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Stew Leonard’s begins renovation work

(Harold F. Cobin)

NORWALK, Conn. — Removal of the bright orange Stew Leonard’s sign began Friday morning at the famous Westport Avenue store as preparations began for a major renovation of the building.

When it’s done, shoppers won’t be walking through tented areas to get into the store; instead, the “hoe down” and the garden area will be an enclosed building, in a 10,500 square foot addition approved by the Norwalk Zoning Commission in August. Continue reading Stew Leonard’s begins renovation work

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Norwalk reopens Rowayton Avenue bridge

Rowayton Avenue at Keelers Brook, paved and ready to reopen Friday. (City of Norwalk)

NORWALK, Conn. — The Rowayton Avenue bridge has reopened, City officials say.

“Since Tropical Storm Elsa caused damage to the Rowayton Avenue Bridge, our engineering team in the Department of Public Works has worked tirelessly to repair it,” Mayor Harry Rilling is quoted as saying. “I want to thank them for completing this project in record time and fulfilling our promise to residents that this bridge would reopen by the Fourth of July weekend. I also want to thank the Common Council who approved the funding we needed to expedite this project.” Continue reading Norwalk reopens Rowayton Avenue bridge

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Fire safety tips; art classes; ‘CT Summer at the Museum’

Connecticut parents can give their children free close encounters with sea turtles, sharks, seals and other amazing marine creatures this summer during a visit to The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. The Maritime Aquarium is among more than 130 institutions
participating in the state’s “CT Summer at the Museum” admission program, which offers free admission for all Connecticut residents 18 and under, along with one accompanying resident adult. (Maritime Aquarium)

NORWALK, Conn. — Some Norwalk announcements for you:

  • Think about fire prevention this holiday weekend
  • Library offers watercolor classes
  • State funds free teen admission to Sheffield Island, Maritime Aquarium

Continue reading Fire safety tips; art classes; ‘CT Summer at the Museum’

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NPS lays out ‘comprehensive’ goals for coming school year

Norwalk Public Schools Assistant Superintendent of Schools Rob Pennington begins discussing goals for the upcoming school year during Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting on Zoom.

NORWALK, Conn. — Norwalk’s schools superintendent and her staff are said to have exceeded their goals for the 2021-22 school year. Now, the Board of Education has approved six overall goals for the upcoming year, each with a set of specific benchmarks, from rewriting four curriculum plans to developing five-year facilities plan in coordination with the City.

Norwalk Superintendent of Schools Alexandra Estrella and her team presented their recommended goals in detail at Tuesday’s BoE meeting. Board members approved them unanimously. Continue reading NPS lays out ‘comprehensive’ goals for coming school year

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Supreme Court deals climate change fight a major blow in EPA ruling

The Brunner Island power plant in Pennsylvania. (Google)

In a blow to the Biden administration’s efforts to address the warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions, the Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency does not have the authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from existing power plants, a decision aimed at those power plants running on coal.

But the 6-3 decision, authored by Chief Justice John Roberts and issued on the last day of the session, is also likely to have far broader impacts, not only on environmental regulation but also on actions by other federal agencies. Continue reading Supreme Court deals climate change fight a major blow in EPA ruling

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Norwalk Council passes pesticide ban

Tuesday’s Common Council meeting on Zoom.

NORWALK, Conn. — Norwalk has banned pesticides on public properties, with certain exceptions, as of Jan. 1.

