A Westport Town Hall ceremony today marked the dedication of a photo of the Westport Top Dog of 2011. Sarah, a Pointer-Lab mix belonging to (l-r) Ruth Kalla Ungerer and Richard Ungerer, won the title after competing in the Westport Animal Shelter Advocates (WASA) photo/essay competition. The photo, which joins one of last year’s winner on a wall outside the Town Clerk’s Office, was taken by Helen Klisser During, WestportNow contributing photographer, at a Compo Beach ceremony in October. It was framed as a donation by Rockwell Art and Framing. First Selectman Gordon Joseloff was joined in the ceremony by Julie Loparo, WASA president. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The National Weather Service in Upton, N.Y. has issued an Urban and Small Stream Flood Advisory for minor flooding of poor drainage areas in Westport and area until 3:15 p.m.

At 11:10 a.m. National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated moderate to occasionally heavy rain across the advisory area.  Rainfall rates of one quarter to locally one half an inch per hour through 3 p.m. is possible.

Excessive runoff from this storm will cause flooding of urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other snow-clogged drainage areas and low lying spots.

Also expect sharp rises across smaller stream, some of which may approach caution stage or even bankfull later this afternoon, the Weather Service said.

By James Lomuscio

Maxine Bleiweis: “This is like taking away the foundation.”  Contributed photoImagine having a Weston library card and being told you cannot withdraw a book from the Westport Public Library. Or from any Connecticut library outside of your hometown.

To make matters even more restrictive, your hometown library cannot request the book you want from another state library that has it.

Though it sounds like dystopian fiction, if not gleaned from from the days of horse and buggy, Westport Library Director Maxine Bleiweis says it is a strong possibility if Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s budget plan is approved.

Malloy’s proposed budget calls for cutting $281,000 from the Connecticar, a van system that transports books to and from all of the state’s libraries, academic and public.

The National Weather Service in Upton, N.Y.  has issued a High Wind Warning for Westport and area which is in effect from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. today.

It said west 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts up to 60 mph and localized wind gusts above 60 mph are possible, especially late this afternoon and early this evening.

The strongest winds are expected late this afternoon and early this evening immediately ahead of and after the passage of a cold front this afternoon, the Weather Service said.

The high winds will bring down trees and power lines, it said.

The Westport Woman’s Club held a reception tonight for prospective new members.  WWC Communications Director Denise Kuendig said that the Club has more than 300 active members and growing. She reminded prospective members that the efforts of the WWC benefit many not-for-profit operations in Fairfield County, provide scholarships for Staples students, collect food that is distributed in support of Westport’s Human Services recipients, and much more. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport police tonight arrested two youths in connection with a burglary in the Clinton Avenue area, according to reports from the scene.

A third suspect was being sought in the incident on Calumet Road off of Clinton Avenue, the reports said.