Driver, 43, faces charges after striking house in Ansonia

Eric Ricitelli

ANSONIA - At about noon today, the Derby Police Department notified the Ansonia Police Department of a blue car driving erratically on Derby Avenue towards Ansonia. 

A short time later a resident on Platt Street reported a blue car struck a house at 35 Platt St. and the driver, who was the only occupant, fled the scene south on Columbia Street. 

The driver was described as a white male wearing a dark colored jacket and bleeding from the head. 

Officer McMahon located a white male matching the description of the fleeing male; the male was bleeding from the mouth, walking on Main Street parallel to where the accident occurred. The male was identified as Eric Ricitelli, 43, of Ansonia. 

Ricitelli had a glass crack pipe in his possession when he was stopped, police said.

Surveillance video from Platt Street showed the blue car driving at a high rate of speed the wrong way on Columbia Street from Main Street. 

The car struck the street sign at Columbia Street and Platt Street, continued across Platt Street striking the curb in front of 35 Platt St. causing the car to roll over into the yard of 35 Platt St. and strike the home. 

The home was unoccupied at the time of the accident and the home sustained minimal damage.

Police said Eric Riccitelli was charged with Evading Responsibility, Reckless Driving, Theft of License Plate, Misuse of Plates, Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle, No Insurance, Wrong Way on a One Way Street, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

This is a press release from the Ansonia Police Department. 

Scouts to host Old Timers Night at Second Congregational Church in Derby

DERBY - The annual Old Timers Night hosted by Boy Scout Troop 3, Cub Scout Pack 3, and Crew 33 will be held from 7-9 p.m. Friday at Second Congregational Church, 136 Elizabeth St.
The event will feature Judge Matt Jalowiec, who participated in the 75th anniversary of D-Day parachute jump in Normandy, France.
This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments provided.

Adam's House in Shelton to train volunteers for Friends in Grief program

THERE'S STILL TIME TO GET ON THE NICE LIST!

Register now for our FIG Training session! Friends In Grief (FIG) volunteers will learn to co-lead peer support groups that Adam's House offers to children who are grieving a loved one. Through an 8-week theme-based program, participants receive peer support, expression and positive-play, educational programming, and coping skills to overcome the loss of a loved one in a warm, caring atmosphere. This 12-hour training session occurs over 3 days.

Upcoming Training Dates: Thursday, January 9th 5PM - 8PM Friday, January 10th 5PM - 8PM Saturday, January 11th 9AM - 3PM Participants must attend all three sessions to qualify as volunteers in our program. Cost is $100 which includes cost of materials and background check. We hope you will join our Adam's House team! YES! I want to be a FIG!

Adam's House is a grief education and support center located at 241 Coram Ave., Shelton.

Crosby Commons residents in Shelton celebrate holiday season in style

SHELOTN - Popcorn garland stations, cookie recipes and holiday greetings for the troops are all part of this year’s holiday celebration at Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center on the Wesley Village Campus.

Recently the staff helped residents incorporate their favorite holiday traditions into the festivities of the season.  

Activity spots were set up throughout the community for the residents and staff to visit.  Each spot highlighted a different holiday tradition, the most popular being the popcorn garland stations.   

“We try to make sure the holidays are memorable and fun for our residents,” said Deb Samorajczyk, RN, Administrator of Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center.  
“Tying in familiar traditions connects our residents with happy memories of family holidays. Our staff jumps right in to share in the festivities…it is truly a community celebration!” 

Staff from Bishop Wicke partnered with individual residents to visit each activity.  Together they wrote out greetings to family members and created wreath decorations to share as gifts for family and friends. 

The community held its annual Tree Lighting and Caroling Event.  
Joined by members of the Shelton Girl Scouts, the event included holiday treats and cookies. 

Throughout the holiday season, the dining team at Bishop Wicke will be incorporating favorite recipes from residents and fellow staff members into the daily meal selections.

Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center is a Five-Star rated nursing home and is a recipient of a 2019-2020 “Best Nursing Home” designation from US News and World Report for Short-Term Rehabilitation.  
They are one of the few deficiency-free rated facilities as well. The Wesley Village senior living campus is located at 580 Long Hill Ave. and is part of United Methodist Homes, a local not-for-profit organization. 
The Wesley Village campus offers assisted and independent living, memory support, skilled nursing, short-term rehab, and outpatient therapy and fitness services. 

To learn more, visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org.  

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Recuperation journey: Early morning photo fun

The moon is in waning crescent phase with 9 percent illumination.

Have a great Monday!