02/14/12 Recent Norwalk News Articles....

• Council approves Moccia's nominees despite accusations of vote-trading _{2012-02-16, 01:48 am}
  ... will convince you there's an easier way, a better way, a more open way and a way that benefits all of the people of Norwalk." During the public participation portion of the council meeting, former Councilwoman Susan Wallerstein said she accepted ...
• Darien Students Celebrate Latin American Culture _{2012-02-16, 01:19 am}
  ... months of study. After the presentations, the students were served a Latin American lunch, courtesy of Mi Casitas in Norwalk. They also learned some popular Latin dances, including the salsa and the meringue. Students were hesitant at first about ...
• Norwalker held as fugitive for failing to pay $191 to Alabama court _{2012-02-16, 12:43 am}
  ... by authorities in Alabama for failure to appear in court and obstruction of justice. She was arraigned Wednesday at Norwalk Superior Court and released on a promise to appear in court under the condition that she pay the court fees she owes the ...
• Norwalk police blotter _{2012-02-16, 12:43 am}
  Feb. 15 a Ian Dawes-Kuchta, 24, of 37 Pine Point Road, was charged with operation while under the influence and failure to obey a control signal.
• Norwalk girls solidify playoff positioning with come-from-behind win at Westhill _{2012-02-16, 12:39 am}
  Westhill's Megan D'Alessandro looks to shoot as Norwalk's Zayna Fukton blocks as Westhill High School hosts Norwalk in a girls basketball game in Stamford, Conn., February 15, 2012.
• Norwalk boys fall in final seconds of OT to Westhill_{2012-02-16, 12:39 am}
  Westhill did about 15 different things detrimental to its hopes of defeating a Norwalk team fighting to keep its conference playoff chances alive Wednesday night.
• Norwalk's Riggins takes 'the first step' in year-long goal_{2012-02-16, 12:24 am}
  Since the time Brandon Riggins first stepped onto a wrestling mat this winter, he's been preparing for what's commonly known in the sport's circles as the "championship season." As a junior in 2011--his first season at Norwalk--he littered the program's record books with acheivements, just a short time after transferring midseason from Oklahoma.
• Oil Spill From Norwalk School Contaminates Pond _{2012-02-16, 12:12 am}
  NORWALK, Conn. - Hundreds of gallons of oil stemming from a spill at a Norwalk school is being cleaned up by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection .
• HS boys basketball -- Vikings down Norwlk in OT _{2012-02-15, 11:11 pm}
  Hour photo/Alex von Kleydorff Norwalk's Delshawn Wilson goes up for a shot in front of Dam Dorissant of Westhill during Wednesday night's game.
• HS girls basketball -- Bears ride win streak into playoffs_{2012-02-15, 11:11 pm}
  Hour photo/Alex von Kleydorff Norwalk's Erica Cohens powers to the basket despite the efforts of Tyler Evans of Westhill during Wednesday night's game in Stamford.
• NCC to partner with Wright Tech High School in Stamford_{2012-02-15, 10:10 pm}
  NORWALKa S-- Norwalk Community College is expanding its footprint into Stamford through an academic partnership with J.M. Wright Technical High School, which will reopen in fall 2014.
• Conn. arts groups decry Malloy budget cuts _{2012-02-15, 09:58 pm}
  ... million in state grants their facilities have come to rely upon. Jennifer Herring, CEO of the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, told the General Assembly's budget-writing committee Wednesday evening that her facility and the Mystic Aquarium already made ...
• Cops: Man arrested after failed jailbreak _{2012-02-15, 09:25 pm}
  ... he damaged the ceiling tiles of his jail cell while trying to escape. Jester Gabriel-Lopez, 20, of 76 Williams St., Norwalk, was charged with third-degree criminal mischief for his alleged escape attempt. He had previously been charged with ...
• Norwalk's Maritime Aquarium to unveil its 'FINtastic RefurbFISHment' _{2012-02-15, 09:25 pm}
  Lumpfish swim in the manmade surf in their new exhibit, part of the "FINtastic RefurbFISHment" at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk on Thursday, February 9, 2012.
• Driver charged with striking pedestrians _{2012-02-15, 09:25 pm}
  ... in a Main Avenue crosswalk Monday, causing minor injuries, police said. Alba Urquia-Alvarado, 31, of 15 Madison St., Norwalk was charged with driving without a license, failure to grant the right of way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk and failure to ...
• Norwalk House members blast Malloy for cutting school aid to city _{2012-02-15, 09:25 pm}
  Norwalk House delegation members, Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., Gail Lavielle and Terrie Wood today criticized Gov.
• Wilton 7th Grade Girls Fall to Tough Rivals _{2012-02-15, 08:00 pm}
  ... teams in the Fairfield County Basketball League. Wilton, sponsored by the Wilton Bank, dropped a 60-29 decision to Norwalk on Saturday. Elizabeth Healy led Wilton with nine points, three steals and one rebound. Caylin Cannavino scored six points and ...
• Fatal New Canaan Hit-and-Run Case on Trial List _{2012-02-15, 07:45 pm}
  ... for March 20. Regan is facing a pair of charges related to the hit-and-run death of an 82-year-old New Canaan man. NORWALK, Conn. - The case of New Canaan resident and hit-and-run suspect Kate Regan has been put on a list to go to trial. Norwalk ...
• Fairfield County Calendar_{2012-02-15, 07:36 pm}
  ... 1143 Hope Street, Stamford. Tea, sandwiches and cookies will be served. Information: www.fergusonlibrary.org. Norwalk Public Library expanded hours: noon to 8: 30 p. m. Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Monday and Thursday at Norwalk . . . >> ...
• DEEP investigating oil leak at West Rocks Middle School_{2012-02-15, 05:04 pm}
  Dwayne Gardner, a spokesman for the DEEP, said the oil leaked from an oil burner into floor drains in the basement of the school, and environmental consultants were contracted by the City of Norwalk to clean up the spill

