Fourth-graders help stock Colony Pond in Ansonia

Fishing instructor Dave Connelly of Ansonia helps students stock Colony Pond.

ANSONIA - Colony Pond received a second stocking of trout this month when the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection added nearly 150 delectable trout to the city pond at Abe Stone Park. 

Earlier this month, the DEEP had initially stocked the pond with 200 trout.
The stocking is in preparation for the Bill Stokes Memorial Fishing Derby at the pond May 6, from 9 a.m.-noon.

Forty fourth-grade students from Mead and Prendergast Schools participated in stocking the pond by emptying pails of trout.

An osprey was spotted on two occasions attempting to pluck dinner from Colony Pond without much luck while Mayor David S. Cassetti showcased his pond-stocking talents on one occasion.

A DEEP attendant on site indicated that typically most of the stocked trout, raised at Burlington Nursery in Connecticut, will likely end up on dinner tables this spring and summer.

Mayor David S. Cassetti joins students Monday at the pond stocking.


*Note: Photos from City of Ansonia.

DEEP offers tips to CT residents on avoiding black bears

Credit Paul J. Fusco/DEEP Wildlife Division

A common misconception is that a tagged bear is a problem bear, and a bear with two ear tags was caught on two different occasions because it was causing problems. Actually, every bear receives two ear tags (one in each ear) the first time it is handled by DEEP. Most tagged bears have not been caught as problem bears, but rather as part of a project researching the state’s population.

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection reminds residents to take steps to reduce encounters and potential conflicts with black bears. 

These steps are increasingly important because Connecticut’s bear population continues to grow and expand and bear activity increases in early spring. 
In 2016, approximately 6,700 bear sightings from 134 of Connecticut’s 169 towns were reported to the DEEP Wildlife Division.

“If you genuinely care about bears, you should never feed them – either intentionally or unintentionally,” said Susan Whalen, DEEP Deputy Commissioner. 

“Bears become habituated, losing their fear of humans, when attracted to homes by easily-accessible food sources. Such bears spend more time in neighborhoods and near people, increasing public safety fears, and the likelihood that the bears may be hit and killed by cars or meet with some other misfortune.”

Connecticut residents should take the following simple steps to avoid problems with black bears:

• NEVER feed bears.
• Take down, clean, and put away bird feeders by late March. Store the feeders until late fall. Clean up spilled seed from the ground.
• Store garbage in secure, airtight containers inside a garage or storage area. Double bagging and adding ammonia to cans and bags will reduce odors that attract bears. Periodically clean garbage cans with ammonia to reduce residual odor. Garbage for pickup should be put outside the morning of collection and not the night before.
• Protect beehives, livestock (including chickens), and berry bushes from bears with electric fencing.
• Supervise dogs at all times when outside. Keep dogs on a leash when walking and hiking. A roaming dog might be perceived as a threat to a bear or its cubs.
• Do not leave pet food outdoors.
• Keep barbecue grills clean. Store grills inside a garage or shed.
• Avoid placing meat scraps or sweet foods in compost piles.

If you encounter a bear while hiking, make your presence known by yelling or making other loud noises. Never attempt to get closer to a bear to take a photo or video. 

If a bear does not retreat, slowly leave the area and find an alternate hiking route. 
If the bear persistently approaches, be offensive towards the bear – make loud noises, wave your arms, and throw sticks or rocks. Never run. While camping, keep a clean campsite, and make sure food and garbage are inaccessible (for example, keep food in a cooler stored in the trunk of a car and never have food in your tent).

In the rare instance when a bear appears to be aggressive toward people, residents should immediately contact the DEEP’s 24-hour dispatch line at 860-424-3333.

