03/07/12 The Raw Norwalk News Feed

20 Norwalk News Articles From Norwalk Roundup Newsroom...

• Boulevard 18 Has French Twist For New Canaan _{2012-03-07, 01:25 am}
  ... a well-oiled machine. They cut their teeth and smoothed out the edges at their first restaurant, Strada 18 in South Norwalk, which opened in 2006. They have a plan, a successful venture and a vision for their bistro as it tries to stand out in a ...
• Tuesday's high school top performers _{2012-03-07, 01:19 am}
  ... on in the Class LL first round. Terry Tarpey, Fairfield Prep boys basketball -- Scored 26 points in a 63-58 win over Norwalk in the Class LL first round.
• California Collector Gets Andy Rooney's Typewriter _{2012-03-07, 01:18 am}
  ... sits in his basement Friday, attracting bids in an auction. A tag advertises that it may be his war typewriter. NORWALK, Conn. - A California man knew that buying one of Andy Rooney's typewriters last weekend would be a challenge from across the ...
• Sounds of the movies to chime at Stepping Stones Museum _{2012-03-07, 01:14 am}
  Norwalk's Stepping Stones Museum for Children will be the scene of a handbell choir performance of classic movie tunes from 2 to 3 p.m., Saturday, March 10.
• MariAn Gail Brown: Ana deserved a little decency _{2012-03-07, 01:12 am}
  Ana Marquez stiffens her shoulders as she recalls the letter from court directing her to vacate Roodner Court, a public housing complex in Norwalk.
• Fairfield Prep holds off Norwalk in LL opener _{2012-03-07, 01:09 am}
  Fairfield Prep's Terry Tarpey dunks the ball during the first round of the Class LL state boys basketball tournament against Norwalk High School at Alumni Hall at Fairfield University on Tuesday, Mar.
• Teddy's wins Operator of the Year _{2012-03-07, 12:48 am}
  ... Wisniewski and Linda Bento of Teddy's Transportation System stand outside their new location at 25 Van Zant St. in Norwalk. NORWALK --a A big move, a big award, a big anniversary. It's been a busy time for Teddy's Transportation System, a ...
• Community Fund of Darien Appoints New Leader _{2012-03-07, 12:39 am}
  ... Fund of Darien is a nonprofit that supports other human service agencies and organizations in Darien, Stamford and Norwalk through grants. Since its founding 61 years ago, it has given more than $20 million to organizations for the homeless, mental ...
• O'Cool: Quintet to perform jazz on St. Patrick's Day _{2012-03-06, 11:18 pm}
  ... quintet is comprised of Coogan from Weston on piano and vocals; Rex Denton from Madison on trumpet; Jim Clark from Norwalk on sax; Jim Royle from Monroe on drums, and John Mobilio from Watertown on bass. General admission is $20 adults, $10 ...
• Norwalk Man 'Jumped' at Mother's Funeral _{2012-03-06, 10:55 pm}
  Norwalk police remain at Riverside Cemetery after the funeral party for a Norwalk woman has left.
• 'Overpriced, Overrated, Pretentious' _{2012-03-06, 10:19 pm}
