DeLauro speaks on strengthening gun-control measures

U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-3, helped welcome the Congressional Gun Violence Prevention Task Force to Hartford today for a discussion on gun violence in Connecticut and across the nation.

DeLauro is a member of the Task Force and strongly supports strengthened measures to prevent gun violence from occurring.

The following remarks are as prepared for delivery:

“Good morning. It is good to be with you. I want to thank my good friend Mike Thompson for holding this field hearing of the Congressional Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. I applaud you, and Congressman John Larson, for leading the charge in the House for comprehensive background checks. I hope your bipartisan bill receives a vote in the House as soon as possible.

“Thanks to Congressman Larson, Mayor Segarra, Superintendent. Kishimoto, and everyone here at Hartford High for hosting us. And let me acknowledge Governor Malloy, Senators Murphy and Blumenthal, and all the other officials and panelists here to discuss these important issues. Thank you for sharing your time and insights.

“It has been over four months since Sandy Hook. The families of Newtown, and families all across America, are waiting for action. But, quite frankly, the Senate and the House have so far been derelict in their basic responsibilities to these families.

“Even though 90 percent of Americans support background checks, the bipartisan bill to require them on all gun purchases was recently defeated by a Senate minority. The House has taken no action, even, though as I said both Congressman Thompson and Congressman Larson had put forward the same bipartisan bill as the Senate. And this week, we have seen Republican Senators try to add pro-gun riders to completely unrelated legislation, like the bill authorizing water projects for the Army Corps. It is shameful.

“After Newtown, President Obama came here to Connecticut and asked if we were doing everything we could to protect our kids from gun violence. The answer, he admitted, was no. Four months later, that answer is still no. America wants action. We have to move forward in a common-sense and responsible fashion to prevent gun violence in our schools and on our streets

“That means a stronger, more comprehensive system of criminal background checks for gun purchasers, making gun trafficking a federal crime, allowing gun violence research and otherwise supporting public safety officials. And it means ensuring better access to mental health care for those in need, particularly young people, as will be discussed today.

“We need to keep pushing to make these common-sense reforms happen. So I am glad to see Congressman Thompson and the Task Force here today to learn more. Thank you for staying involved.”

This information is from a press release from DeLauro's office.

Surgeon to discuss breast cancer at library talk in Newtown

DERBY - Griffin Hospital is helping women understand their breast cancer risk with a free presentation at 6:30 p.m.May 22  at Cyrenius Booth Public Library in Newtown.

Dr. Denise Barajas, MD, FACS, breast surgeon and Medical Director of the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital will present “Breast Cancer: Know Your Risks. Know Your Options,” a discussion on the different risk levels for breast cancer and testing and treatment options.

To register, call 203-732-1511 or visit griffinhealth.org.

Located at 350 Seymour Ave., The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital combines state-of-the-art technology, a team of highly trained physicians and staff and a healing environment to offer patients a comprehensive range of personalized breast care and wellness services.
For information, call 203-732-1300 or visit griffinhealth.org/cbw.

This post is taken from a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Shelton police announce Sunday's parking ban, street closures

Green Ribbon Ride to remember victims

    SHELTON - On Sunday the city will host the start of the Green Ribbon Ride, a motorcycle ride and event, sponsored by the five Newtown Fire Departments, Lt. Robert Kozlowsky said in a release. 
    The ride will assemble and begin at the Riverwalk downtown and there will be a parking ban and several street closures.

    The parking ban is in effect from 6:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. for posted streets and 12 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for the Municipal Parking Lots at Cornell St./Howe Ave. and Howe Ave. next to the Donut Stop.
    Any vehicles parked within said areas during the stated hours will be towed at owner’s expense.
    The road closures will begin at 7 a.m. until approximately 12:30 p.m.
    The following streets will be affected by the ban and the closure:

 HOWE AVENUE – From Wharf Street to Center Street  – BOTH SIDES.
 HOWE AVENUE – From Center Street to Bridge Street – EAST SIDE or                                                                  NORTHBOUND CURB.
 CANAL STREET – From Wharf Street to Bridge Street – BOTH SIDES.
 CORNELL STREET – From Howe Avenue to Canal Street – BOTH SIDES.
 HILL STREET - From Howe Avenue to Canal Street – BOTH SIDES.
  WHARF STREET - From Howe Avenue to Canal Street – BOTH SIDES.

    High turnout is expected for this event and police are warning drivers there may be significant traffic delays in the area.
    Any questions about the parking ban and street closures should be directed to the Shelton Police Traffic Division.


