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Norwich Man Charged With Wife’s Murder

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A 56-year-old Norwich man has been charged with the murder of his 58-year-old wife on Monday night.

Police responded to the couple’s home at 6 Forestview Drive at 8:09 p.m. on Labor Day to investigate what was reported as an accidental shooting and found Dianna Hodgdon, 58, with a gunshot wound to the upper torso, according to a news release from police.

She was pronounced dead soon after police and emergency personnel arrived.

Officers from the Norwich Police Patrol, detectives, the State Police major crimes squad, the New London County State's Attorney's Office and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner all investigated and police have charged Hodgdon’s husband, James F. Hodgdon, 56, with murder.

Police continue to investigate and ask anyone with information to call Detective Wilbur at 860-886-5561, extension 152.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.con and Norwich police

1 Dead After Bike and Car Crash in Waterbury

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One person is dead after a bicycle and motor vehicle crashed in Waterbury early Tuesday morning.

Police responded to Cooke Street and Chase Avenue around 5:15 a.m. and found a male victim in the street with a serious head injury.

He was transported to Waterbury Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5:49 a.m.

Police have not publicly identified the victim. They are investigating and the crash reconstruction unit has been assigned the case.

Police said the intersection has reopened.

No additional information was immediately available.

Police Investigate Route 2 Crash in Colchester

Biden Edges Past Sanders in New National Poll

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Vice President Joe Biden, who is seriously considering a late entry into the 2016 Democratic presidential campaign, has edged past Bernie Sanders in a new national poll of Democratic voters, while Hillary Clinton continues to lead the Democratic field but has lost ground since last month.

The new Monmouth University poll shows that 42 percent of Democrats back Clinton, 22 percent support Biden and 20 percent favor Sanders.

Clinton's support has dropped from 52 percent in August to 42 percent now.

It has been a significant boost for Biden, who has yet to make a decision about whether he'll seek the presidency. Biden secured 12 percent support when Monmouth polled Democrats last month.



Photo Credit: AP

Marijuana Plants Seized From Glastonbury Home

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Police seized dozens of marijuana plants from a Glastonbury home and arrested a resident who they suspect of growing it.

Officers from the East Central Narcotics Taskforce said they searched 10 Redbud Lane in August and seized 46 marijuana plants and indoor growing equipment.

On Aug. 21, Ronald Purvis, a resident of the house, turned himself in to the Glastonbury Police Department after learning there was a warrant for his arrest.

Purvis was charged with cultivation of marijuana, possession of more than 4 ounces of marijuana, operating a drug factory, possession of marijuana with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia .

He was released on a $45,000 court set non-surety bond and is due back in court on Sept. 23.

It's not clear if he has an attorney. There is no listing for one on the online court docket.



Photo Credit: East Central Narcotics

Coach Suspended for 1 Week Amid Hazing Probe

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Cromwell's high school football coach will be suspended for one week without pay and miss one game in the wake of hazing allegations that surfaced involving the team, the superintendent announced during a news conference on Tuesday. 

Superintendent Dr. Paula M. Talty held the news conference to address the consequences coach Chris Eckert would be facing and said he would miss one game and the suspension would end on Sept. 14.

It comes after police arrested a 16-year-old player and charged him with hazing and breach of peace.

Last week, a district source told NBC Connecticut last week that Eckert was placed on administrative leave while authorities investigate the case.

Police said the teen struck four freshmen teammates with a belt in the locker room before practice late last month, leaving them with welts.

The victims' parents reported the incident, according to police.

Eckert has not returned multiple requests for comment.

ESPN: Patriots' Cheating in 'Spygate' Worse Than Thought

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The discipline imposed by Roger Goodell on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots over its deflated footballs scheme, often referred to as "Deflategate" might be an attempt for the NFL Commissioner to "make up" for the way he handled "Spygate," according to a new report in ESPN The Magazine.

"Spygate," the 2007 scandal where the Patroits were caught videotaping signals by the New York Jets, culminated in a series of fines for the Patriots, including $500,000 for coach Bill Belichick, $250,000 for the team and the loss of a first round draft pick the next year.  

Sources told ESPN's "Outside the Lines" in 2015 that New England's videotaping program was much worse than reported. Those sources said the Patriots were recording the signals of opposing teams during at least 40 games from 2000 through 2007. ESPN's story, which interviewed more than 90 sources around the league, says Goodell knew he gave the Patriots too lenient of a punishment after "Spygate" and that he leveled a stricter punishment after the Patriots were found in 2014 to be deflating footballs as a makeup for the leniency 8 years earlier. 

