Good morning, Westport.

Westport runner Michelle Backus is set to run the Boston Marathon on April 21 and will raise $50,000 for childhood cancer research at the Dana-Farber Marathon Cancer Institute.

She trains along local coastal routes—receiving support from her mother—and hopes her run will help fund new research.

CLASP Homes will hold the Taste of Westport fundraiser on June 5 at The Inn at Longshore with a Studio 54 theme and tickets on sale April 14 while the Saugatuck Rowing Club’s junior women’s team will head to the Henley Regattas this summer.

A Hands Off rally is set for 11 a.m. on April 5 on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge and the Weston History & Culture Center will host a play reading of An Easter on Mulberry Street on April 12—local alum Linda Hall also wrote a New York magazine article on Cynthia Ozick.

Westport police reported that Angel Hernandez (54) from Bridgeport faced charges on March 6th for breaking into the Little Kitchen (423 Post Road East) on May 26th, 2024 when about $800 was taken after video surveillance and digital forensics identified him.

Staples High’s Inklings published a 54 page Voices supplement after a yearlong effort led by managing editor Angelina Matra, which shows student stories about issues like micro-aggressions (and the low number of females in advanced STEM classes) and political divides.

The supplement aims to share the varied experiences of students and spark discussion in the school community.

Rick Smilow sent a letter urging Westport’s Planning and Zoning Commission to carefully review the revised 11-building plan for Hamlet at Saugatuck by requiring a scale model (to show building mass, density, and potential traffic issues including the risk of Riverside Avenue closure) before approving the project.

Five years ago this week, Westport adjusted to COVID as large crowds went to Compo Beach while parking lots stayed closed—an early sign of change.

Today, home values soar and more commercial spaces are filled as new residents move in.

Westport homeowners are urged to check their insurance as a new Treasury report shows premiums are rising due to climate risks such as flooding and roof deterioration—local agents note that techniques like drone-assessed roof scores help match policies with home conditions.

This advice comes as experts warn that proactive home maintenance can help control future increases in coverage costs.

The UConn Huskies will go to Raleigh on March 21st to begin their 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament (they are the 8th seed in the West Regional).

They will face 9th seeded Oklahoma on Friday (game time and TV details are not set yet).

Saugatuck Scribes: Cookbook Release with Chef Alison Grace

Chef Alison Milwe Grace celebrates the release of her first cookbook, offering a collection of recipes aimed at enhancing festive gatherings.