The state Medical Examining Board has reprimanded and fined Dr. Judith Major of Shelton $7,500 for changing a patient’s chart after DPH officials notified her that the patient had filed a complaint with them.

When certifying the patient, a retired police officer, for a medical marijuana prescription, Major stated an incorrect diagnosis, a spinal cord injury, and omitted the correct diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, records show. She then altered some of the patient’s records by adding the correct diagnosis after the fact, records show. While the patient complained that Major had knowingly misstated the original diagnosis, DPH officials were unable to substantiate that the errors were deliberate.

Major’s medical license was also placed on probation for six months, during which she must take a course in medical documentation and hire a doctor to review her medical marijuana certification patients. In signing the consent order, Major chose not to contest the allegations.

This story was reported under a partnership with the Connecticut Health I-Team, a nonprofit news organization dedicated to health reporting.

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DTC St. Patrick’s Day dinner set

The Shelton Democratic Town Committee’s St. Patrick’s Day dinner will be Sunday, March 17, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Highland Golf Club, 261 Wooster Street, Shelton. For reservations to this traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner, contact Quinn Weber at qaweber@gmail.com

‘Speak Sobriety’ program March 20

Author and speaker Stephen Hill will discuss his book, A Journey to Recovery, at a community event on Wednesday, March 20, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Shelton High School auditorium. Hill, a law student, will tell the story of his battle with drug addiction and his journey to recovery. He will also discuss vaping and substance abuse prevention during the event, which is sponsored by the Shelton Youth Service Bu”reau. For more information, call 203-924-7614 or email sysb@cityofshelton.org.

Shelton Art League to feature top artist

The Shelton Art League (formerly Bridgeport Art League), a diverse group of artists, will meet on Monday, March 18, at noon at the Shelton Community Center, 41 Church Street, second floor, room 2. After a brief meeting, the league’s “Artist of the Month” Paul Iversen will demonstrate his use of acrylics in a seascape painting. Iversen studied at Paier Art School and Southern Connecticut State University and has worked in various media — including pencil, pen and ink, water colors, pastels, oils and acrylics. Visit sheltonartleague.org for more information. Guests are welcome.

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Public school administrators continue the push to eliminate the deficit in the current fiscal year’s budget.

At present, the education budget — for fiscal year ending June 30 — is running a $167,000 deficit, but school Superintendent Dr. Chris Clouet said the district remains “committed to reducing and eliminating the current year deficit, and that is moving forward well.”

The Board of Education budget for the present fiscal year was approved at $72.5 million. For the coming 2019-20 fiscal year, the board voted to submit a $74,873,730 proposed budget, a $2.17 million, or 2.99%, hike from the current year.

Board Vice Chair Thomas Minotti, in his report on the recently held Board of Education Finance Committee meeting, stated that the three areas of concern, as has been noted in the past, are costs associated with long-term substitutes, special education tuition for private schools and special education transportation.

School Finance Director Rick Belden said the district has instituted a freeze on hiring and expenditures.

“We are actively working on a plan to reduce the deficit to $0 by year end, and it includes savings from discretionary spending accounts and possible savings in special education transportation,” said Belden, adding that he anticipates that the deficit number will “be revised downward each month, absent any significant unplanned costs incurred between now and the end of the year.

“The finance department is closely monitoring requests for expenditures with assistance from school administrators and department heads,” said Minotti. “Special attention is going to be given to staffing of bus monitors, analysis of utilization of professional services, continued monitoring of discretionary expenditures.”

Minotti noted that as far as revenue, the district has collected $340,000 in additional state revenue to offset line items in the budget.

According to Minotti, the education cost sharing grant is estimated at $6 million, some $600,000 higher than what the board had budgeted. This state grant is paid directly to the city of Shelton and included in the city’s general fund. The excess cost grant of $1.4 million is some $300,000 higher than budgeted, said Minotti, and this state grant is to offset special education costs that exceed the budgeted appropriation.

As district administrators work to eliminate the present projected budget deficit, one board member, with approval from his colleagues, is pushing for better communication between the Board of Education and the Board of Aldermen regarding the school budget.

Board member David Gioiello proposed two motions — first, that the Board of Education provide a copy of its final approved budget, after the entire city budget is passed, to the Board of Aldermen; and second, that the Board of Education’s Finance Committee meet quarterly with the Board of Aldermen to review the status of the school budget — and both were unanimously approved by board members.

Gioiello said that these motions came after a lengthy discussion with Board of Aldermen President John Anglace about a month ago, prior to the release of the auditor’s report.

“After the city approves the budget, we get our approved budget from the city, [Board of Aldermen members] never see the changes that we make to our budget after we receive our final numbers,” said Gioiello. “I feel that it will be helpful to let the city know how we spend the money after the final approval.”

Communication between two the boards is virtually none existent, said Gioiello, and both adopted motions are intended to be a positive step toward improving that communication with the Board of Aldermen.

“If they don’t look at what we send them, we can’t force them,” said Gioiello. “Same thing with the second motion. If they decide not to attend the meeting, there is nothing we can do. But the burden will be on them to at least meet us half way.”

“I think what you’re looking at is for us to take an additional step to help ensure things [are made] as clear as possible for them. I personally feel that is a terrific idea,” said board Chairman Mark Holden.

Gioiello said this would be a separate meeting, open to the public, that is an attempt to open lines of communication so the aldermen “understand the complexity of what we face when we move money around in order to properly fund different line items.

“This would be so they understand why we’re doing what we’re doing,” added Gioiello.

brian.gioiele@”hearstmediact.com

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A Studio 54 themed night of dining and dancing at Vazzano’s Four Seasons in Stratford on Saturday, March 30, will benefit The Center for Family Justice (CFJ), which provides crisis and supportive services to victims of domestic and sexual violence in six local communities.

Band Together, a nonprofit community of musicians who have helped raise more than $3.4 million for local families and children in need, will be the featured performers at Rockin’ Around the Decades: Studio 54. The benefit will mark Band Together’s 100th and final performance as its members move on to other musical ventures.

