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Sunday, September 12, 2004

Quick Change

Just making a change from swimming to biking was a challenge during today’s Westport Kiwanis Triathalon at Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

09/12/04 09:18 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Saturday, September 11, 2004

Compo Dawn on Sept. 11

The Saturday dawn over Compo Beach was a spectacular start to the third anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) Richard Barnett for WestportNow.com

09/11/04 11:18 PM Comments (3) • Permalink •

Westport Fire Log Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004

5:09 a.m. - 15 Cross Highway, electrical problem
8:56 a.m. - 40 Park Lane, fire alarm
1:22 p.m. - 55 Long Lots Road, public service call
1:25 p.m. - Bermuda Road, EMS call
1:34 p.m. - Compo Beach Road, EMS call
2:08 p.m. - Canal Street, EMS call

09/11/04 11:03 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Folk Singer-Songwriter Tom Paxton Meets Westport Fans

Westport fans line up for an autograph from legendary folk singer-songwriter Tom Paxton tonight as he opened the Westport Arts Center 2004-2005 concert series. One of Paxton’s songs paid tribute to firefighters lost in the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

09/11/04 10:16 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Westport Honors Residents and Businesses for Preservation Efforts

Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell today presided at a Town Hall ceremony honoring residents and businesses for making additions to their homes and business places that were in keeping with the historic design of the structures.
A Town Hall ceremony today honored Partrick Road resident Sean Timmins for his preservation efforts. Pictured are (l to r) architect Chris Woerner, Timmins, First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell, Don Miro, chair of the Westport Historic District Commission, Mary Alice Timmins, and the Timmins daughters.(CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Don Miro, chair of the Westport Historic District Commission, told the gathering that last year was a record year for teardowns in Westport, which made efforts to restore and preserve the character of the town that much more important.Ӕ

The commission presented Sean Timmins, his wife, Mary Alice, their two daughters, Madison and Victoria, and their friend and architect, Chris Woerner, with the Westport Historic Preservation Award for 2004.

The citation said it was in recognition and grateful appreciation for the architecturally sympathetic additions to the original 1823 Lewis Partrick home at 87 Partrick Road.Ӕ

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09/11/04 08:44 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Friday, September 10, 2004

Getting Some Practice In

Good weather made it a good time to practice at the skate park at Westport’s Compo Beach Friday evening. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com

09/10/04 11:26 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Westport Water View

Westporters walking along Soundview Drive and Hillspoint Road near the jetty had this spectacular view late Friday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Richard Barnett for WestportNow.com

09/10/04 11:24 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004

8 p.m. - Seabury Center- Westport Arts Center presents Tom Paxton in concert

09/10/04 11:06 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Westport Fire Log Friday, Sept. 10, 2004

6:49 a.m. 7 Stony Point Road, wires down
7:02 a.m. ֖ Minuteman Hill and Compo Road South, car fire
9:48 a.m. 50 Sylvan Road North, fire alarm
10:11 a.m. ֖ 1 Sylvan Road North, key box detail
3:19 p.m. North Avenue and Blue Coat Lane, wires down
4:10 p.m. ֖ 30 Hillspoint Road, key box detail
7:17 p.m. 69 Main St., fire alarm
7:34 p.m. ֖ Morningside Drive South, EMS call
8:08 p.m. 1431 Post Road East, smoke in building

09/10/04 11:03 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Restaurant Electrical Fire Forces Evacuation

A fire in an electrical panel forced the evacuation and closure of a Westport restaurant tonight, fire officials said. No injuries were reported.

Westport firefighters isolated the problem to the panel at the Panevino Restaurant, 1431 Post Road East, after the manager dialed 911 at 8:07 p.m. to report that smoke was coming from the panel, according to Assistant Chief Robert Kepchar.

He said the restaurant was evacuated and then closed while a building official, fire inspector, and electrician evaluated the problem.

Repair work began immediately and the restaurant is expected to reopen for business Saturday, Kepchar said. The last unit left the scene at 10 p.m.

09/10/04 10:54 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Jewel Thief Steals $25,000 Diamond Ring Using Car of Ex-RTM Member

A jewel thief stole a $25,000 diamond ring from a Westport consignment store and made his escape in a stolen car belonging to a former Westport Representative Town Meeting (RTM) member, a police spokesman said today.
Ralph Hymans: jewel thief used his stolen car. File photo

The car, belonging to Ralph Hymans, 81, of 1 Rex Lane, was found abandoned a short distance away from the Consignmart, 888 Post Road East, following the late Thursday afternoon theft, said spokesman Michael Guman.

“I didn’t know a thing about it until police showed up at my home and my wife called me at my office saying they were looking for my car,” said Hymans, who was defeated last November in his simultaneous bids for election to the Board of Finance and re-election to the RTM.

He said he had parked the 1993 Jeep Cherokee at his Fairfield office a short time before.

