State senators announce proposed Rte. 8 safety improvements in Seymour

HARTFORD - State Senators Eric Berthel, R- 32, and Kevin Kelly, R-21, announced proposed safety improvements to a dangerous section of Route 8 in Seymour. 

The changes are a result of the legislators’ request for a Department of Transportation traffic study of the high-incident section of the highway.

“The section of Route 8 near Exit 22 contains a sharp, horizontal curve that has seen a growing number of accidents as traffic increased,”  Berthel said. “My colleagues and I asked the DOT to study conditions and traffic patterns in the area to find ways to make it safer for drivers.”

In a letter from the DOT, Commissioner James Redeker writes that staff performed pavement surface testing in both directions of the highway. Tests found the section of the roadway provides sufficient friction to help vehicles slow down and stop.

“I am glad that the DOT looked beyond the surface condition of the roadway for opportunities to make the area safer,” Kelly said. “We know that a number of factors can contribute to vehicle accidents, including weather, speed, and visibility. Providing a more advanced warning of the approaching curve and including the DOT’s proposed retroreflective delineators on the media barriers could go a long way to addressing divers’ ability to see and respond to the roadway.”

The letter noted that the speed limit on Route 8 is 55 mph and the curved portions of the road specifically are marked 50 mph. However, monitoring of the area found a large number of vehicles exceed 70 mph.

The senators acknowledged that increasing State Police presence, as suggested by the DOT, should prompt drivers to slow down in the area. They also applauded the proactive measures the DOT is suggesting to help make the highway safer for drivers and passengers.

The letter stated that DOT would continue working with Seymour’s Local Traffic Authority and Seymour Police to improve safety in the area.

Berthel represents the communities of Bethlehem, Bridgewater, Middlebury, Oxford, Roxbury, Seymour, Southbury, Washington, Watertown, and Woodbury.

Kelly represents the communities of Monroe, Seymour, Shelton, and Stratford.

This is a press release from the CT Senate Republican Office.

Recuperation journey: Another pet peeve

I'll try not to make this pet peeve stuff a habit, but it's related to my pet peeve post from Monday.

Scene: You are the first one in line stopped at a red light. The light turns green. 

The idiot behind you HONKS at you if you don't put your foot on the gas in a nano-second. 

This goes on all the time, and I was reminded of it today when the person behind me honked as I was taking my life in my hands driving in downtown Ansonia.

Today is half-price day at BHcare's My Sister's Place online store

Half-Price Hump Day at SupportUmbrella.org. 

Visit our online store from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday and get half-off all the products in our already rock-bottom priced “Bargain Basement” section. 

As always, all items ship free and all proceeds benefit BHcare’s The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services.

https://supportumbrella.org/product-categ…/bargain-basement/

My Sister's Place thrift store is located at 380 Main St., Ansonia.

This information is shared from My Sister's Place Facebook page.

Mayor's Breakfast in Derby to benefit Housatonic Council, Boy Scouts

Vigil in New Haven to honor domestic violence survivors, remember victims

NEW HAVEN - To raise awareness of domestic violence, BHcare’s The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services will hold a vigil to honor survivors and remember the victims of domestic violence. 

The 19th Annual Sound of Hope will be held at 1 p.m. Oct. 3 at Long Wharf Pier. 

The vigil will include the reading of names of those who have died as a result of domestic violence. Each person will receive a flower to toss into the harbor. The flowers represent the hopes and struggles of the survivors as they strive to become free from violence. The flower also gently reminds us of the lives that have been taken from us due to domestic violence.

Every October, the nation observes Domestic Violence Awareness Month to bring to light an issue that affects all of our communities. Every nine seconds, a woman is battered in the U.S. One in four women and one in seven men in the U.S. are victims of domestic violence at some point in their lives.

Kevin Glen, Deputy Chief of Police of North Haven, will be guest speaker and members of local police departments will be recognized for their role in the fight against domestic violence. 
The following will be recognized: 
Sgt. Clifford Hill, Sgt. Matthew Falcon, Officer Valdemar Queiroga of North Haven; Sgt. Craig Michalowski, Sgt. Anthony Rybaruk, Det. Jeff Vailette, Officer Luke Rasile, Officer Joe Carangelo, Det, Joseph Finoia, Sgt. Joseph Mulhern, Officer Jason Anderson, Officer Anthony Fiorillo, Lt. Joseph Murgo, and Sgt. Paul DeCrosta of East Haven; Sgt. Dom Eula and Officer Jacob Cheesman of Branford; Officer Scott Shumway, Officer Eric Pesino, Officer Jeff Suchy, Officer Chris Lawrence, Officer Paul Vitale, Sgt. Jim Evarts, Sgt. Craig Dixon, Det. Lenny Soto, Officer Maegan Moran, and Det. Cherelle Carr of New Haven; and Officer Brian Salemme. 

For more information about the vigil, or about domestic violence services call 203-736-2601, x1381, or visit www.bhcare.org.  
If you need immediate assistance, call our 24-hour domestic violence hotline, 1-888-774-2900.

UCDVS is a program of BHcare that provides services for victims and children of domestic violence free of charge. 
Each year, more than 6,000 abused women and their children walk through the door of UCDVS looking for shelter, help and hope. 

Learn more at bhcare.org.


This is a press release from BHcare.

Save the date: Halloween Hoopla on tap at Warsaw Park in Ansonia