Tri-chairs for the event are CFJ Board of Directors members Sofia Goncalves of Trumbull, Nancy Lessard of Shelton and Anna Rodrigues of Monroe, a CFJ volunteer.

“We’re so excited to invite our friends and supporters to what will be a fun, festive celebration with Band Together,” said Debra A. Greeenwood, President and CEO of The Center for Family Justice. “Combining the talents of Band Together with the music of the Studio 54 era will have everyone out on the dance floor supporting our important vital mission.”

Tickets for the evening, which will feature emcee Jay “Ice” Piccorillo of Micalizzi’s Italian Ice in Bridgeport, are $75 per person and include beer, wine and a buffet dinner. Cocktails will be available from a cash bar. The festivities begin at 7 p.m., and end at 11 p.m. at the restaurant, which is located at 337 Kenyon Street in Stratford.

For tickets and sponsorship opportunities contact CFJ’s Development & Events Coordinator Chalae Satawhite at CSatawhite@CenterforFamilyJustice.org or call 203-334-6154, ext. 135.

The Center for Family Justice Inc. (formerly The Center for Women and Families of Eastern Fairfield County Inc.), brings all domestic and sexual violence and child abuse services – crisis intervention, police, prosecutors, civil/legal providers, counseling – under one roof, in our headquarters in Bridgeport. Together, we work to break the cycle of violence by helping those in crisis restore their lives. Although our name has changed, they provide free, confidential, bilingual crisis services in Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford and Trumbull.

The Center answers more than 2,000 calls on a 24-hour crisis hotline; assists with the civil and criminal court processes for more than 3,000 survivors of domestic violence; responds to more than 300 survivors of sexual assault and their families; provides a safe home for more than 100 women and children fleeing domestic abuse; and coordinates the investigations of more than 100 cases of child sexual and severe physical abuse, developing service plans for the young survivors and their families.

In addition, CFJ is also provides community education, focused on prevention, on local college campuses and to schools, community organizations and local businesses through its Training Institute.

For more information, visit CenterForFamilyJustice.org.

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The following programs and activities are taking place at Plumb Memorial and Huntington Branch libraries. Most require advance registration. Plumb is located at 65 Wooster St. Call 203-924-1580 or 203-924-9461 and follow the greeting message to direct you the department best suited to answer your question, or to register for programs. Huntington Branch is located in the Community Center, 41 Church St., and can be reached at 203-926-0111. Visit sheltonlibrarysystem.org and click “Events Calendar & Registration” (Blue button on homepage) to register online.

Friends of the Shelton Library System is accepting book donations at this time. There is a separate cart available for donation drop offs located in the foyer. There are also tax receipts available at the Children’s Department desk. For any questions ask a staff member.

Due to the large number of teens who are currently volunteering at Plumb, the library has no volunteer hours available until the end of the school year.

In the event of bad weather or school closings/delays due to the weather, any scheduled library program(s) will be cancelled that same day.

Huntington Branch Library

Spanish with Sandra — Tuesday, March 19 and 26, 4:30 p.m. Children ages 4 to 8 and their caregivers learn Spanish through songs, games, stories, and other fun activities. Register for the entire month.

Talking in Spanish — Tuesday, March 19 and 26, 5 p.m. Tweens and teens engage in Spanish conversation and interactive activities with Miss Sandra. Register for the entire month.

First Spanish with Sandra — Wednesday, March 20 and 27, 10:30 a.m. Children, babies to age 4, and their caregivers learn Spanish through songs, games, stories, and other fun activities. Note new day and time. Register.

Plumb Memorial Library

Tai Chi: Thursday Sessions — Thursday, March 21, 9:05 a.m. Each class will begin and end with a series of warm up and cool down exercises. There is no prerequisite to participate, no equipment is necessary and participants may do this seated if they feel more comfortable. Free and open to the public. Registration is required. Call 203-924-1580, or visit sheltonlibrarysystem.org to sign up. Note: Tai Chi location meets in the historic Reading Room.

Life is Art — Thursday, March 21, 6 p.m. Ages 10 and older. Join Miss Ronda for fun and different creative projects each week. Learn new techniques and express your inner artist.

Tai Chi: Friday Sessions — Friday, March 22, 9:05 a.m. Plumb Memorial Library has added more dates for Friday Tai Chi workshops for adults. Each class will begin and end with a series of warm up and cool down exercises. There is no prerequisite to participate, no equipment is necessary and participants may do this seated if they feel more comfortable. Registration is required; call 203-924-1580 or visit sheltonlibrarysystem.org to register. Note: Tai Chi location meets in the historic Reading Room.

Knit! — Tuesday, March 19 and 26, 6:30 p.m. Adult fiber fans meet to knit, crochet and chat, lots of support and fellowship in this drop in group, stop in and bring a friend. Group meets in the beautiful and historic Reading Room.

Connect: ELL — Friday, March 22, at 10 a.m. Attention English language learners, join us at Plumb Memorial Library for a relaxed and fun morning of our Conversation Café. Enjoy coffee, tea and light refreshments while you meet people and practice your skills. Community members 18 and older with all levels of English are welcome to attend. No sign-up, so just show up.

Bookworms — Monday, March 18 and 25, 10:30 a.m. Join Miss Maura for a themed drop in story and craft time for kids 1 to 5 years old and their caregivers.

First Lego League — Saturday, March 16, 11 a.m. Love to build with Legos? Interested in robotics? Join us for a presentation by Shelton’s First Lego League Team: Perry Hill Predators. These fifth and sixth grade students will be explain how Lego Robotics work, answer questions and share how interested kids could join a Lego League team in the future. Plus the library will provide Legos to build robots from (they will be displayed in Plumb’s Children’s Department for month of March). Lego books to check-out and every registered child will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win a special Lego Robotic prize. Registration is required for both child and caregiver.

SCABGCA — Tuesday, March 19, 7 p.m. Regional chapter of the state antique bottle and glass collectors association meets, new members welcome.

Welcome Sensational Spring Story Time — Wednesday, March 19, 10:30 a.m. A special drop-in story time with Mrs. Fritsch for kids of all ages to celebrate the arrival of spring.

