Month: December 2016 - Page 10

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Two Injured in Post Road West Head-On Crash

Two persons suffered serious injuries tonight when an eastbound car crossed into the westbound lane at 274 Post Road West and crashed into an oncoming car head-on. Two Westport EMS ambulances transported the patients to Norwalk Hospital. Airbags deployed in both vehicles. Police closed westbound traffic while an investigation was underway. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Force of the Collision

The fronts of both cars were crumpled tonight following a head-on collision at 274 Post Road West. Both drivers were seriously injured and transported to Norwalk Hospital by Westport EMS. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Fire Chief Retires, Successor Named

Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe today announced the retirement of Fire Chief Andrew Kingsbury effective March 1 and appointment of his successor, Assistant Chief Robert Yost. WestportNow.com Image
Robert Yost: promoted to chief. Dave Matlow/ WN file photo

Andy Kingsbury: served five years as chief. Dave Matlow /WN file photo

In addition, Marpe said Deputy Chief Robert Kepchar, a 38-year department veteran, submitted his retirement request several weeks ago to be effective May 31.

Marpe said he accepted a retirement letter from Kingsbury, who joined the department in 1986, with regret.

“The Town of Westport and its residents have been very fortunate to be the beneficiaries of Andy’s expertise and dedication throughout the years,” he said.

Twin Effort for National Charity League

Twelve-year-old twins Karina and Chloe Murray of Westport were among more than 100 members of the National Charity League’s Westport chapter who took part in a holiday philanthropy event at Christ & Holy Trinity Church. During the festivities, NCL mothers and daughters packaged homemade holiday treats for Westport’s emergency responders. They also made necessity gift bags containing personal care products and handmade greeting cards for the residents at Homes for the Brave, a Bridgeport-based nonprofit organization that provides housing and support services to homeless veterans and other individuals. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Conributed photo

It’s a Wrap for CLASP Homes at B&N

It was the turn of Westport nonprofit CLASP Homes today to wrap holiday gifts at Westport’s Barnes & Noble and collect donations. Michele Markelon (l), CLASP Homes vice president of finance, and Jeannine Howard, CLASP Homes director of human services, did the honors. CLASP Homes creates and supports family environments for people with autism and intellectual disabilities. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Patrick J. Dinley, 76

Patrick J. Dinley of Delray Beach, Florida, a former Westport resident, died Dec. 10 at home following a two-year battle with cancer. He was 76.

Patrick Dinley: former Westporter. Contributed photo

He was born March 17, 1940, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Kathryn Opal (Henderson) and Lawrence Jerome Dinley. An only child, he grew up in Ellwood City, Pennsylania, and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1958.

After four years at The Pennsylvania State University in University Park, Pennsylvania, he graduated in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science in business administration.

Positions at Xerox and Thompson Imperial followed, but he began a 40-year career in the small appliance business when he took the role of sales associate for General Electric in 1966.

Granger at the Movies: ‘La La Land,’ ‘Nocturnal Animals,’ ‘Star Wars: Rogue One’

By Susan Granger

Special to WestportNow

Opening with a fabulous fantasy sequence of morning commuters caught in congested traffic on Los Angeles’ freeways, “La La Land,” Damien Chazelle’s dazzling contemporary musical chronicles longing, love and lingering wistfulness.

Aspiring actress Mia (Emma Stone) works as a barista at a café on the Warner Brothers’ studio lot, while brooding jazz pianist Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) is tired of playing background music at bars and restaurants. They “meet cute” several times before they actually connect.

Encouraging one another to follow their dreams, their careers move forward. She writes a one-woman show attracting the interest of an influential agent, while he joins a touring rock band, fronted by his old friend Keith (John Legend).

Not surprisingly, long separations take a toll on their romantic relationship as the seasons change.

Public Input Sought on Updating Town Plan

The Westport Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) is seeking public input as it updates the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD).

The plan is a blueprint for how the town wants to develop over the next 10 to 20 years and is a guide to local decision making in areas such as natural resources preservation, economic development, housing, land use, and public services.

The current plan was adopted in 2007 and by state statute must be updated every 10 years.

The P&Z has scheduled a public meeting for public input on Thursday, Jan. 12 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Town Hall auditorium.

Winter Dawn in Westport

Today is the first day of winter, the winter solstice occurring at 5:44 a.m. It is the day with the fewest hours of daylight of 2016. The sun rose in Westport at 7:15 a.m. and sets at 4:28 p.m. The day after the winter solstice marks the beginning of lengthening days, leading up to the summer solstice in June. View of the dawn sky is from Westport’s Saugatuck Island. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Penny Sousa for WestportNow.com

Wednesday, December 21, 2016 – Winter Begins

5:44 a.m. – Northern Hemisphere – Winter Solstice
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Westport Historical Society – “Art to the Max”
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Westport Arts Center – “MORE Than Words/#Iammore Exhibition”
4:30 p.m. – Town Hall Room 102 – Tree Board
6:30 p.m. – Westport Library – Chess Club for Adults
7:30 p.m. – Westport Library – Library Board of Trustees