Ansonia man, 21, shot; police seek information from residents

Sharing press release from Ansonia Police Lt. Patrick Lynch:

On July 23, 2019, at 12:20 P.M. the Ansonia Police Department received complaints of shots fired on Howard Avenue in the area of Church Street. 

Callers reported a black male running from the scene, possibly shot. Shortly after the initial report of shots fired, Griffin Hospital contacted the police department reporting a gunshot victim in the emergency room. The victim of the shooting was a 21 year old Ansonia resident who was shot multiple times. The victim fled the scene of the shooting and was transported to the hospital by private vehicle. 

The victim was transferred from Griffin Hospital to a New Haven hospital where he is listed as serious but stable.


Officers located the scene of the shooting on Howard Avenue and Church Street. Numerous shell casings of different calibers were located on Howard Avenue and Church Street indicating at least two people shooting in the area. There were more than a dozen shots fired in the incident.


The Ansonia Police Department is asking anyone with information or any residents in the Howard Avenue and Church Street areas with video cameras outside their homes to contact the Ansonia Police Department at 203-735-1885.

Rich Bobinski Orchestra concert on Derby Green postponed to Sept. 3

Sharing message from Marc Garofalo, City/Town Clerk: 

"The Derby Summer Concert on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at 7:00 pm featuring the Rich Bobinski Orchestra is postponed due to the weather until Tuesday, September 3, 2019.

"Due to a scheduling conflict and the potential weather, there will be no concert on Wednesday July 24, 2019."

The next concert will be held on Tuesday July 30, 2019 featuring the Frank Porto Orchestra beginning at 7:00 pm.

We regret any inconvenience.

A revised concert schedule is attached for your convenience.

Surgeon to discuss joint replacement at Griffin Hospital in Derby

Orthopaedic surgeon Gary R. Richo will host a discussion Aug. 13 of the causes of joint pain, conservative treatment options, and total joint replacement techniques at Griffin Hospital./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital will offer a free presentation on joint replacement options at 5:45 p.m. Aug. 13 at the hospital.

Orthopaedic surgeon Gary R. Richo, M.D., PhD, will present “Advances in Joint Replacement," an open discussion of the causes of joint pain, conservative treatment options, total joint replacement techniques, post-surgical recovery and the return to normal activities. 

Dr. Richo will be available at the end of the presentation to answer any questions from attendees.

Refreshments will be served.

For more information or to reserve your spot, call Griffin Hospital Orthopaedic Care Specialist Amy Gagne, 203-732-7524.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

'Turnback Tuesday' features jewelry store in downtown Derby

Turnback Tuesday says hello to a business that started in 1896 at 10 Elizabeth St., Derby.
This "gem" was Taylor & Gregory Jewelers. The owners were William G. Taylor and Louis L. Gregory, both from Derby. The business later moved to 6 Elizabeth St. (shown) in 1903. They remained partners until Taylor’s death in 1926. In 1933, the business became L.L. Gregory & J.S. Burgess Co.


Thanks as always to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

Safety fence installed at Fountain Lake dam in Ansonia

City of Ansonia photo

Mayor David S. Cassetti inspects new fencing at Fountain Lake dam.

ANSONIA - For decades it was a safety hazard, oftentimes discussed at aldermen meetings dating to previous administrations. 

This past week, the steep drop at Fountain Lake dam and spillway was finally corrected with the installation of approximately 175 feet of chain link fence. 
The fence was installed by Walsh Bros. Fence of Orange, and was purchased with funding collected from property blight liens.

The fence extends across both the front dam spillway and rear, facing the lake.

“This was a needed correction to the dam,” said Cassetti. “It was clearly a hazard, and now the fence makes this beautiful walking trail a much safer route. I want to thank Ronda Porrini and our Building Department for drawing our attention to this and getting it addressed.”

Fountain Lake also includes a fishing dock (recently repaired through an Eagle Scout project by Jonathan Palmieri) and picnic tables added last summer along the trail. 
Cassetti said he hopes to add cooking grills alongside the picnic tables soon.

City of Ansonia photo

Fountain Lake fishing dock that was recently repaired by Jonathan Palmieri as an Eagle Scout project.

This is a press release from the Mayor's office.

Tryouts slated for Ansonia High School cheerleading

Wesley Village in Shelton honors student workers on their graduation

Wesley Village residents, staff celebrate student workers' high school graduations./ Contributed photo 

SHELTON – Wesley Village recently celebrated 12 student workers who have graduated from local high schools.  

Residents and staff gathered to honor the graduates at an afternoon party with cake and refreshments. 

CEO David Lawlor gave each student a special achievement certificate and congratulatory card. 

“I’m excited for the new chapter,” said Alaina Gaudet, 18, a graduate of Ansonia High School. “I’m going to school at Central Connecticut State University and I’m going to study radiology,” she said. 

With a long history of employing high school students, Wesley Village ensures their dining staff has a healthy balance between school work and job responsibilities. 

“I can come to work in a bad mood, but seeing the residents and talking with them makes me happy. I love what I do,” Gaudet said. 

The intergenerational experience means a lot to the staff and to the residents.  

“These kids are very good, I can’t find fault with any of them. I give them a lot of credit for what they do,” said Ken Steeves, 91, resident at Crosby Commons. 

The residents receive three well-balanced meals a day in the dining room and the strong service is impressionable on those who live in the community. 

The kitchen morale has a lot to do with the quality of service. “We tease, we laugh, we joke,” said Mike Franco, a cook at Crosby Commons. “The kids are good with the residents. They’re energetic and high-spirited,” he said.

The high school graduates who were celebrated are: Luca Belenchia, Kimoya Brown, Sreynin Chhoeun, Alaina Gaudet, Kaylin Guillaume, Anna Kichar, Anyssa Lopez, Autumn Ries, Larissa Rodriguez, Amanda Schafenburg, Ruth Sanon and Nicole Whalley. 

The Wesley Village Campus is located at 580 Long Hill Ave. and includes Crosby Commons Independent/Assisted Living Community, Wesley Heights Independent/Assisted Living Community, Lifestyle Transitions Assisted Living/Memory Support Community, and Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center. 

The campus is owned and operated by United Methodist Homes, a local, mission-based, not-for-profit organization. 

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.