PEEPology — Wednesday, March 20, 6:30 p.m. Join Miss Maura as we celebrate the first day of spring using PEEPS. We will create a house, skateboard, a car crafted from our favorite Spring candy: PEEPS and other tasty treats, too. Registration required for kids 3 to 13 years old.

Home Delivery

Shelton residents who cannot get to the library due to temporary or permanent disability are welcome to apply for home delivery of library materials. Contact Huntington Branch Library, 203-926-0111. This project is underwritten with support from the Friends of the Library and the Valley Community Foundation.

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The school district’s Innovator of the Month — recognized by the Board of Education each month — appears in the Shelton Herald the second week of each month.

Art has always been Mike Cooper’s life.

Admittedly not a strong student in his younger years, Cooper recalls his sixth-grade teacher pushing him to embrace his creativity, which not only lifted his grades but also set the trajectory for his future role as an educator himself.

“I was a poor student … I had trouble focusing. In sixth grade, I was having trouble with reading and math, but my teacher saw my potential through my sense of humor and my drawing ability,” said Cooper, who grew up on Mad magazine and Garbage Pail Kids.

“She let me do some book reports and writing assignments in comic book form.

“This opened my mind to effectiveness in visual communication,” added Cooper. “I knew then I wanted to have an art related career or become a teacher. I never forget my perspective as a kid with difficulty learning. If I ever did become a teacher, I wanted to become a teacher I always wish I had as a kid. We always say art is so important, but art really can change a person’s life.”

Fast forward to 2019, and Cooper is that teacher, an art teacher at Perry Hill School — recognized by his students and peers as the February Innovator of the Month by the Board of Education.

“I try to be innovative in all I do,” said Cooper, known not only for his entertaining art classes but also his weekly cartoons, featuring the school district’s Word of the Week, which adorn the bulletin board outside the new cafetorium at Perry Hill School.

“[School Superintendent] Dr. [Chris] Clouet has taken a liking to them,” said Cooper about the cartoon. “The Word of the Week is fun to address.”

Cooper said his cartoons encompass all that he holds dear in education — encouraging his students to be inquisitive and challenged to take risks every day as they create incredible works of art.

“Even if students cannot exactly execute the drawing end, students still see the power the cartoon can convey in just a few words and a simple picture,” said “Cooper. “Observe. What do you see? What is the story? What can you understand? Those are exactly what I ask my students as we embark on a new project.”

Cooper, the father of twin 18-month olds, said a major part of his strategy with art instruction — and his with life in general — is storytelling.

One lesson has Cooper asking his students to imagine walking down a city block when they catch an aroma coming from a nearby confectionery shop. He asks them to walk in, observe the various desserts, then take out their imaginary handheld device and take a picture. Then students must draw a picture from that memory, with a touch of imagination.

Perry Hill Principal Lorraine Williams said Cooper, who joined the upper elementary school four years ago, fit in immediately, and it is “truly a pleasure to go in his room.

“He brings out the best of our students,” added Williams.

“Art by definition elicits a reaction, promotes conversation, observation, understanding and empathy,” said Cooper.

Cooper said that art was developed as a means to communicate, noting that paintings on cave walls done tens of thousands of years ago were the first means of communication, predating reading, writing and even the spoken word.

“[Art is] embedded in our species, and you see that the students at Perry Hill embody this trait through the illustration and painting units and our ceramics,” said Cooper. “Art is how many of us learn and understand the world around us. My art work has allowed me to tell stories, entertain, educate and inspire. At first as a child, and now as an adult. It is why an education in the visual arts is so important in the year 2019.”

Cooper, who also credits fellow art teacher Jessica Giordano for his teaching success, said his theory, practice and, most importantly, his experience illustrates the best way to teach a child is to encourage them to be inquisitive and to take risks.

“Art class is a place where that can happen at every turn,” said Cooper. “We as educators should be encouraged and challenged to do the same. If my sixth grade teacher had not thought outside the box, I would not be here doing this, and I like to think I do the same thing for my students.

“My love for making art has shaped me,” added Cooper. “The thought never escapes me about how lucky I am to share my love, passion and joy with my students.”

brian.gioiele@”hearstmediact.com

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Any churches who wish to have its listing appear in this weekly column, send information to brian.gioiele@hearstmediact.com.

Methodist

First United Methodist Church of Shelton, 188 Rocky Rest Road, Shelton. Sunday Worship with Holy Communion at 10 a.m., followed by fellowship; Sunday School, 10:15 a.m. Child care is also available. Adult education, 11:30 am

• Regenerate: A Christian Conversation — Informal service of worship, prayer, conversation and meditationThursdays at 7 p.m. Call the church office to confirm that Regenerate will be taking place on that evening.

• Upper Room — Small group Bible study on Thursdays at 10 a.m.

• First United Methodist Church of Shelton is holding its 17th annual Lenten fish fry dinners. Each Friday in Lent, through April 12, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., the church will offer some home cooking, including baked or fried fish, choice of potato, pasta, homemade coleslaw, dessert, and beverages. Prices are $16 for adults, $14 for seniors (60 and older) and $6 for children 12 and younger. No reservations needed. Dine in or take out. The hall is handicapped accessible, including the new handicapped bathroom. For more information, call 203-929-3537 or visit www.umcshelton.org. Proceeds will support the church’s ministries and missions.

Weather cancellations posted on WTNH and WFSB, our Facebook page and the answering machine. For more information, call (203) 929-3537 or email office@umcshelton.org.

Huntington United Methodist Church, 338 Walnut Tree Hill Road, Shelton.

Sunday worship services at 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sunday School meets during the 10 a.m. service.

For more information, call 203-929-5545 or visit huntingtonumc.org or the church’s Facebook page.