The Patriots issued a statement responding to the ESPN story, and it takes issue with the details around ESPN's "Spygate" reporting. The statement, which does not address the idea that Goodell used "Deflategate" as a makeup for lax punishment in the past, says ESPN continues to base it's reporting about "Spygate" on an erroneous report from The Boston Herald in 2008. The Boston Herald offered the team a front and back page apology four months after publishing a critical story. Read the full statement here. 

"Clearly, the damage has been irreparable. As recently as last month, over seven years after the retraction and apology was issued, ESPN issued the following apology to the Patriots for continuing to perpetuate the myth: ‘On two occasions in recent weeks, SportsCenter incorrectly cited a 2002 report regarding the New England Patriots and Super Bowl XXXVI. That story was found to be false, and should not have been part of our reporting. We apologize to the Patriots organization.’

"This type of reporting over the past seven years has led to additional unfounded, unwarranted and, quite frankly, unbelievable allegations by former players, coaches and executives. None of which have ever been substantiated, but many of which continue to be propagated," the statement continues. "The New England Patriots are led by an owner whose well-documented efforts on league-wide initiatives – from TV contracts to preventing a work stoppage – have earned him the reputation as one of the best in the NFL. For the past 16 years, the Patriots have been led by one of the league’s all-time greatest coaches and one of its all-time greatest quarterbacks. It is disappointing that some choose to believe in myths, conjecture and rumors rather than giving credit for the team’s successes to Coach Belichick, his staff and the players for their hard work, attention to detail, methodical weekly preparation, diligence and overall performance."

Also this morning, both Goodell and Brady took to the airwaves to give their take on the "Deflategate" controversy.

Goodell went on ESPN Radio, where he commented on his current relationship with Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

"Same as it's always been. We may disagree on this issue but Robert and I continue to have a very strong relationship," he said. "We continue to work on legal matters as an important to us we obviously disagree about this issue but there's a respectful disagreement about that and we continue to work on league matters and other matters necessary"

Brady talked about how he has grown as a result of the controversy during an appearance on WEEI Radio

"This has ben a different type of challenge in my life. It's been a different type of obstacle to overcome," he said. "Sometimes in life you think that the the hardest times are really the things you learned from the most."

Brady said he has to put his feelings aside and go out and do his job.

The Patriots kick off the regular season on Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers.



Photo Credit: AP

3 Ruled Out at Suspects in Manhunt

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Three people questioned during the investigation into the fatal shooting of a veteran Fox Lake, Illinois, police officer have been ruled out as suspects, officials said Tuesday.

"The [people questioned] established their whereabouts during that time frame," said Commander George Filenko with the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force. 

Officials last week said they recovered a piece of "important" evidence and noted that the FBI was putting several videos into chronological order. The videos showed three people matching the vague description of the suspects believed to have killed Fox Lake Lieutenant Charles "Joe" Gliniewicz, authorities said.

Filenko said those three people were identified and questioned and have since been ruled out as suspects.

"At this point we don't have any video relevant to that investigation," he said. 

Officials did reveal Tuesday that DNA not belonging to Gliniewicz was found at the crime scene and is being analyzed at a crime lab. 

"We are continuing this investigation based on the information that was provided to us from day one -- that Lieutenant Gliniewicz identified three individuals that he pursued in a heavily wooded area," Filenko said. "Officers responded to back him up, and found him murdered, or, I'm sorry, killed."

Police are re-canvassing the Fox Lake area and interviewing residents and any potential witnesses.

The update comes just one day after Gliniewicz was laid to rest

Gliniewicz, a 30-year veteran of the force, was fatally shot last week while investigating three "suspicious" people. The gunmen are described as two white men and one black man, but further details on their descriptions have not been made available. 

Filenko said last week, and again on Tuesday, the three suspects are believed to still be in the area, about 60 miles north of Chicago, and authorities say they've made "significant progress" in their search. Authorities believe the suspects are "local individuals."

"Obviously we have a lot of transportation means in this area — trains, cars, buses — we’re still working off the fact that we’re presuming there’s a good probability that they are still somewhere in the area," Filenko said. "Now whether they're in Fox Lake or any of the surrounding border communities that remains to be seen."

Filenko confirmed Friday that the officer’s gun was recovered at the scene but could not confirm how many times, if any, it had been fired. Gliniewicz's squad car did not have a dash camera, he said. 

A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the suspects. A tip line and website has also been set up for residents looking to report any information surrounding the case.


