Home Care In Cheshire, CT

Four local American Red Cross workers are assisting with operations in California in the wake of the devastating wildfires, officials said.

Vincent Salzo, Patch Staff

CHESHIRE, CT — A Cheshire resident is among the four American Red Cross workers from Connecticut assisting with operations in southern California in the wake of the devastating wildfires.

Read more from the American Red Cross below:

As Californians cope with the trauma and massive destruction of the wildfires, more than 350 American Red Cross workers – four from Connecticut – are helping to ensure no one faces this heartbreaking time alone. We’re coordinating closely with our partners to provide food, shelter, emotional support and other critical services.

The four disaster responders from the Red Cross Connecticut and Rhode Island Region are supporting shelter operations, assisting with family reunification, and performing other essential functions. They hail from Cheshire, Lyme, Middletown, and West Hartford.

The threat isn’t over with dangerous fire weather conditions forecast for this week. People should remain vigilant, be prepared to evacuate and follow instructions from local officials.

Find out what's happening in Cheshirefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

RED CROSS RESPONSE Nearly 900 evacuees woke up Monday morning in Red Cross shelters, many of whom are struggling after losing everything.

Red Crossers from across the country are helping and truckloads of supplies like cots, blankets, water and relief items are available to support thousands of additional people if needed. Some of these volunteers are from the region and have also been impacted by these wildfires.

In shelters, disaster health volunteers are caring for minor injuries and replacing things like eyeglasses and medications. Disaster mental health workers are providing emotional support to those experiencing unimaginable loss.

WHERE TO GET HELP

HOW YOU CAN HELP: People are depending on the Red Cross for aid now and we need your support. Help people affected by the 2025 California Wildfires by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or texting the word CAWILDFIRES to 90999 to make a donation. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from these disasters.

As the wildfires continue to burn and impact air quality, the number of Red Cross blood drive cancelations have grown impacting hundreds of lifesaving blood donations. To help ensure donor and staff safety, we’ve brought in air scrubbers and have N-95 masks available at our facilities. Where it is safe to do so, we encourage people to schedule a blood donation appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

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CHESHIRE — A family-owned ice cream shop that serves over 80 flavors from numerous Connecticut-based creameries is opening its third location on Friday.

Micro Creamery of Connecticut announced the soft-opening of its new location on Jan. 3 at the former Sweet Claude's Ice Cream location at 828 South Main St. in a Facebook and Instagram post. The company has two other locations in Milford Post Mall and on Litchfield Turnpike in Woodbridge.

Shahan Kukreja, who co-owns the creamery with his father, Dinesh, said the family has lived in Cheshire for around 25 years and have wanted to break into the local market, but said it took some time.

"Everything has to fall into place," Kukreja said. "It takes a lot of searching and effort, but also a little bit of luck too for everything to fall into place. And that's kind of what the Cheshire store was."

Kukreja said his family strives to make the new Cheshire location more than just an ice cream shop, but a destination where people can meet, go on dates and bring the family. The new location is a solo building with a ton of space, he said, that will allow the parlor to host parties, meetings and events. The location will also be accompanied with indoor and outdoor seating.

"When I was growing up, [when my family] drove by, there would be all these kids sitting on the stoop and they would be asking for people to honk on the street," Kukreja said. "This destination had all the feels and everything lined up the way we wanted."

The Cheshire location will be open Sunday through Thursday from noon - 8 p.m. and then Friday and Saturday from noon - 9 p.m. Kukreja said these hours will likely be extended in the spring and summer months.

Micro Creamery of Connecticut serves various ice cream flavors from Arethusa Farm in Litchfield, Big Dipper in Prospect, Buck's Ice Cream in Milford, Cold Fusion Gelato in Westport, Praline's in Wallingford and Salem Valley Farms in Salem.

Kukreja told CT Insider last year that the company set themselves apart from the competition by "having all homemade, locally made ice cream" in order to "give people the opportunity to see what the best ice creams around Connecticut look like." He added the family had over two decades of experience in the ice cream business.

Yelp ranks Micro Creamery of Connecticut as one of the best ice cream places in New Haven county, according to its list, as of Jan. 2.

The creamery opened its first location in Woodbridge in 2022, followed by Milford in 2023.

The Kukrejas said they signed a lease for their Cheshire location around August of last year, and at the time, aimed to open in the fall.

Kukreja cited construction as the reason for the delayed opening.

"You know, everything kind of happens for a reason, we're actually happy because the construction gave us more time to plan out the building and infrastructure and how we wanted to do everything layout wise," Kukreja said. "So yeah, there was a little bit of a delay, but it was all for the best."

The Woodbridge and Milford location's menus feature flavors from Key Lime Pie, Dulce de Leche, Cow tracks, Gulab Jamun to numerous other conventional and unique flavors. Several flavors are also labeled as gluten-free and dairy-free.

The creamery also offers catering, and Kukreja said that they have recently acquired a catering truck. He said the truck will be used at local fairs and events in the area in the upcoming seasons.

