Note to builders: a small office building does not have to be ugly. Because it fits in with the town’s semi rural character, Monroe’s Architectural Review Board has decided to honor Nancy and Steven Symski, owners of a small office building at 238 Monroe Turnpike with its annual award for new construction. First Selectman Steve Vavrek will head the award presentation Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.
The Gift of Safety
That’s what the Red Cross Club at St. Joseph High School in Trumbull hopes to provide by collecting old and unwanted cell phones that can be converted for free 911 emergency-use and distributed to those who need them most.
Among those who will benefit are battered women, the elderly, and neighborhood watch groups. Handsets only — no chargers or accessories — may be dropped off at the school at 2320 Huntington Turnpike, or sent to Secure The Call at 6930 Carroll Avenue, Suite 400, Takoma Park, MD 20912.
For more information, including a tax dedeuction form, visit http://www.securethecall.org or the school’s Web site at www.sjcadets.org
Sprinklers advocated for public housing units
BRIDGEPORT – Mayor Bill Finch said today that the city will ask the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for money to pay for installing fire sprinklers throughout the P.T. Barnum Apartments public housing complex, where a family of four perished in a blaze three weeks ago.
“The only real, final solution is to sprinkler all of those apartments,” Finch said.
The mayor, speaking on behalf of a task force established to look into the tragedy, said that since the fire the Fire Department and Bridgeport Housing Authority have been organizing discussions with Barnum tenants about fire safety, too.
“I think fire safety in the front of our minds is critical,” the mayor said. “We went door-to-door. We went to Longfellow School and had an assembly with 250 children, all of whom were in rapt attention.”
Finch said that education is a short-term step. The city will approach HUD with its money request after cost estimates are prepared, he said, adding that installation of sprinklers would be a long-term solution.
Also attending the noontime press conference were BHA Executive Director Nicholas A. Calace, Fire Chief Brian Rooney and state Rep. Charles Clemons, a former firefighter.
Tiana Black, 22; her 4-year-old twin daughters Nyaisja and Tyaisja Williams, and her son Ny’shon Williams, 5, died of smoke inhalation in the Nov. 13 blaze in their apartment in Building 12.
The exact cause of the blaze has not yet been determined, officials said, other than that it’s know that it originated in the kitchen. Residents at the West End housing complex and others have raised questions about fire safety because there is only one door to enter and leave the two-story, upper-floor units. Black’s apartment was on the second and third stories of the building.
The complex was constructed in 1950. It has 18, three-story buildings with 20 units each.
Prior to a renovation completed in the early 1990s, there was an emergency fire door linking the top-floor apartments, providing a second route of exit. But these have since been walled off in an effort to improve crime security. As it stands now, the apartments have only one door, although they meet all existing fire codes, officials said.
Firefighters reported that the smoke detectors in Black’s unit may have been sounding for as long as 20 minutes before a “911” call to firefighters was made.
The bodies of Black and her twin girls were found by the apartment door, while the body of her son was found in an upstairs bedroom.
Jewelry swiped in Fairfield store break-in
FAIRFIELD – Police are investigating the theft of thousands of dollars worth of rings, bracelets and necklaces in an early-morning break-in over the weekend at Lenox Jewelers, 2379 Black Rock Turnpike.
A security guard with Homeguard, which has offices below the store, heard the sound of glass breaking a little after 1 a.m. Saturday, police said. He called ADT, the jewelry store’s alarm company, which then contacted police.
Glass display cases at the front of the store were smashed and an undetermined amount of jewelry was missing, police said. A canine from the Bridgeport Police Department was brought in to help track the suspect, but was unsuccessful in picking up the trail of any suspects.
Sgt. James Perez said there several security cameras at the shopping center and police are reviewing videotapes of the incident.
AG suing CVS for selling outdated medicines, food items
By Ken Dixon
STAFF WRITER
HARTFORD – Twenty CVS stores throughout the state, including two in Bridgeport, one in Fairfield, one in Danbury and another in Ridgefield sold expired food products and over-the counter medications, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal charged Monday.
Blumenthal, during a morning news conference, said that his office is suing the Woonsocket, R.I.-based retailer after an investigation found expired medicine, baby formula, antacids, energy drinks and dairy products on shelves of the pharmacy chain.
A survey of more than 40 CVS stores in the state found that double the number of products were outdated, compared to a year ago.
“Business ethics and law require out-dated products to be removed from shelves immediately,” he said. Some products were outdated by half a year or more.
Fire prompts evacuation of Trumbull mall
The Westfield Trumbull mall has been evacuated. Sources say the evacuation was prompted by a fire inside the mall. It’s not know how bad the fire is, or if there have been any injuries.
We have a reporter and photographer on the way to the scene and will update this story as soon as we get more information.
Holiday Spectacular planned in Oxford
OXFORD — Oxford High School will present a “Holiday Spectacular” featuring the “Harmony on the Sound Chorus” with the Oxford High School Jazz bands and choir on Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. at the school.
“Harmony on the Sound” is an all-women chapter of Sweet Adelines International, made up of women from 33 different towns in Connecticut.
“Harmony” sings a cappella four-part barbershop style harmony, mixed in with Broadway, the Blues and a bit of swing.
This unique group of women is directed by Karen Sweeters, who has been a member since 1978, and directed the chorus since 1987.
Refreshments will be available and Festival of Trees will be in full swing in the OHS lobby. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for students and seniors, and $5 for children under five years old.
Advance ticket sales are $2 less for each level and can be purchased at Oxford High School. The snow date for this event is Dec. 12 at 2 p.m.
All proceeds from the “Holiday Spectacular” will go to fund field trips for “Perspectives on Race,” a class taught by OHS history teacher Jeff Giovacchino.
For more information or tickets call 203-888-2468.
