Ansonia Police charge city resident in woman's overdose death

Michael Dupre

 

ANSONIA - Police Tuesday served an arrest warrant on Michael Dupre in an overdose death investigation involving a 40-year-old female resident of Ansonia. 

The warrant was the result of a year-long investigation by Det. Jon Troesser. This is the second arrest of Dupre for his involvement in an overdose death. On Oct. 9, 2024 Dupre was arrested in the overdose death of a 24-year-old female Ansonia resident.

Dupre, 51, of Ansonia was charged with operating a drug factory, 3 counts of sale of narcotics, 2 counts of sale of a hallucinogenic, misrepresentation of a controlled substance, and sale of a controlled substance in public housing. 

Dupre was held on a $150,000 bond and was to be arraigned Tuesday at Derby Superior Court.

This is a press release from Lt. Patrick Lynch.

 

Ansonia man charged in child porn investigation

Joseph Alfano

 

ANSONIA - Police Wednesday served a search warrant on a city residence and an arrest warrant on Joseph Alfano in a child pornography investigation. 

The warrants were the culmination of a four-month long investigation by Det. Mark Clifford. Evidence seized during the search warrant will be examined and may result in additional charges.

 

Joseph Alfano, 28, of Ansonia was charged with possession of child sex abuse material first degree and was held on a $50,000 bond. 

He was to be arraigned Wednesday at Derby Superior Court.

This is a press release from Lt. Patrick Lynch.

 

'The Personal Librarian' topic of Derby Public Library book discussion

 

St. Vincent De Paul in Derby starts decluttering challenge for Lent; donations sought

 * Apologies for posting a day late!

2 face charges after video shows street robbery in Ansonia; police chief speaks out

Tashira Sparks

Carl Octavio Brown

ANSONIA - Police Wednesday arrested two individuals after video posted on social media shows a robbery Saturday on the street in front of 370 East Main St., The Spot restaurant and lounge. 

While the beginning of this case and investigation showed the downside of social media with people more interested in recording and posting the incident and not reporting it, once the video was posted there were numerous people who responded and provided information to help identify the involved parties, Lt. Patrick Lynch said in a written release Thursday afternoon. 

The information coupled with the work of Det. Shawn Mendenhall resulted in the arrest of Tashira Sparks and Carl Octavio Brown for their involvement in the incident. Sparks was the female in the video and Brown was the male recording.

Tashira Sparks, 19, of Ansonia was charged with robbery third degree, conspiracy to robbery third degree, larceny second degree, conspiracy to larceny second degree, threatening second degree, unlawful restraint first degree, and breach of peace second degree. 

Sparks was held on a $250,000 bond and was to be arraigned today at Derby Superior Court .

Carl Octavio Brown, 29, of Bridgeport was charged with robbery third degree, conspiracy to robbery third degree, larceny second degree, conspiracy to larceny second degree, and breach of peace second degree. 

Brown was held on a $250,0000 bond and was to be arraigned today at Derby Superior Court .

The following is a statement from Chief Wayne Williams:

“Last evening, detectives and officers from the Ansonia Police Department obtained arrest warrants and took two suspects into custody for the robbery in front of The Spot in Ansonia.
As Chief of the Ansonia Police Department, I am outraged by the recent street robbery in which a victim was attacked while bystanders stood by, recording the crime for social media instead of calling for help. 

This is not just disappointing—it is disgraceful. Let me be absolutely clear: this is not an accurate depiction of the residents of the City of Ansonia. When someone is being victimized, the right thing to do is to step up—call 911, get help, do something. 

Instead, people chose to pull out their phones and chase social media attention while an innocent person was suffering. That is completely unacceptable. Criminals thrive when people choose apathy over action. 

Every second wasted recording instead of reporting puts victims at greater risk and allows criminals to escape justice. We cannot allow this kind of behavior to become normal. 

Let me also issue a challenge to our society—be better. If you see something, do something. Your phone should be a tool for calling for help, not for exploiting someone’s pain for likes, clicks and shares.

"I want to thank those that have stepped up after the fact to provide information on the suspects in this case.”