"That's the part of the business that we are really to expand," Kukreja said. "We're really going to delve deep into the fairs and festivals this year."

Kukreja said the family planned to schedule a grand opening for their new spot in a few months, once it turns warmer to formerly celebrate the new location with the community. Kukreja said the date of the grand opening is to be determined, but will be an event fun for the whole family.

Jan 2, 2025

Reporter

Jessica Bravo is a breaking news reporter with Hearst Connecticut Media Group. Jessica was previously employed at The Connecticut Mirror as a general assignment reporter. Jessica graduated with her BA in journalism at Central Connecticut State University in May 2023. Jessica loves all things Connecticut.

Cheshire Animal Control will have to implement changes after the Connecticut Department of Agriculture noted violations of several statutory and regulatory requirements.

In a statement, DoAg officials said concerning allegations were raised about the facility, and an investigation revealed the need for changes in management and oversight, improvements in training, enhancements in animal care protocols, needed facility repairs and monthly progress reports documenting the improvements.

The town of Cheshire agreed to implement changes outlined in a consent order that took effect on Dec. 24. The shelter has until January 2029 to make necessary upgrades.

The consent order notes soaking wet floors and dogs in need of grooming, with one of them having obvious hair loss and red skin. Investigators also observed a mouse infestation, an odor of urine and a lot of clutter.

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Dog food could be seen on the wet floors, outside of their required storage containers, according to the order. It was also noted that there isn't a set-up quarantine area at the facility, which is required for a facility of its size.

Animals at the dog pound were also placed in cages that were too small, and didn't meet minimum size requirements, while primary enclosures were cleaned, the order reads.

The goal of the consent order is to ensure the facility and its operations are brought into full compliance, according to officials.

The Department of Agriculture said they will continue monitoring the animal control facility on a monthly basis to make sure all corrective actions are met.

"We appreciate the cooperation of the Town of Cheshire in addressing these important issues, and we remain dedicated to maintaining transparency throughout this process. We are confident that these steps will help ensure that the animals housed at the facility receive the care they deserve and that the facility operates in full compliance with state regulations," a CT DoAg spokesperson said in a statement.

NBC Connecticut has reached out to Cheshire Animal Control but has not yet heard back.

You can read the consent order in its entirety below.

The news was frustrating to hear for dog owners at the Cheshire Dog Park.

"It doesn't make sense to me. Like I said, I am surprised. I had no idea it was that bad," JoAnn Ray, of Waterbury, said.

"Fix it, please. These animals cannot provide for themselves," Anthony Criscuolo, of Bethany, said. "It's just frustrating to hear."

Local dog owners say they hope the change demanded by the state becomes a reality.

"Hopefully these tax dollars are being put to work somewhere. We definitely need that to be something that's taken seriously," Jonathan Okohson, of Cheshire, said.

Several violations were found at the Cheshire Animal Control facility following an investigation, according to the CT Dept. of Agriculture.

Vincent Salzo, Patch Staff

CHESHIRE, CT — The Cheshire Animal Control facility was found to have been in violation of six state regulations and statutes following an investigation, according to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture.

The state animal control initiated an investigation into allegations regarding the conditions and care of animals at the Cheshire facility since 30 dogs were seized in an animal cruelty case around two years ago.

The state Department of Agriculture announced this week that its inspection found that the Cheshire Animal Control facility had “apparent violation of several statutory and regulatory requirements.”

“As of December 24, 2024, the town has agreed to implement provisions outlined in a Consent Order to bring the facility and its operations into full compliance,” according to a news release. “These provisions include necessary changes in management and oversight, improvements in training, enhancements in animal care protocols, needed facility repairs, and monthly progress reports documenting the improvements.”

Among the violations noted in the consent order were improper grooming, a failure to provide necessary veterinary care, evidence of a mouse infestation in the shelter, and keeping animals in cages that didn’t meet minimum size requirements while primary enclosures were cleaned.

Find out what's happening in Cheshirefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

In a statement, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture said it is “fully committed to ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of animals within the care of animal control facilities in the state.”

“To this end, we will continue to monitor the Town of Cheshire Animal Control facility on a monthly basis, ensuring that all corrective actions are completed to meet the required standards,” the statement reads. “We appreciate the cooperation of the Town of Cheshire in addressing these important issues, and we remain dedicated to maintaining transparency throughout this process. We are confident that these steps will help ensure that the animals housed at the facility receive the care they deserve and that the facility operates in full compliance with state regulations.”

Police recently announced that 23 dogs were adopted earlier this month after spending the past two years at the Cheshire Animal Control facility following the resolution of a “complicated legal case.”

Police said that as of Friday, Dec. 6, all 23 dogs housed at the animal control facility have been adopted into “their forever homes with loving families.”

“Additionally, seven dogs were returned to the defendant per the terms of a settlement agreement,” police wrote in a news release at the time. “This milestone marks the first time in over two years that there are no dogs currently being held in the Animal Control facility.”

