Darien Driving Under the Influence 2025
Police Patrol Car SUV Police Car Police

Police: DUI for Man, 44, Found Asleep Behind the Wheel of Vehicle Stopped on the Road at 2:31 AM

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A vehicle that was stopped but still running and with the gear in drive had an intoxicated driver asleep behind the wheel, Darien police said. Police gave this further account, including accusations not proven in court:

Police responded at 2:31 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 24 to a report of the stopped vehicle at 2:31 a.m. at or near the intersection of Hollow Tree Road and Ox Ridge Lane. The man in the driver’s seat, a 44-year-old resident of Carroll Street in the Springdale section of Stamford, showed signs of impairment. He couldn’t adequately complete standardized field sobriety tests, so he was arrested on a charge of driving while intoxicated.

Talking Transportation 2025
Pullman porters in a line

A Railroad Union and Civil Rights

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In the history of American transportation, there is one crucial intersection between the railroads and civil rights: the formation, exactly 100 years ago this week, in August 1925, of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car porters by A. Phillip Randolph. This was the first predominantly African-American labor union in the U.S.
Pullman Cars
It was in 1862 that George Pullman launched the first deluxe railroad sleeping cars bearing his name. They were an instant hit, offering middle and upper-class passengers the comforts of home while on the rails. All of the Pullman car conductors were white but the porters (who tended to the passengers) were black. Many of them were former slaves.

Healthy Living
Teenage driver

When Your Kid Takes a Car to College: Tips for Parents and Students

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With college move-in day around the corner, many students are packing all the clothes, personal items and dorm supplies they need. But what about a car? AAA Northeast is reminding parents that a vehicle safety check should also be top-of-mind if their college student is bringing a car to campus. — an announcement from AAA Northeast
“While college is an exciting time for many students, being away from home, making new friends and studying for exams may also bring stress. Ensuring their cars are in tip-top shape should give students one less thing to worry about,” said Alec Slatky, managing director of public and government affairs for AAA Northeast.

Darien TV
DarienTV logo

Optimum Completes Channel Switching for Local Cable Stations in Southwest Fairfield County

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As of today, Thursday, Optimum cable customers in Darien and nine other southwest Fairfield County communities will need to punch in new channel numbers, far up the dial, in order to find their local government and school district channels. You may want to put the new channels on a sticky note where you sit to watch TV. — an announcement from the Area Nine Cable Council

Darien’s government channel, 79, has moved up the dial to Channel 1310. Channel 78, from Darien Public Schools, is now on Channel 1305. Darien’s government channel has already changed its name from Darien TV79 to DarienTV, with a new logo.

Blight Review Board 2025
Car in a pothole

You Can Report Problems to the Town DPW or Blight Review Board Through This Web Page or App

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Anyone who wants to tell the Darien public works officials about a non-emergency problem — like potholes or damaged trees — can use an app called “SeeClickFix” or go to this web page on the town government website. The town website also can be used to report cases of blight to the town Blight Review Board, according to an announcement in the latest Town of Darien Newsletter. “Residents can submit the issue, communicate directly with the appropriate department, and track the process right through the app or a SeeClickFix account,” the announcement said. “This digital system saves phone calls and emails, and enables the Town to respond to issues quickly and efficiently.” Using the Town Website to Report a Problem
To use SeeClickFix through the town website, click on the How Do I section on the main page of the website and click on “Report a Problem” (one of the options listed under the “Submit” category) then follow these steps:

On the Citizen Service Request Form, scroll down to NEW REQUEST
Type in the address
Scroll down to CONFIRM LOCATION
Select a request category
Add a photo if you have one
Write a description
Select Confirm Details
Choose how you would like information sent: either as yourself, hide your identity, or submit as a guest.

Public Safety
Town Seal Patrol Car

Police: Man, 29, Arrested After Sending Threatening, Harrassing Messages to Former Boss

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A 29-year-old man was arrested on Saturday, Aug. 16 after sending threatening messages sent to a former employer in Darien, police said. This further account from Darien police includes accusations not proven in court:

On Friday, the employer met with police and showed them screenshots and voice messages from Michael Rybl of Strawberry Avenue in Stamford. The screenshots and voicemail escalated from innocuous to threatening. Stamford police helped in locating Rybl, who was arrested without incident.

Darien Police Department 2025
School Crossing Guard hiring 2025

Town Invites Applications for School Crossing Guards, a Police Dept Intern and Part-Time Positions

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Part-time work is available in the Darien Human Services and Health departments or as school crossing guards. Also, the Police Department is looking for an intern. It’s an unpaid position, but interns might be able to get college credit. Two Part-Time Positions in Town Hall
“The Human Services and Health Departments have part-time opportunities available, which can be viewed on the Job Opportunities page on the town website,” said an announcement in the Town of Darien Newsletter on Friday. The newsletter itself gave no further information, but the link above directs readers (in a roundabout way) to this web page, which has a lot of details about the Human Services job, and this web page about a a public health nurse position.

Darien Library

Music Innovations by the Late, Influential Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys: Lecture on Thursday

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Brian Wilson, the creative force behind The Beach Boys, revolutionized 1960s pop music with his innovative compositions, intricate harmonies, and pioneering studio techniques (most notably on the groundbreaking album Pet Sounds). His music is the subject of a lecture by Professor Gil Harel this Thursday evening, Aug. 21, at Darien Library. — an announcement from Darien Library

Wilson’s ability to blend surf rock with sophisticated orchestral arrangements influenced countless artists, from The Beatles to modern indie bands, shaping the evolution of popular music. Despite personal struggles, Wilson’s visionary approach to songwriting and production left an enduring legacy that continues to inspire musicians across genres.

