Naugatuck man, 36, charged with child sex abuse material possession

Roger Pratt

ANSONIA - Roger Pratt, 36, of Naugatuck was arrested by warrant for possession of child sex abuse material first degree, Lt. Patrick Lynch said in a press release Tuesday evening. 

Pratt was arraigned in Derby Superior Court and held on a court set bond of $75,000.

Police said Pratt’s arrest was the result of an investigation that began when he was accused of going online and attempting to meet an underage girl. 

A group of private citizens that uses social media to identify possible child predators engaged in conversations with Pratt and then confronted him in Ansonia. 

While the actions of the group to identify and expose child predators is commendable the Ansonia Police Department does not recommend private citizens confront someone they suspect, but rather reach out to the law enforcement agency where the suspect resides to report their suspicions, Lynch said.

All arrestees are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

This is a press release from Lt. Patrick Lynch.

Shelton child heads to UN with her artwork to help raise funds for needy children

ANSONIA - An 'old' friend of mine - she's 10 - is about to have the experience of a lifetime tomorrow and I couldn't be happier for her. 

Her name is Angelique Tribus and she is in 5th grade at Assumption School. 

She and her mother, Agathe Likoba, are traveling to the United Nations Wednesday to participate in the UN Women's Guild International Spring Bazaar. 

Proceeds from the sale of her paintings will benefit various causes helping needy children around the world.

Likoba, a Shelton resident who owns a high-end fashion boutique in Derby, said her daughter will be the only child displaying artwork at the annual International Spring Bazaar.

"I'm so proud of her," she said, and credited Valley Arts Council President Rich DiCarlo with her daughter's artistic growth. "He is so patient," Likoba said. 

DiCarlo has been teaching Angelique for the past five years and has witnessed how far her artwork has come in that time. "Angelique is a dynamo. I challenge her and she knows what she wants," DiCarlo said.

Read all about Angelique's upcoming adventure in a story in the Valley Independent Sentinel by my friend Jean Falbo-Sosnovich.

Shelton child heads to UN with her artwork to help raise funds for needy children

ANSONIA - An 'old' friend of mine - she's 10 - is about to have the experience of a lifetime tomorrow and I couldn't be happier for her. 

Her name is Angelique Tribus and she is in 5th grade at Assumption School. 

She and her mother, Agathe Likoba, are traveling to the United Nations Wednesday to participate in the UN Women's Guild International Spring Bazaar. 

Proceeds from the sale of her paintings will benefit various causes helping needy children around the world.

Likoba, a Shelton resident who owns a high-end fashion boutique in Derby, said her daughter will be the only child displaying artwork at the annual International Spring Bazaar.

"I'm so proud of her," she said, and credited Valley Arts Council President Rich DiCarlo with her daughter's artistic growth. "He is so patient," Likoba said. 

DiCarlo has been teaching Angelique for the past five years and has witnessed how far her artwork has come in that time. "Angelique is a dynamo. I challenge her and she knows what she wants," DiCarlo said.

Read all about Angelique's upcoming adventure in a story in the Valley Independent Sentinel by my friend Jean Falbo-Sosnovich.

My Sister's Place Thrift Store in Ansonia posts weekly sales

New Week, New Finds – Thrift with Purpose!

From stylish fashion to one-of-a-kind home goods, My Sister’s Place has something new waiting for you this week!

Every purchase supports survivors of domestic violence through BHcare’s Umbrella Center. You’re not just shopping, you’re making a difference.

380 Main St., Ansonia, CT

Tuesday-Saturday | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Or shop online anytime:

Poshmark: poshmark.com/closet/my_sistersplace

eBay: ebay.com/usr/mysistersplace203

Derby Public Library Board of Directors to meet Wednesday; open to the public

DERBY - There will be a Derby Public Library Board of Directors meeting in the Upper Level Community Meeting Room at 6:15 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, May 21. 

The meeting is open to the public.

The Library is at 313 Elizabeth St.