Jewish

Chabad of Shelton-Monroe, the first and only Jewish center in town. Women’s circle events — Monthly; Weekly Torah class on Saturday morning at our home with refreshments 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. No RSVP required. For more information, visit us at www.JewishShelton.com

Come join a communal Purim celebration at the Shelton Community Center on March 21 at 5:30 p.m. The event will feature live entertainment, face painting, hamentashen bar, animated Megillah reading, and hot buffet. RSVP at www.JewishShelton.com/purim

For more information on holiday programs and other events, call 203-364-4149 or email Rabbi@jewishshelton.com

Lutheran

Trinity Lutheran Church, 183 Howe Ave. Shelton. Regular Sunday worship, 10 a.m., with Sunday school during the sermon.

For more information, call 203-924-4128 or email trinityshelton@live.com. Visit TLCShelton.org or the Facebook page — Trinity Lutheran Church, Shelton, CT.

Congregational

Huntington Congregational Church, 19 Church St. (facing the Huntington Green), Shelton. Regular worship service Sundays at 9:30 a.m.

For more information, call (203) 929-1223 or visit huntingtonucc.org

Episcopal

Church of the Good Shepherd, 182 Coram Ave, Shelton. Sunday service is at 10 a.m.

For more information, call 203-924-8050 or visit goodshepherdct.wixsite.com/church

Baptist

First Baptist Church of Shelton, 178 Leavenworth Road, Shelton. Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m., followed by refreshments; Adult Bible Discovery at 9:15 a.m.

Women’s Bible Discovery — Thursdays at 10 a.m.

Senior Luncheon — Third Thursdays at 11:30 a.m.

Weather cancellations are posted on WFSB Channel 3, also online at wfsb.com/weather/closings/. For more information, call 203 929-7704; email office@fbcshelton.com; or see fbcshelton.org.

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The Stratford Cat Project (SCP) will be hosting a cat and kitten adoption on Saturday, March 16, at Baldwin’s Corner Adoption Center located at H-3 Pet Supply, 475 Hawley Lane, Stratford, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

SCP needs donations of Friskies canned cat food (turkey pate), scoopable litter, wee wee pads, Purina One Dry Food and gift cards to H3 Pet or Walmart.

For more information, email scp4cats@yahoo.com.

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Congregation B’nai Torah, 5700 Main St., Trumbull, will hold their weekly Monday night Bingo, playing until the jackpot of $1,000 is won Monday, March 18.

Doors open at 6 p.m., Bingo begins at 7 p.m.,

Admission is $2, Bingo sheets for the evening are $2, $4, or $8, Bonanza, Quickie and several Specials; $1 each, free coffee/tea all evening, snacks for purchase, daubers for purchase.

B’nai Torah has continuously held Bingo for more than 40 years.

For more information, call 203-268-6940.

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Shelton’s Planning & Zoning Commission might have been within its rights to reject an application from a “speakeasy” to open off Old Bridgeport Avenue.

But a judge said the commission still acted shabbily at a 2017 hearing when it denied a request for a continuance from the business’ owner to address concerns about the application.

“I’ve never seen that. Never,” Superior Court Judge Trial Referee Arthur Hiller said. “That was a little disappointing as I looked at it.”

Hiller’s remarks came at the end of an hourlong March 7 hearing in an appeal of the PZC’s rejection of a proposal from Hush, which planned to open on the first floor of 303 Old Bridgeport Ave., under the former location of Hunan Pan restaurant.

No decision has been made, and at the end of the hearing, Hiller asked lawyers representing both sides to file more briefs in the case.

The planned business has been the subject of online speculation since becoming public in October 2017. An initial description including references to “burlesque” performances riled residents who worried that Hush would be a gentlemen’s club by another name.

City officials initially signed off on the business — which allowed it to obtain a liquor license — before the public outcry.

In December 2017, the commission unanimously rejected an application to open the business from its owner, Randi-Lee England, who has been paying $2,500 a month rent for the space.

The application said the bar would operate as a speakeasy — a trend in the bar business hearkening back to the days of Prohibition in the Roaring ’20s — complete with waitresses dressed as “flapper girls.”

The judge spent most of the March 7 hearing quizzing the lawyers about the case — and wondering why the two sides haven’t compromised already. He suggested they talk more in the next few weeks.

The commission’s lawyer, Francis Teodosio, repeatedly noted the “secretiveness” of the speakeasy proposal.

“The argument is about the use,” Teodosio said, saying the proposal was a “themed theatrical presentation” masquerading as a café.

England’s lawyer, Jonathan Klein, said the PZC was getting hung up on the theme of the business, instead of the fact that the proposal is an allowable use in the property’s zoning.

“The theme is not the use,” Klein said.

Planning & Zoning Commission Chairwoman Virginia Harger attended the hearing but declined to comment afterward.

Klein said his client was open to settlement talks. The PZC had rejected a settlement proposal in the case last July.

“We’re certainly willing to explore that,” he said.

ethan.fry@hearstmediact.com

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A judge sentenced a Torrington man to more than five years in prison Friday for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in Shelton he had enticed over the internet while pretending to be a teenager.

Christopher Galvin, 45, had pleaded guilty in January to second-degree sexual assault, risk of injury to a minor, and enticing a minor by computer.

Shelton police began investigating the case in March 2017, when the victim complained that Galvin had sexually assaulted her after she had fallen asleep in his car.

By that point she was 17 — though the relationship between Galvin and the victim in the case began over the internet years before.

At first, the girl thought she was talking to a boy who who was in his late teens. But instead it was Galvin, who was pushing 40.

The victim told police Galvin eventually pressured her into having sex with him in the back of his Subaru when she was 13, and that “she felt terrible afterwards.”

Eventually, Shelton police obtained search warrants for his emails with the victim, which revealed mentions of sexual encounters the two had and also included messages where Galvin pressured the girl to send dirty pictures of herself.

In court Friday, Assistant State’s Attorney Amy Bepko read a letter from the victim, who is now in college, and said that she can’t go to a party without getting paranoid or worrying about one of her friends being raped.

“By the grace of God, none of my injuries were physical,” she said, while noting that “the actions of Mr. Galvin caused me extreme emotional distress.”

Despite help through therapy, the victim said, she still feels the effects.

