Final shows of 'Guys and Dolls' are this weekend

Friday, 10 February 2012 12:52

The final two performances of Guys and Dolls at Center Stage Theater, 54 Grove St. (the former Lafayette School), Shelton, will take place Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10 and 11 at 8 p.m.

Derby resident Marc Garofalo plays Nathan Detroit, and the production is directed by Gary Scarpa. The choreography is by Francesca Riggio Scarpa.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students.

Police probe PTO money complaint

Written by Susan Hunter
Thursday, 09 February 2012 15:53

ANSONIA — Police are investigating a report of possible missing or misappropriated money belonging to the Parent Teacher Organization at Prendergast Elementary School in Ansonia.

Ansonia police received a complaint about the missing money from School Supt. Carol Merlone on Jan. 26, said Lt. Andrew Cota.

“The detective division is investigating to determine if a crime has been committed,” Cota said.

Plan would boost funding to schools

Written by Susan Hunter
Thursday, 09 February 2012 20:03

Two Valley municipalities would see an increase in state education funding, if Gov. Dannel Malloy’s proposed education reforms go into effect.

Under Malloy's proposal, Ansonia would receive an additional $539,715, or 3.6% in Educational Cost Sharing (ECS) funding, increasing the city’s total education grant to $15,571,383 for 2012-13.

Derby would receive an additional $280,532 or 4.1% in ECS funding, according to State Rep. Linda Gentile (D-104), who said she welcomed Malloy’s proposal.

Discount store to close its doors

Written by Susan Hunter
Thursday, 09 February 2012 14:17

DERBY — Xpect Discounts, at 60 Pershing Drive, will be closing its doors on April 7, according to Derby officials.

A total of 58 employees will lose their jobs, said Sheila O’Malley, the city’s economic development director.

O’Malley and Mayor Tony Staffieri said they’re hopeful the employees will either be absorbed by other Xpect Discount stores or find employment at the renovated shopping plaza that’s planned for the site.

Young Assumption School student takes on a big cause

Thursday, 09 February 2012 09:41

ANSONIA — Lucas Ardito had just turned 3 when he started complaining that his arm hurt. Soon he had a fever and experienced dizzy spells.

“Within a week, a perfectly healthy, active 3-year-old boy could barely walk,” said his mother, Angela Ardito. “After several trips to the doctors, we received a call no parent wants to get. Lucas was diagnosed with pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).”

The little boy immediately had a Port-a-Cath inserted in his chest and started chemotherapy treatments. He was put on a standard risk protocol and endured three years and two months of chemotherapy drugs, steroids, bone marrow aspirations, blood work, swallowing pills, and spinal taps.

Board axes fire inspection fees

Wednesday, 08 February 2012 12:51

By Jean Falbo-Sosnovich

Correspondent

SEYMOUR — For safety’s sake, Fire Marshal Paul Wetowitz has been requesting additional manpower in his office to help with critical building inspections that are falling by the wayside.

And as a way to fund a part-time position, Wetowitz recently suggested to the Board of Selectmen that he begin charging annual fees to certain businesses that currently don’t pay for inspections or license renewals.

Such facilities include day care centers, nursing homes, movie theaters and businesses that sell liquor. Other proposed fees included those for propane tank installations and compliance inspections. The fees would have ranged from $25-$100.

Developer wants to start work on plaza

Written by Susan Hunter
Tuesday, 07 February 2012 22:13

DERBY — There may be activity at the long-dormant downtown redevelopment zone by May or June, according to the developer who wants to build a retail plaza just south of Main Street.

The prospective mid to large-size tenant is “dragging his feet,” said Sheila O’Malley, Derby’s economic development director, but Douglas Gray of Eclipse Development wants to start construction of a restaurant and two smaller stores.

Gray told Redevelopment Agency members Tuesday he wants to bring the smaller tenants in, so they won’t go elsewhere. He’d start out by developing the eastern part of the parcel, near Route 8 and the former Lifetouch Studios property

College creates regional manufacturing center

Tuesday, 07 February 2012 13:42

Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport has been awarded a share of a $17.8 million grant, which it will use to create the HCC Regional Advanced Manufacturing Center for southwestern Connecticut at the college.

The center will expand the college’s manufacturing education capability to give students the 21st century knowledge and skills needed by today’s manufacturers. It will feature a manufacturing lab, an engineering/design studio and a welding lab to be used to support the college’s credit and non-credit manufacturing courses.

“I am most pleased that Housatonic’s manufacturing program has been selected for this grant,” Housatonic President Anita T. Gliniecki said. “With this funding, the college can complete the expansion of a regional advanced manufacturing center. We see manufacturing as one of the growth areas in Connecticut. The college has conducted intensive discussion and research with local manufacturers and vocational technical school partners to bring this manufacturing center to fruition and increase the training and education opportunities for the residents of southwestern Connecticut.”

Aldermen meetings to be televised

Written by Susan Hunter
Tuesday, 07 February 2012 09:50

ANSONIA — Comcast Public Access television will begin airing Ansonia Board of Aldermen meetings on Thursday, Feb. 16 from 6 to 7 p.m., according to Alderman John Marini.

Meetings will be aired weekly for the remainder of the year.

DVD copies of the meetings may be ordered at Town Hall at a cost of $15 per copy.

Tech school plan targets employers’ needs

Written by Susan Hunter
Monday, 06 February 2012 14:03

Legislators praise Governor's proposal

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s proposed legislation to change the Connecticut Technical High School System is being praised by local legislators.

The changes would tailor programming to the needs of employers, so that graduates are better prepared for real-world employment, according to a Feb. 3 statement issued by Malloy’s office.

Malloy proposes changing the governance of the CTHSS to an independent 11-member board whose members are designated by appointment. Four members would be executives of Connecticut employers nominated by regional Chambers of Commerce and other business organizations and appointed by the governor.