After eight months on the job, Sarah Heath has resigned as Westport’s director of human services and First Selectman Jim Marpe has named Assistant Director Elaine Daignault to the position, he announced today.

Elaine Daignault: 18-year department veteran. Contributed photo

Heath, who took over from Barbara Butler July 1, 2016 and who has been a department employee for nine years, has accepted a position in another town — later announced as Wilton — effective April 4 and that will be the date of Daignault’s appointment, Marpe said.

“I want to thank Sarah for her many contributions to the town and the Human Services Department,” he said.

Heath said in her time with the town, “I have been fortunate enough to work with amazing, dedicated, and caring professionals and volunteers … I am happy that Elaine will continue as director of the department. Westport is in very capable hands.”

A Connecticut resident has died after eating tainted cheese from a New York creamery, the state Department of Public Health said today.

A Whole Foods grocery store in Fairfield received the soft cheese, and the store initiated its own recall, state officials said.

The cheese is called Ouleout and it comes from the Vulto Creamery of Walton, N.Y.

Two of six people who ate the cheese contracted a rare, but serious bacterial disease, officials said.

The Westport Farmers Market on Saturday, Feb. 25 will launch its first seed exchange program.

The Westport Winter Farmers Market at 7 Sylvan Lane. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

“It is estimated that up to 90 percent of our food derives from, or is dependent upon, seeds and that 80 percent of the world’s seeds are controlled by multinational corporations,” said Lori Cochran-Dougall, market director.

“The Westport Farmers’ Market has launched a new seed-saving program to take back control of our food system.”

In inviting the public to participate in the seed exchange, Cochran-Dougall, said communities all over the country are joining together to share open-pollinated and heirloom seeds, “one of the best ways to retain control of our food system.”

The Westport Library will host an information session on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. about the Fairfield County Hospice House (FCHH) in Stamford.

The Fairfield County Hospice House is now under construction in Stamford. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Topics will include an update on the facility, now under construction, as well as what to consider when making decisions about hospice and end-of-life transition, an announcement said.

There also will be a discussion about how the team behind the FCHH worked with Connecticut legislators to enable multiple persons to receive home hospice care in a single residence.

A change in legislation paved the way for the construction of the six-bedroom, 10,000-square foot house located in a residential neighborhood of Stamford just off the Merritt Parkway.

In a timely topic on Valentine’s Day, Westport resident Jeffrey Berman, vice chairman of the Department of Cardiology at Bridgeport’s St. Vincent’s Hospital, today addressed the Westport Rotary Club on the significant strides in cardiology over recent decades. Emphasizing the importance of seeking prompt medical care immediately upon symptoms of a heart attack, Berman said, “Most deaths from heart attacks happen outside the hospital. Inside the hospital the death rate is a much lesser — 1 to 2 percent.” He said seven points of prevention reduce the risk of a heart attack by 95 percent. The seven are: control of blood pressure, cholesterol levels and diabetes plus four that are “lifestyle-driven” — not smoking, a proper diet, controlled body weight, and an exercise regimen. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The Westport Weston Health District, (WWHD) noting that flu activity continues to increase throughout the nation and is widespread in Connecticut, says it still has vaccine available.

If you have not received your annual flu vaccination, you are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible, an announcement said.

“The flu season will peak around February and March but the season can continue until May, so it is not too late to get vaccinated,” said Mark Cooper, WWHD director of health.

And Monica Wheeler, registered nurse, said the district has seen a significant spike in locally reported cases.