Darien High Schoo 2025
Darien High School DHS 9-13-16

UPDATE: Police: Threat on Instagram Against DHS Traced to Juvenile in Arkansas

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UPDATE, 11:59 a.m.

A juvenile in Arkansas posted the threat that caused Darien High School to be closed Tuesday, and that juvenile is being questioned, Darien Police Chief Jeremiah P. Marron Jr. said in an 11:35 a.m. email. “[A]fter school athletics will run as scheduled,” Interim Schools Superintendent Eric Byrne said in an announcement emailed at 11:42 a.m. Darien police will increase patrolling near schools and at homecoming events in the next few days, Byrne said. “Darien Detectives, collaborating with Meta Platforms Inc., the FBI, and the Connecticut Intelligence Center, were able to trace the account to the juvenile and we are now working with Arkansas Law Enforcement,” Marron wrote. “Currently there is no known credible threat to any school in Darien. As this investigation continues, we will provide an update if necessary.”

Talking Transportation 2025
Motor scooter two kids Denmark

Parents: New E-Bike Safety Laws Coming Oct 1 in CT (But Will They Be Enforced?)

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As if our roads weren’t dangerous enough already, there’s a new generation of “micro-mobility” silently swishing around our streets for us to worry about:  electric scooters and skateboards. The scooters (at a cost of about $1,400) can go 30 mph. The skateboards (about $700) top out at 32 mph. But following simple instructions on the web, the speed governor can be disabled allowing even faster speeds — up to 60 mph. That modification is illegal in Connecticut.

Darien Election 2025
ballot GOP Caucus 2015

Think You’d Do a Better Job than a Current Darien Officeholder? Here’s How You Can Run for a Town Office

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It is not too late to run for office this November. Any elector of Darien is still eligible to run as a write-in candidate for any town office on the ballot. To be elected this way, electors must submit the necessary paperwork and have voters actually write their name onto the ballot on Election Day. Interested electors must file the required paperwork with the Secretary of the State, or with the Town Clerk (this only applies to RTM candidates), to confirm their interest (this ensures that incorrect write-ins, like “Mickey Mouse,” are not elected). Paperwork must be filed by 4 p.m., Monday, Oct.

Darien Public Schools 2025-2026
2025 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists

Superintendent’s Newsletter: A Very Active First Full Week of the School Year

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Interim Superintendent Eric Byrne’s weekly newsletter, emailed at 2 p.m., Friday, described this week’s DHS open house, and noted next week’s Middlesex open house, what’s happening in the search for a superintendent, the Hindley Bash scheduled for Friday night and what sports teams are playing this weekend and next. It also mentioned Darienite.com’s article on the eight Darien High National Merit semifinalists and linked to the article. (Darienite.com didn’t add any of that to the text — those were Dr. Byrne’s words and link — and we appreciate it!). Here’s the full text:
Dear Darien Community,
And just like that we have completed our first five day week of school. As I have traveled across the District this week, I have seen students deeply engaged in their learning at all levels.

9/11 2025
Nanci Natale 9/11 Ceremony

Two Short Speeches at Darien’s 9/11 Memorial Observance

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Two speeches were delivered at Darien’s 9/11 memorial observance Thursday morning: Monuments and Ceremonies Commission member Nanci Natale and First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky each spoke. Here are the full texts of each speech, as prepared:
Zagrodzky’s Speech
In July this summer, I spent the better part of a day at the 9/11 Memorial and
Museum in New York City. I’d like to take a few minutes and tell you about
that visit. The first thing that struck me upon arriving was how much it resembled just
a city park. Benches and landscaping.

Public Safety
Police

Police: 64-Year-Old Home Health Aide Caught on Video Stealing Necklace from Darien Client

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A 64-year-old Darien woman working as a home health aide stole a necklace from the home of a client of hers in Darien, police said. Darien police gave this further account, including accusations not proven in court:

Surveillance video in the home showed that the woman, a health aide with Connecticut Best Home Care had taken the necklace on Aug. 29, and at some point it was reviewed and was given to police. The incident was reported to police on Sept. 4.

Darien High School 2025-2026

Do You Know Any of These Eight DHS Students Just Named National Merit Semifinalists?

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The National Merit Scholarship Corp. has named eight Darien High School seniors as semifinalists for National Merit Scholarships, the organization has announced. — an announcement from the National Merit Scholarship Corp. Officials of National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) on Wednesday announced the names of more than 16,000 semifinalists in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Among them, these eight came from Darien High School:

Chenhui Gagliardi, Milana Melnick, Luke Mihopoulos, Akhil Polaki, Maya Pujara, Bo-Wen Qin, Neev Sahgal and Luka Zhou.

