A sixth arrest has been made in connection with the fatal stabbing that happened last month at the Danbury Skate Park.  Danbury Police say 36-year-old Shalina Tallman, of Danbury, was charged with Hindering Prosecution for knowingly rendering criminal assistance to person(s) involved in the killing of Willy Placencia. She was arrested on Tuesday.  The arrest was made without incident and she is scheduled to appear in court on June 24th.  Danbury Police say this continues to be an active and ongoing homicide investigation. Anyone that has information related to the case can leave a confidential message on the Danbury Police Department TIPS line, 203-790-8477 (203-790-TIPS).

Ridgefield Health Director Ed Briggs reports that while the state systems have been sporadic with reporting, he estimates that Ridgefield has 112 active cases of COVID-19 and 14 deaths. He also estimates that Ridgefield is approximately a week behind New York as far as flattening the curve and that everyone should remain vigilant. 

Ridgefielders are urged to continue to do their part by staying home. If you must go out, continue to follow the CDC directives of maintaining social distancing, washing hands and wearing face coverings.

A member of Ridgefield's Community Emergency Response Team, Bob Hebert, is also serving as the Region 5 Logistics Section National Guard Liaison with the State.  He distributed 600 masks to Ridgefield locations yesterday including to the Ridgefield Police, Bissell Pharmacy, Congregate Housing, Ballard Green, and Town Hall.

The Newtown Police Department has announced that Police Commissioner Dr. Neil Chaudhary was released from the hospital this week.  He is home with his family recovering from COVID-19.  Police say Neil was humbled by all the support and believes that's what helped him and his family pull through this difficult time.

Brookfield had 92 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Thursday afternoon.  This is an increase of 2 since the last report. There have been no reported deaths in Brookfield. 8 residents are hospitalized and the remainder are self-isolating at home.

With the warm weather here and more people home, the Danbury Fire Department has seen an increase in the number of “illegal burning” calls. Brush fire calls also increase this time of year when well-intentioned burns get out of control. Burning leaves, trash or construction debris is always illegal. Burning brush no greater than 3 inches diameter is legal, only if you obtain a burn permit from the City. Although City Hall is closed to the public, this can be done through the online permit portal.  Permits are $30 and good for 30 days.  Safe burning includes being 20 feet from any structure and checking the day’s air quality index, along with the forest fire danger level.

For any child in Danbury who needs a meal during Spring Break, School officials say Texas Roadhouse is offering 1 kids meal per day.  United Way has partnered with Boehringer Ingelheim and Food Rescue USA to distribute meals to families with children 18 and under from 2:45 pm - 3:15 pm from Monday - Friday starting at two locations: 23 Eden Drive and 1 Meehan Place B.  Hillside Food Outreach is prepared to make home deliveries to quarantined people in the Danbury area by contacting them at 203-702-4881 or their website: https://hillsidefoodoutreach.org/  End Hunger Connecticut!’s SNAP call center remains in full operation to help residents with applications, redeterminations, and other assistance by calling 866-974-7627 or their site ctsnap.org.

Wilton officials are providing an update of the areas open for solo, passive recreation.  Lilly Way is open for walking, biking and driving. At the end of last week there were some new volunteers patrolling the areas around the schools and one or more incorrectly told residents they could not walk along Lilly Way.  Those individuals have received updated instructions.  First Selectwoman Lynne Vanderslice says residents continue to use the fields and the track despite the signs, barriers and police tape.  One resident was seen climbing up the tennis court fencing.  The fields and facilities were closed by local directive, not by executive order, which she says would provide greater punitive enforcement measures. 

During the Bethel Board of Selectmen meeting Tuesday night, members voted, in accordance with the Governor's executive order, to empower and instruct the Board of Finance to craft a budget, hold a virtual public hearing and set a mill rate. 

First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker says there will be no Annual Town Meeting or referendum votes.  This directive applies only to this year.

The deadline for the Board of Finance, acting as the town's legislative body, is May 15th.  Knickerbocker plans to meet with the Board's chair soon to discuss a timeline. 

The budget is posted to the town's website, but he says the most likely scenario is to send a budget summary to every household.  That way people without internet access can also have an opportunity to see details.  The information will also include a way to send feedback to town officials.  Knickerbocker says that will probably be via email and U.S. Postal Services.  There is also a secure drop box installed in front of town hall. 

According to the town Charter, there must be 10 days from publicizing the budget to respond before the Board of Finance can act.  The goal is to have the mailing send out by next Monday.

Brookfield Police are alerting families that help is available for anyone experiencing abuse at home and needs a violence restraining order.  Governor Lamont signed an executive order making it possible to file for a family violence restraining order completely online. Domestic violence advocates are available to assist in the process.  Advocates are available 24/7 via call, chat and email. All services are confidential, safe, free and voluntary at CTSafeConnect.org, or 888.774.2900.

Due to the overwhelming response, some 200 calls per day, Southbury Senior Services have implemented a new process for Grocery Brigade.  Orders can be made by using the Senior Services website: https://www.southbury-ct.org/groceriesforseniors or by calling the new Grocery Brigade Hotline at 475-207-5504, with name and number for a volunteer to call back.  General email orders will not be accepted. 