See also: Cheshire Animal Control Facility Consent Order 2024

Casertano Greenhouses & Farms in Cheshire brings fresh natural greens to the holiday and Christmas decor of many homes with the help of agricultural workers from Mexico.

But a new federal lawsuit filed by some of those workers accuses the business and a national labor contractor of exploiting its migrant workforce, violating the terms of a temporary agricultural visa program.

In the suit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Connecticut, the workers allege they were forced to work overtime without pay, take unpaid leaves and pay for their own travel and other expenses¹, among other claims.

“Something that I find kind of ironic about the situation is that the workers were regularly denied permission to leave their housing units for things like going to Mass,” said Natalia Poblete, who is with the Yale Worker and Immigrant Rights Advocacy Clinic at Yale Law School.

“Meanwhile, they’re creating Christmas decor,” she said.

Poblete, along with faculty and four other students from Yale Law school, are representing the workers.

The defendants named in the suit are Casertano Greenhouses and national labor contractor Manzana LLC. Connecticut Public’s efforts to contact Manzana were unsuccessful. Rick Grimaldi, a representative for Casertano, said in a statement that the business treats all workers with dignity and respect.

“We deny the allegations and are confident that as the process plays out, it will confirm that they are baseless,” Grimaldi said.

Workers in vulnerable positions

Temporary workers are provided both employment and housing through the H-2A visa program, which allows contractors to source agricultural laborers from abroad to perform seasonal work in the United States.

In a press release, plaintiff Francisco Javier Zavala Martinez said he took the job at Casertano out of desperation.

“I came to the U.S. because my mother was sick, and her roof caved in,” Zavala Martinez said in the release. “I needed work and I stayed quiet about the abuse for four years. The stress was awful. But I want other workers to know that they have rights, that there are laws that protect us.”

The lawsuit alleges that as early as 2019, Casertano has worked with Manzana to recruit foreign workers. It then “systematically cheated” the plaintiffs and other workers out of wages, forced them to pay illegal recruitment fees and travel costs, and threatened them with deportation, said Poblete, the Yale law student.

“All this conduct violated the federal rules of the H-2A visa program,” Poblete said.

Manzana has been sued at least twice before for systemic abuse of the H-2A program outside of Connecticut, according to Theodore Walter, another Yale law student representing the plaintiffs.

According to court filings, one case filed in the District of Puerto Rico involving Manzana settled.

Another case in the Western District of Michigan in which the federal law claim was dismissed and remanded also ended in a settlement, according to conversations with advocates involved in the case, Walter said.

Workers in the H-2A program depend on the program for housing, their immigration status and for employment to provide for their families, giving the employers “enormous power over workers,” she said.

Given that H-2A workers are often isolated geographically, socially and linguistically, they face significant barriers to speaking out against the injustices they face, according to Poblete.

Seeking damages

The legal team estimates each worker is owed thousands of dollars in unpaid wages.

Poblete said the plaintiffs also claim they were forced to take a month of unpaid vacation and accept payment for the work that they did before the vacation upon their return.

The workers were kept on this delayed payment schedule, according to the lawsuit, forcing them to continue working through the end of the season.

Many of the workers took out debts to cover the travel costs and other fees, she said, which exacerbated their economic vulnerability.

“They have been essentially forced into a cycle of dependence on their exploitative employers,” causing the plaintiffs extreme stress, anxiety, and depression, Poblete said.

The plaintiffs are seeking recovery of their unpaid wages. They are also seeking compensatory damages for emotional distress and liquidated and punitive damages.

Federal program under scrutiny

In a written statement, Casertano denied the allegations, stating, “Casertano Greenhouses is a family company founded three generations ago by immigrants to this country and we have been a mainstay in our community since 1929. We treat all of our employees with dignity and respect.”

The company said the issue lies with the federal visa program.

“This complaint was filed by students from the Yale Law School, with the assistance of an attorney who has a history of filing these complaints. Their issue, as a lot of the allegations show, seems to be with the H-2A program itself and not about how we run our family business or how we treat our employees,” Grimaldi, Casertano's representative, wrote.

In regards to other claims made in the complaint, Casertano denied allegations that supervisors gave preferential treatment to employees who were not H-2A visa workers.

“We take the allegations very seriously not just because they malign our company but also because they cast aspersions on our employees,” Grimaldi said in the statement.

The plaintiffs and the Yale legal team are prepared to go to trial if necessary, according to Poblete.

“Numerous watchdog organizations and the Department of Labor have known for a long time that the H-2A program is rife with abuse,” Poblete said. “The plaintiffs in this lawsuit have demonstrated really extraordinary bravery in demanding justice on behalf of all H-2A workers at Casertano Farms.”

_______________________ ¹Complaint at pg. 29: “When Mr. Zavala first saw the condition of the housing facility, he was surprised and upset at how dirty and crowded it was. // On at least one occasion, Mr. Zavala asked Supervisor Reyes if he could leave the housing facility to attend mass at a nearby church. Supervisor Reyes told Mr. Zavala he did not have permission to leave the housing facility outside of the weekly trip to town.”