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09/10/04 03:13 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

A Three-Day Ride for Charity

The fourth annual Charter Oak Classic Bike Tour set off today from Westport’s Colonial Green with 23 riders participating. They will cover 240 miles in a three-day ride to northwest Connecticut and back. The tour raises money for the Westport-based noprofit Charter Oak Challenge Foundation which helps needy children and families in the greater Bridgeport area. More info at www.charteroakfoundation.org. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Julia Mally for WestportNow

09/10/04 12:12 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Thursday, September 09, 2004

Rell: Humanity Will Overcome Evil

Gov. M. Jodi Rell and Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell listen to a speaker during Thursday’s Connecticut tribute to 9/11 victims at Westport’s Sherwood Island State Park. Rell told family members that evil will always be present but so, too, will humanity’s efforts to overcome it. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

09/09/04 11:29 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Grieving in Westport

More than 200 persons turned out Thursday at Westport’s Sherwood Island State Park for a memorial service for the victims of 9/11 with Connecticut ties. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

09/09/04 11:17 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Friday, Sept. 10, 2004

7:30 a.m. - Fairfield County Hunt Club, Sunrise Rotary
7 p.m. - Westport Women’s Club - Westport Democratic Town Committee wine tasting and silent auction

09/09/04 11:06 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Westport Fire Log Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004

3:36 a.m. 59 Morningside Drive South, fire alarm
8:09 a.m. ֖ 6 Sipperleys Hll Road, fire alarm
9 a.m. Wilton Road and Red Coat Lane, wires down
9:51 a.m. ֖ Greens Farms Road and Westway Road, wires down
1:22 p.m. I-95 northbound exits 18-19, MVA
3:07 p.m. ֖ 17 Rocky Ridge Road, fire alarm
5:11 p.m. 68 Coleytown Road, fire alarm
5:28 p.m. ֖ 105 Old Road, wires down
6:25 p.m. 1 Stony Point Road, wires down
9:40 p.m. ֖ 2 Cherry Lane, fire alarm

09/09/04 11:03 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Connecticut Pays Tribute to 9/11 VIctims

Gov. M. Jodi Rell addresses today’s 9/11 memorial service at Westport’s Sherwood Island State Park as Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell listens. Sunshine broke briedly through the clouds as Rell spoke, something she noted as a good sign. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

09/09/04 05:22 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Remembering Those Lost

Relatives and friends of the 9/11 victims with Connecticut ties visit the Sherwood Island State Park 9/11 memorial during today’s anniversary observance. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

09/09/04 05:17 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Getting Power Back

A utility crew maneuvers a new pole into place today after a falling tree snapped a power pole and brought wires down on Greens Farms Road near No. 366. The resulting power outage lasted more than four hours. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

09/09/04 01:44 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Four-Hour Power Outage Hits Greens Farms Area

Downed power lines caused a power outage lasting more than four hours today in Westport’s Greens Farms area, fire officials said.

The outage affected parts of Greens Farms Road, Bulkley Avenue South, New Creek Road, and Turkey Hill Road South.

Connecticut Light and Power said almost 200 Westport customers were without power during the incident.

The Westport Fire Department responded to a report of downed power lines in the area of 366 Greens Farms Road at 9:51 a.m. Power was not restored until about 2:20 p.m.

Utilty crews had to replace a broken pole damaged by a falling tree and repair surrounding wires that also had been brought down.

09/09/04 01:31 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Gov. M. Jodi Rell to Lead 9/11 Service at Sherwood Island

Gov. M. Jodi Rell will lead a service today at Westport’s Sherwood Island State Park at the memorial honoring the 151 people with Connecticut ties who died in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

The 5:30 p.m. service will include an address by Rell, reading of the names of the victims, and musical interludes. Bishop William Lori of the Bridgeport Archdiocese will offer a prayer.

The memorial includes sandstone-colored, 8-inch-square granite blocks, each containing the name of one of the 151 victims.

The memorial was dedicated in 2002 when hundreds of people gathered at the park to pay tribute to those who died.

09/09/04 08:22 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Wednesday, September 08, 2004

Raining Volley Balls

Heavy rains Wednesday did let up a bit to get in some volleyball at Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com

09/08/04 11:10 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004

5:30 p.m. - Sherwood Island State Park - 9/11 memorial service
7 p.m. - Fire Headquarters - Public Site and Building Commission
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Planning and Zoning Commission
7:30 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Author Joseph Califano speaks on his political memoir, “Inside: A Public and Private Life”

09/08/04 11:05 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Westport Fire Log Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2004

7:42 a.m. Izzo Lane, EMS call
8:37 a.m. ֖ 13 Hyde Lane, Long Lots Elementary School, fire alarm
9:38 a.m. Salem Road and Salem Lane, wires down
1:10 p.m. ֖ 13 Hyde Lane, Long Lots Elementary School, fire alarm
3:56 p.m. 61 Hillandale Road, chimney fire
4:09 p.m. ֖ 121 Cranbury Road, fire alarm
5::20 p.m. 9 Rainey Lane, fire alarm
6:37 p.m. ֖ 192 Long Lots Road, fire alarm
10:20 p.m. 131 Harvest Commons, misc.
11:17 p.m. ֖ 4 Aspetuck Lane, fire alarm

09/08/04 11:03 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

“Where’s the Money?”

Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell says “Where’s the money?” after receiving an empty envelope today from Tom Hofstetter (l), of UBS Financial Services in Westport. The company donated $4,000 to the Westport Masonic Lodge to help pay for the Child Identification Program (CHIP) to be held Saturday, Sept. 18 as part of the Westport Fire Department’s open house. Hofstetter and George Underhill (c), town tax collector and the Masons’ treasurer, assured Farrell a check will be forthcoming. More information on program is available at www.ctchip.org. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

09/08/04 01:54 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Report: Martha Stewart Waits Out Cell Crunch

Westport’s Martha Stewart will surrender to start serving her five-month sentence for obstructing justice as soon as there is a vacant cell at the Danbury federal prison, the New York Post reported today.

The newspaper’s Page Six gossip column quoted an “insider” as saying: “There is no available bed at Danbury, and hasn’t been for a couple of weeks. She’s just waiting.”

The report quoted Tracy Billingsley, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Bureau of Prisons as saying that both the low-security women’s jail and the minimum-security women’s “prison camp” in Danbury are “crowded.”

The Post said Stewart’s daughter Alexis, 38, will oversee her media company while her mother is in prison.

09/08/04 01:45 PM Comments Closed • Read Existing Comments (17) • Permalink •

Brown Baggers Back

Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell resumed her weekly citizens brown bag lunches today after a summer hiatus. In response to a question, she said if she is elected to Congress she is sure her successor would continue the brown bag sessions. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

09/08/04 01:19 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Flooding in the Usual Places

Today’s heavy rains caused flooding at the usual places in Westport, including the intersection of Main Street and Canal Street. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

09/08/04 09:44 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

A (Rainy) Walk in the Park

A teacher walks through Wakeman Park during this morning’s heavy rains. The forecast was for rainy weather throughout the day. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com

09/08/04 07:51 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Flash Flood Warning Issued

The National Weather Service today issued a flash flood warning for
southern Fairfield County, including Westport.

It said at 7:47 a.m Doppler radar indicated a band of very heavy rain over the area moving north at less than five miles per hour.

A flash flood warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring. If you are in the warning area move to higher ground immediately.

Residents living along streams and creeks should take immediate precautions to protect life and property. Do not attempt to cross swiftly flowing waters or waters of unknown depth by foot or by automobile.

If your vehicle stalls, abandon it immediately and seek higher ground.

09/08/04 07:01 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Heavy Rain Hits Area

Heavy rain through the Westport area backed up traffic on I-95 this morning and forecasters warned of possible local flooding in spots. View is from a traffic camera near the Saugatuck River Bridge. DOT.photo

09/08/04 06:44 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Tuesday, September 07, 2004

Fishing on the Saugatuck

Westport’s recent run of good weather provided a good opportunity for some fishing on the Saugatuck River. The forecast for today was for rain, locally heavy at times. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

09/07/04 11:15 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2004

7:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - TEAM Westport Executive Committee
10:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - International Hospitality Committee
Noon - Room 309/307 - Citizens brown bag luncheon
2:30 p.m. - 21 Imperial Ave. - Center for Senior Activities Policy and Planning Board
5:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201/201A - Area 9 Cable Council
7:30 p.m. - Westport Library - Library Board

09/07/04 11:05 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Westport Fire Log Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004

9:21 a.m. Post Road West and Sylvan Road North, spill at MVA
1:11 p.m. ֖ 49 Sturges Highway, fire alarm
1:56 p.m. 325 Riverside Ave., key box detail
2:30 p.m. ֖ 8 Sycamore Drive, water problem
2:51 p.m. 5 Post Road West, fire alarm
3:12 p.m. ֖ Saugatuck Avenue, I-95 northbound ramp, wires down
4:55 p.m. Bridge St., EMS call
5:31 p.m. ֖ Bowling Lane, EMS call
8:05 p.m. Oak Street, EMS call

09/07/04 11:03 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

RTM Rejects Relaxed Dog Beach Rule But Overturns Dog Parking Lot Ban

Former Westporter Scott Shields, with his rescue dog Theodore, addressed the RTM. Juliet Balian for WestportNow.comThe Westport Representative Town Meeting (RTM) tonight rejected by a vote of 9-23 an effort to permit dogs off leash on the entire area of Compo Beach before 9 a.m. in the winter months. Off-leash dogs now can use half the beach.

The vote came after lengthy debate and weeks of lobbying by both those in favor of the expanded rules and those opposed.

The RTM, by a vote of 16-13, approved another motion to allow dogs in the Soundview Drive parking lot at Compo Beach in the summer months, except between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Dogs are currently banned from the lot in the summer.

Earlier, by unanimous vote, the RTM approved a new five-year contract for Westport firefighters that for the first time provides for premium overtime pay in the final three years of the pact.

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09/07/04 09:49 PM Comments (2) • Permalink •

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