WSTC/WNLK Local News

Man Arrested 3 Times In Norwalk

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:38:30 -0500

It was a busy day for Norwalk police regarding a city man. Carlos Maldonado was arraigned Wednesday following three arrests in one day. Maldonado was charged in three separate domestic disputes. The "Hour" reports it started with a call to a fight at his Summit Avenue home. Just over a half-hour later, police returned following a call from a woman who accused Maldonado of threatening her. A cousin picked Maldonado up from his second arrest. But he was back later after allegedly slapping the cousin in the face on the way back from his second bust.

Easton 1st Selectman Declares For Congress

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:37:30 -0500

There's another candidate for Congress in the 4th District. Easton Republican First Selectman Tom Herrmann has announced he'll seek the party's nomination. Herrmann made the announcement in Stamford Wednesday night. He says if elected, his vote will be based on what his constituents want and he'll not be beholden to the party. Herrmann joins a crowded field for the nomination, with no fewer than six candidates looking to unseat incumbent Democratic Congressman Jim Himes.

Man Charged In Norwalk Abduction

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:25:36 -0500

A Stamford man is charged with impersonating a police officer before abducting a Norwalk Community College Coed. Police say 27-year-old Alexander Wendorf is charged. The incident occurred tuesday around seven p.m. Police say Wendorf pulled up to the woman in his car, asking for directions and claiming to be a Norwalk cop. He drove off with the woman, who was able to escape. She sustained minor injuries jumping from the moving SUV. Wendorf was tracked down and arrested without incident. He's being held on a half-million-dollars bond.

Service To Remember Greenwich Man

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:24:12 -0500

A memorial service is planned for March 20th for the chairman of Democratic Town Committee in Greenwich. Dave Roberson was 42. He died when his car crashed into a building as he was leaving Monday night's Representative Town Meeting. "News 12" reports an autopsy showed Roberson had a heart condition but it hasn't been determined if that factored into the crash. The memorial will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Greenwich.

More Contamination Found In North Stamford

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:12:21 -0500

There's more contamination in North Stamford. Tests have determined two more wells near Scofieldtown park. The "Advocate" reports the Scofieldtown Remediation Task Force learned of the cases from the city engineer. These areas are farther away from the original cluster of contaminated wells. One task force member is calling for the city to re-start a testing program that had been discontinued.

Woman Accused In Municipal Theft

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:11:15 -0500

A woman accused of stealing 16-thousand-dollars from the city of Stamford was in court Tuesday. Wendy Greco is charged with taking the money from a city account and using it for personal reasons. Greco was an employee of the health department. She's due back in court March 30th and remains free on 50-thousand-dollars bond.

Norwalk Affordable Housing Plan Tabled

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:09:42 -0500

A plan to expand Norwalk's affordable housing has been tabled by the common council. The nine Republicans on the body voted to return the measure to its Planning Committee. The Workforce Housing Strategy want to expand the city's affordable housing stocks. It also calls for the city to invest more in affordable housing resources. Some Democrats say there's been enough opportunity to study the measure and ask questions. All five Democrats on the council voted against sending it back to committee.

Norwalk School Budget Reconciliation Process Continues

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:06:55 -0500

Work continues in Norwalk on the school budget. Both the Boards of Education and Estimate and Taxation are looking for savings. Interim schools superintendent Michael Nast tells the "Hour" the studying class size and programs. There's about a five-million-dollar gap between the the ed board's request and what could be allocated. Mayor Richard Moccia says the reconciliation process is still ongoing. A public hearing on the budget is set for March 24th.

Testimony Continues In Hayes' Prison Treatment

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:05:20 -0500

A state judge in New Haven will be hearing more testimony today about how a man charged in the Cheshire home invasion killings is being treated in prison. Steven Hayes' lawyers were concerned that his ability to assist in his own defense was being affected by 24-hour lighting in his cell and other measures designed to prevent him from trying to commit suicide. Hayes and another man are accused of killing a woman and her two daughters in Cheshire in 2007.

Cuts Could Impact Stamford Libraries

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:03:54 -0500

Stamford Mayor Michael Pavia released his proposed budget for the next fiscal year this week. The library system receives the majority of its funding from the municipal budget. The "Advocate" reports that has been cut by 850-thousand-dollars and some including the head of the Ferguson Library say reduced hours or closures could result. Initially, the board had requested a 390-thousand-dollar increase. The library has only seen modest increases over the last few years. The mayor has also proposed cuts in renovation dollars to library branches.

Beached Dolphin Found In Norwalk

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:46:33 -0500

Experts from Mystic Aquarium are looking into the death of a common dolphin found in Norwalk in a tidal creek near Long Island Sound. City animal control officer Rick Duddie says the five-foot-long dolphin was found dead on a mud berm in Village Creek Monday morning, after having been seen swimming in the creek over the weekend. He believes the dolphin swam in during high tide and became stranded. Mystic Aquarium spokeswoman Becky Giantonio says the aquarium sent a response team to examine the dolphin on Monday afternoon, but it couldn't get close enough to determine how it died. She says a team will be returning Tuesday. Aquarium experts say dolphins live in the Sound year-round, so Monday's discovery wasn't too surprising.

Norwalk School Super Candidate Holds Forum

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:45:19 -0500

Parents and the community got to meet the lone finalist for the job of schools superintendent in Norwalk. Susan Marks held a forum Monday night at City Hall. Marks comes by way of Montgomery County in Maryland, where she's an associate superintendent. She says one of her main goals is getting kids ready for college. Marks is here on a several days-long trip. Marks says once the economy stabilizes, more money needs to be invested in the district. She is scheduled to tour several city schools today.

Ex-Cop Trial Starts Next Month

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:43:56 -0500

Jury selection starts next month in the trial of a former Norwalk police officer. Thomas Cummings is accused of having illicit affairs with teenaged boys whom he met on-line. Cummings was a 24-year veteran of the Norwalk police who headed the detective bureau. Investigators say he made contact with a pair of 15-year-olds through a web site. He was picked up in January 2008, resigning from the force shortly thereafter. Jury selection in Cummings trial is set to start April 20th, with the trial tentatively set for June 8th, according to the "Hour".

Teen To Be Charged As Adult In Assault

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:42:27 -0500

The Stamford teenager accused in an attack on a woman last month will be tried as an adult. Fifteen-year-old Terrence Hunt was in court Monday. The "Advocate" reports police already had his fingerprints on file from a prior trespassing charge in January. They matched those prints with those found at the scene of the February 21st crime. Hunt is accused of climbing in the window of the victims apartment while she slept. It was then that authorities say he allegedly kissed and fondled her before she fought back. Hunt fled, leaving a sweatshirt and t-shirt behind. He faces multiple charges including burglary and sexual assault.

Stamford Cutting Jobs

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:41:18 -0500

Over 100 jobs are on the chopping block in Stamford. Mayor Michael Pavia says he's also calling for a cut in funding for outside agencies keep a tax hike reasonable. In making the announcement, Pavia says 49 full-timers are being laid off. The cuts will see savings estimated at five-and-a-half-million-dollars, according to the city's head of the Office of Policy and Management. Also among the cuts are seven civilian positions in the police department. With the cuts come two additions: the "Advocate" reports the city will hire a tax collector and mayoral special assistant.