For a second consecutive day, dense fog blankets most of southwestern Connecticut early today, and increasingly warm, humid conditions has prompted the state to issue an air-quality alert. When skies clear by midday, the National Weather Service predicts temperatures will rise to about 80 degrees, with a light southwest wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning. The air-quality alert is in effect from 2 to 10 p.m. as ozone levels are expected to approach or exceed unhealthy levels.

Significant delays were expected along the Metro-North New Haven line following a major derailment that left 72 injured in Bridgeport on Friday, May 17, but the 9:50 a.m. train came on schedule in Darien Monday morning. Jacobson said the train system in other countries such as England, Japan and Australia are "outstanding," and that the trains run so smoothly that it's "like you're sitting in your living room." State transportation officials said traffic on Interstate 95 and the Merritt Parkway was at a crawl Monday morning, with the trip between Bridgeport and Stamford estimated at about an hour during the height of the rush hour. Metro-North officials expected it would be days before train service was restored as crews worked around the clock to rebuild 2,000 feet of track, overhead wires and signals. The damaged rail cars were removed from the tracks on Sunday, the first step toward making the repairs.

Douglas Kennedy, author of "Five Days," will be the Darien Library's featured speaker at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21. In a job where finding nothing is always the best result, she is well versed in the random unfairness of life, a revelation that has started to affect her personally. Laura begins to wonder if her impending empty nest will only deepen the disconnected state of her marriage.

Thick fog blanketing the region this morning and the potential for heavy rain this afternoon pose a double-whammy to an already-challenging day on the roads in southwestern Connecticut in the wake of Friday's train collision in Bridgeport. Fog throughout the area -- some dangerously dense -- early today is adding an extra note of frustration to the morning commute, but the National Weather Service says it should dissipate by later morning. The daytime high temperature will rise to the mid-70s under cloudy skies, with the threat of rain -- and possibly thunderstorms -- after 1 p.m. There will be a southwest wind 5 to 9 mph.

Due to the current limitations of Metro-North train service, the Town of Darien in conjunction with the Darien Police Department will be temporarily suspending parking enforcement and parking fees in commuter parking lots. Larger volumes of pedestrian and vehicular traffic are expected in and around both Darien and Noroton Heights train stations.

The Darien Domestic Abuse Partnership recently collected donations from community members with help from the Darien Library. Above, Erin Shea, Darien Library, and Candy Bartlett, Darien Domestic Abuse Partnership, transfer the donations collected at the library to the two safe houses run by the Domestic Violence Crisis Center. The DVCC serves seven local communities and provides key resources for those experiencing domestic abuse including, (as well as safe houses), counseling and legal support. The DVCC is on call 24 hours a day through its hotline at 888-774-2900 and its website, www.dvccct.org.

The relatively dry spring weather might be bad for the flowers, but it could help keep disease-carrying mosquitoes away, said at least one state health expert. In Connecticut, there were no deaths, but there were 21 human cases -- the highest volume in the state since the illness was first found here in 1999. According to the state Department of Public Health, Stamford had the highest number of cases at five, followed by Greenwich, which had two cases. West Nile Virus is spread by mosquitoes and can cause illness in people and animals. [...] there was a case at Bridgeport Hospital seven or eight years ago where the virus attacked the patient's spinal cord, requiring serious rehabilitation, said Dr. Zane Saul, the hospital's chief of infectious diseases.

Known for its jumping exhibitions, this year's program also serves as the kickoff to the 100-year anniversary celebration of the organization in 2014, and features multiple generations of riding families. Other sponsors include Callari Auto Group, the Carrington Charitable Foundation, Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Norwalk, Palmer's Catering, Stronghold Equine Equipment, Whole Foods in Darien, Equestrian Services International, Southern Tent, Seedlings Foundation, Aden Brook/AgriSales, Whipstick Farm, Tracy Stables, Grand Prix Equine, Atlantic Construction, Stamford Hospital, Lucky Lawn LLC, O'Neill's Pub, Der Dau Boots, FW-PHA, Susan's Canine Training, Darien Electric, Meticulous Landscaping & Design, Jimmy's Southside Pub, Glen Liquors and Sandy Hook Forge. Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Program, a nonprofit organization founded at Ox Ridge Hunt Club in 1975, provides equine-assisted activities to 225 students a year at four regional chapters, including its main equestrian facility, Pegasus Farm, in Brewster, N.Y. Students 4 and older participate in both therapeutic horseback riding and unmounted programs that offer a wide range of physical, social, cognitive and emotional benefits.

The daytime high temperature will rise to about 70 degrees, with a south wind 5 to 10 mph. On Monday, a chance of showers is again in the forecast, with thunderstorms possible after 10 a.m. Skies will be mostly cloudy and the temperature will rise to a high in the low-70s.