08/09/10 More Bad News For Greenwich Millionaire Ned Lamont's Failing Senatorial Campaign

The Millionaire Emperor Has No Clothes ....

Ned Lamont Is Furiously Flushing Money Down The Toilet As More Bad News Keeps Rolling In From The Pollsters At Quinnipiac University

Q Poll: Too Close To Call Between Lamont, Malloy In Primary‎

Hartford Courant

Quinnipiac Poll: Ned Lamont Up By 3 Points, But Too Close To Call Vs. Dannel Malloy In Democratic Primary Tuesday

The latest Quinnipiac Poll shows that Democrat Ned Lamont is ahead by 3 percentage points over former Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy, but the race is too close to call because the margin of error is plus or minus 4.6 percentage points......

.... Both Republicans and Democrats also say that Lamont suffered a setback when he initially refused to debate Malloy in the final weeks of the race in a one-on-one, televised debate .....

....The poll of likely Democratic voters shows Lamont ahead by 45 percent to 42 percent, which is closer than the 45 to 40 lead that he had last week. Overall, 30 percent of those polled said they could still change their minds before Tuesday's vote, and 12 percent said they were still undecided.

"The poll reflects what we're seeing and hearing every day on the campaign trail: Dan's got the momentum,'' said Dan Kelly, Malloy's campaign manager.....

....As multi-millionaires from Greenwich, both Lamont and Foley have enough money to air commercials in the highly expensive New York City television market. That is part of their strategy to reach voters in lower Fairfield County as the New York stations are beamed from Greenwich to Bridgeport and beyond. Many candidates are unable to afford New York television, and some believe it is a waste of money as the commercials are often seen by viewers in places like Brooklyn and Long Island who cannot vote in Connecticut. But Lamont, Foley, and U.S. Senate candidate Linda McMahon are all broadcasting commercials on the New York stations.

"It's really the only way to reach a broad audience in Fairfield County because 35 percent of the Republicans are in Fairfield County,'' Foley said in an interview. "We think it's a good investment for the general election.''

Foley said Saturday that he believed that Lamont has an advantage over Malloy because of the New York City commercials, but he agreed that the race is getting much tighter.

"It could be a jump ball, and he's up in New York and Malloy isn't, so it's his to lose,'' Foley said

PLEASE SEE

08/04/10 The Raw Ned Lamont News Feed: Top Story Greenwich Roundup Poll Says Ned Lamont's Lead Over Dan Malloy Has Vanished.

08/05/10 Ned Lamont's Campaign Statement On Today's Q-Poll

08/06/10 GREENWICH BRIEFING: Can Greenwich Resident Ned Lamont Survive Until Tuesday's Primary?

