Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe took part today in a purple ribbon-tying ceremony outside David’s Tea, 135 Main St.. to kick off Westport’s first “Paint the Town Purple Awareness Blitz.” The purple ribbon bows around the trees lining Main Street are to help raise awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease. The weekend marks the two-week countdown to the Alzheimer’s Association’s fundraiser event March 13 at the Fairfield Theater Company. Joining Marpe in the ribbon-tying were Westporter Jeff Ruden, a board member of the Norwalk-based Connecticut chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, and Eleanor Tornatore-Mikesh, CEO of the organization. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Kris Nash, a Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Services CPR instructor, and a member of the Westport Library staff, gives instructions today on hands-only CPR at the Westport Library. On Thursday, students at Westport’s Staples High School will have an opportunity to learn the life saving skill for free during their lunch waves. The Staples classes have been organized by senior and WVEMS volunteer Reni Forer. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jaime Bairaktaris for WestportNow.com

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Westport area for snow and freezing rain. It is in effect from 10 a.m. Sunday to 7 a.m. Monday.

It said to expect snow accumulation of 2 to 6 inches along with up to around a tenth of an inch of ice.  Visibilities will be one-quarter to one-half mile at times.

The Weather Service said snow will develop beginning late Sunday morning over the western portions of the tri-state, then expand over the remainder of the advisory area Sunday afternoon.

The snow will mix with or change to freezing rain across New York City, and other areas including coastal portions of Fairfield County Sunday evening. The precipitation will taper off from west to east after midnight Sunday night.

Westport firefighters today assisted at a house fire in Wilton. Engine 2 and Car 3 with five personnel responded to 266 Range Road where the unoccupied house was fully ablaze. The Westport units were on scene for approximately four hours until the fire was brought under control, said Assistant Chief John Plofkin, Jr. He assisted Wilton Capt Kevin Czarnecki with accountability and incident command while Lt. Brett Kirby supervised the Westport firefighters. New Canaan, Weston, Georgetown, West Redding and Norwalk also provided help. Cause of the fire is under investigation. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Capt. John Lynch/Wilton Police Department photo