This post is taken from a press release from Lt. Robert Kozlowsky, Shelton Police spokesman.
 

Crisco votes to approve gun violence prevention bill

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, today joined a bipartisan majority of his Senate colleagues and voted to approve comprehensive gun violence prevention measures for the state to include new responsibilities for gun owners, school security provisions, and improved access to mental health services. 

The bill approved by the Senate today is a direct result of the Dec. 14 shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown that left 20 children and six adults dead. 

Its details are the byproduct of an extensive public hearing process and protracted negotiations among legislative leaders of both political parties.

“In one single day last fall Connecticut instantly became the focus of a national outcry for common sense efforts to prevent these episodes that have become all-too-common and simply unacceptable in our culture,” Crisco said. 

“Today’s legislative action includes a broad range of initiatives calling for greater accountability for gun ownership and a fortified effort to address shortcomings in delivering behavioral health services.”

Crisco served on the Mental Health Services Working Group of the Bipartisan Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety. He said he was pleased to see many of its recommendations included in the bill that was approved today.

“The best aspect of the mental health services portion of this bill requires the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) to work with the state Department of Education to provide training in mental health first aid – that is to say, the ability to recognize warning signs for behavioral health disorders so services can be made available,” Crisco said. 

“We have an obligation to public school students in Connecticut to identify and then address their needs as they grow and develop and this provision for mental health first aid training goes a long way in that regard.”

Crisco said that upon passage, today’s bill immediately advances to the House of Representatives for its consideration and debate. 

Provisions of the bill are said to have broad support in the House; Gov. Malloy has already indicated he will sign the bill if the House approves it.

This post is taken from a press release from Crisco's office. 

Local art shop owner to host exhibit of hearts for Newtown

Some of The heARTs for Newtown on display in Shelton. / Contributed photo

SHELTON - Hannah Perry, owner of The Giggling Pig art studio, will host an exhibition at her shop, 478 River Road, from 5-9 p.m. April 10 for The heARTS for Newtown. 

She said all 26 hearts will be on display and many of the artists will be attending. 

"The hearts will be hung like balloons floating in the room and we expect it to look beautiful," Perry said.

The event is free but donations will be taken at the door to help support Healing Newtown Arts. Perry said representatives of the organization also will be attending. 

The exhibition will then go to Healing Newtown Arts, Perry said.

Conroy urges residents to weigh in on gun violence

Public hearings planned

State Rep. Theresa Conroy, D-Seymour, today reminded residents of a series of public hearings being held by the Connecticut General Assembly's Bipartisan Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and Children's Safety.

Formed after the December tragedy in Newtown, the task force is focusing on three policy areas: gun violence, mental health and school safety. 
The task force's School Safety Working Group today heard from local officials, teachers, school administrators, parents and social workers during a public hearing in Hartford focused on school safety and security.

"This is an issue that demands a swift, meaningful response," Conroy said.

The task force will hold several additional public hearings:

Gun Violence Prevention Working Group Public Hearing

Monday, Jan. 28

Legislative Office Building, Hartford

10 a.m., Room 2C

Mental Health Working Group Public Hearing

Tuesday, Jan. 29

Legislative Office Building, Hartford

10 a.m., Room 2C

Full Bipartisan Task Force Public Hearing

Wednesday, Jan. 30

Newtown High School

6 p.m.

"Please consider attending any or all of these important hearings," Conroy said. "Your voice and insight on these issues can shape the discussion."

Conroy urged residents to reach out to her at 800-842-8267, or check the task force's new website if they have questions or need additional information.

Residents unable to attend the public hearing can email public hearing testimony to: asaferconnecticut@cga.ct.gov. 

This information was taken from a press release from Conroy's office.

Conroy is a member of the legislature's Public Health, Government, Administration & Elections and Education committees.

Derby church remembers with bells, angels

Christmas tree honors the victims

A tree decorated with angels printed on paper was the brainchild of St. Michael Church parishioner Fran Tracz of Derby. It is standing next to the altar. She said she wanted to do something to show support for "all the little ones."


Below are examples of two of the paper angels, one for a child and one for a teacher. The love that was put into decorating this tree is clear to see. 

A group of parishioners rang hand bells Friday at 9:30 a.m. on the church steps as part of the statewide observance in memory of the victims at Sandy Hook Elementary School.


I posted this video yesterday of the dedicated group braving a downpour and ringing the bells. See additional coverage at nhregister.com and in today's New Haven Register.

St. Michael parishioners remember victims today

See story tomorrow in the New Haven Register.