Injured Fairfield Police Dog to Retire

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Ruger, a K9 with the Fairfield police department, is retiring after serving the department for several years because an injury prevents him from continuing his service as a police dog.

Ruger was injured while getting out of a police car and his back never healed correctly, according to police.

He was born in 2010, comes from a long line of working dogs and arrived in the United States in 2011, when he was paired with his handler, according to the Fairfield Police K9 Unit website

"His service has made it crystal clear that this agency benefits from a strong K-9 program," a news release from police says.

Police said his injury is genetic and the department will officially retire Ruger on Wednesday evening during the police commission meeting.



Photo Credit: Fairfield Police

North Texas Couple, Baby Reunited After Switch in Hospital

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A North Texas couple has been reunited with their baby boy after accusing hospital staff in El Salvador of switching their baby with another one shortly after his birth, according to an El Salvadorian newspaper.

Richard Cushworth, who is originally from England, and his wife Mercedes Casanellas decided to travel to her native El Salvador to give birth to their child.

When they returned to Dallas, they had a DNA test performed after noticing their baby didn't resemble either of them, NBC News reported.

After the DNA test proved the child wasn't theirs authorities began an investigation while Casanellas filed a lawsuit against the obstetrician who delivered their son.

Meanwhile, the parents made a desperate plea for their child to be returned.

"God has given us this child and, somehow, somebody has taken him from us, and we want him back," said Cushworth.

El Salvadoran newspaper Diario La Página reported four families who gave birth at the hospital submitted to DNA testing and that one was determined to be a match for Cushworth and Casanellas.

The families were reunited with their children Monday night.

Officials in El Salvador said an investigation into the incidents is ongoing and that they have not yet determined if the babies were switched accidentally or if it was done intentionally.

It was initially reported there was concern the child may have been swapped and sold to traffickers because of his fairer skin, but that has yet to be confirmed.



Photo Credit: NBC News
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Man Charged in Newington Gas Station Robbery

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Police have arrested a 24-year-old man accused of robbing a gas station in Newington and telling the clerk he had a gun.

Michael Robinson, of New Britain, has been charged with first-degree robbery and sixth-degree larceny.

Police said he entered the Valero gas station at 194 Kelsey Street in Newington around 5 a.m. Sunday, told the clerk he had a gun and demanded money.

The clerk handed over an unknown amount of cash. No one was hurt.

Police said Robinson did not display a weapon.

He ran out of the store and headed westbound toward New Britain, according to police. A responding officer spotted him walking nearby and took him into custody.

Robinson was held on $100,000 bond and was due in court Wednesday.

It's not clear if he has an attorney.



Photo Credit: Newington Police Department

Police Seek Suspect in Checking Account Theft

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State police are trying to identify the person who stole money from a Somers woman’s checking account last month.

Police started investigating on Aug. 22 when the victim reported suspicious withdrawals from her checking account and investigators are now looking for a man seen in surveillance video footage from an ATM in New Britain.

Money was illegal withdrawn from the victim’s account at 6:37 p.m. on Aug. 21, according to state police.

They are looking for man who appears to be in his late teens, stands around 5-feet-10 and weighs 130 pounds.

Anyone who recognizes him or has information about the case should call Trooper Gawronski at Connecticut State Police Troop C in Tolland at 860-896-3222 ext. 8027.



Photo Credit: Connecticut State Police

Motorcycle Crashes in New Milford

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Police are responding to a motorcycle crash in New Milford.

Dispatchers said the collision happened on Route 109/Chestnut Land Road near the intersection of Wellington Drive.

There has been no word on injuries.

No additional information was immediately available.

Cooling Centers Open in Hartford

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The city of Hartford has opened cooling centers as temperatures climb to record highs.

The mercury reached 96 degrees Tuesday in Windsor Locks, breaking the record of 95 for the Hartford area.

"We have more hot weather this week and the City is offering places where people can keep cool. Extremely hot and humid weather can be challenging, even dangerous, and I urge people to take precautions," Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra said in a statement Tuesday.

The following locations will serve as cooling centers Tuesday and Wednesday:

  • North End Senior Center at 80 Coventry Street, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • South End Wellness Center at 830 Maple Avenue, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Parkville Senior Center at 11 New Park Avenue, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Hispanic Health Council at 175 Main Street, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Hispanic Senior Center at 45 Wadsworth Street, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The following Hartford Public Library branches are also available as cooling centers:

  • Hartford Downtown Public Library at 500 Main Street, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Albany Library Branch at 1250 Albany Avenue, 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Barbour Branch at 281 Barbour Street, 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Camp Field Branch at 30 Campfield Avenue, 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Mark Twain Branch at 55 Forest Street, 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Park Branch at 744 Park Street, 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • SANDS/Ropkins at 1750 Main Street, 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Goodwin at 460 New Britain Avenue, 12:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Blue Hills Branch at 649 Blue Hills Avenue, 12:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Dozens of schools dismissed early Tuesday amid the heat, and some have also planned abbreviated days for Wednesday.



