This blurry image shows a person at a Wakelee Avenue street takeover just after midnight Saturday, April 26.
ANSONIA — Detectives are reviewing police video and local security cam footage in order to arrest the people involved in last night’s “street takeover.“
Lt. Patrick Lynch said police received calls between 12 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. Saturday (April 26) about activity in the area of Wakelee Avenue and Franklin Street.
“We received a call about a disturbance involving juveniles lighting off fireworks,” Lynch said.
The responding officer was greeted with fireworks — and a chaotic mob.
“The first officer on scene saw a large number of vehicles in the intersection blocking traffic. As the officer approached, one of the participants jumped up on the hood of his car,” Lynch said.
The officer backed his cruiser up to put distance between himself and the mob. He struck a parked car that police believe was connected to the takeover. It caused minor damage.
ANSONIA–Ansonia residents overwhelmingly rejected the city and schools’ proposed budgets during a referendum April 25 at the Armory (5 State St.).
Turnout for the referendum was around 9.7 percent, based on the number of 11,369 registered voters in November 2024.
The ballot questions and results are as follows:
CITYBUDGET: 1. Shall the city portion of the budget, as recommended by the board of aldermen of $30,053,120 for the fiscal year 2026 be adopted? Yes: 129 No: 975
(Advisory question 1) If you voted no on the general government budget, is the budget … Too High: 940 Too Low: 33
SCHOOLBUDGET: 2. Shall the board of education portion of the budget, as recommended by the board of aldermen, $39,560,719 for the City of Ansonia for the fiscal year 2026 be adopted? Yes: 317 No: 785
(Advisory question 2): If you voted no on the Board of Education budget, is the budget … Too high: 739 Too low: 85
Work will continue during the daytime, 7AM to 3PM, Monday through Friday
Both northbound and southbound traffic lanes have moved to the right shoulder to create a work area for median barrier replacement between Exit 20 and 22 (New Exits 17 – 18), and to create a second work area for median barrier replacement after Exit 22 (New Exit 18).
Median barrier and median drainage are being replaced.
Pipe repair and lining activities will continue throughout, northbound and southbound from Exit 15 to 22 (New Exits 12B-18).
ANSONIA – An Ansonia man has pleaded guilty in federal court to selling fentanyl, heroin, and other narcotics in the Bridgeport area.
Everard Boothe, 40, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl, according to a press release sent April 25 from the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut. He faces between five and 40 years’ imprisonment, the release says.
Boothe was arrested by Bridgeport police in August 2023 after a police investigation tied him to a ring of drug dealers in the area. Boothe was later indicted on federal charges, along with seven other people, in 2024.
by
Jean Falbo-Sosnovich | Apr 25, 2025 5:24 am
|
Comments
SEYMOUR – Seymour Middle School eighth-grade graders Mackenzie Browning and Lily Gampel are hosting an Earth Day cleanup scheduled from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday (April 26) at Chatfield Park, 11 Chatfield St.
The students are doing the project as part of their membership in the Junior National Honor Society.
“We thought a cleanup would be a good idea, not only to raise awareness about Earth Day, but it’s a great way to involve the community,” Mackenzie told members of the Seymour Board of Selectpersons at a meeting April 15.
Volunteers are encouraged to lend a helping hand. Mackenzie said garbage bags and gloves will be provided. Those looking to help can sign up at https://bit.ly/chatfieldcleanup25.
ANSONIA – A referendum is scheduled for Friday, April 25 on the proposed city and school budgets.
Voting hours are at the Ansonia Armory (5 State St.) from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters will be asked the following two questions:
Shall the city portion of the budget, as recommended by the board of aldermen of $30,053,120 for the fiscal year 2026 be adopted?
Shall the board of education portion of the budget, as recommended by the board of aldermen, $39,560,719 for the City of Ansonia for the fiscal year 2026 be adopted?
Voters will also be able to vote “too high” or “too low” on each of the proposed budgets.
Click here to read the city’s proposed budget. Click here to read about the Aldermen’s vote to send the budget to referendum.
ANSONIA – An Ansonia Alderman charged with driving under the influence was on his phone when he made a right turn and crashed into a car stopped at a stop sign, according to a probable cause affidavit from police.
