Vandals Strike Ansonia Again

Sharing from City of Ansonia's Facebook page

ANSONIA - This past Saturday afternoon, Christ Church on South Cliff Street, and historic stairwell adjacent the Prospect Street playground was defaced once again with graffiti. Given the nature of graphics, it is hopeful that someone may recognize and link these renderings to the culprit.

Police ask that anyone with information can report it anonymously to the Ansonia Police Tip Hotline. (follow this link for apps) (http://www.cityofansonia.com/…/8…/8194/8253/13040/Tip411.pdf).

These graffiti tags along with 50 more, will be professionally removed in early May as part of Mayor David Cassetti’s Clean & Green initiatives.

Vandals strike Seymour Land Trust’s recreation area, cause $1,000 in damages

By Jean Falbo-Sosnovich
Register Correspondent

SEYMOUR >> Vandals recently struck the Seymour Land Trust’s recreation area, causing upward of $1,000 worth of damage to a large, handcrafted sign created by Eagle Scouts.

Land Trust President Alex Danka discovered remnants of the wooden sign, handmade and hand-carved as part of an Eagle Scout project, that he estimated likely was destroyed sometime over the weekend. Danka filed a police report Wednesday, after discovering the damage Tuesday night.

“The summer hasn’t even started yet and vandals have struck Seymour Land Trust. … When will it stop?” a frustrated Danka said. “I understand natural disasters, but for people who like to destroy other people’s properties, they have no disregard for their self or their fellow residents of Seymour. These are cowards who did this. It seems like every year, once the weather gets a little bit warmer, things happen.”

Danka said damage to the 6-foot-by-8-foot hand-painted sign, made of red cedar, is estimated between $750 and $1,000. The sign was located at the entrance of the back parking lot and Edward Street near the Land Trust’s recreation area.

Read more here.

Vandals heavily damage Shelton's St. Margaret Mary Church

SHELTON — Police are investigating vandalism to the inside and outside of St. Margaret Mary Church, discovered early Monday, police said in a press release.

Police were called to the church at 380 Long Hill Ave. at about 6:30 a.m. on a report of vandalism.
Police discovered extensive damage to the inside of the church, including several religious statues that were smashed, police said. Outdoor statues were smashed as well.

Two vehicles in the lot were also vandalized.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Shelton Police Detective Bureau, 203-924-1544.

Support Ansonia shopkeepers, help fund field repairs

David Conti, an owner of Arrow Printers, Inc. at 311 Main St., Ansonia, is one of more than 20 downtown business owners participating in today's effort to raise funds to cover costs of repairing the vandalized Ansonia High School football field. Damage to about 20,000 square feet of the field was estimated at $15,000. No arrests have been in the case. Photo by Patricia Villers 

Before and after at vandalized Ansonia field

Someone vandalized Jarvis Field at Nolan Athletic Complex on Wakelee Avenue in Ansonia late in the day July 30 or in the early morning of July 31. Anyone with information is asked to call Ansonia Police at 203-735-1885.

This is how the football field looks now, after sod was installed last week. No sports teams will be allowed to use the field for the next month to give the sod a chance to take hold. City officials have estimated the damage at $15,000.

Residents have chipped in to help cover the cost of repairs, including Evan Laskey and Noah Wagnblas, both 10, who raised $207 with a lemonade stand. On Thursday Ansonia merchants will participate in a "10 percent day," in which 10 percent of all customer purchases will go toward repairs to Jarvis Field.

Photos by Patricia Villers

Ansonia boys raise funds to fix football field

"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."

Ansonia Mayor James Della Volpe Friday accepted a $207 check from Noah Wagnblas, left, and Evan Laskey, both 10, who raised money selling lemonade last Saturday to help with repairs to the high school football field at Nolan Athletic Complex. Last week a vandal drove across about 20,000 square feet of turf and damage was estimated at $15,000. The city has purchased sod to repair the field. The boys, who are going into fifth grade at John C. Mead Elementary School, wanted to do something to help their city. Photo by Eileen Krugel

Noah Wagnblas, left, and his best friend Evan Laskey stand outside the entrance to the Nolan Athletic Complex on Wakelee Avenue last Saturday to get drivers to pull over and buy lemonade to support a worthy cause. / Contributed photo

Granite plaques installed at Witek Park in Derby

Private First Class Frank P. Witek of Derby, a Marine, was killed in action in World War II.  He was the only Medal of Honor recipient in the Valley. The park on Academy Hill Road next to the reservoir was built in his memory.

The granite plaques replace the original bronze ones stolen by vandals last year. Local veterans' groups and city officials plan to rededicate the monuments in a ceremony at 11 a.m. Sept. 22.


The third plaque features a citation by then-President Franklin Delano Roosevelt that details how Witek lost his life in the battle of Finegayan on Guam, Aug. 3, 1944.  

Photos by Patricia Villers

FRIDAY FIVE: A recap of this week in the Valley

Another week has passed us by. Here is a look at five of the stories that made headlines in the Valley over the past week.

They are written by Register reporters Bridget Albert, Phyllis Swebilius, and Patricia Villers, and Register correspondent Jean Falbo-Sosnovich and are listed in no particular order.


Dog abused in Derby finds a loving home.


Drug case against retired Shelton cop headed to trial.





Nolan Field vandalized, mayor seeks help from community for repairs.


Summertime, and the livin' is easy.


Seymour to hire blight enforcement officer.

Ansonia parks foreman describes damage to football field

Sean Rowley says about a third of the football field at Nolan Athletic Complex sustained significant damage late Monday or early Tuesday when a vehicle was driven over the grass. Sod will be planted this week to repair the damage and give the grass time to grow before the start of football season next month. No arrests have been made in the case.

Ansonia High School football field vandalized

Police are looking for the person or persons who vandalized a large portion - as much as 20,000 square feet - of the Ansonia High School football field at Nolan Athletic Complex on Wakelee Avenue earlier this week. Damage is estimated at $15,000. Photo by Patricia Villers