Sophie Vaughan
Westport News
Stamford, CT, United States
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Past articles by Sophie:
Matsu Sushi set to reopen soon
WESTPORT - The downtown Japanese restaurant that closed at the beginning of the month amid labor abuses is set to reopen in a few weeks. "I don't know the exact date but it will be very soon," Matsu Sushi's lawyer Benjamin Xue said Wednesday, adding the restaurant is doing minor renovations. A sign posted on its door April 1 said the shop is "currently closed for renovation." Around 2 p.m.… → Read More
Police: New York man threatened to shoot woman
WESTPORT - A Brooklyn, N.Y., man is facing charges after allegedly threatening to shoot a woman in Westport. On March 21, the victim received a threatening voicemail message from John Adams, 63, in which Adams allegedly threatened to shoot her. The investigating officer submitted an arrest warrant for Adams and on April 9, Adams turned himself in on the outstanding warrant, police said. Adams… → Read More
Norwalk woman charged with DUI in Westport
WESTPORT - A Norwalk woman was recently charged with drving under the influence and failure to drive in proper lane. On Nov. 13, officers were dispatched to Riverside Avenue on report a car struck a utility pole. The driver was identified as Natalie Longo, 21, police said. In speaking with Longo, officers allegedly smelled an odor of alcoholic beverage on her breath. Officers observed Longo was… → Read More
Norwalk man accused of making ‘lewd comment’ to girl
WESTPORT - A Norwalk man was arrested for an indecent comment directed toward an underage girl in Westport, police said. Yinri Tirado, 25, was arrested on April 12 after a 16-year-old girl reported a man approached her and made a lewd comment while she was walking along the Saugatuck River. The girl provided a description of the man, who was located a short distance away by officers and taken… → Read More
Police: Decapitated chicken dumper arrested
WESTPORT - A New York City man was arrested after allegedly leaving multiple decapitated chickens at a Westport home. On April 12 around 11:30 p.m., police say a Franklin Street resident reported a suspect dropped a bag that contained two decapitated chickens and one white pigeon on his his property. The victim's property has been the site of several recent illegal dumping incidents in which a… → Read More
Bridgeport man arrested on harassment charges
WESTPORT - A Bridgeport man was arrested on charges of criminal violation of a protective order and second-degree harassment in town, police said. On March 25, a woman reported that Victor Avendano, 21, violated an active protective order. The woman changed her phone number and moved her residence since the enactment of the protective order, but said Avendano still contacted her, police said.… → Read More
Matsu Sushi lawyer: restaurant to reopen in a few weeks
WESTPORT - Matsu Sushi, a downtown restaurant which appeared to close for good Sunday amid labor abuses, will reopen in a few weeks, Matsu's lawyer said. "Matsu is closed temporarily to undergo some renovation. We expect it to reopen in two to three weeks," Matsu's lawyer, New York City based attorney Benjamin Xue said Tuesday. A sign posted on the door of the restaurant Monday stated "Matsu… → Read More
Confusion surrounds Matsu Sushi closure amid labor abuses
WESTPORT - A local sushi shop charged with several labor abuses over the past year appeared to close suddenly on Monday. "Matsu Sushi is currently closed for renovation," a sign posted on the door of the restaurant Monday stated. Matsu, a mainstay of downtown Westport for 17 years, thanked its loyal patrons for years of support in the sign. The night before, frequent Matsu customer Molly Alger… → Read More
Search is on for new superintendent, Staples principal
WESTPORT - The search for a new superintendent and Staples High School has begun. In the wake of Staples Principal James D'Amico's announcement on March 8 that he will to become principal at New Fairfield High School and Superintendent Colleen Palmer's resignation a week later , the Board of Education has established search committees to fill the two senior school positions. "I fully anticipate… → Read More
Westport train shuttles face major budget cut
WESTPORT - The Board of Finance cut over half the budget for the Westport Transit District, which operates shuttles from around town to Westport's train stations. "Ridership has dropped 25 percent over the last five years and was dropping for the previous five years. Whatever money we've spent has not led to increased ridership," Board of Finance Chairman Brian Stern said. At its meeting Tuesday… → Read More
