Saturday, December 09, 2023

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High Wind Watch in Effect

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.

Westport Rotary’s Newest Members

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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

Middle School Musical

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Students involved in the drama program at Westport’s Coleytown Middle School thought they would be performing “Aida” this spring, but that changed when Dodie Pettit (l) became artistic director for the Coleytown Company. This week she announced—with the help of three students—they would perform the stage adaptation of “High School Musical,” a Disney Channel original movie. Auditions take place next week, and performances are slated for March 29, 30 and 31. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) David Dreyfuss for WestportNow.com

The Secrets to Longer Life

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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

Coach P on Saturday Football Final: “It’s Going to be a Battle”

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Flashback: Marce Petroccio celebrates last year’s state championship win over Masuk. Betsey Lebow/WN file photo
Westport’s Staples High School football team plays in its fifth straight state championship final Saturday and Coach Marce Petroccio said today it will be tough.

Staples (10-1) plays Bunnell of Stratford (11-1) at 7 p.m. at West Haven’s Ken Strong Stadium for the Class L championship.

“I have great kids,” Petroccio told reporters in Cheshire at news conference for teams involved in Saturday’s games. “I love coming to work every day and working with them. They’re awesome. They’ve got a lot of heart. They are the poster child for team chemistry.

“It’s going to be a tall task (beating Bunnell), it really is. We don’t have a lot of time to get ready. They’re a spread offense. They do a lot of different things. It’s going to be a battle.”

Rell Announces Agreement on Power Lines

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.WestportNow.com Image
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.”