Officers arrested a Bridgeport man for boosting energy drinks from Stop & Shop in November, police said today.

Branden Betas: recognized on tape. Westport Police photo

According to Lt. Farrell, officers arrested Branden Betas, 24, on an active warrant Friday night at the Newtown Police Department where he was being held.

Farrell said that Stop & Shop surveillance Nov. 26 showed Betas placing energy drinks into a bag and leaving the store without paying.

Store security positively identified Betas because he was arrested at the Bridgeport Stop & Shop for a similar crime, police said.

By Mark Pazniokas

www.ctmirror.org

The cable and satellite television industries are lining up against a proposal for a new State Civic Network that would provide unprecedented cable and streaming video access to the legislature, courts and other aspects of public life in Connecticut.

Streaming video is a disruptive technology that has given rise to “cord cutters” who have abandoned cable in favor of Netflix, Hulu and other web-delivered video programming. But the industries’ objections center on old-fashioned profit, not new technology: They are being asked to pay for the new venture.

The legislature is considering a bill that would empower the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to assess a charge on the state’s one million cable and satellite subscribers to pay for live and archived video coverage of civic life on a far larger scale than now provided by CT-N, the state-funded cable channel.

Industry representatives say the new State Civic Network proposed by the founders and operators of CT-N would be a valuable service, but they question the rationale for financing it through what proponents say would be a modest fee on their customers, probably around 40 cents per subscriber.

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Monday’s post-sunset as seen from Westport’s Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jaime Bairaktaris for WestportNow.com

By Ana Radelat

www.ctmirror.org

Washington – The nation’s governors who have gathered here for an annual conference, have pressed the federal government for money to help them combat the epidemic of opioid abuse and heroin addiction that has resulted in a spike of overdoses and strained state public health systems.

The governors also shared with the Obama administration and each other policies they’ve implemented to confront the crisis. Some of the governors on the front line of the opioid epidemic seem also to be in the vanguard to fight it.

At a White House roundtable today, Republican Gov. Charlie Baker of Massachusetts said his state has approved legislation that requires all graduates of the state’s medical and dental schools to take a course in pain medication management before they graduate.

Massachusetts also has set curriculums, especially for coaches at middle and high schools, that teach students and their parents about the benefits and risks of opioid medication.

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The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CDOT) has begun work on the reconstruction and realignment of Compo Road North at the intersection with Main Street and Clinton Avenue. First step is tree removal, which will be completed by the end of the week, according to a CDOT inspector. He said about 50 trees are being removed as part of the project, which will include the installation of turning lanes, new traffic signals, and an upgraded drainage system resulting in greater traffic safety, the inspector said. During work hours, vehicle traffic is limited to one alternating lane. The town outlined the specifics of the project in December. (See WestportNow Dec. 8, 2015) (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Organizers of Westport’s Mini Maker Faire have announced its “Call for Makers,” an invitation for creative and innovative individuals and groups to apply to participate in the fifth annual Mini Maker Faire.

The event is set for Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Westport Library and on adjacent grounds.

Produced by Remarkable STEAM in partnership with the Westport Library, the Mini maker Faire is Connecticut’s largest event focused on creativity and innovation, organizers say.

Remarkable STEAM, Inc. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) is the leading Connecticut nonprofit organization that promotes innovation and creativity in specified areas.