Alderman Mario Durante, 35, was also charged with operating an electronic device while driving, and failure to drive in the proper lane on Saturday (April 19). Durante has represented the city’s seventh ward since 2023.
The affidavit says an officer was called to the scene of an crash near Marshall Lane at around 5:28 p.m. Saturday. The officer spoke with Durante. Durante allegedly told the officer that he had been looking at his phone while turning right onto Schumacher Drive. Durante said he then crashed into a car that was stopped at a stop sign, according to the affidavit.
by
Jasmine Wright | Apr 23, 2025 11:22 am
|
Comments
Firefighters at the scene of the fire (the house with the solar panels).
ANSONIA – There were no reported injuries in a house fire on Sunset Drive Wednesday morning (April 23).
A 911 caller reported a fire at 166 Sunset Drive at 9:51 a.m. Ansonia Fire Department responded, with Derby and Seymour fire departments called in for mutual aid.
One person was in the home at the time of the fire, according to Ansonia Fire Chief Alex Hortjatschun. A neighbor said she saw a woman running from the burning house.
by
Press Release | Apr 23, 2025 9:10 am
|
Comments
Sisters Evelyn and Elizabeth Sember try on traditional Korean clothing shared by paraeducator, Sungok Hong.
SEYMOUR — Seymour Public Schools welcomed over 150 guests on Friday evening, April 4th, for a lively and heartwarming Multicultural Festival hosted at Chatfield-LoPresti School.
The event brought together students and families from across the district — including the high school, middle school, and both elementary schools — to celebrate the vibrant diversity of the community.
The festival featured a colorful array of cultural displays, traditional clothing, live music, dancing, games, and a variety of international foods — not to mention plenty of pizza to go around. High school students and community members proudly represented their heritage, creating an engaging and educational experience for all.
by
Press Release | Apr 23, 2025 8:50 am
|
Comments
DERBY — The Derby Neck Library is urging teens to assist them in fundraising for Summer Reading. Teens from any town who need community service hours, volunteer experience for their resumes or college applications, or are just interested in community engagement can sign up by visiting the Derby Neck Library Great Give profile and registering as a fundraiser: https://www.thegreatgive.org/organizations/derby-neck-library-association
by
Jean Falbo-Sosnovich | Apr 23, 2025 8:35 am
|
Comments
THEVALLEY — This week we take a trip back to 1967, when heavyweight boxing champ Muhammad Ali refused induction into the U.S. Army, citing religious and moral objections to the Vietnam War; President Lyndon B. Johnson was Time Magazine’s Man of the Year and Aretha Franklin wanted some R.E.S.P.E.C.T.!
South African doctor Christiaan Barnard performed the first heart transplant.
People were tuned into The Andy Griffith Show on their TVs and popular movies “The Graduate,” “Bonnie and Clyde” and “Cool Hand Luke” dominated the box office.
Here is what was happening in our Valley, as found in the microfilm editions of The Evening Sentinel at the Seymour library!
by
Jean Falbo-Sosnovich | Apr 23, 2025 8:00 am
|
Comments
DERBY – A celebration to commemorate Derby’s 350th anniversary will officially kick off May 13.
The series of events to mark the official founding of Derby being named a township in 1675 will include everything from a time capsule opening, to fireworks, to a pub crawl, to a formal gala.
A Derby 350th Anniversary Committee has been working since fall 2024 putting together a variety of events to celebrate the milestone.
“It’s an historical occasion and we are very proud of our long and rich history in the City of Derby that goes back to the settlement in 1643, and our official charter in 1675,” said committee chairman/town and city clerk Marc Garofalo.
by
Jean Falbo-Sosnovich | Apr 23, 2025 5:55 am
|
Comments
(Left to right) SMS teacher Deborah Esposito with students Rosie Chen, Jack Pedersen, Camden Coppola, Knoxx Walton-McLendon, Sofia Klaben and Camden Deida.
SEYMOUR – A history of Seymour has been captured in essays penned by some Seymour Middle School students.
Ten students from eighth grade history teacher Deborah Esposito’s class recently paired up with the Seymour Culture and Arts Commission to take part in a history project.
Commission member Linda Bellavance said students were asked to do short write-ups about the town’s history and past industry. Their essays now grace the display case at Chusetown Community Park (formerly Broad Street Park).