  ... body was discovered by a climber in the Italian Alps. Otzi died 5,000 years ago and was suffering from Lyme disease. NORWALK: "Sure, Rush should be fired, right after Bill Maher is fired is calling Sara Palin a 'c' word and Ed Schultz should also be ...
• Connecticut Wants No Child Left Behind Waiver _{2012-03-06, 10:00 pm}
  State Sen. Toni Boucher, R-Wilton, says she supports a state-sought waiver of the No Child Left Behind Act. Norwalk School Board Chairman Jack Chiaramonte, who has been making the case that the Norwalk and Stamford school systems are underfunded, ...
• Equalize State Ed Funding, Norwalk Petition Says _{2012-03-06, 08:00 pm}
  NORWALK, Conn. - A petition started by the Norwalk Education Foundation has hit the web asking residents to support a change in state education funding.
• Off-Duty Captain Alerts Residents to Norwalk Fire _{2012-03-06, 07:30 pm}
  NORWALK, Conn. - An off-duty Norwalk fire captain was driving past a home as it caught fire Monday and helped the residents escape without injury.
• Wilton Police Charge New York Man in Chimney Scam _{2012-03-06, 06:30 pm}
  ... the influence. According to Wilton Police Captain John Lynch, the concerned driver called 911 while driving through Norwalk. When Berman reportedly drove into Wilton, the call was transferred to Wilton Police. Lynch said the driver followed Berman ...
• Annual Westport Minute Man Race Set for April _{2012-03-06, 04:10 pm}
  ... Online registration is open through April 26. Runners also can register in person at The Edge, 542 Westport Ave., Norwalk, the day before the race from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Races begin at 8:30 a.m. The cost for the 5K walk/run is $20 through April 1, ...
• Norwalk Woman Confesses to Smashing Wall, Cops Say _{2012-03-06, 03:01 pm}
  NORWALK, Conn. - A woman who borrowed a car and then crashed it into a stone wall Monday night fled the scene by offering another woman $100 for a ride, Norwalk Police say.
• Center announces 'Brushwork' winners _{2012-03-06, 03:28 am}
  ... (Fairfield), 2nd Susan Frey (Stamford), 3rd Lisa Thoren (Darien); Oil -- 1st Betty Ball (Rowayton), 2nd Sean Murtha (Norwalk), 3rd Susan Brady (Norwalk); Watercolor -- 1st Susan Spivack (Westport), 2nd Stan Pastore (Norwalk), 3rd Merion Frolich ...
• Police Taser naked Norwalk man found in backseat of car _{2012-03-06, 03:28 am}
  Police Tasered a Norwalk man Sunday night who was allegedly found sitting naked in the back seat of a vehicle parked on Muller Avenue.
• According to Survey, 42% of Americans Prefer Credit Grades to Scores _{2012-01-26, 03:00 am}
  ... scores and information. For more information, go to FreeScore.com. FreeScore.com is a service of FYI Direct, Inc. NORWALK, Conn.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--FreeScore.com has created a "Common Credit Questions" free service to answer timely

