POLICE & FIRE
Community Unites Against Human Trafficking
January 11 is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day and marks the start of Human Trafficking Awareness Month. The Greenwich Police Department is partnering with the National Black Prosecutors Association to increase awareness and strengthen prevention through coordination among law enforcement, prosecutors, and the community. Anyone in immediate danger should call 911; assistance and tips can be reported through the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or the Greenwich Police Department at 203-622-8004, with confidential tips accepted at TIPS@greenwichct.gov or 203-622-3333.
Community Asked To Help Locate Teen
As of publication on Wednesday night, January 14, Greenwich police are requesting public assistance in locating 15-year-old Yeimy Martinez, last seen on Jan. 11 at about 2:45 p.m., with her last known location near River Street in Bridgeport. She is 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs about 110 pounds, was wearing a black top, black flowy pants, and a white belt, and anyone with information should contact the Greenwich Police Department Detective Division at 203-622-8054 or submit a confidential tip to 203-622-3333 or TIPS@greenwichct.org
FROM TOWN HALL
Town Highlights Outstanding Employee Service
Greenwich will begin regularly highlighting the work of town employees through its Employee of the Month program. The January honoree is Tom Caruso, Facilities Foreperson at Town Hall, who oversees building setup, maintenance, and weekend access as part of the DPW’s Building Construction and Maintenance Division. His recognition includes a certificate and a photo displayed in the Town Hall lobby for the month.
AROUND TOWN
Greenwich Marks 50th St. Patrick’s Parade
The Greenwich St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on March 22, marking its 50th year. The parade will begin at Town Hall at 2 p.m., follow Field Point Road to the Post Road, turn onto Greenwich Avenue, and continue down the avenue. Haydn O’Shea, president of the Greenwich Hibernian Association, will serve as grand marshal.
Brookside Drive Closed For Safety Repairs
Brookside Drive in central Greenwich was closed Wednesday afternoon after a utility pole was knocked down, according to Greenwich police. The closure is expected to be extended, and drivers are advised to avoid the area and use alternate routes. Crews are working to resolve the situation and reopen the road.
LOCAL BUSINESSES & NON PROFITS
Greenwich Nonprofits Eligible for Federal Grants
Greenwich is accepting applications from local nonprofits for federal Community Development Block Grant funding provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Applicants must comply with HUD regulations and meet at least one national objective, and awards for public services are expected to be capped at $15,000, with total funding for 2026 estimated at about $723,939. Applications are due by 3 p.m. Feb. 5 and will be reviewed by the town’s Community Development Advisory Committee before final approval.
Summer Registration Opens at Tod’s Point Sailing
Registration is open for the 2026 season at Tod’s Point Sailing School at Greenwich Point. The program offers summer sailing lessons for children and adults, family courses, private instruction, boat and paddlecraft rentals, and seasonal job opportunities for local youth. More information is available online or by calling 203-637-2022.
New Dining Concept Coming Soon
South Bay, a restaurant at 403 Greenwich Ave., has closed as its owners, JS Restaurant Group, prepare to convert the space into a new concept called Blu Olive. The restaurant, which opened in 2019 after the closure of Sundown Saloon, served Mediterranean-inspired dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. South Bay will continue operating its locations in Fairfield and New Haven.
Veterinary Eye Center Opens In Greenwich
The Veterinary Eye Center has opened at 100 Putnam Green, becoming the first practice of its kind in Fairfield County. The opening was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by town officials and the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce. The clinic is led by Medical Director Dr. Andréa Minella, formerly of the Veterinary Eye Center in New York City.
Greenwich Library Unveils New Strategic Plan
Greenwich Library has adopted a strategic plan for 2026–2028 that outlines steps to expand access, strengthen community partnerships, and adapt services to changing needs. Developed with Plan A Advisors, the plan is based on community interviews, discussions, peer library reviews, and internal planning sessions. It prioritizes accessibility, multilingual services, partnerships, technology upgrades, staff development, and maintaining the library as a community gathering space.
Abilis Hosts Parent Development Workshop
Abilis will hold a free parent workshop, Supporting Your Young Child’s Development, on Sunday, January 25, 2026, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Cohen Abilis Advancement Center in Stamford. The program will provide information on early developmental concerns, evaluations, diagnoses, services, transitions from Birth to Three to school-based supports, and strategies for behavior and daily challenges. Advance registration is required at abilis.us/workshop, and on-site babysitting is available for $25.
Greenwich Town Party Announces 2026 Lineup
The Greenwich Town Party announced the Main Stage lineup for its May 23 event at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park, featuring headliners Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds, along with John Fogerty, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and a children’s performance by Sesame Street Live’s “Elmo’s Got The Moves.” The Town Stage will feature local artists, with that lineup to be announced later, and the event will mark the festival’s 15th anniversary. Tickets are on sale now, with Sponsor and Neighbor tickets available to all and Community tickets limited to verified Greenwich residents and employees.
PEOPLE IN TOWN
Greenwich Senior Named National Science Scholar
The Society for Science named Greenwich High School senior Henry Jin among the top 300 scholars in the 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search, awarding him $2,000 and an additional $2,000 to Greenwich High School. Jin is the 14th Greenwich High School student recognized since 2021, selected from more than 2,600 applicants for his independent research project on autonomous drone control. Forty scholars will be named finalists on January 21 and will compete for more than $1.2 million in awards in Washington, D.C., March 5-11.
