moore (2nd from left) with her Tufts teammates.
NOTE: When the visit was scheduled, no one knew it would mark the first official appearance for Kamala Harris, as a presidential candidate. She was subbing for President Biden, recovering from COVID at his Delaware home.
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The Westport Police Department reminds residents to “stay vigilant in locking their cars and homes.”
Last weekend, Westport saw an increase in stolen vehicle attempts and larcenies from unlocked cars.
“Please lock your homes and vehicles, utilize alarm and surveillance systems, and report any suspicious behavior to the Westport Police Department,” the WPD says.
Lock your car! And don’t leave your key in the ignition!
In his new book — “Better Pissed Off … Than Pissed On: Narratives on Fubar America” — prolific Westport author Carl Addison Swanson rants and raves about everything: cell phones in schools, leaf blowers, the rise of pickleball, diminishing manners in this country, bad television, dress codes in daily life, teachers making a difference in one’s life, our money-grubbing health system, love and being a father, the puzzling new array of new products on the shelves, bad skin commercials, why siblings fight after the parents are gone — you get the ida.
“Four stars, a hoot,” says Booklist. Click here to purchase. Click here for Carl’s website.
A Westport boat owner writes: “We found all kinds of ‘critter foot prints’ on our boat after the last storm. So we put a camera in, to see what it was all about.
“This photo says it all. It’s amazing who likes boats in Westport!”
The owner called Animal Control, to get rid of the critter peacefully.
The owner adds: “I’m glad he or she did not have the key!”
Frank Zappa once said, “If you want an education, go to the library.”
On August 1 (6 p.m.), his proteges take his advice to heart. Tribute act Banned From Utopia and the Paul Green Rock Academy bringing the “authentic Zappa experience” to the Westport Library.
General admission tickets are $20. A VIP Meet and Greet ticket ($60) offers early admission to enjoy the company of Banned From Utopia members Robert Martin, Ray White and Scott Thunes, all of whom played in Zappa’s band.
It’s a chance to chat, listen to stories, take pictures, have a cocktail, and hang out with band members who toured with Zappa in his prime.
The office of the Registrars of Voters will conduct memory card and tabulator testing beginning today (Tuesday, July 23, 10 a.m., Town Hall Room 212D).
The public is invited to observe today, or any continued testing tomorrow (Wednesday).
Election Day.
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One of nature’s wonders is the starfish.
This guy happily (?!) posed at Compo Beach, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
And finally … in honor of Frank Zappa (story above):
(We may not be as eloquent as Frank Zappa, but our message is just as heartfelt: Please click here to support “06880.” We rely on our readers! Thank you.)
Click here to help support “06880” via credit card or PayPal. Any amount is welcome, appreciated — and tax-deductible! Reader contributions keep this blog going. (Alternate methods: Please send a check to “06880”: PO Box 744, Westport, CT 06881. Or use Venmo: @blog06880. Or Zelle: dwoog@optonline.net. Thanks!)
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