“I lost my spirit to defend myself against anyone,” she said. “Instead, I just break down and cry, wishing that I was someone else or somewhere else. I’m terrified of confrontation. I hurt my relationships because I can’t communicate.

“I just want him to go away for as long as possible, and want him to be a registered sex offender for as long as possible,” the victim said. “Anything to make sure that he won’t and can’t continue being a child predator will be amazing to me, because I want no one else to suffer at the hands of a monster.”

Galvin’s lawyer, George Boath, said his Galvin’s criminal behavior began after his father died by suicide in 2013 and his marriage fell apart. He said Galvin has since accepted responsibility.

“He blames no one else but himself,” Boath said.

After his mother asked the judge for lenience, Galvin apologized to the victim when given the opportunity to speak.

“I recognize this was wholly my fault and I accept full responsibility for my actions,” he said. “I want to wish her the best and (to) have a wonderful life.”

Judge Peter Brown said he hopes Galvin can “find a way to deal with the issues that led to these offenses” — before noting the consequences continue to affect the victim.

“The actions of Mr. Galvin are not excusable,” the judge said. “I understand the circumstances. I understand the fact that he apologizes now for what happened and is willing to take full responsibility for it. Nonetheless, the victim in this matter has suffered psychologically. She’s made that quite clear. Certain things you can never take back.”

The judge then sentenced Galvin to 20 years in prison to be suspended after he serves five and a half years, followed by 10 years of probation.

While on probation, Galvin will have to be a registered sex offender and have no contact with minors without prior approval.

The judge also issued a protective order barring Galvin from contacting the victim for the next 50 years.

ethan.fry@hearstmediact.com

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The following trips are sponsored by St. Theresa Senior Club. Bus leaves from St. Theresa Church, 5301 Main St., in Trumbull. For reservations, call Kathy at 203-268-8256.

Wednesday, April 3 — Westchester Broadway Theatre, Newsies.

Tuesday-Thursday, June 25-27 — The Fabulous Finger Lakes, Canandaigua, N.Y. Deluxe motorcoach, two nights at Ramada Plaza Hotel, five meals, sightseeing includes cruise on Erie Canal, Corning Museum of Glass and more sightseeing trips. Price $561 double, and $691 single. Deposit $200 by April 2, and balance by May 7. Insurance available. Trip flier upon request.

Tuesday July 9 — The Delaney House, Holyoke, MA. All-you-can-eat lobster. Includes: Buffet menu of lobster, variety of salads, haddock, chicken, pork, dessert and beverage. Entertainment: John Timpanelli, singer and comedian. Price $105, deposit $25 upon reservation and balance due June 7.

Monday, Aug. 12 — Aqua Turf Club, Plantsville, CT. Tribute show, Together Again recreates the magic of Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers as these two seasoned professionals deliver the songs of Kenny and Dolly’s Real Love Tour. Includes: Coffee and donuts on arrival and a lunch served family-style. Price $99, deposit $25 upon reservation and balance due July 11.

The post Upcoming trips appeared first on Shelton Herald.

A fire at a Florence Drive residence Sunday afternoon left the home “uninhabitable,” and sent an occupant to the hospital, according to assistant fire chief Nick Verdicchio.

Verdicchio said firefighters from Huntington Co. #3, White Hills Co. #5 and the Echo Hose Co. #1 responded to the residence around 3:30 p.m. on report of a structure fire. The first units on scene reported heavy smoke coming from the windows, and neighbors claimed that there were two people inside.

Firefighters entered the home, which Verdicchio said had “hoarding conditions. It was not easy to move around because there was so much debris.”

One person was removed from the fire and was taken to Bridgeport Hospital. The fire was knocked down in 40 to 45 minutes. Verdicchio said one firefighter sprained an ankle at the scene and was treated for his injuries. In all, Fire Marshal John Tortora said that three firefighters sustained minor injuries while battling the blaze.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Shelton Fire Marshal’s Office, State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Shelton police. The Monroe Fire Department responded with a tanker and the Nichols Fire Department covered Shelton during the incident. Three engine, two rescue trucks and a ladder truck responded.

Around the time of the Florence Drive blaze, White Hills Co. #5 and the Pine Rock Co. #4 responded to 7 Queen St. for a brush fire, which was brought under control.

The post Florence Drive home ‘uninhabitable’ after fire appeared first on Shelton Herald.

School redistricting will be the focus of two special meetings on Tuesday, March. 19.

The Board of Education will hold a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Shelton Intermediate School auditorium to discuss the redistricting plan overview. This meeting will include the presentation of a proposed redistricting plan for school principals and board members.

After that meeting, another meeting, scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., will include a public comment session following the presentation of the redistricting plan.

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The Stratford Cat Project will hold a spring tag sale on April 27, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 1473 Nichols Ave., Stratford. Rain date is May 11.

All proceeds will benefit The Stratford Cat Project.

For more information, email scp4cats@yahoo.com.

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A 21-year-old man is facing drug and motor vehicle charged after a State Police trooper clocked him driving at 106 miles per hour on Route 8 in Shelton Wednesday, March 13, police said.

Matthew Santiago was driving without a license and had more than three ounces of marijuana in the car, state police said.

Trooper Ryan Burke and his K-9 partner Cezar were looking for speeders on Route 8 late Wednesday night when Santiago went roaring by, state police said.

The trooper clocked Santiago at 106 miles per hour, state police said.

When Burke pulled Santiago over, he could smell marijuana in the vehicle, but couldn’t see anything in plain sight, state police said. Cezar, however, was able to sniff out where Santiago had 3.84 ounces of marijuana in the vehicle, police said.

Santiago was charged with reckless driving over 85 miles per hour, operating without a license, possession of more than one-half ounce of marijuana, possession with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was released on $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Derby Superior Court March 25.

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Leo and Scorpio are 5-year-old neutered cats. Unfortunately their family members became allergic and had to surrender them. They would prefer a home with no dogs.

Visit Leo, Scorpio and other pets available at the Trumbull Animal Shelter, 324 Church Hill Road or call 203-452-5088 for more information.

