Keila Torres Ocasio
Stamford Advocate
Bridgeport, CT, United States
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Past articles by Keila:
CT teachers wearing black Wednesday to bring attention to school safety concerns
Using the hashtag #Blackout4SafeSchools, teachers have raised concerns about the need for... → Read More
Speeding, distracted drivers keep State Police busy Memorial Day weekend
Connecticut State Police have kept busy enforcing the law this Memorial Day weekend. The department responded to 5,698 calls for service, assisted 267 motorists and responded to 242 accidents, two of which had minor injuries. State Police also made 18 driving under the influence arrests, issued 484 citations for speeding, 202 warnings for speeding, 371 citations for seat belt violations and… → Read More
Shelton-based OneWayLimo offers transportation discounts
A Shelton-based company that began offering discounted rates for luxury airport, ground and special events transportation in Connecticut two years ago has expanded its reach, and now offers its services up and down the East Coast. Because the limo companies are already planning to make those trips via previous bookings, they offer customers a 30 percent discount on the travel cost. The company… → Read More
New apartments, entertainment options coming soon to downtown Bridgeport
BRIDGEPORT — The windows may be boarded up now, but once the new glass panes are installed on the front-facing apartments in the buildings now under renovation on State Street, residents will have among the best views downtown. Overlooking McLevy Green, the structure at 177 State St. will provide skybox-style seats to the annual Downtown Thursdays concerts in the summer and stunning views of the… → Read More
Plans for redevelopment of Trumbull plaza coming soon
The site, at 6540 Main St., was home to Marisa’s — a favorite celebration spot for First Selectman Tim Herbst’s campaigns — nearly 20 years before the family that founded the eatery converted it into the Cast Iron Chop House last year. [...] developers Phil DiGennaro, of Trumbull-based Sound Development, and Michael Cerreta, of Bridgeport-based Cerreta Builders, hope to replace the shopping… → Read More
Milford restaurant week runs through Sunday
MILFORD — Area residents are taking advantage of the city’s first summertime restaurant week promotion with large crowds expected this weekend at the 11 participating establishments. During Dine Out Milford, which began Monday, customers of the participating restaurants can choose a variety of set options from a fixed-price menu, which offers an appetizer, entree and dessert for $27.95. Two… → Read More
Office building near Fairfield Metro to get makeover
FAIRFIELD — The new owners of a small building just steps away from the Fairfield Metro Station plan to transform the vacant, derelict brick structure into a modern, glass office building. “Although the buyer was qualified to purchase from day one, leasing initially then purchasing at a later date worked better for the buyer; and the seller, who received rental income until the sale date, was… → Read More
Senior Helpers open Fairfield location, second in state
Vanovitch said they became interested in Senior Helpers after their family’s experience with trying to care for aging parents while raising four young children. Vanovitch said they chose Senior Helpers because of its emphasis on providing a wealth of resources and materials for patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Through a program called Senior Gems, the organization also provides additional… → Read More
New Indian restaurant joins Fairfield dining scene
FAIRFIELD — Just three weeks after its June opening, Taj Indian Cuisine hosted a ribbon-cutting celebration that far exceeded its owner’s expectations. Antony and a group of friends, all India natives that he met while working in an Indian restaurant in Albany, N.Y., came to Connecticut earlier this year with a plan to open an establishment that offered a wide variety of Indian cuisine. The… → Read More
Five Below opening soon in Trumbull’s Hawley Lane plaza
TRUMBULL — The nearly 10,000-square-foot space in the Hawley Lane shopping mall vacated by clothing retailer Joyce Leslie last year will soon be occupied by teen and pre-teen chain Five Below. Business owners in the mall, who had expressed their dismay earlier this year over the dwindling foot traffic due to the numerous vacancies there, said they were not sure the addition of Five Below would… → Read More
Educational, health care institutions major boosts to Bridgeport’s economy
At each new employee orientation session, Bridgeport Hospital President and CEO Bill Jennings said he makes it a point to address not just the hospital’s teaching, research and patient-centered missions, but also its responsibility to serve the needs of the greater community. Jennings said there are numerous ways to carry out that civic duty, from educational efforts like hosting health fairs to… → Read More
High-density apartment complex approved in Trumbull
TRUMBULL — A New Jersey-based developer is turning a property with an empty office building in a neighborhood struggling with high commercial vacancies into a 202-unit apartment complex. Continental Properties, which opened The Mark apartments in Shelton last year, plans to start construction on the high-density complex in Trumbull next March, according to Planning and Zoning Commission minutes.… → Read More
Sikorsky, U.S. Army agree to $3.8 billion Black Hawk deal
“This contract will provide our Army, sister services and allies with state-of-the-art modernized helicopters to complete crucial missions and save lives,” said Colonel Billy Jackson, the utility helicopters project manager. [...] this effort will stabilize our manufacturing base and control long-term costs, and ultimately provide significant savings to the taxpayer. → Read More
Transitions: McDonald’s in Bridgeport undergoes renovations
1900 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport: The McDonald’s at the intersection of State Street, Commerce Drive and Fairfield Avenue has been gutted and is being entirely renovated. The property is one of many McDonald’s in the area owned by the Trefz Corp. A company official said the restaurant should reopen in a few weeks. Have a question about a business or property in the region? Email Keila Torres… → Read More
Long-vacant downtown Bridgeport building changes hands
Developer Phil Kuchma said while lenders won’t commit to financing construction of his next office building without tenant commitments, potential tenants are hesitant to commit to be in a building not yet under construction. Kuchma, who has played a major role in downtown Bridgeport’s ongoing revitalization efforts, unveiled plans in late 2015 for a $5.5 million, 19,000-square-foot building in a… → Read More
Transitions: Hi-Ho sign is back, with a twist
The iconic sign on the former Motel Hi-Ho is back, this time reflecting the property’s new identity. Built in 1960, the property’s reputation took a dive over the years until it was sold in 2014 for $4.35 million and turned into a upscale hotel. → Read More
Milford startup sells sports gear subcription boxes for kids
In the age of video games, tablets and smartphones, one local man has developed a way to keep kids interested in team sports and staying active. With this question in mind, Bereski last year launched an online startup that sells subscription boxes of sports gear, accessories and information on practice drills and tips for kids and teens. A sports fanatic, Bereski said he was looking for a way to… → Read More
Owner makes one last push to market Seymour plaza before planned demolition
SEYMOUR — The owner of the Tri-Town Plaza has hired a new listing broker in one final attempt at finding a tenant for the nearly 98,000-square-foot vacant space in the shopping center on Derby Avenue. Harpool said Spector is finalizing the contract for demolition, but is hoping to find a single tenant to occupy the space before moving forward with that final action. → Read More
Seniors begin settling in to new Seymour housing complex
SEYMOUR — Linda Bunker had never lived in Seymour before she moved in to her new downtown apartment recently — its two rooms are a significant reduction from her former six-room house in Prospect. Yet in just the few weeks she’s been living at the new senior housing complex at 38 Columbus St., she’s decorated the space so it looks ready for a magazine spread, has helped kick off the lending… → Read More
Amid financial woes, Fletcher Thompson plans Ansonia move
Despite its mounting financial woes which led to its eviction last week from its Bridgeport headquarters for not paying rent, Fletcher Thompson is getting a fresh start in Ansonia. [...] the company will be returning to the Valley, renting roughly 6,700 square feet of office space, the entire third floor, at 200 Main St. in downtown Ansonia, according to a news release issued by Mayor David… → Read More