Seymour Community Center to offer Poundfit on Wednesdays

 Seymour Community Center is at 20 Pine St., Seymour.

Save the date: Greater Valley Chamber's 29th annual Golf Classic July 21

 

Derby Neck Library to host Makerspace fun, show movie Wednesday

DERBY - Come check out our Makerspace in the Children’s Room at Derby Neck Library! 

Every Wednesday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., Miss Sarah will be on hand to assist you with any project you’d like to complete. We have a LEGO wall, a programmable robot, snap circuits, origami, pixel art, ingredients for slime – you name it, we can make it happen!

*On the third Wednesday of the month, we show a movie in the Makerspace and make a related project. This month, design your own monster while we watch the animated classic, "Monster's, Inc."

Please note that the Makerspace is flooded with small parts, so we do not recommend it for very young children. 

The Library is at 307 Hawthorne Ave.

No registration required, but sign up for our Youth Services mailing list to stay in the loop on cancellations by clicking here:

https://derbynecklibrary.us15.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=e136f428fc8f5cd821569090e&id=4e864c7b19

'Turnback Tuesday' features charter of Kellogg Post #26 of Derby

Turnback Tuesday looks at the Grand Army of the Republic: Kellogg Post #26, Derby charter. 

The Kellogg Post was named after Derby resident Col. Elisha Strong Kellogg. He was born in Glastonbury and settled in Derby in 1856. When war broke out, he volunteered for service and was killed in the Battle at Cold Harbor.

The charter members were George W. Phillips, William Ford, James Donahoe, David W. Boardman, Oscar W. Cornish, Stephen A. Cornish, Edward Davis, William D. Gilbert, George F. Morgan and Ezra Sprague. 

The signatures of these men are visible on the charter. Post #26 closed in 1940 when the last member Andrew Dear passed away.

This charter may be viewed upon request by e-mailing DPL's Local History Coordinator, Christine Boulay, at cboulay@biblio.org

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

Griffin Hospital in Derby honors volunteers, awards scholarships to 4 students

Griffin Hospital Volunteer Program and Guest Relations Supervisor Kathy Browne, far right, poses with this year’s Griffin Hospital Volunteer Scholarship winners. 

From left, Pairin Sangkachand of the University of Bridgeport, Karlissa Philemy of Derby High School, and Iyanna Eaddy and Ezel Arslan, both of Ansonia High School./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital honored its volunteers for selflessly giving their time and talents to the hospital at its 2025 Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner held recently at Sage in Derby.

A total of 144 hospital volunteers logged more than 22,590 hours last year while serving as ambassadors, candy stripers, bakers, shuttle drivers, soft touch therapy providers, writers of vital patient stories and many more roles that benefited hospital patients, visitors and staff.

“Tonight's recognition not only highlights the volume of hours selflessly given by volunteers throughout this past year but acknowledges the true value of their work which touches the lives of patients, their families and hospital staff in countless ways,” said Griffin Hospital Volunteer Program and Guest Relations Supervisor Kathy Browne. “Thank you for the heartfelt human interactions you provide each day and for the community spirit you bring to the hospital.”

Student Volunteers Honored

Griffin Hospital Volunteer Services also awarded its annual $1,500 and $1,000 scholarships for high school and college volunteers. 

For more than 50 years, Griffin Hospital has awarded scholarships to community students pursuing advanced education. In order to qualify for these scholarships, the students must have volunteered over 100 hours at the hospital, been in high academic standing, have been accepted into an accredited college or university, demonstrated initiative and perseverance and possess exemplary moral character.

The winners of this year’s $1,500 Hospital Elder Life Program Scholarship is Pairin Sangkachand, of the University of Bridgeport. Ezel Arslan, of Ansonia High School, and Karlissa Philemy, of Derby High School, won the $1,500 Griffin Health Services Corporation Scholarship awards, and Iyanna Eaddy, of Ansonia High School, won the $1,000 Griffin Health Services Corporation Scholarship Award.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.