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The Booth Hill School fourth grade team achieved highest honors in the recent WordMasters Challenge — a national vocabulary competition involving nearly 150,000 students annually.

The fourth grade team scored an impressive 185 points out of a possible 200 in the second of three meets this year, placing third in the nation. In the first meet, Booth Hill School’s fourth grade team earned 182 of a possible 200 points and placed eighth in the nation.

Competing in the difficult Blue Division of the WordMasters Challenge, students from Booth Hill School who achieved outstanding results in the meet include fourth graders Robert Calandro, Samuel DeMartino, Autumn Desautels, William Gee, and Anna Ghaemialehashemi. In round one, Elaina Brilvitch, Samuel DeMartino, Finn Kilmartin, and Cara Vasser earned outstanding results. Hope Cotter, Martha Gaynor, Karen Keyes, Nicholas Messina, and Nancy Burns coached these students in preparation for the Challenge.

The WordMasters Challenge is an exercise in critical thinking that first encourages students to become familiar with a set of interesting new words (considerably harder than grade level), and then challenges them to use those words to complete analogies expressing various kinds of logical relationships. Working to solve the analogies helps students learn to think both analytically and metaphorically, a press release said.

Although most vocabulary enrichment and analogy-solving programs are designed for use by high school students, WordMasters Challenge materials have been specifically created for younger students in grades three through eight. They are particularly well suited for children who are motivated by the challenge of learning new words and enjoy the logical puzzles posed by analogies, the press release said.

The Challenge program is administered by a company based in Indianapolis, Ind. Further information is available at www.wordmasterschallenge.com.

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Shelton High School recently announced the high honor and honor rolls for the second marking period.

High Honor Roll

Ninth Grade

Jackelyne Abranches, Kayla Bretan, Megan Breunig, Logan Brown, Megan Bucherati, Olivia Bunn, Maura Carr, Mia Chen, Joseph Ciambriello, Joseph Ciccone, Jase Aden Co, Daniel Connolly, Ria Dalvi, Alexandra D’Amico, Emma D’Amico, Alexandra de Andrade, Abigail De Los Santos, Marissa Dias, John Esteves, Mia Ferreira, Nathan Foss, Melinda Frost, Joseph Giovannini, Valentina Gjeloshi, Jai Goel, Arvin Islam, Ashley Jacob, Jaclyn Jenco, Elizabeth Kennedy, Amanda Kiman, Rachel Kiman, Aleksandra Kozak, Joshua Mallette, Karolina Martins, Rachel Morrow, Sanya Oak, Sasha Oak, Diya Patel, Olivia Pereira, Deepak Prakash, Brendan Reilly, John Sabovik, Jacob Sciamanna, Annelyse Sherman, Isabela Silva, Isabella Silvis, Sami Sobh, Danielle Turcotte, Nathan Vargas, Bianca Youd and Michael Yurman.

10th Grade

Brandon Acervida, James Baklik, Juan Miguel Barranco, Narmer Bazile, Bianca Belade, Emma Buglione, Patrick Burden, Alexandra Capalbo, Thalia Charkalis, Maya Gzyms, Florian Hurlbert, Anna Hynes, Jessica Jayakar, Josiah Kellogg, Adeline Kim, Andrew Lam, Jillian LaPrise, Carolyn Maher, Caroline McCormick, Jeremie Moretti, Sada Mussa, Suhaas Nadella, Danny Nguyen, Keira O’Connor, Alexandra Pereira, Elizabeth Porto, Gage Posick, Robert Quevedo, Samantha Rago, Aliye Reinhardt, Paula Ribeiro, Melaina Roberto, Emily Sandin, Majd Saymeh, Kyle St. Pierre, Anthony Steele, Walker Toth, Faith Tremblay, Benjamin Van Tine, Leah Verrilli, Timothy Weinmayr, Devan Wildman, Zachary Wirth, Ryan Woods and Zoe Yoon.

11th Grade

Reem Abdel-Hack, Joseph Agreda, Antonio Baerga, Tej Bidja, Elise Blakeslee, Shannon Brickett, Michael Brown, Rachel Brown, Mia Camerino, Aaron Chandir, Tori Charbonneau, Robert Ciccone, Matthew Cristiano, Brian Dahdal, Joseph Davis, Katelyn Davis, Haley Foothorap, Karina Friend, Ava Genova, Benjamin Gilmore, Julia Glenn, Destiny Haray, Gabriel Herrera, Kyla Holman, Eun Sok Hong, Siddharth Jain, Anoushka Jayasuriya, Dustin Keller, Taaseen Khan, Nicole Kopec, Joseph LaRue, Vanessa Lewis, JinXia Lin, Jesse Lisi, Emanuel Louime, Maeve Marks, Magdalena Martins, Jada McCloggan, Jenna Melanson, Brian Modica, Joseph Morgan, Kevin Mulreed, Ryan Nettle, David Niski, Jake Oddo, Haley Oko, Kevin Platt, Deepthi Prakash, Kelsey Radzion, William Riordan, Phoebe Rodia, Arooj Saadat, Sean Sampaio, Sidney Shanahan, Philip Sissick, Leya Vohra, Tori Weed, Cora Welsh, Iris White, Nathan Wieler, Riley Woodyard, Jessica Wurms, Ananya Yadav, Victor Manuel Zelaya Barrio, Emily Zerella and Alyssa Ziniak.

