Westport building officials are reviewing an application to demolish the house at 5 Reimer Road, which is near Bedford Middle School. The house sold in September for $1.025 million. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The National Weather Service said today a high wind watch remains in effect from Friday afternoon through late Friday night for Westport and the tri-state area.

Southerly winds are forecast to increase to 30 to 40 mph by late Friday afternoon ahead of an approaching cold front. Higher winds are possible in bands of heavy showers and thunderstorms, reaching 45 to 60 mph, an advisory said.

As this front moves through, winds will shift to the west and northwest with gusts up to 60 mph possible for a few hours.

Those who travel in high profile vehicles should be aware that crossing bridges may be difficult during this time. Power outages will be possible with downed branches and trees, the advisory said.

A moving van (r) pulled down overhead wires at mid-day today as it entered Darbrook Road from Compo Road North. Westport police and fire units responded along with crews from Connecticut Light & Power Co. Traffic was rerouted on Compo Road North for about one hour. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The Westport Rotary Club this week inducted its newest members. They included (l-r)  John Luyando, assistant manager, Commerce Bank; Helene Weir, executive director, Westport Weston Family Y; (in between, Lois Schine, president of Westport Rotary) and Christopher Ackley, Westport fire chief. Rick Benson, Rotary district governor-elect (2008-2009), at the microphone, conducted the installation ceremony at the weekly luncheon at the Inn at Longshore. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Continued unusually warm weather has brought people out of their homes, iincluding this man fishing Wednesday at Westport’s Burying Hill Beach. Temperatures are expected to stay warm until this weekend. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

5:30 p.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – Emily McLaury House Committee
7 p.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – Planning & Zoning Commission Work Session
7 p.m. – Town Hall Room 309 – Sherwood Mill Pond Committee
7 p.m. – Westport Country Playhouse – “A Christmas Carol” (sold out)
8 p.m. – Westport Community Theatre – “An Inspector Calls”

Aging expert Leonard Guarente, appearing at the Westport Public Library tonight, drew a capacity crowd hoping to learn the secrets about “The Future of Longevity.” The Massachusetts Institute of Technology biology professor, who is at the forefront of investigating how to prolong life and counter diseases of aging, spoke at the most recent edition of the Community Conversation series.  He said it has been known for a long time the simple answers for a longer life are not to smoke and to keep weight down. Guarente believes that the use of chemical compounds that mimic the effects of a restricted diet will revolutionize the therapeutics of aging. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Gov. M. Jodi Rell today announced an agreement that avoids the need to build three bridges to carry new high voltage power transmission lines across waterways in Fairfield, one of which borders Westport.
Jodi Rell: common sense prevailed. Dave Matlow/WN file photo

Rell said the state Departments of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection (DEP) are now proposing to run these transmission lines along two existing DOT bridges, including one at Sasco Creek on the Fairfield-Westport line, and to place the line underwater in the third location.

“We have crafted a solution that addresses my two top concerns on this project–serving the energy needs of our families and businesses, and protecting the environment,” Rell said in a statement issued by her office.

“DOT and DEP have successfully responded to public concerns about the impact of this project and have demonstrated that common sense and cooperation are two keys to effective government. By minimizing the impact on the environment, we protect Connecticut’s beauty and quality of life.”