The National Weather Service in Upton, N.Y. has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Westport and area for an icy mix of precipitation which is in effect from 8 p.m. today to 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Light to occasionally moderate precipitation will overspread the region from west to east tonight, an advisory said.

The precipitation will start as a mix of snow and sleet, then transition to a mix of sleet and freezing rain in the early morning hours. The icy mix will then change to all rain by late morning, the advisory said.

Snow and sleet accumulations of around one inch with ice accretion of one-tenth of an inch or less can be expected with this system, it said.

Residents in an area near today’s fire at the New York Sports Club on Post Road East experienced coloration of their water after fire hydrant use but should not be alarmed, a water company official said today.

The coloration is from sediment that is stirred up when the water flow through the pipes is much heavier than on a typical day, the official said. Pumping water from a fire hydrant is a frequent cause, he said.

The coloration will disappear in a few hours—or a day at most.  All of this water has been treated at the Aquarion plant and is safe to drink, he said.

Residents who experienced coloration of their water are advised not to wash their clothes or run their washing machines until the coloration has disappeared because it is possible some staining could occur, he said.

A second suspect being held in Westchester County in last week’s alleged sexual assault at a Westport home has waived extradition and is being transported to Westport, police said today.
Brian McIntyre: waives extradition. Westport Police photo

Westport police traveled to Westchester County Jail in Valhalla, N.Y. to take custody of Brian McIntyre, who was arrested Friday night by Mt. Pleasant, N.Y. police as he was getting off a train there, police said.

He will be charged with sexual assault, unlawful restraint, and interfering with an officer, and his bail set at $400,000, police said.

On Saturday, the other suspect, Kevin Larkin, 44, of Westport, turned himself into Westport police and was released on $250,000 bond for a court appearance on March 2. He was charged with sexual assault, unlawful restraint, and hindering prosecution.

While attention so far has been focused on 2010 being the 50th anniversary of Westport’s purchase of Longshore Club Park, it has not escaped the attention of town officials that this year is also Westport’s 175th birthday.
Westport printed a special stamp in 1935 to mark the town’s centenary. The view looking west across the Saugatuck River is a John Warner Barber sketch from 1835 that makes up the town seal. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

“Just as the state is marking the 375th birthday of Connecticut, we are looking at appropriate ways to mark the 175th birthday of Westport,” said First Selectman Gordon F. Joseloff.

He said he has asked the Westport Historical Society as well as the chair of the committee working on the Longshore 50th anniversary to incorporate Westport’s 175th anniversary into their celebration planning.

“The fact is that many of the people working on the Longshore celebration are also plugged into the Historical Society and have a keen interest in the overall town history,” he said.

The New York Sports Club on Post Road East will remain closed until further notice following a fire in the sauna area today. This pictured was supplied by the Westport Fire Department. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

A fire at the New York Sports Club at 427 Post Road East shortly after 6 a.m. today forced the closure of Post Road East from Compo Road to East Main Street. Post Road East was reopened shortly after 7 a.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Flames today damaged an area around the sauna at the New York Sports Club on Post Road East today before it was extinguished by sprinklers and Westport firefighters. No one in the club shortly after 6 a.m . was injured. Police closed down Post Road East in front of the Compo Shopping Center while firefighters battled the flames. Cause of the blaze is under investigation.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

UPDATE Westport firefighters today quickly extinguished a fire in the New York Sports Club on Post Road East.
Westport firefighters at work today at the rear of the New York Sports Club.. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

The fire, which investigators said appeared to be electrical in nature, broke out in the sauna area of the club at 427 Post Road East in the Compo Shopping Center shortly after 6 a.m. Firefighters reported it was fully knocked down about 20 minutes later.

All those inside were evacuated safely. Light smoke was reported throughout the building. Firefighters closed down Post Road East to stretch a hose line across the roadway.

Firefighters initially believed the fire had been extinguished by the sprinkler system but discovered flames were continuing to burn in the sauna area.