Danbury, Fairfield County | featured news

DANBURY — The National Weather Service confirmed that weather conditions on Thursday amounted to a blizzard in Danbury and two other southwestern Connecticut cities.

In Danbury, conditions were measured at the Danbury Municipal Airport and were reported to reach blizzard criteria from 10:53 a.m. to 3:53 a.m. The NWS said the weather sensor at the airport failed, but snow was verified by radar.

The official definition of a blizzard includes sustained winds 35 miles per hour or faster, considerable falling or blowing snow and visibility reduced to less than a quarter of a mile.

NEW MILFORD - Firefighters battled a house fire early Thursday morning on Cedar Hill Road.

According to reports, Route 7 was closed briefly as firefighters fought the blaze. Tanker trucks from throughout the area were called to assist. The home, according to initial reports, was a total loss.

More information was not immediately available.

dperrefort@newstimes.com

RIDGEFIELD — Zoning officials have approved a regualation they hope will spur enough affordable housing to discourage the use of state statute 8-30g, which often allows developers to skirt local zoning rules.

The regulation, which faced its third hearing Tuesday, offers incentives to affordable housing developers if they comply with local zoning rules instead of invoking 8-30g, which only lets the town deny applications because of health or safety.

It was crafted over the last four years to prepare for October, when Ridgefield’s four-year moratorium against 8-30g applications is set to

DANBURY — A fire in the elevator shaft at La Quinta Inn & Suites has been put out without any injuries, officials said.

Firefighters responded to reports of a fire alarm at the Newtown Road hotel around noon Monday, said James Gagliardo, public information officer for the Danbury department. When they arrived, firefighters found smoke in the hallway surrounding a fire in one of the elevator shafts.

The building was evacuated as crews extinguished the fire, which Gagliardo said took less than an hour.

RIDGEFIELD — Evelyn Carr, a freshman at Ridgefield High School, has been chosen as a finalist in the Forte International Music Competition.

Carr will perform as a soloist at Carnegie Hall in the final round concert for the competition in February. The Forte competition is open to musics throughout the world. Other finalists have been selected from countries such as Vietnam, Singapore, Mexico and the United States.

Carr previously won first place this year in the NY Lyric Opera National Vocal Competition, and she has performed at venues from Carnegie Hall to Yankee Stadium.

NEW HAVEN — The right lane on a stretch of Route 15 is temporarily closed as workers repair a fence, likely damaged during an accident early this morning.

The state Department of Transportation reported emergency roadwork between exits 58 and 59 on the northbound side of Route 15 shortly before 7 a.m. The right lane will be closed for two hours or less as workers repair a fence in the area, the report showed.

A dispatcher with state police Troop I said the roadwork was likely the result of an accident that occurred around midnight in the same area.

Connecticut’s two U.S. senators will travel to Puerto Rico this week to learn about the ongoing damage from Hurricane Maria.

“This trip will shine a glaring light on Puerto Rico’s continuing humanitarian and economic crisis,” said U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn) in a release. “Since I last visited the island in October, the federal response has been shamefully inadequate. Across Connecticut, I have heard heartbreaking stories from families who have recently arrived and other families still on the island.”

Blumenthal, along with U.S. Sen.

WESTPORT - The fireworks display that was to cap off a day of celebrations during the town’s annual First Night festivities has been cancelled.

According to organizers of the event, ice along the Norwalk River has made it impossible for the barge containing the fireworks to make its way up the waterway. The operator has decided not to charge organizers and promised an even better show next year.

The rest of the annual Westport First Night activities will continue as scheduled.

RIDGEFIELD — The local chapter of the National Charity League will host an informational meeting for prospective members on Jan. 11.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Keeler Tavern. NCL is a mother-daughter philanthropic-based organization committed to community service, leadership development and cultural experiences, according to a release from the chapter.

The chapter seeks qualified candidates of mothers and daughters entering grades seven through 10 in the fall. The chapter is also a certifying organization for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award.

DANBURY — State police reported a “string” of accidents along I-84 late Saturday morning as light snow and below-freezing temperatures created slick roadways.

A dispatcher for Troop A said there were nearly 10 accidents between 9:45 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. from exit 20 on I-84 westbound up to the New York state line.

About half were multi-car accidents, though he said there were no major injuries.