This is a press release from Lt. Patrick Lynch. 

Griffin Health to host cooking demo Tuesday at Quarry Walk in Oxford

OXFORD - The Griffin Center for Healthy Living is helping individuals get a fresh and healthy start to Spring with a free cooking demonstration.

Spring into Healthy Eating will be held March 11 from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Griffin Center for Healthy Living Teaching Kitchen, Quarry Walk, 300 Oxford Road.

This free culinary workshop will feature a discussion by Registered Dietitian Becca Cretella and Executive Chef Daryeal Murphy about nutritious, in-season produce and pantry staples that can help improve health and well-being. Chef Murphy will also demonstrate how to make Spring Farro Salad, which is a great source of protein, fiber, iron, magnesium, zinc and B vitamins, and can help improve heart health and the immune system.

Opened in 2020, the Griffin Center for Healthy Living is a unique facility in which Griffin Health partners with the community in wellness – offering education, guidance and assistance in preventing and managing chronic disease, and promoting overall well-being. 

The Center is part of Griffin’s mission to empower individuals to make choices that change their lifestyles for the better, and embodies Griffin’s goal to not only care for individuals when they are not well, but to build a meaningful relationship, guide, and coach them to maximize their quality of life. Visit griffinhealthyliving.org for more information about the Center's features and upcoming community events.

This event is free, but seating is limited and reservations are required. Visit griffinhealth.org/events-calendar/spring-into-healthy-eating or contact the Griffin Center for Healthy Living coordinator at 203-732-1369 to sign up. 

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin School of Allied Health Careers to hold open house at Naugatuck Campus

The Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers will host an open house for its rewarding Practical Nursing program March 12 from 5-7 p.m. at the school’s Naugatuck Campus, 1186 New Haven Road.

The school’s 14-month PN Program offers an exceptional teaching experience at the only hospital-based program in the state of Connecticut. 

With knowledgeable and experienced teachers who are nationally certified or master’s prepared nurses and real-world clinical rotations at Griffin Hospital, Stamford Hospital, Masonicare and Gaylord Hospital, the PN program prepares new nurses to thrive in a multitude of complex clinical practice settings. 

The 6,000-square foot Naugatuck Campus is designed to provide the school’s PN students with an experiential learning environment featuring state-of-the-art simulation technology that is incorporated in realistic laboratories for nursing students to practice as if they are in actual clinical situations. 

The experience enables a smooth transition from classroom to the practice setting, and from student to proficient caregiver.

The PN program is approved by the State of CT Board of Examiners for Nursing and has a 100% licensure test pass rate, leading many graduates to immediate job placement. The school can also connect students with several academic funding opportunities upon request.

Reservations are required by calling 203-732-1276 or emailing PNprogram@griffinhealth.org.

About the School of Allied Health Careers

Approved by the Connecticut Office of Higher of Education and the State of Connecticut Department of Health, the Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers offers advanced hands-on training and personalized teaching in its Practical Nursing, Certified Nursing Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Medical Assistant, and Phlebotomy programs. 

The school has helped graduates achieve a high rate of success on national certification exams and has a strong job placement rate with most graduates quickly finding positions at area hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and medical practices.

Anyone 18 years of age or older with a high school diploma or GED may apply for admission. Early application is encouraged for all courses, as space is limited. 

For more information or to apply, call 203-732-1276 or 203-732-7578 or visit griffinhealth.org/school.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Drugonis to meet with residents Friday at Seymour Community Center

 

Children to Play, Learn, Create at Derby Public Library program

 

Derby Neck Library to host monthly Monday Movie Matinees

DERBY - Join us [at Derby Neck Library] next Monday, March 10, at 3:30 p.m. for our inaugural Monday Movie Matinee!

Every month we will meet to view a classic movie (or two)! This month we have a Leo McCarey double feature: "His Wooden Wedding" (1925) starring Charley Chase and "Duck Soup" (1933) starring the Marx brothers!

The Library is at 307 Hawthorne Ave.

Shared from the Library's Facebook page.

Assumption Church in Ansonia offers community breakfast Saturday