Catholic organization to offer workshop on handling stress

ANSONIA - Catholic Charities Family Service Center, 205 Wakelee Ave., is offering a workshop for adults in the community who would like to talk about the tragic events that occurred at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. 

Some common symptoms of stress may include changes in sleep pattern, heightened anxiety or panic symptoms, tearfulness and being easily startled.

The free workshop will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday. It will focus on ways to handle these symptoms of stress, how to talk to your children about what happened, relaxation skills, and how to take care of yourself.

Advance registration is requested but not required. 

For information call the office, 203-735-7481. 

Emmett O'Brien remembers Newtown victims

At candlelight vigil 

Hundreds attended a vigil Wednesday at Emmett O'Brien Technical High School in Ansonia. This photo shows one of 26 angels created by students and placed on the grass in front of the school. This one is in memory of teacher Lauren Rousseau, 30, who was among 26 people - including 20 first graders - murdered Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

I apologize for the glare, but thought I'd post this photo anyway to offer another example of the memorials created by Emmett O'Brien students and staff, who demonstrate time and again that they have hearts of gold.

O'Brien holds vigil for shooting victims

Emmett O'Brien Technical High School Principal Laurie LeBouthillier, right, speaks Wednesday at a candlelight vigil in memory of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims.

The vigil was held in front of the Ansonia school. (Photo taken from a video)

Workshop in Ansonia helps educators, parents cope

Last night I attended a workshop, "Attacks and Children - Information for Parents, Caregivers, and Educators" hosted by TEAM Early Education in Ansonia.

The focus was on how to talk to young children about tragedies, how to answer their questions and provide them with a sense of safety and security.
Almost 60 people attended.  The sadness in the air at the school was palpable.

Cindy Rzasa Bess makes a point Tuesday night.

The workshop was led by developmental psychologist Cindy Rzasa Bess, PhD., an educational consultant, who offered a lot of good advice during the 90-minute session.

Some suggestions sound simple - hug the children, listen to their concerns, help them express their feelings, maintain daily routines.
But at a time when everyone is reeling in disbelief at the tragedy that unfolded at Sandy Hook Elementary School it's important that they be highlighted. 


A story about the workshop will appear in the newspaper later this week.

Emmett O'Brien to hold vigil Wednesday

ANSONIA - Emmett O'Brien Technical High School will hold a candlelight vigil at 5 p.m. Wednesday in memory of the victims of Friday's massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

O'Brien Principal Laurie LeBouthillier said Newtown High School boys' basketball team will be in attendance.  

The vigil will be held in front of the school at 141 Prindle Ave.

O'Brien students get new perspective on war

Emmett O'Brien junior Michael Carroll looks over books on the Vietnam War. Vietnam veteran, and author, John DelVecchio, spoke to the students about his experiences. Melanie Stengel/Register


     ANSONIA - Ancient history.
    As I sat among about 120 students at Emmett O’Brien Technical High School last week listening to two Vietnam veterans talk about the war, I couldn't help but think the topic must seem like ancient history to the teenagers.   
    Having lived through that era I was quite interested in what the speakers - Assistant Prinicipal George Reichert and author John M. DelVecchio - had to say.
    Their stories about their experiences brought back memories of seeing images of the war on the evening news when I was growing up.
    Reichert and DelVecchio both served in the Army’s 101st Airborne Division. They are both Newtown residents.
    DelVecchio, who worked as a combat correspondent, has written three historical fiction books based on his military service in southeast Asia.
   Their stories captivated students seated before them. The juniors have been studying the Vietnam War era in their social studies classes, and this program gave them a whole new perspective not found in history books.
    Teachers allowed the students to dress as hippies for the day, and one boy wore a U.S. Marine Corps camouflage uniform. He said he planned to join the Marines after he graduated.
    Giving teens a firsthand look at what life was like in their parents’ and grandparents’ lifetimes can only help them better understand their family members and today's global politics.
    Schools should routinely offer programs like this, if at all possible. These kinds of educational experiences are the ones that will stay with students for years to come.

Ex-Shelton exec guilty of embezzling $1.7M from Latex International

By Phyllis Swebilius
Register Staff
BRIDGEPORT — Former Latex International executive Kevin Coleman, 51, pleaded guilty Monday to one count each of wire fraud and tax evasion stemming from his embezzlement of about $1.7 million from the Shelton company, and his failure to file federal tax returns for four years, the U.S. attorney for the District of Connecticut said.
Coleman waived his right to indictment before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill.

Read the full story here.