“We hope that the practices adopted by the city … will inspire our residents to stop the use of pesticides on their own private properties and to maintain their lawns and gardens more sustainable ways that minimize the harm to creatures that live in our yards and our beloved Sound,” Ordinance Committee Chairwoman Lisa Shanahan (D-District E) said Tuesday, before the Common Council voted unanimously to approve a new ordinance titled, “Healthy Outdoor Public Spaces.” Continue reading Norwalk Council passes pesticide ban

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Youth programs; NPD offers $50K rewards; Darien golfers held fund Maritime Aquarium

Bob Dewey of New Canaan readies to tee off during The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk’s 11th annual Golf Classic, May 23 at Wee Burn Country Club in Darien. (Maritime Aquarium)

NORWALK, Conn. — Some Norwalk announcements for you:

  • YBI plans basketball tourney and community day
  • Sports Business Institute (SBI) offers summer courses
  • NPD offers rewards for info in 2006 homicides
  • Golf tourney brings in $200,000 for Maritime Aquarium

Continue reading Youth programs; NPD offers $50K rewards; Darien golfers held fund Maritime Aquarium

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Himes makes pitch for federal digital currency

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (D-Greenwich) speaks at a recent vigil on the Norwalk town green. (Nancy Guenther Chapman)

The following article was originally published on Inside Investigator.

The effort to get the U.S. Government into the cryptocurrency market has a new proponent. On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (CT-4) issued a white paper calling on Congress to enact legislation that would establish a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) for the U.S. Federal Reserve.

The 15-page paper makes the argument that, with an increasing interest in digital currencies and an ever-changing technological marketplace, the United States is behind other countries in establishing a federally backed currency of its own. Citing research from the Atlantic Council, Himes points out that the U.S. is behind many of our allies in developing a central digital currency — including Canada, Australia, and most of Western Europe – and well behind countries like Russia and China, who are among those already piloting their digital currency programs. Continue reading Himes makes pitch for federal digital currency

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Norwalk BoE adds another year to Estrella’s contract

Norwalk Superintendent of Schools Alexandra Estrella, at a recent Board of Education meeting.

NORWALK, Conn. — Norwalk Superintendent of Schools Alexandra Estrella’s contract was extended another year Tuesday, minutes after Norwalk Federation of Teachers President Mary Yordon said most Norwalk teachers “do not feel that the district cares about providing excellent service to students.”

Norwalk Board of Education members voted unanimously to extend Estrella’s contract through the 2024-25 school year and give her a 2% raise. Some noted that continuity is important given the revolving door nature of superintendents in the previous years, while all who spoke lauded her performance. Continue reading Norwalk BoE adds another year to Estrella’s contract

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South Norwalk school application goes to State

The Hatch & Bailey site at 1 Meadow Street Ext., in December.

Updated, 2:39 p.m., 4:22 p.m. Thursday, 1:21 p.m. Friday: More information.

NORWALK, Conn. — The drive to build a new South Norwalk school has passed another milestone, with an application submitted to the state, officials said Tuesday.

“This is the single largest investment made by the city in the South Norwalk area, ever,” Mayor Harry Rilling said during a news conference held at Columbus Magnet School.

Video by Harold F. Cobin at end of story

Continue reading South Norwalk school application goes to State

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A modest proposal

Send signed letters to [email protected]

In view of last Friday’s Supreme Court ruling on Roe v. Wade as well as its ruling Thursday regarding the already sparse restrictions on guns, I have a modest proposal: Every person who wants to buy a gun that can take a life should be subject to the same restrictions and humiliating treatment a woman endured if she wanted an abortion.

Let’s start with a mandatory 48-72 hour waiting period; parental permission (or court order if you are under age); obligatory lectures to ensure that gun advocates fully understand the implications of owning a weapon that can kill; and mandatory screening of a film demonstrating the damage a bullet does to a human body. Continue reading A modest proposal

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Norwalk P&Z considers private school application for LaKota Oaks property

Screengrab from the Schoolhouse Academy website.

NORWALK, Conn. — Event venue LaKota Oaks would be transformed into a K-12 private school in a proposal up for a Planning and Zoning public hearing Tuesday.

It would provide a welcome alternative to Norwalk Public Schools, five city parents wrote to P&Z. On the other hand, West Norwalk Association President Anthony Carrano reported in April that more than 100 neighbors oppose the application.

“Obviously, the quiet West Norwalk neighborhood will not be the same. The entrances are on 2 local streets that do not have sidewalks,” Carrano wrote. Continue reading Norwalk P&Z considers private school application for LaKota Oaks property

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