The Valley Indy has a staff of two, and we’re decidedly not professional photographers.
However, in line with the old saw, “Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn now and then,” we are capable of snapping a good shot occasionally.
So here are some of our favorite photos from 2015.
Derby Firefighters At Summit Street Blaze
A March 24 Summit Street fire in Derby took the life of a dog and left four people temporarily homeless.
As firefighters battled to bring the blaze under control and limit damage, the Valley Indy snapped the picture above of firefighters on one side of the house enveloped with smoke from the fire, as the sun broke through the clouds to bathe them in light.
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Snake, Owner Reunited After Fire
An August fire at a multi-family home on Derby Avenue killed a local woman and left about five families homeless.
During the blaze, Paul Cowell, a 26-year-old resident of the building, worried about the fate of his pet corn snake, Isis.
About an hour after the fire began, a Derby firefighter emerged from the building with Isis safe and sound, still in its glass enclosure.
At least one positive.
Lt. Cota Talks With Standoff Suspect
A scary incident unfolded at the Beaver Brook Apartments on Ansonia’s Woodbridge Avenue in May, when a 31-year-old man who lives there allegedly assaulted a neighbor before holing himself up in his apartment.
In the ensuing three hours, cops tried to establish a dialog with the suspect, who would eventually surrender without incident after talking with a friend on the phone.
Prior to that happening, Ansonia Police Lt. Andrew Cota tried to jumpstart the process by knocking on the door of the man’s apartment.
“Come on, do me a favor, open the window,” Cota asked.
The man obliged, but only for a few moments.
“I’m trying to sleep. Stop knocking on my door!” he said before slamming his window shut.
Charges are pending in Superior Court.
Smile!
A couple of candid shots, taken under drastically different circumstances, round out our roundup.
The first was taken in February, at the sentencing on money laundering charges of former Seymour lawyer Ralph Crozier in federal court.
Few people would be smiling while leaving a federal courthouse minutes after being sentenced to more than two years in prison.
But few people are like Ralph Crozier, a self-described “maverick” attorney convicted last year of helping a drug dealer launder money.
Crozier is appealing the case.
The final photo of the review is from our coverage of the Nov. 3 municipal election in Ansonia.
Mayor David Cassetti and the city’s Republicans won in a landslide which became apparent within minutes of the polls closing.
Dozens of supporters filled Republican headquarters at Main and Bridge streets as Cassetti basked in the win, grinning at the lopsided victory.
