Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Norwalk Operator Of Prize Insurance Business Pleads Guilty To Wire Fraud Charge: Feds

And check out Pre-Demolition Sale on the Norwalk Patch calendar

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Thursday September 17th Patch AM
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Hello Norwalk! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Norwalk prize insurance operator admits federal wire fraud scheme
  • What Norwalk parents demanded about AI and screens in classrooms
  • How East Norwalk construction forced a popular chicken spot to close

Also on today's calendar: Pre-Demolition Sale and 15 more events.

Today's riddle: When geese fly, one side is longer than the other. do you know why that is ? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Humid, with a high of 80 and low of 67 degrees.
  • Friday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 82, low: 55.
  • Saturday: Cooler with periods of sun, with a high of 68 and low of 61 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Norwalk Operator Of Prize Insurance Business Pleads Guilty To Wire Fraud Charge: Feds (patch.com) — Norwalk residents are learning that local prize insurance operator Kevin Kolenda has pleaded guilty in federal court to a wire fraud charge tied to his Hole-in-Won businesses. Prosecutors say the Norwalk man defrauded dozens of organizations for years, ignored multiple state insurance orders, and continued selling unlicensed prize insurance even while on bond; he now faces up to 20 years in prison at sentencing in December.
   

2. Norwalk parents demand AI, screen time overhaul at school board meeting (nancyonnorwalk.com) — Norwalk parents packed Tuesday's Board of Education meeting to demand a pause on student-facing generative AI in grades K-8 and a full review of classroom screen time. Speakers from multiple schools urged clearer technology rules, more transparency about tools like Linewize, and a public process for any new AI policy. The board listened but did not vote on changes yet.
   

3. Dippin' Chicken closes in East Norwalk, owner cites road, utility construction (ctpost.com) — East Norwalk's Dippin' Chicken has closed its East Avenue location, with the owner blaming ongoing road and utility construction tied to the WALK Bridge and East Norwalk Connectivity projects. He's searching for a new Norwalk spot and plans to keep serving fans at local markets and festivals. City officials say the state-led work includes major roadway and utility improvements.
   

4. Anything New From Amtrak's September Board Meeting? (railwayage.com) — Amtrak's latest board meeting confirmed that major work on the Walk Bridge in Norwalk will be bundled with a 37-day Portal North Bridge cutover this fall, likely affecting regional train service through the city. Leaders also outlined a proposed corporate reorganization into three focused units—Infrastructure, Fleet, and Passenger Services—and invited public feedback through October, changes that could influence how future investments reach Norwalk riders.
   

5. Decades of debris from CT's lost lobster industry recovered from Long Island Sound (nhpr.org) — Norwalk's Maritime Aquarium is helping lead a major effort to pull thousands of abandoned lobster traps from Long Island Sound, where they continue to snare marine life decades after the industry's collapse. Working with partners and commercial fishers, the team has already removed at least 4,000 traps from Connecticut waters and plans hundreds more recovery trips through 2027.
   

📸 Around Norwalk

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • Dance Education for Children and Teens
    Westport's Academy of Dance has been teaching children and teens in a safe and nurturing environment for over 50 years. Offering Classical Ballet,... (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Hi everyone!
    It's been about a month since our family cat, Jinx, has gone missing. He is mostly gray with white markings on the tip of his tail and on his chest,… (Nextdoor West Norwalk)
  • Owner found!!
    Male Black lab found on Rowayton Ave/Arnold Lane, no collar, seems young! Please call if missing yours! 203-561-7986 (Nextdoor Rowayton)
  • Oak St. Health posted a job opening for Shift Supervisor in Norwalk. Apply here.
  • KFC posted a job opening for Customer Service in Norwalk. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Norwalk here.

Ok Norwalk! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: because there are more geese on that side (Thank you jo L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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