Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Derby issues winter storm alert, parking ban


*Winter Storm Alert

Please be advised that the City of Derby’s winter parking ban is in effect. 
For the month of December, residents are permitted to park on the even-numbered side of the street. 
With the pending snowstorm, we are discouraging all on-street parking to allow Public Works to thoroughly clear the streets.

The Municipal Parking Garage located on Thompson Place will be open at no charge to all residents for the duration of the storm.

Trash and Recycling Pickup will be delayed by one day. Thursday pickup will be done on Friday 12/18 and Friday pickup will be done on Saturday 12/19.


This information is shared from Andrew Baklik, Chief of Staff, City of Derby.  

Wreaths Across America event slated at St. Michael's Cemetery in Ansonia, Derby


Guests will include: Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti; Derby Mayor Richard Dziekan; Ed Sharkey, U.S. Army; CWV Post 1562 Commander Tom Voytek, U.S. Navy; Richard Barrows, U.S. Air Force; Michael Kasinskas, U.S. Coast Guard; Rebecca Goddard, U.S. Merchant Marine; state Sen. George Logan, R-Ansonia.



Derby Public Library slates virtual game night for teens


DERBY - Derby Public Library invites all tweens & teens ages 10 to 17 to Virtual Teen Game Night from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 5 and 19.


Participants will have library-provided materials to compete in the classic game of skill and chance, “YA"TZEE. 

Zoom access link will be provided via email three days prior to game date. 

Sign up at the library’s Events Calendar at www.derbypubliclibrary.org. Registrants will be contacted to coordinate game materials pickup. 


For more information call 203-736-1482.


This is a press release from Tony DeLos, young adult librarian, Derby Public Library. 


Valley United Way announces communications coordinator's resignation

Becca Toms


SHELTON - Valley United Way’s Board of Directors announced this week it has accepted with deep regrets the resignation of its current Communications Coordinator, Becca Toms, effective Dec. 23. She has accepted a new position as Communications Coordinator with UConn Extension. 

Toms has been working at Valley United Way since late June 2019. 

Originally brought on to help with United Way’s “Grow Your Own” Neighborhood Gardens in addition to fostering relationships with local businesses, Toms took on a variety of roles and responsibilities at the local United Way, playing a key part in the United Way’s Communications and Resource Development work.  

David Kennedy, VUW’s Interim President and COO commented, “Every so often, you get to work with an exceptional leader who inspires, improves your organization, and is universally respected for integrity and transparency, while being a fun team player who makes everyone’s work better. That’s what Becca has been for Valley United Way. We are grateful for her service and we will miss her very much, though we are excited for her to have a new opportunity that fully uses her skills and passions.”

Previously, Toms worked at Massaro Community Farm and had been working in the non-profit agriculture field for the past seven years before taking her position at United Way.  

After changes in the organization occurred in the fall of 2019, her responsibilities were modified at VUW to assist during the transition period. Part of this was taking on more of the communications needs, developing for VUW a social media presence, and supporting the organization as it went through its strategic development work. 

At the same time, she also worked to shift responsibilities of the “Grow Your Own” Neighborhood Gardens to Massaro Community Farm for the 2020 growing season.

Since spring 2020, Toms has been working part time with Valley United Way and simultaneously providing support to farmers through multiple programs run out of the UConn Extension Tolland office - where she will be continuing to work in an increased capacity. “While I enjoyed working with and in the Valley community during my time at Valley United Way, I’m excited to be able to give more attention and time to working within the agriculture community in CT, where I have invested a lot of time and passion over the years,” Toms noted.

Looking forward, Valley United Way will distribute the tasks Toms has been responsible for to different staff members and is also looking into other creative partnerships to continue the communications and social media work she has established.

“It won’t be easy to replace Becca as she moves on to the next steps in her career,” says Kennedy, “but we are grateful for the community and resources we have at United Way to continue our work of ‘Strengthening Families, Helping Individuals in Crisis, and Preparing Youth to Succeed’.”


As a leading philanthropic organization in Lower Naugatuck Valley, Valley United Way improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community through philanthropy, volunteerism, and collaboration. 

For more information about the organization, visit www.valleyunitedway.org or contact David Kennedy, Interim President/COO, 203-538-6341.


This is a press release from Valley United Way.


Bishop Wicke Health and Rehab Center in Shelton wins recognition


SHELTON - Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center on the Wesley Village campus, is among an elite group of U.S. nursing facilities recognized as a Best Nursing Home for Short-Term Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care for 2020-21 by U.S. News & World Report.

   The community earned Best Nursing Homes status by achieving a rating of “High Performing,” the highest possible rating, for Short-Term Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care. U.S. News gives the designation of Best Nursing Home only to those facilities that satisfy the U.S. News assessment of the appropriate use of key services and consistent performance in quality measures.

   “Over the past year, our successes can be attributed to the relationships, dedication, and hard work of our interdisciplinary team,” said Debra Samorajczyk, Administrator of Bishop Wicke.

   “Our team takes a lot of pride in their daily work, and this is an amazing accomplishment. We are so appreciative of their dedication to our residents, always but especially now.”


This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.