NEWSBITES

1 MORE TIME TO BUY STONES FOR VETERANS PARK

The deadline has been extended to purchase an engraved paver for Veterans Memorial Park in time for its reopening in November.

The new deadline is Jan. 31, said Michael Molgano, manager of sales for Veterans Park Partnership, the nonprofit raising money for the park at Atlantic and Bank streets. Pavers may be purchased after that date but will not be installed in time for the grand opening next Veterans Day, Molgano said.

The renovation will include about 250 8-inch-square concrete pavers at $200 apiece, and about 300 12-inch-square pavers at $500. Rectangular granite pavers, 12 inches by 18 inches, are $1,500, and the larger 18-inch by 30-inch ones are $2,500.

Pavers may be engraved with a tribute to a veteran or other loved one.

The park is in the middle of a renovation that will create a plaza surrounded by an amphitheater, with pathways lined in trees, lampposts and benches. Donors may purchase plaques for the benches at $2,500 apiece, and for lampposts at $1,000 each.

The pavers will form the plaza, which will be set with five stars representing the branches of the military. The partnership already raised about $6 million for the renovation. Sales of pavers and plaques will raise money to maintain the park and hold events there.

Pavers may be ordered at www.vprstamford.org. acarella@stamfordadvocate.com

1 COPS HURT IN I-95 CHASE

Police say two officers were hurt after a 47-year-old man led them on a chase on Interstate 95 on Tuesday.

Travis Eugene Barrett, of Stephen Street, attempted to flee as an officer approached his car at Atlantic and Bell streets after seeing a woman roll a marijuana joint in the backseat, police said.

Barrett took off toward Tresser Boulevard and crossed the median, heading in the opposite direction of traffic toward the highway around 3:45 p.m., police said.

Officers Kelli Reynolds and Steve Estabrook were stationed near one of the on-ramps toward I-95 and followed Barrett’s car once he got on the highway, heading northbound.

Traffic on the highway was heavy, allowing the officers to pull up next to Barrett’s car. Police say Barrett continued to try to get away and struck one of their cruisers.

Police said Barrett got out of his car and needed to be subdued with a Taser as he resisted arrest.

Officers found 25 folds of the hallucinogen PCP in Barrett’s car, police said.

Barrett was charged with possession of a hallucinogen, possession with intent to sell, interfering with officers, engaging police in pursuit and reckless driving.

Adja Zeynabou Fall, the woman in the backseat, was charged with possession of hallucinogens. ignacio.laguarda

@hearstmediact.com

1 TEACHERS EARN DEGREES IN BILINGUAL, MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION

Six Stamford Public Schools teachers recently completed master’s degrees in Bilingual, Multicultural Education and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at Southern Connecticut State University as part of a remote learning program offered through a partnership with the university and SPS.

Cloonan Middle School science teacher Jennifer Chichester, Stamford High School English learner teacher Annalisa DiNucci, West-over fourth-grade teacher Emily Cooper, Springdale second-grade teacher Linda Karpowich, Newfield English learner teacher Jennifer Jehle and Westhill High School science teacher Sean Otter-spoor earned their advanced degrees last month. They committed to the program in 2013.

“These incredibly hard working teachers chose to dedicate time outside of their classrooms to study and earn degrees to improve their EL strategies,” Stamford Public Schools Deputy Superintendent Tamu Lucero said. “I know they will continue to positively influence the academic success of our EL students.”

SPS plans to begin another TESOL partnership with SCSU next fall. erin.kayata@stamfordadvocate.com

1 MAN’S NOSE BROKEN IN NEW YEAR’S PARKING DISPUTE

A man trying to park in his driveway was left with a bloody nose and forehead on New Year’s Day.

The man, accompanied by his wife, attempted to park his car in the driveway of his Fairfield Avenue home, but discovered a car parked in his usual spot around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Police said there was a large New Year’s party happening on the first floor of the building where the couple lives. The wife knocked on the door and asked someone to move the car. When no one came out, they beeped the car horn.

A group of people from the party then came out of the house and attacked the man, police said.

He sustained injuries to his face, including a broken nose.

Christian Perez, 21, of Bridgeport, was charged with breach of peace and third-degree assault. ignacio.laguarda

@hearstmediact.com

1 STAMFORD MAN ACCUSED OF PUNCHING WOMAN

A 20-year-old Stamford man was charged with assault on New Year’s Day.

Police were dispatched to Stuart Avenue in Norwalk around 4 a.m. Tuesday after a woman reported the assault, officers said.

The woman had a swollen face and told officers that Danny Campoverde-Villalva, of Strawberry Hill Avenue, had punched her in the face numerous times and pulled her by the hair while driving, police said. The woman also said Campoverde-Villalva stopped the car and pushed her out before telling her to get back in, police said.

The woman was taken to Norwalk Hospital and Campoverde-Villalva was charged with third-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace. He was held on $5,000 bond and appeared in court Wednesday. tatiana.flowers@thehour.com