Good morning, Westport.

Last Wednesday at Branson Hall, Homes with Hope and the Artists Collective of Westport held 'Art from the Heart' plus a raffle that gave community members donated art; CEO Helen McAlinden then led a tour of the renovated Gillespie Center to highlight support services for local families.

Historic Saugatuck swing bridge faces an uncertain future as state DOT considers plans to allow big rigs.

A public consulting meeting (Dec. 18, 6 p.m.) at Town Hall will let Westporters share their views on preserving this landmark.

A New York-based SoHo Pizza is planning to open at 22 Riverside Ave next to Sunny Daes in Westport after a full interior rebuild of the 1,100 sqft space, with permit approvals pointing to a February or March launch.

Dr. Robin Jaffee Frank — a longtime Westport resident — is set to become MoCA CT’s new executive director on January 1.

She will guide the museum into a new chapter of community engagement and curatorial excellence using her extensive experience from local and national art institutions.

Staples High School's Symphonic Band, Orchestra and Choral Ensembles performed the 85th annual Candlelight Concert last Friday and Saturday in Westport.

The groups played 15 holiday songs to a sold-out auditorium while directors Jeri Brima, Carrie Mascaro, Kevin Mazzarella and Lauren Pine led the performance.

On Monday, Dec. 15, RFK Jr. hosted a Lyme disease roundtable in Stamford where he announced new federal funding and research initiatives led by the Cohen Foundation — a key partner in advancing testing and treatment options.

HHS will renew its Lyme Innovation Accelerator program to support better care.

Residents trying to enroll in health insurance face delays on the Access Health CT website + phone lines due to heavy traffic on the final day; they must complete applications by midnight tonight for coverage starting Jan.

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Staples Wreckers beat the Cheshire Rams 86-25 in a non-conference opener Friday night, with Chloe Smith scoring 23 points.

The team will play Amity of Woodbridge on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 6 p.m.

UConn’s Azzi Fudd and Blanca Quiñonez earned Big East weekly awards after the Huskies beat USC 79-51 on Saturday, Dec.

13 at the Galen Center in Los Angeles. The team (10-0 record) will host Marquette on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford.

The 2025-26 CIAC high school boys basketball season kicks off today with key games including Ridgefield at Hillhouse at 7 p.m. Several teams have shifted divisions based on a two-year review, and the season will finish with finals at Mohegan Sun Arena in March.

Former pickleball ambassador Tom Lowrie (97) retired this year after decades promoting the sport; Compo Beach courts were renamed in his honor, and he called for enclosed courts and a pavilion at Lot F while endorsing Brandon Osterhout as his successor for 2026.

44th Annual Production of The Nutcracker

1-3 p.m. — Staples High School — $35 — Experience the joy of a timeless holiday ballet featuring talented Academy students and professional dancers.

The Nutcracker: Annual Production

2-4 p.m. — Staples High School — $35 — Experience a holiday classic performed by talented Academy students and professionals.

Battle of the Bands Competition

7-11 p.m. — The Westport Library — $500 grand prize — Cheer on Fairfield County's top teen and college bands as they compete for the title.