12th Grade

Haley Adcox, Christina Alberici, Amanda Bean, Gregory Beaudoin, Kade Bendici, Alyssa Bretan, Emily Broad, Colin Brown, Molly Callahan, Margherita Carlucci, Laurie Cavallaro, Cristina Chirsky, Christopher Conrad, Damaris Cristofano, Olivia Delgado, Adrianna D’Eramo, Jonathan Dias, Gio Fernandez, David Ferrara, Luke Ferrigno, Christopher Frost, Anthony Gambardella, Sarah Gloria, Nicholas Henckel, Dylan Johnson, Mackenzie Joyce, Jason Juncker, Erin Keary, Michael Kichar, Colman Kim, Natalie Klimaszewski, Zachary Kozlowski, Beyonce Lopez, Mariah Mandulak, Emily Marcinauskis, Julia Meyer, Cassidy Morrow, Samantha Norris, Luke Notaro-Roberts, Sarah Oxner, Emma Parkes, Daniel Persico, Dean Phung, Kasidy Quiles, Sean Rago, Kristina Rizzardi, Zoe Rogers, Esabel Rosa, Giulia Salvio, Claire Santa, Stephanie Schofield, Joshua Sibley-Prusak, Jacquelyn Simington, Kaylin Sorensen, Gianna Stanske, Justine Tadduni, Kathy Tran, Jillian Uanino, Noah Vargoshe, Anna Weissenberg, Nicole Whalley and Sydney Youd.

Honor Roll

Ninth Grade

Brandon Albaladejo, Steven Andrejczyk, Jeremy Aprea, Lily Bacca, Kayla Bailey, Christopher Bartlett, Isha Bidja,, Ryan Blakeslee, Jennifer Borucki, Sarah Broad, Dylan Brown, Taiya Busch, Emily Cacchillo, Emily Carlin, Carly Cipriano, Kalie Cipriano, Caileigh Cisero, Kaitlyn Corby, Jason Cordone, Natalya Correia, Aidan Cukale, Madelyn Cyr, Shayaan Dabiran, Jubei D’Amato, Connor Dapp, Dominick Davis, Rhianna de Andrade, Vincent DeFeo, Alisa D’Eramo, Alyssa Dymerski, Wendell Eiderique, Destiny Ferreira, Adriana Franzes, Sofia Gasbarro, Greta Gelumbickas, Aiden Gius, Edward Granados, Amanda Gregg, Hayley James, Alyssa Jardim, Samuel Klein, Mia Kmetz, Ariana Kola, Nicholas Kozey, Kaushal Kulkarni, Anna Leone, Tyler Lupkas, Ian Maggi, Mizna Malik, Elsa Marino, Siena Mattiolo, Avalina Maurati, Grace McPadden, Ligia Miketta, Michael Morrison, Matthew Moura-Sanchez, Marcel Mweze, Tina Ni, Ihunna Onyekachiuzoamaka, Ellie O’Rourke, Greta Parkes, Isiah Perez, Chase Reed, Caroline Richmond, William Rodrigues, Porshae Rose, Olivia Salluhi, Xiomara Santos-Colon, Joseph Savino, Marisa Savino, Joseph Schiappa, William Scott, Veronica Shuby, Mason Stutheit, Avary Tornow, Emily Vasser, Isabella Vasser, Lia Ventresca, Jacob Villalobos, Daniel Wakeman, Carmella Willets, Grace Wong, Maggie Zhang, Charlotte Zilinek and Graham Ziperstein.

10th Grade

Amy Agreda, Gabriella Almeida, Ryan Bailey, Korey Barber, Kelsey Beas, Archit Bhargava, Sierra Boccuzzi, Allison Bonfiglio, Stephen Bracero, Reilly Brennan, Hailey Cardenales, Jules Cayer, Caidyn Collins, Alejandro Corona, Olivia D’Addio, Shivani Darapureddy, Keyanah DePina, Rachel Dillon, Sean Drury, Max Dymerski, Andrew Esteves, Claire Foley, Leah Francois, Jack Gangi, Noelle Garretson, Mya Gbriel, Jeffrey Gould, Kaylee Gura, Carly Hajducky, Amber Haray, Kyle Heiden, Andalysha Herbert, Emma Jacob, Alexis Jagodnik, Neha Jayanna, Connor Jensen, Spencer Keith, Carlin Kestenbaum, Ashley Kichar, Brian Kiehl, Kaitlin Killian, Michael Kiwak, Evan Kryger, Ryan Kudej, Hailey Lane, Carla Leonzi, Andrew Libby, Maximilian LoMonte, Jaclyn Lupia, Caitlin MacDonald, Nico Marini, Megan McCarthy, Caitlin McNeil, Matthew Mojica, Michael Mourtadh, Alexander Nip, Trista Oddo, Erika Olson, Madison Ortiz, Sarah Panek, Erieana Pappano, Alexandra Pena, Clarissa Pierre, Lawrence Pirone, Gavin Powe, Maliya Reid, Alexa Reis, Carson Rhodes, Catherine Santa, Maria Clara Santos Veloso, Victoria Schildknecht, Elena Schrynemakers, Jake Sciongay, Virginia Sebas, Jared Sedlock, Hannah Silva, Mason Stanko, Ethan Stutheit, Lindsay Taylor, Julia Tomcho, Joshua Vega, Joseph Viglione, Brooke Weiss and Jaylee Zwaan.

11th Grade

Nicole Abbati, James Anderson, Shaeleigh Andrews, Tyler Atkinson, Mark Ayora, Periklis Basimakopoulos, Christopher Belden, Jenna Bennett, Jacob Bialek, Rachel Bishop, Trevor Boczer, Trevor Botti, Mackenzie Boyce, Jordan Brannen, Christopher Bravo, William Bronson, Christie Brumaire, Sydney Byron, Elizabeth Casinelli, Christopher Cavagnuolo, Kate Clomiro, Alexander Coleman, Bliss Compper, Owen Corbett, Michael Craft, Alyssa Cyr, Jacob Daxner, Santino DeFilippo, Kayla DeLeon, Sophie Dewitt, Erick Espinosa, Kaitlyn Esposito, Mary Falsetti, Hanna Farag, Chase Fida, Kyle Figol, Jessica Foss, Brandon Fulton, Haley Gabriel, Nathaniel Gencarelli, Mark Gergely, Ahsanullah Ghafoor, Michael Giovannini, Anthony Gonzalez, Taylor Green, Kyla Hackett, Spencer Hatfield, Maxwell Henning, Julie Hoff, Melissa Hunyadi, Lindsey Iadarola, Trinase Johnson, Ashley Kearns, Mehreen Khan, Thomas Killian, TeaWon Kim, Bridgette Kline, Aislynn Kostandini, Kade Krasowski, Kaivon Leon, Jeff Lim, Michael Lockavitch, Courtney Lutheran, Madison Mackniak, Pauline Dianne Makinano, Robert Marcinauskis, Gianna Maurati, Matthew McGee, Kevin Moavero, Nathan Moniz, Holly Mosher, Anni Motsikulashvili, Kindja Mweze, Jack Neary, Alexandra O’Donnell, Andrew Ogden, Alec Oko, Nicholas Pagluiso, Martina Pastore, Audrey Patrick, Julia Peebles, Tyler Pjatak, Ian Pleasant, Zachary Prindle, Elizabeth Richmond, Cristina Rivera, Michael Rodia, Megan Rodko, Juliana Rolfe, Elizabeth Sahagun, Michael Ray Sawan, Ian Sevillano, Margaret Smalick, Kelly Stanley, Kylie Swatt, Katherine Tapia, Emma Testani, Jacqueline Turiano, Victoria Villalobos, Natalia Wilson, Kyle Young and Garrett Ziperstein.

