Downtown Westport was busy with shoppers on the traditional Black Friday weekend as retailers feature deep discount sales. On a national level, according to CNBC, “Black Friday shopping in stores craters 52% during surging pandemic as e-commerce sales surge 22% to a record $9 billion.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport Assistant Fire Chief Matthew Cohen said a person was pinned under a vehicle following a 9 a.m. two-vehicle accident between exits 18 and 19 on I-95. Firefighters used hydraulic rescue tools to lift the vehicle and remove the injured person, who had severe injuries and was taken to the hospital by Westport EMS. The accident tied up northbound I-95 until 12:45 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Westport Fire Dept.

The Westport Police annual holiday toy drive in 2018, (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The Westport Police Department Local Union No. 2080 and Police Benevolent Association will be hosting their annual Holiday Toy Drive this holiday season.

The drive provides toys for underprivileged children throughout Fairfield County and beyond, an announcement said.

Officers will accept new, unopened, and unwrapped toys, as well as cash donations, in the parking lot of ASF Sports & Outdoors, 1560 Post Road East, on Saturdays and Sundays Dec. 5, 6, 12, and 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Officers volunteering on site will be wearing personal protective equipment and can accommodate the contactless drop off of donations.

Due to building access restrictions implemented in response to the current pandemic, donations cannot be accepted at Westport Police Headquarters or at Westport Town Hall as they have been in the past.  Despite this change, collection boxes will be set up from the present date until December 14, 2020 at the following Westport stores:

• Age of Reason 9 Post Road West (203) 557-3772
• ASF Sports & Outdoors 1560 Post Road East http://www.shopASF.com or (203) 255-4460
• Awesome Toys and Gifts 429 Post Road East http://www.awesometoys.com or (424) 293-7663
• The Toy Post 180 Post Road East http://www.thetoypostct.com or (203) 557-8888

Donations at these locations can be made remotely and/or in person. Please consult these individual businesses for their hours of operation.

Any other questions can be directed to Corporal Albert Nowinski via e-mail at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or (203) 341-6000.

Friends and families headed for Compo Beach today, taking advantage of temperatures peaking in the low 60s. Most visitors followed the COVID-19 mask guidelines. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

First Selectman Jim Marpe delivered his annual Thanksgiving message today.

Westport is a place where we live by, and teach our children, the values that we cherish—values that embrace equality, inclusiveness, open-mindedness, and mutual respect. This Thanksgiving, we reflect upon these qualities in light of a tumultuous year that has, quite frankly, brought heartache, anxiety, and turmoil. There are many among us who are isolated and alone. Emotions and situations brought about by an unseen virus and other national events have caused all of us to re-think how we behave and how we react as a society. No doubt, it has taken its toll and has caused significant adjustments in how we live our lives.”

However, recent news and guidance from scientists and health officials is very promising. If we continue to stay aware and respectful, actively follow the protocols in place such as wearing a mask, keeping distance, and avoiding gatherings, we can see a path to where we can once again enjoy a way of life without fear of harming our neighbors, friends, and family. And I would like to echo Governor Lamont’s request to please keep your in-home Thanksgiving celebrations to immediate family and to 10 persons or fewer.

Besides COVID, there were other events that caused upheaval, unrest and concern in this country and on the local level. Westporters have historically been leaders in social movements, and this year was no different. We will continue to have the difficult dialogues about social injustice while encouraging and setting an example of mutual respect for all humankind. We remain grateful and thankful for those in our community who have led the way in standing firmly against hate and intolerance, and for those who protect our health and safety.

Thanksgiving reminds us to be grateful for our freedoms and our good fortune while recognizing that there are others who are less fortunate. I am personally thankful for our extraordinary teachers, civic leaders, clergy, and volunteers of all kinds. They, along with many other residents, work tirelessly and diligently to care for and help meet the needs of those who require additional emotional, family and economic support. COVID has caused us to adjust the manner in which their work is accomplished, but they remain steadfast in their commitment to helping. I want to acknowledge their contributions—they are valued and appreciated.

I wish all the residents of Westport a safe and healthy Thanksgiving Holiday. Thanks to all of you for your ongoing contributions to making Westport an inclusive place where all feel welcome. We are proud to call it “home.”

Happy Thanksgiving.