Two trains 'brush' in Branchville; no one injured

Written by The Ridgefield Press
Saturday, 20 March 2010 07:13

No one was  injured last night when two trains collided on the Danbury-Norwalk branch line near Branchville Station.

The accident occurred around 10 p.m. as north- and southbound trains were slowly passing each other just north of the station.

Lives saved, exceptional services earn department awards for firefighters

Written by Macklin Reid, Press Staff
Saturday, 20 March 2010 06:17

Crisp blue uniforms, white gloves and hats, a lot of Ridgefield Fire Department brass stood on the stage.

But the show was stolen by two civilians, Suzanne Seifert and Scott Mason — they’d have been dead, quite likely, if it weren’t for the swift skillful work of some the more than 20 Ridgefield firemen receiving awards Monday night.

A fire department crew had responded to reports of a woman “passed out” at Jesse Lee Methodist Church on April 19, 2009, the audience of about 150 in Veterans Park Auditorium was told.

Elderly may defer paying town taxes

Written by The Ridgefield Press
Saturday, 20 March 2010 06:32

The Ridgefield Tax Assessor’s office is accepting applications from qualified homeowners for the “Elderly Tax Deferment Program” in the town of Ridgefield.

To qualify, applicants must be 65 years of age or older by Dec. 31, 2009. If the applicant is permanently and totally disabled, there is no age requirement.

The total household income may not exceed $55,000, including Social Security, for the 2009 tax year.

'Cultural tourism' and Ridgefield will be topic Sunday at library

Written by The Ridgefield Press
Saturday, 20 March 2010 06:30

Representatives from the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism will participate in a panel discussion about cultural tourism Sunday, March 21, at 2 at the Ridgefield Library as part of the library’s ARTalk series.

This program may be of interest to artists, educators, local business owners, and others.

Irish scavenger hunt today in Ballard Park

Written by The Ridgefield Press
Saturday, 20 March 2010 06:28

The Discovery Center will host an Irish-themed Scavenger Hunt to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday, March 20, at 1 in Ballard Park.

Families will learn about Irish folklore as they search for clues hidden throughout the park.

Town addresses problem of the Branchville bean-balls

Written by Kate Czaplinski, Press Staff
Friday, 19 March 2010 05:44

On many warm, sunny evenings in the yard, when Gail Buggy hears the ‘clunk’ and ‘crack’ of a bat connecting with a ball, she holds her breath. There is the fear of getting beaned.

The Park Lane resident’s home abuts Branchville’s Playground Park and hundreds of baseballs land in their yard each year.

The town’s Insurance Risk Committee has ruled that the potential hazard posed by foul baseballs is enough to warrant safety improvements costing about $16,000 in next year’s town capital budget. It is one of the smallest items on the $3.69-million proposed budget.

Ridgefield church's used clothing sale is today and Saturday

Written by The Ridgefield Press
Friday, 19 March 2010 06:02

Affordable adult and children’s clothing will be offered during the Spring Clothing Sale at Jesse Lee Memorial United Methodist Church on Friday, March 19, and Saturday, March 20, from 9 to 3 at the church, 207 Main Street.

Shoppers may select from a large inventory of affordably priced, gently used men’s and women’s shirts, pants, jackets, children’s clothing, dresses, shoes, coats, accessories and more.

Barn teen center collects used printer cartridges

Written by The Ridgefield Press
Friday, 19 March 2010 06:01

The printer cartridge recycling campaign by members of The Barn teen center and Youth Commission member Frank Orzechowski has so far netted 385 ink cartridges and 74 toner cartridges, amounting to a donation of more than $600 for the Barn from Cartridge World.

Mr. Orzechowski, owner and chief executive officer of Cartridge World of Fairfield County, joined with the teen center to provide a community-friendly way to raise awareness of the need for recycling ink cartridges while helping the Barn raise funds for its programs.

This Weekend: What's happening in Ridgefield

Written by Jack Sanders
Friday, 19 March 2010 05:47

Spring arrives with a bang this weekend, with 14 activities in town to choose from.

Ridgefield student will help Chornobyl orphans

Written by The Ridgefield Press
Thursday, 18 March 2010 05:27

Tatiana Palylyk, a long time Ridgefield residents and a 2008 graduate of Ridgefield High School, will be going on a mission trip to Ukraine in June, sponsored by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. and the Children of Chornobyl Relief and Development Fund.

“I will be visiting two orphanages that were adopted by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. — they are in the cities of Puhachiv and Znamianka,” Ms. Palylyk said.

“The children that live at these orphanages are living with the after effects of the Chornobyl Nuclear Accident of 1986.