12th Grade

Kayla Argraves, Ahmad Bari, Megan Bisson, Grace Boles, Megan Boretsky, Abigail Brand, Casey Brennan, Carolessa Brown, Tavanie Brown, Nicholas Bruno, Rajan Caccam, Brianna Capela, Brianna Carattini, John Carr, Sreynin Chhoeun, Michael Ciambriello, Julia Condo, Andrew Connolly, Amanda Corona, Maria Curran, Yasmeen Dabiran, Taylor Darcangelo, Ana Clara De Oliveira, Lisa DeJesus, Megan DeNigris, Kevin DeRosa, Mairy Dib, Robert Dillon, Thomas Fair, Jacob Falanga, Deanna Fava, Reyna Ferrarese, Sydney French, Heather Garrett, Noah Grabowski, Tianna Greco, Arlind Hima, Grace Horwedel, Maggie Howard, Julia Jacob, Stephanie Johnson, Nicole Keith, Karina Keller, Alexandra Kenealy, Eunice Kim, Louise Kim, Skyler Kim, Maximilien Klein, Samuel Kocurek, Martin Kovachev, Alexander Kozlowski, Cole Krajcsik, Adam Krzywosz, Michael Kucky, Victoria Lawrence, Alexandra Lee, Chuanlong Liu, Amanda LoMonte, Eric Lopes, Codi Lynders, Delainey Maybeck, Camryn Mazerolle, Zachary McEwen, Colin Mengold, Arianna Merigliano, Sophie Molitoris, Madisyn Monteiro, Sarah Morandi, Robert Morgan, Neo Neal Natividad, Dmitri Nichio, Shawn Nitsche, Clayton O’Brien, Nichole Oliver, Julia O’Neill, Dhir Patel, Nicholas Pavone, Magdalene Peluso, Brianna Pereira, Nicolina Perelli, Andres Perez, Jessica Perley, Jaclyn Perna, Kaylee Persson, Benjamin Peters, Vinu Pillai, Emilie Potje, MingHui Qiu, Emily Renkowsky, Cristina Rodriguez, Briana Rowe, Kayla Russo, Haroon Saadat, Taylor Sampieri, Daniel Saranich, Brenna Sastram, Nardin Sayoufi, Amanda Schafenberg, Bailey Schif, Neha Seenarine, Gianna Sia, Colin St. Pierre, Matthew Sullivan, Alexis Thompson, Alexander Tiberio, Joseph Tiberio, Matthew Tokarski, Isaiah Torres, Maranyeliz Torres, Hayley Tranner, Sarah Ullyett, Emma Wadeka, Tyler Weiss and Marian Zapata Trinidad.

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A woman who was found in the bathroom by firefighters on the scene of a fire in her Florence Drive home on Sunday has died.

Police said Barbara Curley, 67, was transported to Bridgeport Hospital after she was taken from the house and died from her injuries on Monday. At approximately 3:30 p.m. Sunday, firefighters and police responded to a structure fire on Florence Drive. Information was received that there was a single occupant inside the residence, police said, and they searched the house for Curley.

The fire department, police department, Fire Marshal’s Office with the assistance of the State Police Fire and Explosion investigation unit are investigating. Police said the cause of the fire remains under investigation but no criminal action is suspected.

Assistant Fire Chief Nick Verdicchio said firefighters from Huntington Co. #3, White Hills Co. #5 and the Echo Hose Co. #1 responded to the residence around 3:30 p.m. on the report of a structure fire. The first units on scene reported heavy smoke coming from the windows, and neighbors claimed that there were two people inside.

Firefighters entered the home, which Verdicchio said had “hoarding conditions. It was not easy to move around because there was so much debris.”

“Shelton firefighters did a tremendous job, under adverse circumstances, gaining entry into the residence and extracting the occupant,” said Fire Chief Francis T. Jones III.

Jones said Curley was found inside the home unconscious, removed from the fire and was taken to Bridgeport Hospital, where she was in critical condition. The fire was knocked down in 40 to 45 minutes. Jones said three firefighters received minor injuries, with two — one with a sprained ankle, another with burn injuries — taken to Bridgeport Hospital, where they were treated and released. The third was treated for burn injuries at the scene, said Jones.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Shelton Fire Marshal’s Office, State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Shelton police, but no criminal action is suspected. The Monroe Fire Department responded with a tanker and the Nichols Fire Department covered Shelton during the incident. Three engine, two rescue trucks and a ladder truck responded.

“This was a tremendous job by the Shelton Fire Department and all of our mutual aid partners,” said Jones, crediting Echo Hose Ambulance Corps and the Shelton emergency dispatchers, who he said did an “incredible job constantly updating fire personnel while they were en route to the scene.”

It was a busy Sunday for local firefighters, as White Hills Co. #5 and the Pine Rock Co. #4 and two brush trucks responded to a brush fire at 7 Queen Street around the same time as the Florence Drive blaze. Jones said the brush fire was contained to the woodlands and doused in about 25 minutes.

Brian Gioiele contributed to this article.

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