Talking Transportation

Amtrak’s NextGen Acela Trains Arrive on August 28

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Amtrak’s oldest new trains are arriving shortly: The NextGen Acela (finally) starts running between Washington and Boston on Thursday, Aug. 28. Ordered in 2016 for $1.8 billion, the first trains arrived from the Alstom assembly facility in Hornell, New York in 2020. That meant jobs there for 1300 workers and business for 180 suppliers across 29 states. These new trains are 95% “made in the USA”.

Charity Events and Opportunities
Back to School gift cards Darien Human Services

Darien Human Services: Help Struggling Families by Donating These Gift Cards at Town Hall Before Aug 27

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The Darien Human Services Department is accepting donations of gift cards for its Back-to-School Program. This program provides gift cards to purchase school supplies for students whose families have low incomes and are financially struggling. — an announcement from the Human Services Department on the Town of Darien Newsletter

Gift cards from Target and grocery stores are preferred and can be delivered to the Human Services Department in Town Hall, Room 109, Monday through Thursday between 8 a.m. and 5:15 p.m., or mailed to Darien Human Services, 2 Renshaw Rd. Gift card distribution for eligible families runs through Thursday, between 8 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. up until Monday, Aug. 27, 2025.

Education
Measles vaccination shot 2433

Back-to-School Health and Safety Checklist from Darien Health Department

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As students across our community prepare to return to school, the Darien Health Department would like to share these important health and safety reminders to help ensure a smooth and healthy start to the school year:

— an announcement (slightly edited) from Darien Health Department (in the latest Town of Darien newsletter)
Stay Up to Date on Vaccinations
Routine immunizations protect children from serious but preventable diseases. Please check with your child’s healthcare provider to ensure all required vaccines are current before the first day of school. Schedule Health Checkups
Annual physicals, vision, and hearing screenings are all key components of a child’s overall well-being and academic success. Don’t forget dental visits — oral health plays a major role in overall health. Practice Healthy Habits
Good hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when sick, help reduce the spread of illness in schools
Support Mental and Emotional Wellness
Back-to-school transitions can bring anxiety or stress for some students.

Back to School 2025

CT Officials: Tips to Avoid Getting Scammed When Shopping for Back-to-School Items

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Gov. Ned Lamont and Connecticut Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli are warning Connecticut families and students to be on the lookout for potential scams during the back-to-school shopping season, particularly when shopping online. — an announcement from the Governor’s Office

“Consumers should always be mindful anytime they shop and wary of bad actors who are trying to take advantage of them, especially during busy shopping seasons like the back-to-school period,” Governor Lamont said. “Connecticut offers many protections for consumers, and we encourage everyone to know your rights and protect yourselves.”

“August creates a shopping frenzy for back-to-school supplies, from elementary school backpacks to college textbooks and dorm essentials, and unfortunately scammers will look to capitalize off last-minute shoppers seeking high-demand products,” Commissioner Cafferelli said. “The safest thing families can do is shop in-person, Cafferelli said. “Inspect or test out the item, keep your receipts, and clarify the store’s return policy.

Education
Eric Byrne interim superintendent of schools

Interim Schools Superintendent Issues Updates on What’s New in Darien Public Schools

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Darien Interim Schools Superintendent Eric Burns on Wednesday morning sent out a long email describing changes the school district is making for the upcoming school year, including policy changes and progress in various renovation projects. His email also gave parents information on upcoming dates when school bus routes and bus assignments will be available online (and links to the web pages), how to use the  Aspen online service for school district information, new Darien High School regulations for cellphone use. “[K]eeping our families and community  informed is a top priority,” Byrne said in the email. “My personal style is to be generous with information. You can expect more frequent and transparent communication from me […]”
Full Text:
Dear Darien Community,
The school district has been busy over the summer!

Public Safety
Police Patrol Car SUV Police Car Police

Jeep Stolen Overnight on Bittersweet Lane, Other Vehicles Entered Overnight Two Days Before That

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A Jeep Grand Cherokee was stolen overnight last week on Bittersweet Lane, and elsewhere in town, on a different night last week, vehicles were entered overnight, resulting in at least one theft, Darien police said. All the vehicles were unlocked. Police gave this account of the incidents:

The Grand Cherokee was stolen overnight Saturday to Sunday, Aug. 9 to 10. The keys to the vehicle were “possibly inside” it, police said in a news release.

Public Safety
Roses placed 9/11 Memorial ceremony

9/11 Remembrance Ceremony Coming Next Month at the Memorial Behind Middlesex School

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Darien’s September 11th Memorial Observation Ceremony will start at 8:25 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 11 and last 35 minutes at the town’s 9/11 monument behind Middlesex Middle School. The town Monuments and Ceremonies Commission invites you to participate. The ceremony, taking place 24 years since the massacres in 2001, will be at the town’s 9/11 Monument, located in the courtyard behind Middlesex Middle School on Hollow Tree Ridge Road. Since the date this year falls on Thursday, school will be in session, and those attending the event are asked to park in the rear lot.