Special Weather STATEMENT in effect for:
Northern Fairfield, CT
Northern New Haven, CT
Westport man shrugs off power outages, points to solar panels
Posted: Updated:While many residents have purchased gas and propane generators to prepare for storm-related power outages, one Westport man says he spent the last few years turning his home into a green energy power plant.
Bruce Becker says he has 60 solar panels and enough batteries to store power for up to two days.
"Maybe if the power is out for four days, with snow on my panels, then I'll have to pull out my generator," he says. "But until then, I think I'll be a little more relaxed than my neighbors."
He says drawbacks of fossil fuel generators include noise pollution and the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning.
"When you have houses close together, and generators are running, it does create a lot of background noise," he says.
The Westport Fire Department says anyone who is using a portable generator should run them outdoors and away from open windows. The unit should also have at least 5 feet of clearance in every direction.
Meanwhile, road crews spent Tuesday preparing for another foot of snow expected Wednesday.
One landscaper told News 12 his crews typically stay on the clock for another eight hours after a storm ends to finish the cleanup, which includes clearing snow and removing fallen trees.
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Group voices concerns over state plan to build new Norwalk bridge
Group voices concerns over state plan to build new Norwalk bridge
A group of Norwalk residents was in Hartford Monday to voice their concerns about state plans to build a new $1.1 billion train bridge over the Norwalk River.
A group of Norwalk residents was in Hartford Monday to voice their concerns about state plans to build a new $1.1 billion train bridge over the Norwalk River.
A group of Norwalk residents was in Hartford Monday to voice their concerns about state plans to build a new $1.1 billion train bridge over the Norwalk River.
Trout season kicks off Saturday morning
Trout season kicks off Saturday morning
Trout season begins Saturday morning at 6 a.m., and anglers of all ages are heading to supplies stores across western Connecticut.
Trout season begins Saturday morning at 6 a.m., and anglers of all ages are heading to supplies stores across western Connecticut.
Trout season begins Saturday morning at 6 a.m., and anglers of all ages are heading to supplies stores across western Connecticut.
Lawmakers mull moratorium on recycled rubber in playgrounds
Lawmakers mull moratorium on recycled rubber in playgrounds
The Planning and Development Committee of the state House of Representatives debated a bill that would place a moratorium on the use of recycled rubber in new playground construction pending the results of a federal study.
The Planning and Development Committee of the state House of Representatives debated a bill that would place a moratorium on the use of recycled rubber in new playground construction pending the results of a federal study.
The Planning and Development Committee of the state House of Representatives debated a bill that would place a moratorium on the use of recycled rubber in new playground construction pending the results of a federal study.
The Planning and Development Committee of the state House of Representatives debated a bill that would place a moratorium on the use of recycled rubber in new playground construction pending the results of a federal study.
State officials: Warm weather leads to increased ticks
State officials: Warm weather leads to increased ticks
Connecticut is expecting an increased amount of ticks this summer, and experts are warning residents to be careful, state officials say. Theodore Andreadis at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment station in New Haven tells News 12 that because of warmer days in January and February, there will be more ticks in the area this summer. "The best method of protection is to just check yourself," he says. "If you've been in an area where there's ticks, you get b...
Connecticut is expecting an increased amount of ticks this summer, and experts are warning residents to be careful, state officials say. Theodore Andreadis at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment station in New Haven tells News 12 that because of warmer days in January and February, there will be more ticks in the area this summer. "The best method of protection is to just check yourself," he says. "If you've been in an area where there's ticks, you get b...
Crews prepare for mosquito season at Eisenhower Park in Milford
Crews prepare for mosquito season at Eisenhower Park in Milford
Mosquito spraying is underway in towns and cities across western Connecticut.
Mosquito spraying is underway in towns and cities across western Connecticut.
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Norwalk lifts drought restrictions, urges water conservation
Norwalk lifts drought restrictions, urges water conservation
Norwalk officials announced Wednesday the end of their drought restrictions after a nearly six-month water emergency.
Norwalk officials announced Wednesday the end of their drought restrictions after a nearly six-month water emergency.
Norwalk officials announced Wednesday the end of their drought restrictions after a nearly six-month water emergency.