Second Westporter in a week charged with operating drug factory
WESTPORT - A narcotics investigation of a Westport home led to the arrest of three people on March 5, including one resident who was charged with operating a drug factory, police said. On March 4, police charged Westport resident Zachary Bartolo with operating a separate drug factory out of his Post Road East apartment. This story will be updated. svaughan@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2638;… → Read More
Second Westporter in a week charged with operating drug factory
WESTPORT - A narcotics investigation of a Westport home led to the arrest of three people on March 5, including one resident who was charged with operating a drug factory, police said. On March 4, police charged Westport resident Zachary Bartolo with operating a separate drug factory out of his Post Road East apartment. This story will be updated. svaughan@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2638;… → Read More
Tussle over towing duties results in arrests
WESTPORT - Two Norwalk men were arrested on charges of breach of peace in Westport after an alleged altercation about towing duties. On March 1 around 9:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to a local service center on report of a disturbance between employees Kalwant Bhullar, 60, and Avtar Kullar, 45, who were involved in a physical altercation about towing duties in the Weston Road commuter lot,… → Read More
Man charged with stealing $6,000 worth of eyeglass frames
WESTPORT - A Bridgeport man is facing theft charges after allegedly stealing 12 pairs of eyeglass frames valued at over $6,000. On July 3, officers were dispatched to a town store on report of a larceny. Employees reported a man stole a dozen eyeglass frames. Police obtained images of the suspect from store surveillance video and on July 11, Westport police posted the images to the department's… → Read More
Bridgeport man arrested in connection with car theft
WESTPORT - A Bridgeport man was charged with third-degree larceny after allegedly stealing a car in Westport. On Feb.19 around 5:30 p.m., an officer observed a car travel westbound on Post Road East. A check of the car's registration showed the vehicle was reported stolen to the Bridgeport Police Department on Jan. 22. Police conducted a car stop and identified the driver as Gerardo… → Read More
Police: Westport man charged with sexual assault
WESTPORT - A Westport man was charged with fourth degree sexual assault, police said. The alleged perpetrator, Kenneth Cardillo of Woods Grove Road, was arrested at police headquarters on Feb. 19 around 11 a.m. Details surrounding the incident were unavailable. "I cannot discuss the facts of the incident at this time," police Lt. Jillian Cabana said. svaughan@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2638;… → Read More
19 condos proposed on historic home property
WESTPORT - The battle over the proposed construction of a McMansion-style home on a historic Greens Farms property last year has resurrected with a vengeance, and a new plan to build 19 condos on the land. Morningside Drives Homes LLC submitted an application in October to Westport's Planning and Zoning Department to "demolish the farmhouse on 26 Morningside, and in its place, construct 19… → Read More
FAQ: What we know about the Bedford school portables plan
WESTPORT - About a week ago, the Board of Finance and Representative Town Meeting voted to overturn the Board of Education's plan to house all sixth-graders at the elementary schools next year in light of the continued closure of Coleytown Middle School due to mold issues. Instead, the groups voted to place all of town's middle school students at Bedford next year and appropriate $1 million to… → Read More
Valentine’s Day court date for Westport man
WESTPORT - A town resident was arrested on Feb. 13, nearly one year after he allegedly assaulted his date last Valentine's Day. On Feb. 13, officers were dispatched to a residence on report of a protective order violation. The complainant reported Neil Bhatia, 42, was in the presence of victim who had an active protective order against him, police said. Bhatia shouted profanities at the… → Read More
Chocolatier seeks to ‘build a wall of love’ amid border debate
WESTPORT - A downtown chocolatier hopes to build a "wall of love" this Valentine's Day through sales of chocolate hearts. The idea came to Aarti Khosla, owner of Le Rouge Artisanal Chocolates on Main Street, a week before Valentine's Day in 2017, during the first bout of discussions over President Donald Trump's proposed border wall. "All that was happening around us was a lot of angst and… → Read More