08/06/10 Dannel Malloy Profile: Come-From-Behind Candidate Battling In Close Primary Race With Democrat And Greenwich Resident Ned Lamont

08/07/10 WASTEFUL SPENDING: With $9,118,582.14 Greenwich Millionaire Ned Lamont Could Feed A Lot Of Hungry Children

And From Today:

08/09/10 Democratic Town Committee Chairman Frank Farricker Has A Message For Greenwich Voters: "DON'T FORGET TO VOTE"

....For the Democrats out there, I would like to give my personal endorsement to Dan Malloy for Governor, Nancy Wyman for Lieutenant Governor, Kevin Lembo for Comptroller, and Denise Merrill for Secretary of the State. PLEASE don’t forget to go down that line and vote for all the races. I can personally vouch for the character, integrity and intelligence of these people, and Connecticut will be a better place when they take office.....

Frank A. Farricker

08/09/10 You Have 12 Hours to nominate a Ron Paul Endorsed Candidate

August 9th 2010 12 Hours to nominate a Ron Paul Endorsed Republican Rick Torres for Congress Tomorrow, on Tuesday August 10th, you can get help nominate a Conservative Candidate in Connecticut. Tomorrow you can reject Republicans who act like Democrats and vote for me, a Republican who believes principle is more important than compromise. It’s not just about voting for a Republican; it’s about voting for the right Republican. I am the right Republican to represent us in Washington and I am the only Republican who can beat Jim Himes this November. I believe in the greatness of our exceptional America. I was born under socialism in Castro's Cuba and I have experienced tyranny first hand. Without America as a beacon of freedom, the world would be ruled by dictators like Castro. I am running for Congress because Nancy Pelosi and Jim Himes are taking away our freedoms. Every dollar stolen from your pocket for bailouts and public union payoffs is a small loss of your freedom. Without a right to our property and money, none of our other precious rights and freedoms matter. You can make a pledge right now to turn back the socialist tide. I believe in the Constitution, in free market capitalism, in individual liberty, and American exceptionalism. On Tuesday I need to reach as many voters as possible. With your financial contribution right now of $50, $100, $500 or more we can nominate a friend of Liberty in Connecticut. P.S. Please click here to listen to my appearance on Mark Levin. Sincerely,

08/09/10 NORWALK BRIEFING: Norwalk Police Blotter

This Just In To The Norwalk Roundup Newsroom......

Norwalk Police Blotter (Thehour)

Aug. 8*David Duncan, 58, of 9 Park St., was charged with improper operation of a vehicle on a sidewalk, and operating a vehicle while under the influence.

Little West Cedar part of Norwalk's open space (Thehour)

NORWALK By JOHN MOELINGNLT Vice PresidentThree miles up the Five Mile River from where it empties into Long Island Sound lies a wooded floodplain belonging to the Norwalk Land Trust .

George Albano's 'Looking Back' (Thehour)

Mark Wyner pitched a three-hitter with 11 strikeouts, hurling shutout ball through six innings before .

Report of City Man Shot Friday Night During a Robbery Attempt (thehour)

NORWALK

By STEVE KOBAK

Hour Staff Writer

Investigators are searching for two suspects who shot a city man in the leg Friday night during a robbery attempt at the corner of Lexington Avenue and Olean Street, police said.

Police said they received numerous 911 calls about the shooting at shortly after 8:30 p.m. Upon arriving at the scene, officers found the victim sitting on the ground near El Coqui Grocery Store and Deli, 39 Lexington Ave., and bleeding from a gunshot wound in his upper right leg, according to police. The victim said he was walking home from a Mexican Restaurant on Ely Avenue when two black males approached him near the grocery store and demanded money, police said.

The victim told the robbers that he did not have his wallet, and he started to run, police said. He only made it to the back of the grocery store because one of the robbers pulled out a black handgun and shot him in the leg, according to police. The robbers fled down Olean Street, and the victim managed to run a short distance before collapsing in front of the grocery store, police said.

Flea Market and Car Wash Held to Help Norwalk High School Marching Band (thehour)

NORWALK

By STEVE KOBAK

Hour Staff Writer

"It went very well, better than expected," said Judkins, whose son is in the marching band. Karen Amsler, chairwoman of Marching Bears, Inc., said the flea market was a success and it will become a yearly event. She said that although the event was "thrown together in three weeks," there was a tremendous outpouring of support from the community. Norwalk High School color guard member Rachel Tangard said she was surprised by the large amount of people who combed the aisles of the flea market and the quality of the items that were being sold by vendors at the market.

"I've seen so many cars come in here," she said. "I'm working here and I still brought some stuff." Tangard and her fellow color guard member Heidy Contreras praised the dedication of the parents who work to raise money for the color guard and marching band. Marching Bears, Inc., a group of parents that organizes various fundraisers for the band, generates enough money each year to fund trips for the award-winning band and provide scholarships for band members.