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Meeting held to discuss impact of rising sea levels in Norwalk
Meeting held to discuss impact of rising sea levels in Norwalk
The issue of rising sea levels in Norwalk was addressed at a meeting. The Norwalk Land Trust was hosting a meeting to talk about how rising sea levels could impact coastal communities. The discussion was held at 7:30 p.m. at the Rowayton Community Center. The meeting was scheduled earlier, but bad weather forced organizers to reschedule.The issue of rising sea levels in Norwalk was addressed at a meeting. The Norwalk Land Trust was hosting a meeting to talk about how rising sea levels could impact coastal communities. The discussion was held at 7:30 p.m. at the Rowayton Community Center. The meeting was scheduled earlier, but bad weather forced organizers to reschedule.News
Dye to be released in Greenwich harbor for wastewater study
Dye to be released in Greenwich harbor for wastewater study
Scientists are planning to release dye into Greenwich Harbor to study how wastewater discharges might be affecting shellfish growing areas. Parts of the harbor may turn reddish during the study beginning on Tuesday. Scientists say the dye is not harmful to people or the ecosystem. The study will track the flow of emissions from the Greenwich Water Pollution Control Facility into Long Island Sound to determine where shellfish can be safely harvested. The goal is to use the informatio...Scientists are planning to release dye into Greenwich Harbor to study how wastewater discharges might be affecting shellfish growing areas. Parts of the harbor may turn reddish during the study beginning on Tuesday. Scientists say the dye is not harmful to people or the ecosystem. The study will track the flow of emissions from the Greenwich Water Pollution Control Facility into Long Island Sound to determine where shellfish can be safely harvested. The goal is to use the informatio...News
No injuries reported in Stratford fire that severely damaged home
No injuries reported in Stratford fire that severely damaged home
A fire this morning in Stratford caused serious damage to a home on North Peters Lane.
A fire this morning in Stratford caused serious damage to a home on North Peters Lane.
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Mom wants help finding man who saved her son's life
Mom wants help finding man who saved her son's life
A Bridgeport woman is trying to track down the good Samaritan who helped save her son's life he was shot in the chest.
A Bridgeport woman is trying to track down the good Samaritan who helped save her son's life he was shot in the chest.
South Norwalk chef competes, wins on Food Network’s ‘Chopped’
South Norwalk chef competes, wins on Food Network’s ‘Chopped’
A south Norwalk chef competed and won on Tuesday night's episode of "Chopped" on the Food Network.
A south Norwalk chef competed and won on Tuesday night's episode of "Chopped" on the Food Network.
Weather: Light rain into evening, fog to form overnight
Weather: Light rain into evening, fog to form overnight
Here's the latest News 12 Connecticut weather update.
Here's the latest News 12 Connecticut weather update.
Garbage truck plows into woman in Stamford
Garbage truck plows into woman in Stamford
A garbage truck drove into a woman in Stamford Wednesday morning, sending her to the hospital with serious injuries.
A garbage truck drove into a woman in Stamford Wednesday morning, sending her to the hospital with serious injuries.
Officials to vote on reinstating toll roads next week
Officials to vote on reinstating toll roads next week
House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz says he's aiming for a vote early next week.
House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz says he's aiming for a vote early next week.
State police hold fundraiser for CT Special Olympics
State police hold fundraiser for CT Special Olympics
Organizers say 100 percent of tips officers receive will support the Special Olympics in Connecticut.
Organizers say 100 percent of tips officers receive will support the Special Olympics in Connecticut.
Milford business makes hefty donation to CT ‘Make-A-Wish’ Foundation
Milford business makes hefty donation to CT ‘Make-A-Wish’ Foundation
The $81,000 donation will help grant wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions.
The $81,000 donation will help grant wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions.
'Colorblends' House and Spring Garden tour opens
'Colorblends' House and Spring Garden tour opens
The "Colorblends" House and Spring Garden on Clinton Avenue is bursting with thousands of daffodils, tulips and hyacinths.
The "Colorblends" House and Spring Garden on Clinton Avenue is bursting with thousands of daffodils, tulips and hyacinths.
Food and Fun Jam: Donut Crazy
Food and Fun Jam: Donut Crazy
Donut Crazy in Shelton is part of a Connecticut-based bakery chain that specializes in taking the average doughnut to a whole new level.
Uncertainty after plan to merge all state community colleges fails
Uncertainty after plan to merge all state community colleges fails
A plan called “Students First” that would combine all 12 of Connecticut’s community colleges won’t be moving forward in the immediate future.
A plan called “Students First” that would combine all 12 of Connecticut’s community colleges won’t be moving forward in the immediate future.