Education

Police: Expect Heavy Traffic Around Darien High, Starting at 6:30 PM Thursday, Sept 11, When the School Has an Open House

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Due to the traditionally large turnout for the Darien High School Open House, the Darien Police Department advises that the following traffic regulations are being put into effect for the area surrounding Darien High School on Thursday Sept. 11, starting at 6:30pm:
— an announcement from Darien police
• All vehicles will be properly parked so as to facilitate and expedite the safe flow of vehicles at the conclusion of the event. • Vehicles will be parked on both sides of Nutmeg Lane and High School Lane, as needed, facing away from Darien High School. • Motorists are asked to pay particular attention to posted “No Parking” areas. Previous experiences have resulted in illegally parked vehicles blocking driveways or restricting access to emergency vehicles.

Talking Transportation 2025

Fewer Road Deaths; How Many Work From Home; Faster Trains Still Late — and More Transportation News Briefs

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I’ve always thought of Labor Day as New Year’s Eve. After a summer of vacations the new business year has begun and we’re back to the grind. But while you’ve been enjoying the summer (me, too!) we need to get updated on what’s been happening on our roads, rails and waters. TRAFFIC DEATHS DOWN SLIGHTLY: On a hopeful note, only 143 highway deaths have been tallied in our state as of mid-August — hopeful, compared to 196 deaths by the same time last year. Credit should go to the state and local police agencies for cracking down on reckless drivers and speeders.

Darien Department of Public Works 2025
Sidewalk Closed sign 910-31-16

Sidewalk to Be Replaced on Nearwater Lane in November

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The Darien Department of Public Works will begin replacing the sidewalk on Nearwater Lane between the intersections of Brush Island Road and Nickerson Lane early in November, according to an announcement on the town government website. The project will start on or about Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, the announcement said. Preliminary layout and tree removal will begin before that. The project is expected to take about one month.

Darien Police Department 2025
Darien Police Open House top of poster

100-Year-Old Darien Police Dept Holds Open House Saturday Including K-9 Demo, SWAT Demo, Safety Clinics

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Celebrating its 100th anniversary, Darien Police Department is holding an open house for adults and children, including a K-9 demo, SWAT demo, tours of the department and bicycle safety clinic. There’s also a child safety seat clinic, a look into patrol cars and pizza from Antonio’s Italian Bistro, “and so much more FUN!” according to an announcement from the department. If You’re Going … The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., this Saturday, Sept.

Darien Public Schools 2025-2026
Blue Wave clothing

In His Newsletter, Interim Schools Superintendent Proposes Students and Staff Wear School Colors

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Interim Schools Superintendent Eric Byrne, in his Friday newsletter to parents and staff, proposed that members of the school district community wear their school colors one day a week; discussed an incident where a young boy fell from his bicycle and got help from passers-by; and described what Byrne saw when riding a school bus with kids. The newsletter also mentioned that Byrne visited Post 53, upcoming sports games, open houses at the town’s schools, what’s happening with the search for a new superintendent and the Police Department’s open house this Saturday. Dear Darien Community,
It was another great week as our students, teachers, administrators, staff and families settled into the new school year. As a relative newcomer, I am continually struck by the amazing work and contributions happening across the district and wanted to share a few of those in this week’s update. Just yesterday I visited Post 53 and learned about this incredible resource and place where nearly 100 DHS students learn incredibly valuable skills while serving Darien.

Education
Darien Public Schools

Board of Education Wants Your Ideas on Qualities and Skills to Look for in Picking the Next Superintendent

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The Board of Education is asking parents of Darien students for advice on picking the next superintendent of schools, and it announced two ways parents can use to bring those ideas to the board. The first: Speak at a “community forum” being held from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 15 at the Board of Education Meeting Room at 35 Leroy Ave. The second: Respond to a survey that will be emailed to parents on the week of Sept. 15.

Public Safety
Darien Police Ford Interceptor SUV

Police: Norwalk Man, 25, Charged with Shoplifting and Trespassing at Darien Supermarket

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For the second time this year a Norwalk man was found trespassing at Palmers Market, Darien police said. In the latest incident, Thursday evening, Augustine Duffey, 25, of Finch Court was found with stolen items and charged with first-degree trespassing and sixth-degree larceny (both misdemeanors) according to police. Darien police gave this account of the matter, including accusations not proven in court:

Police went to the supermarket at 246 Heights Road at about 7:24 p.m. Palmer’s employees identified Duffey as the suspect. Police confronted him in the parking lot. Officers found Duffey had stolen items from the store, which were returned.

Cameron on Transportation
Diana Jackson Appalachian Trail end mountain

She Went Through Four Hiking Boots Walking the Appalachian Trail and Lost 40 Pounds

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Rounding out our Summer re-run series, here’s a column from 2023 about a most determined hiker! Five years ago now, Diana Jackson was walking 2,192 miles. The Darien native is one of over 3,300 people each year who try to walk the entire length of the Appalachian Trail (the AT), from Georgia to Maine. But she’s one of the 25% of them that actually completed the task. She learned to hike with her parents in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and at age seven announced her goal of making the entire trek.