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08/08/10 NORWALK ROUNDUP: High-Profile Connecticut Union President Dies Suddenly At 54

This Just In To The Norwalk Roundup Newsroom ....

High-Profile Connecticut Union President Dies Suddenly At 54 (WTIC-TV Hartford)

Brian A. Petronella, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers local 371 and a leading figure in Connecticut labor and politics, died unexpectedly Friday night at his home in Norwalk, his union said.

Westport contractor on probation charged with public indecency (Westport News)

After pleading guilty to stealing jewelry, checks and a $22,000 rug from a Weston family for whom he was building an addition, former Westport contractor John Zukowski walked out of Norwalk Superior Court last Tuesday a free man.

Orchestra concert to benefit Gulf Coast victims (Thehour)

NORWALKBy KATE MARCALHour Staff WriterDespite his death more than 200 years ago, Mozart is helping to combat a contemporary catastrophe.The Eastern Festival Symphony Orchestra is performing an all-Mozart concert on Sunday to benefit relief efforts in the Gulf Coast.

City Man Arrested for Sexual Assault and ROI to a Minor Arraigned Friday (thehour)

NORWALK

By STEVE KOBAK

Hour Staff Writer

A 23-year-old city man accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl was arraigned Friday at Norwalk Superior Court. Jerrell Richards, of 4 Merritt St., was arrested Thursday morning and charged with two counts of sexual assault and two counts of risk of injury to a minor.

Judge Bruce Hudock raised Richards' bond on Friday from $75,000 to $250,000, noting that Richards has multiple prior arrests and criminal convictions as well as probation violations.

Richards will appear in court on Aug. 20. Richards was arrested after officers were called to the Monterey Village housing complex for a reported sexual assault at 6:17 a.m. on Thursday. The victim told police that she heard a knock on her window. She opened her blinds and saw Richards, police said.

He asked if he could use the bathroom in her apartment, according to police. The victim told police that Richards was known to her family, and she allowed him to use the bathroom in the home, police said. After Richards exited the bathroom, the victim escorted him downstairs to the entrance of the building, according to police. Richards began to flirt with her, but the victim denied his advances, police said.

The victim said in her statement that Richards became angry and pulled out a knife, telling her that he was "going to get what he wants from her and going to get it now," police said. He pushed her down a set of stairs, placed his hand over her mouth and forced himself on her, according to the victim's statement to police.

No Clear Timeline for Wall Street Place Phase One (thehour)

NORWALK

By ROBERT KOCH

Hour Staff Writer

With working drawings for Phase One of Wall Street Place now in the hands of the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency, the chairman of the Common Council's Planning Committee wants a clear timeline to groundbreaking on the project.

"Can we get just a simple Excel spreadsheet ... three months, six months, nine months, and then what date he's supposed to start, by this theory, construction?" asked Chairman Douglas E. Hempstead at City Hall on Thursday night.

The day before, POKO Partners LLC, the city's selected redeveloper for the Isaacs Street portion of the Wall Street neighborhood, delivered to the Redevelopment Agency working drawings for Phase One of Wall Street Place. The first phase calls for 101 apartments, 236 parking spaces, as well as retail space. Under the land disposition agreement between the city, agency and POKO Partners, the developer must meet certain timelines in advancing the project from approvals to construction.

"Ultimately, once the approval of these (working drawings) are in place, he's got 90 days to commence construction," said Timothy T. Sheehan, Redevelopment Agency executive director. Asked Hempstead: "So in a perfect world, there may be a couple weeks back and forth, he gets his financing. Spring, in theory, this would be under construction?"

Please send your comments, news tips and press releases to NorwalkRoundup@gmail.com

City to host first Norwalk Alumni Weekend (Norwalk Citizen News)

Hundreds of Norwalk natives will converge on the city for the first annual Norwalk Alumni Weekend, beginning today.

08/07/10 NORWALK BRIEFING: Alleged drunken driver drives wrong car

This Just In To The Norwalk Roundup Newsroom ....

Alleged drunken driver drives wrong car (Thehour)

NORWALKBy STEVE KOBAKHour Staff Writer An intoxicated city man was arrested late Thursday night minutes after hopping into the driver's seat of a stranger's idling, unoccupied vehicle and taking it for a joyride, police said.Peter Holowiak, 29, of 26 Belden Ave., was charged with third-degree . . .Full Story

Steve Geoghegan column: Calvin can't get enough of Norwalk (Thehour)

It was great seeing Calvin Murphy back in Norwalk.The Basketball Hall of Famer and Norwalk native was at the kickoff of the Fairfield County Sports Commission's Chelsea Cohen Fitness Academy at Norwalk High Thursday and showing his support of the venture.Murphy was, and always has been, great .