03/06/12 The Raw Norwalk News Feed

Forget About The Hour Newspaper, Nobody Has More Hyper Local Norwalk News Than Norwalk Roundup...

• Norwalk Votes: Should Rush Limbaugh Be Fired? _{2012-03-06, 04:16 am}
  ... humorous. Thursday's "Norwalk Votes" results : 50 percent of Norwalk readers answered this question - "Who is your favorite children's author?" - with ...
• Naked Norwalk Man Tasered, Arrested _{2012-03-06, 04:15 am}
  NORWALK, Conn. - A naked man found sitting in the back of a parked car Sunday night could not explain why he was there, Norwalk Police say.
• Malloy Tackles Education Issues in Norwalk Forum _{2012-03-06, 04:00 am}
  Brittany Hughes shares her perspective as a student learning to be an early childhood educator Monday at Norwalk Community College.
• Norwalk Sports Roundup: March 6 _{2012-03-06, 02:04 am}
  After missing the FCIAC playoffs and faltering a bit down the stretch, the Norwalk High School boys basketball team is seeded 27th in the Class LL state tournament and will play at No.
• Malloy education reform tour stops in Norwalk _{2012-03-06, 01:25 am}
  ... elementary students are making it hard for educators to do their jobs. Malloy's stops at Brookside and Norwalk Community College were the latest in his education reform tour to sell initiatives, including restructuring tenure, he unveiled last ...
• Police Taser naked Norwalk man found in backseat of car _{2012-03-06, 12:41 am}
  Police Tasered a Norwalk man Sunday night who was allegedly found sitting naked in the back seat of a vehicle parked on Muller Avenue.
• Center announces 'Brushwork' winners _{2012-03-06, 12:40 am}
  ... (Fairfield), 2nd Susan Frey (Stamford), 3rd Lisa Thoren (Darien); Oil -- 1st Betty Ball (Rowayton), 2nd Sean Murtha (Norwalk), 3rd Susan Brady (Norwalk); Watercolor -- 1st Susan Spivack (Westport), 2nd Stan Pastore (Norwalk), 3rd Merion Frolich ...
• Roosters Opens Store in Norwalk _{2012-03-05, 11:17 pm}
  A Roosters Men's Grooming Center recently opened its third store in Connecticut at 607 Main Avenue in Center Seven in Norwalk .
• Governor Malloy comes to Norwalk, talks early childhood education _{2012-03-05, 10:27 pm}
  The governor, currently touring the state touting his education reform plan, made his way to Norwalk today for a tour of Brookside Elementary's preschool facilities before heading to Norwalk Community College for a discussion on early childhood education.
• No Bones About It: No Littering in Norwalk _{2012-03-05, 09:08 pm}
  NORWALK, Conn. - A Bridgeport man threw chicken skins onto a Norwalk street Sunday afternoon, an act of littering that offended a Norwalk police officer and earned the man a ticket, according to Sgt Lisa Cotto.
• Breast Cancer Research Fundraiser Tops $300K _{2012-03-05, 12:53 pm}
  Colleen O'Brien, Norwalk YMCA spinning coordinator and captain of "Team YMCA of Norwalk"; and Joyce Quinlan, Norway Y Spinning instructor, Norwalk hospital nurse, and breast cancer survivor ride at SpinOdyssey 2012.
• Andy Rooney Estate Sale Open This Weekend _{2012-03-04, 03:00 am}
  ... Brewster Jackson, a former managing editor and news executive whose wife owns Elizabeth Jackson Estate Sales , the Norwalk company that's operating the estate sale, interest is "huge." "I think that Rooney struck a chord in people's lives that began ...
• Show support for the Norwalk Company building in SoNo _{2012-03-05, 08:03 pm}
  Norwalk is about to lose an iconic building in SoNo. The Norwalk Company building is slated for demolition and being replaced with a new structure that retains none of the character of the existing factory building.
• Sleep Disorders Center gets new digs _{2012-03-05, 04:43 pm}
  Norwalk Hospital Sleep Disorder Center staff member Geraldine Armstrong shows visitors the control room where technicians monitor patient's brain waves and breathing patterns during sleep studies.
• Earthtalk: From the editors of Norwalk-based E/The Environmental Magazine _{2012-02-29, 03:00 am}
  What caused Solyndra, a leading American solar panel maker, to fail last fall and what are the implications for U.S. alternative energy industries? -- Walt Bottone, Englewood, N.J. Solyndra was a California-based maker of thin-film solar cells affixed to cylindrical panels that could deliver more energy than conventional flat photovoltaic panels.
• Norwalk police blotter _{2012-03-05, 02:28 pm}
  March 4 a John Hubble, 26, of 131 Washington St. in Norwalk, was charged with operation while under the influence and driving the wrong way down a one way street.
• Viridian Energy to Present "Recognized Green Community" to City of Garfield, New Jersey_{2012-03-05, 01:28 pm}
  ... consumers discounted electricity rates that comply with a higher renewable energy content standard. Located in Norwalk, Conn., Viridian was founded with the vision to empower its customers to make a significant collective impact through a relatively ...
• Norwalk man pleads guilty to child porn charge _{2012-03-05, 01:04 pm}
  A 22-year-old Norwalk man agreed to spend two years in prison and two decades on probation Friday in exchange for a guilty plea to possession of child pornography.
• Norwalk men sentenced for statutory rape _{2012-03-05, 01:04 pm}
  Two Norwalk men were sentenced Friday to 16 months in prison for having sex with a 14-year-old girl last year.
• Millions of Girl Scout cookies hit Norwalk _{2012-03-05, 01:04 pm}
  A steady parade of SUVs and other large vehicles inched through the parking lot at Norden Park in Norwalk Saturday morning, making stops at a line of tractor-trailers to load up with hundreds of boxes of cookies

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.

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

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.