Residents of Watermark and Pomperaug Woods should contact staff at the respective facility for grocery assistance. 

When a volunteer calls back, seniors should be prepared to give the grocery list of items that will last for two weeks.  Due to the demand, if seniors have family locally that can shop for you, that assistance would be welcomed. 

The Southbury Senior Services Grocery Brigade cannot use food stamps.  Payment is by check, payable to the Town of Southbury, and no tips accepted.  https://www.southbury-ct.org/groceriesforseniors?fbclid=IwAR1ZcXcrm4Rm4kMYh2XQ16dhoziGgYFzeSZhrwZQZbI96DoGJuO-MnFnXVk

The Putnam County Economic Development Corporation is shifting into “response and recovery” mode to address the economic fallout of COVID-19.  The Commission has added a COVID-19 Related Business Resources banner to the opening page of its website to direct businesses and not-for-profits to the most current programs available to assist them.  The non-profit organization funded by Putnam County was joined on a conference call by members of the County Executive's Office to brainstorm ideas for assisting local businesses.  Mary Ellen Odell says Putnam County relies on the Main Street economy to offset property taxes, provide employment opportunities and foster caring community values.  She notes that these businesses constantly work behind the scenes to support non-profits, including local  sports clubs, veterans groups, cancer support events like Relay for Life and more. 

The West Conn Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, with the Office of Information Technology & Innovation, are manufacturing a component used in the assembly of protective face shields for medical personnel. They programmed a 3-D printer, which was delivered to St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury, which made the original inquiry. University officials say another is available for additional hospitals. The effort is part of a statewide project that hopes to build 20,000 face shields in the next several weeks.

A local executive order has been signed in Wilton closing playing fields and recreational facilities.  The school parking lots remain open for biking and walking.  Though residents can walk along trails through Allen's Meadow, they can not walk around the perimeter of playing fields.  The fields that are closed are outlined in the executive order on the Parks & Recreation Department page and under News & Announcements. 

Three members of the Parks and Recreation staff will be monitoring the playing fields and other recreational facilities.

The electronic signs are being moved to the area. 

Dogs are allowed off leash, but under the direct control of the owner on all town-owned trails, except for Cherry Park, Town Forest and Schenck’s Island. They are also allowed off leash on these Wilton Land Trust Preserves: Gregg, Harrison Smith and Marble/Van Haelwyn.

Dogs must be on leash on the Norwalk River Valley Trail, which is on state-owned land.

Care packages of thousands of personal protective supplies has been donated to Danbury Hospital by a local salon.  Escape Salon, which is closed due to the pandemic, has also given gloves and masks to Bethel first responders.  Owner Maria Rodrigues distributed thousands of masks, hundreds of boxes of gloves and cases of Clorox wipes.  She called on other hair, nail, spas and tattoo facilities to do the same.  Care packages with shampoo, conditioner, body wash and shaving cream were also given to doctors and nurses who cannot return to their homes.

There was a gas leak in Danbury this morning.  Firefighters responded to Stacey Road shortly before 8am on a report of a gas line being dug up.   Eversource responded within half an hour and stopped the leak.  The State Department of Transportation has been doing roadwork at the intersection to realign Route 37.  There's also roadwork at the intersection with Barnum Road.

The Brookfield Board of Finance is making plans to adopt a budget and set a mill rate by June 4th.  The Board of Selectman extended the May 5th adoption day by 30 days for members could get the most current financial reports.  The proposed municipal budget is $19.6 million.  The Brookfield Board of Ed has proposed $46.2 million.  There's about $2 million for capital items and $4.6 million for debt service.  At least one virtual public hearing will be scheduled before the  Board of Finance votes.

Metro-North will soon operate on an hourly schedule on the New Haven and Harlem weekdays and weekends.  Trains will operate every three hours on the Danbury and Waterbury Branches daily.  Trains will operate every two hours on weekdays between Southeast and Wassaic; there is no connecting service on weekends.

Monroe first responders continue to serve residents, but for everyone's safety, residents are being reminded that 911 is for true emergencies.  Volunteer firefighters have been experiencing an increase in neighbors calling in brush fires, which are later determined to be small, controlled campfires or burning of sticks from yard clean up, all in accordance with a permit issued by the Office of the Fire Marshal.

Brookfield Town Hall is once again staffed after a deep clean following a visit by someone who later tested positive for COVID-19.  But the building remains closed to the general public.  Brookfield residents with urgent business is asked to call the appropriate department and town employees will help.  Most staff is working from home, but at least one department member is in the office between 10am and 3pm.   Brookfield residents should call and make an appointment if there is something that has to be done in person.

The Pomperaug Health District and Town of Southbury PhysicianOne Urgent Care are providing a drive-through COVID-19 testing site at 900 Main Street, on Saturday, from 9am to 3pm. Licensed health care providers will test patients who have completed a medical evaluation prior to Saturday via a Virtual Visit. Patients do not need to be current patients of PhysicianOne Urgent Care but must complete a medical evaluation pre-screen by their staff in advance.