The week in photos – April 9, 2026

Mayor Dorinda Borer, the city’s 2014 Irishwoman of the Year, presents her “great friend” and West Haven Irish American Club mentor David Coyle, the city’s 2026 Irishman of the Year, with a proclamation declaring “David F. Coyle Day” in West Haven.

West Haven Irishman of the Year David Coyle, holding his “Irishman of the Year 2026” jacket as an Irish flag is displayed, pauses below his newly unveiled street sign with, from left, son Kevin Coyle, wife Valerie Coyle, daughter Kaitlin Coyle, Mayor Dorinda Borer and state Rep. Bill Heffernan (D-115), during the city’s 33rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on March 17. The Kelly green sign will christen City Hall’s Campbell Avenue entrance “David F. Coyle Square” for the next year.

Members of the West Haven Police Honor Guard present the American, Connecticut and Irish colors as Bailey Middle School chorus teacher Paul Scanlon, back right, sings a powerful rendition of the Irish national anthem, “Soldier’s Song.” Scanlon also sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

From left, 2026 Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal Fiona Stewart Jimenez, of West Hartford, and Honor Attendant Meghan Waterfield, of West Haven, are all smiles with 1999 West Haven Irishman of the Year Jack Coyle.

Piles of beach sand are mounded along Prospect Beach headed toward Sea Bluff as crews attempt to replenish beach sand lost to Long Island Sound during the past winter. West Haven’s beaches are man-made and the churning of tides during the colder months chews up the sand that has been used to contour the shore. With three miles of continuous shoreline, various areas have to be replenished in rotation.

The USS West Haven as it once looked under full steam was built in 1917

Jasmine Jones is the Reference Librarian at the Main Library. Stop in to have a chat about books, fashion, or ask a reference question.

West Haven High School Theatre Workshop completed a successful run of Footloose: The Musical, playing to big audiences during the two-day run. The production was under the direction of Christina Nolan.

West Haven High School Theatre Workshop completed a successful run of Footloose: The Musical, playing to big audiences during the two-day run. The production was under the direction of Christina Nolan.

West Haven High School Theatre Workshop completed a successful run of Footloose: The Musical, playing to big audiences during the two-day run. The production was under the direction of Christina Nolan.

West Haven High School Theatre Workshop completed a successful run of Footloose: The Musical, playing to big audiences during the two-day run. The production was under the direction of Christina Nolan.

West Haven High School Theatre Workshop completed a successful run of Footloose: The Musical, playing to big audiences during the two-day run. The production was under the direction of Christina Nolan.

More than 70 residents took time, March 30, to participate in the annual Sandy Point Clean-up. Various individuals and group took part, including the Surfside Veterans, Allingtown Volunteer Fire Association, and Vertical Church. Council members Meli Garthwait (R-at-large) and Nancy Tagliatelli (D-2) were among the group, which saw people from Lynbrook, NY, Danbury, West Haven, Somers and East Hampton. Special thanks went to Mayor Dorinda Borer for helping with parking, and Public Works Commissioner Phil Sissick, who had crews assisting trash removal after the event.

More than 70 residents took time, March 30, to participate in the annual Sandy Point Clean-up. Various individuals and group took part, including the Surfside Veterans, Allingtown Volunteer Fire Association, and Vertical Church. Council members Meli Garthwait (R-at-large) and Nancy Tagliatelli (D-2) were among the group, which saw people from Lynbrook, NY, Danbury, West Haven, Somers and East Hampton. Special thanks went to Mayor Dorinda Borer for helping with parking, and Public Works Commissioner Phil Sissick, who had crews assisting trash removal after the event.

George Belbusti as he appeared in the 1949 Blue Flame

George Belbusti in 2020

West Haven Elk Patty Sayers, center, receives “Irishwoman of the Year” citations from Mayor Dorinda Borer and state Rep. Bill Heffernan (D-115) during a shepherd's pie dinner at West Haven Elks Lodge 1537 on March 21. Sayers was honored by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks for her “dedication and service” to the lodge and her “inspiring contributions to the vibrant culture and proud heritage of the Irish people.”

West Haven won a third state championship! The varsity girls basketball Team from St. Lawrence School won the Archdiocesan State Tournament on Sunday, March 15, with a 43-30 win over St. James School. The team ran the table, finishing at 22-0. Shown following the victory are: Coach Byran Brown, Sophia Lupone, Ariel Titus, Juliana Perez, Lehanna Philogene, Mia Rayas, Livia Davis, Sunnie McLaughlin, Lesmari Brown, Lina Davis, Selma Correia-Freire, Isabella Celentano, and Coach Mike Bennett .

The Blue Devil boys team completed a run through the Division I tournament table, including a win against top-seeded Notre Dame of West Haven in the semifinal. The Westies topped Staples of Westport in triple overtime, 79-72, to capture the schools first CIAC basketball champsionship in 39 years.

The Unified team went down to the wire against Winsor, capturing a 28-27 win for the championship at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Matt Morgan, Loshon Roman and Trew Kitson accept the 2026 Division 1 State Championship trophy.

The Blue Devils Unified team celebrate with its own CIAC Championship trophy.

The Bulls won the West Haven Fundamental League championship, and are shown following the win. Shown from left, Coach Ivoree Stanley, Chace Stanley, Farid, Aiden Doudy, Luciano Chambrelli, Luca DeCrescenzo, Zeke Natal, Joey Ruiz, Le’Gen Evans, Jariell Santiago, Andrew Loehn, Mason DaSilva, Coach Steve DeCrescenzo.

Loshon Roman gets the layup in West Haven’s 79-72 Triple OT win over Staples in the CIAC Championship.

Matt Morgan and Caden Stanley celebrate after the Blue Devils’ the victory

Anthony Iannotti looks to drive around a Rockville defender in his team’s 6-5 loss to Rockville

Jose Padilla goes 3 for 3 at the plate in the Westies’ Opening Day victory

Abby Wynus triples in the Westies’ 16-0 victory versus Platt Tech.

Freshman Gillian Wynus pitched a no-hitter in the win over Platt Tech.