GCDS Senior Named Regeneron Scholar
Greenwich Country Day School senior Cooper Taylor was selected as a 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholar from more than 2,600 applicants representing 826 high schools in 46 states and 16 countries. His project, titled “Lightweight Modular Dual-Tilt VTOL UAV: Design, Validation and Long-Endurance Performance,” earned him recognition among 300 scholars chosen for demonstrated achievement and potential in STEM. Taylor plans to study mechanical engineering at Harvard University.
SCHOOLS
Tara Fogel Appointed To New Role
Greenwich Public Schools has appointed Tara Fogel as assistant chief officer of curriculum and leadership, effective immediately, reporting to Chief Officer Marc D’Amico. The newly created role replaces the deputy superintendent position and focuses on curriculum alignment, instructional support, professional learning, and analysis of student performance data. Fogel previously served as curriculum coordinator for science (K–8) and social studies (K–5), and the district will begin a search for a new coordinator.
Community Rallies To Support Student Trip
Greenwich Public Schools is seeking final financial support for its annual eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C. A fundraising comedy event will take place Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. at the New York Comedy Club in Stamford, with proceeds supporting a scholarship fund to ensure all students can attend regardless of financial need. Tickets, donations, and raffle entries for prizes including a $500 American Express gift card and a private bowling party at Innis Arden are available.
Greenwich High Earns AP Gold Recognition
Greenwich High School was named to the College Board’s 2025 Advanced Placement School Honor Roll with an overall Gold distinction for the second consecutive year. The recognition is based on participation and performance metrics, including the share of seniors who took at least one AP exam, earned qualifying scores, and completed multiple AP exams. The Advanced Placement Program offers college-level coursework and exams that may allow students to earn college credit or advanced placement.
Dr. Jenny Hoffman Named Commencement Speaker
Greenwich Academy announced that Dr. Jenny Hoffman ’96, Clowes Professor of Science at Harvard University, will speak at its 199th commencement on Thursday, May 21. Hoffman is a physicist whose research focuses on atomic-scale materials growth and imaging, has published more than 50 peer-reviewed papers, received multiple national science awards, and also holds world-class achievements in endurance running, including a 2023 transcontinental record. She earned her undergraduate degree at Harvard, completed graduate studies at UC Berkeley, and held a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford.
Remy Appointed Interim Special Education Coordinator
Greenwich Public Schools appointed Kristina Remy as interim Special Education program coordinator, effective immediately, replacing Harry Burg, who left the district at the end of 2025. Remy will support administrators and staff, oversee curriculum access and professional learning, evaluate special education personnel, and report to the chief officer of Special Education and Student Supports.
Central Middle School Construction Progresses Steadily
Construction of the new Central Middle School is continuing as public school students return to classes, with the building scheduled to open in August. Recent work includes the installation of rooftop mechanical equipment and skylights, and a detailed progress update is available in the January issue of Central Middle School Campus Connections, with additional updates provided at Board of Selectmen meetings. The site remains an active construction area and is not open to the public.
SPORTS
Cardinals Show Grit In Overtime Loss
Greenwich High School’s varsity boys ice hockey team lost 3-2 in overtime to Xavier High School on Jan. 5 at Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink. Junior John Meehan scored both goals for Greenwich, including the game-tying goal late in the third period, while junior goalie Will Salib made several key saves to keep the game close. Xavier scored the decisive goal 7:17 into overtime to secure the non-conference win.
Cardinals Top Ludlowe In Opener
Playing without injured captain Madi Utzinger, Greenwich High’s varsity girls basketball team defeated Fairfield Ludlowe 46-39 in its FCIAC opener on Jan. 6, improving to 5-1. Sophomore center Zuri Faison led all scorers with 27 points as Greenwich held narrow leads at the end of the first quarter and halftime. The Cardinals relied on steady defense and balanced contributions to secure the home win.
Brunswick Hockey Dominates In Home Opener
Brunswick School’s varsity hockey team earned a 7-1 home win over Albany Academy on Jan. 9 at Hartong Rink, improving its record to 10-4. Seven different players scored, with junior Keegan Kazan posting one goal and three assists, as Brunswick outshot Albany 38-14. The Bruins led 2-0 after one period, 4-1 after two, and controlled play throughout the game.
Greenwich Girls Roll Past St. Joseph
Greenwich High School’s varsity girls basketball team defeated St. Joseph, 60–34, on Jan. 9 to extend its winning streak to six games and improve to 6–1 overall and 2–0 in FCIAC play. Sophomores Zuri Faison (20 points) and Elsa Xhekaj (17) and senior Madi Utzinger (13) led the scoring, while Greenwich held St. Joseph to 34 points with consistent man-to-man defense. The Cardinals led 27–14 at halftime and maintained control throughout the second half.
OUR NEIGHBORS
Insomnia Cookies Opens Stamford Location
Insomnia Cookies will open its first Stamford location at 1 Atlantic Street in downtown Stamford, near the UConn Stamford and Sacred Heart University campuses. The store will offer in-store service, pickup, and delivery, operate late-night hours, and hold a grand opening promotion on Saturday, Jan. 17, including a free cookie for new rewards members and a limited-time free delivery offer. This will be the company’s fourth Connecticut store and 344th location nationwide.