Egan Among GOP Candidates for Regional Probate Seat (Ridgefield Patch)

Tuesday's primary will be judgment day for three Republican candidates vying to be the party's Election Day nominee for probate judge.

Merkle will address voters in Norwalk on Saturday (The Wilton Bulletin)

On Saturday, Aug. 7, Rob Merkle, a Republican primary candidate for Congress, will be taking his "Line of Liberty" road rally motorcade tours through the 17 towns of the 4th District, culminating at the "Pre-Primary Awareness Rally" in front of Norwalk City Hall.

The artists take over in 34th SoNo Fest (Thehour)

Today marks the opening of an event which has become a fixture on the Norwalk calendar -- the 34th Annual SoNo Arts Festival which begins at 6 p.m. in the parking lot at 99 Washington St.

Please send your comments, news tips and press releases to NorwalkRoundup@gmail.com

Norwalk man charged with sexual assault after jumping in stranger's car (Norwalk Citizen News)

A city man was arrested early last Friday after a Washington Street waitress complained he got into her car, fondled her and exposed himself as she drove through East Norwalk before stopping at a gas station to call police.

Kayakers gather to explore Norwalk's harbor (Norwalk Citizen News)

A group of kayakers prepare to launch from Calf Pasture Beach to paddle out to Shea Island for Yak Jam 2010, the Third Annual Kayaker Jamboree in Norwalk, Conn.

08/06/10 NORWALK BRIEFING: Firefighters Rescue Two Dogs in Smoky Blaze on Old Field Road *Video*

This Just In To The Norwalk Roundup Newsroom .....

Firefighters Rescue Two Dogs in Smoky Blaze on Old Field Road *Video* (Fairfield Patch)

Firefighters rescued two dogs from the second floor of an Old Field Road house that was on fire late Thursday, but two cats perished in the blaze.

Newman's Own helps Builders Beyond Borders (Thehour)

NORWALKBuilders Beyond Borders has received a $5,000 grant from Newman's Own Foundation in support of its local and global service program.Founded in 1993 with just 29 high school students volunteering on local and international building projects, Builders Beyond Borders provides more than .

Standoff Man Faces Dozens of Charges from New Canaan Police (New Canaan Patch)

The New Canaan resident involved in Friday's overnight standoff was arraigned Thursday morning in state Superior Court in Norwalk on charges that include 30 counts of second-degree harassment, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.

Among the graduates (Thehour)

Three area students recently graduated from Williams College. Himilcon Inciarte of Norwalk received a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology.

McMahon to Open Office in Norwalk (Stamford News)

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Linda McMahon, the endorsed candidate headed into next week's primary, is opening an office in Norwalk.

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Tea Party Movement to Rally Saturday Outside Norwalk City Hall (thehour)

NORWALK

By ROBERT KOCH

Hour Staff Writer

On the eve of next Tuesday's primary elections, the Tea Party movement is returning to Norwalk to drum its message of fiscal conservatism and smaller government and tip voters toward candidates who share those views. The rally is set for Saturday at 1 p.m. outside Norwalk City Hall, 125 East Ave.

"There were a couple hundred people last time and we expect more this time," said Robert Willis, coordinator for the Fairfield County Tea Party, referring to a rally in May at City Hall. "We want to call attention to the (Republican) primary. We're going to have some speakers and candidates." Merkle said Martha A. Dean, the endorsed Republican candidate for the office of state attorney general, will be at the rally, as well as Rob Merkle, the Norwalk Republican hoping to win next Tuesday's Republican primary election for the 4th Congressional District and defeat Democratic incumbent Jim Himes in the November general election.

"The Tea Party supporters and groups are trying to get the candidate we believe can beat Jim Himes," Willis said. "We're just trying to educate the public on candidates, on who we support, and are urging everyone to vote in the primary on Aug. 10."

New Norwalk Fire Inspector Named (WSTC-AM Norwalk)

Norwalk has a new fire inspector. The "Hour" reports he is Kirk McDonald. He was a 9-year Norwalk Fire Department veteran.

Drawings detail Wall Street Place (Thehour)

NORWALKBy ROBERT KOCHHour Staff WriterPOKO Partners LLC President and CEO Kenneth M. Olson brought to City Hall on Wednesday morning detailed construction drawings for Phase One of Wall Street Place."They're construction documents.