Bear sightings reported by the public provide valuable information to assist the DEEP Wildlife Division in monitoring the black bear population. 
Anyone who observes a black bear in Connecticut is encouraged to report the sighting on the DEEP’s website at www.ct.gov/deep/wildlife or call the Wildlife Division at 860-424-3011. Information on the presence or absence of ear tags, including tag color and numbers, is particularly valuable. 
A common misconception is that a tagged bear is a problem bear, and a bear with two ear tags was caught on two different occasions because it was causing problems. Actually, every bear receives two ear tags (one in each ear) the first time it is handled by DEEP. 
Most tagged bears have not been caught as problem bears, but rather as part of a project researching the state’s population.

To obtain fact sheets and other information about black bears, visit www.ct.gov/deep/blackbear or contact the Wildlife Division.

This is a press release from DEEP. 


*Note: A bear has been spotted in Seymour in recent days, according to photos posted on Facebook.

Spring Fling Showcase slated at Woodbridge Senior Center

Ansonia High School ranked 34th in Connecticut, receives bronze medal

ANSONIA - Ansonia High School is ranked 34 out of more than 200 Connecticut high schools, receiving a bronze medal in the 2017 Best High Schools Rankings, which was released by U.S. News & World Report this week.

According to U.S. News, the awards “reflect which schools are most successfully preparing students for college, based on students participating in and achieving passing scores on Advanced Placement tests. For a school to be eligible for an award, its students must also do well on the appropriate statewide tests and graduate at high rates.”

A week ago, Gov. Dannel Malloy announced that graduation rates were up throughout Connecticut. 

Ansonia High’s graduation rate grew from 76.5 percent in 2012 to nearly 89 percent in 2016. 

U.S. News reported that of Ansonia High’s 584 students, 37 percent participated in Advanced Placement tests last year, and 34 percent received a passing grade.

“This is the first time our high school has earned a medal in the Best High Schools Ranking,” Dr. Carol Merlone, Superintendent of Schools, said. “We are thrilled! This is reflective of our students’ desire to prepare for college and take on challenges. While our budgets have been extremely tight and we’ve had to make numerous cuts to programs and staffing in recent years, we have been able to maintain and expand our college-credit courses thanks to the dedication of our staff and the use of grant funds.”

A total of 48 Connecticut high schools received a gold, silver, or bronze medal in the 2017 Best High Schools Rankings. 

U.S. News uses four steps in determining the awards: 

Step 1: Examining reading and math results on the state’s proficiency tests, then factoring in the percentage of economically disadvantaged students. Step 2: Comparing the school’s math and reading proficiency rates for disadvantaged students with statewide results, then selecting schools that were performing better than their state averages. Step 3: Schools with graduation rates lower than 75 percent were excluded. Step 4: A College Readiness Index was calculated, based on the school’s AP participation rate and how well the students did on those tests.

AHS currently offers 11 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, eight UConn courses, three Housatonic Community College courses, and two University of New Haven courses. 

During the 2015-16 year, nearly 100 juniors and seniors earned college credit from one of the UConn, HCC or UNH courses, and 46 seniors enrolled in AP courses. 

Ansonia High Principal Terri Goldson said, “This May, 118 AHS students are scheduled to take several different AP exams, and we will continue to seek ways to increase the early college experience courses students are exposed to. We are honored to know that we have been recognized by U.S. News and World Report and received a bronze medal; however, we won’t be satisfied until we attain a gold medal.”   

This is a press release from Ansonia Public Schools. 

Foot health is topic of talk at Griffin Hospital in Derby

The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host a free presentation on foot care for individuals diagnosed with diabetes./ Contributed photo 

DERBY - The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host a free presentation on foot health at 2:30 p.m. May 9 at the hospital, 130 Division St.

Podiatrist Dr. Luke Jeffries, of Yale Podiatry Group, will present “Foot Care & Prevention of Foot Complications” in the hospital’s Childbirth Education Classroom A. There is free valet parking.

The Diabetes Education & Support Group meets September - June on the second Tuesday of each month to discuss the management of diabetes, its challenges, and day-to-day dietary concerns. Individuals with diabetes and their caregivers are welcome to attend.

No registration is required. 

For more information, call Mary Swansiger, 203-732-1137.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.