Photo Credit: NBC 5 News

Southington Residents Urged to Conserve Water

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The Southington Water Department is asking residents to conserve water because of the lack of rain amid record-breaking heat.

The water department is asking customers to limit the amount of outside water use and adhere to odd-even system when using outside water to wash cars, water flowers and perform other non-essential watering.

The odd-even system allows residents of properties with an even street number to water on even days of the month, while residents of properties with odd street numbers water on odd days of the month.


Fairfield Among 50 Safest College Towns: Report

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Fairfield is among the 50 safest college towns in the country, according to a new report released by SafeWise.

The group, which focuses on home and community safety, ranks Fairfield as No. 41 out of 50. The town is home to Fairfield University and Sacred Heart University.

SafeWise used FBI crime data from 2013 to analyze the number of crimes in a given area, along with population and community safety initiatives.

The organization cites the Fairfield Community Emergency Response Team, which includes volutneers trained under FEMA guidelines to provide community support during disasters and emergencies, along with Fairfield University's "StagAlert" emergency notification system, which sends emails, text messages and automated phone calls to the student body during emergencies.

Brookings, South Dakota, tops the list of safest college towns and is followed by Charleston, Illinois, according to SafeWise.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

White House Battles Cheney on Iran Nuclear Deal

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The White House is promoting a social media campaign slamming former Vice President Dick Cheney and his criticism against the Obama administration's Iran nuclear deal, NBC News reports.

The campaign aims to show Cheney was wrong on how he assessed the Iraq War and on Obama's recently announced nuclear deal with Iran, which would limit Iran's nuclear production for 10 years in exchange for an end to millions of dollars in sanctions.

Cheney, a vocal critic of the deal, said Tuesday at the American Enterprise Institute that the administration made concessions in "secret talks" with Iran before the negotiations, and attacked the lack of inspection of military sites, side agreements, and other aspects of the agreement.

"With the removal of restrictions on Iran's ballistic missile program this agreement will give Iran the means to launch a nuclear attack on the US homeland," Cheney said.

The White House has fiercely defended the deal over the past several months.



Photo Credit: File - Getty Images
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SoCal Veteran With PTSD Finds Stolen Service Dog in TX

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A California Marine veteran whose service dog was stolen from her San Diego-area home in December has found her beloved pooch, thousands of miles away in a small Texas town. 

Alexandra Melnick’s dog, Kai, disappeared from her Vista home on on Dec. 10 last year. San Diego Sheriff's officials say an unknown suspect entered Melnick's property and took the dog from a secured backyard. 

Kai is a 1-year-old, tri-colored German Shepherd that is trained and certified as a service animal. The dog has a microchip that helps identify him. 

Following Kai's disappearance, Melnick canvassed the North County with fliers in hopes of finding Kai.

“He was never used for the military, but he does help with PTSD-related aspects for me as a service dog,” she told NBC7 in San Diego when he disappeared. “I would really like for him to come home.”

On Aug. 31, Melnick received a tip that told her Kai was in Aubrey, Texas. The same day, she boarded a plane to Texas and confirmed Kai was there. 

With the help of Denton County Constable D. Boydston and Animal Control officials, the dog's microchip was scanned and his identity confirmed. 

Kai is with Animal Control officials and a property hearing is scheduled Wednesday to determine proper ownership of the dog. 

Sheriff's officials have identified a suspect, but did not identify him or her. The investigation is ongoing.



Photo Credit: Alexandra Melnick

Missing Couple's Son Arrested on Federal Gun Charge

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The son of a missing Easton, Connecticut couple, has been arrested on a federal gun charge, and sources have told NBC Connecticut he's a person of interest in his parents' disappearance.

Kyle Navin, 27, of Bridgeport, has been charged with possession of a firearm by someone who is illegally using or addicted to a controlled substance, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. He appeared in federal court Tuesday afternoon.

Police searched Kyle Navin's home last month as part of the investigation into his parents' disappearance.

They discovered two guns, numerous rounds of ammunition, empty heroin bags, hypodermic needles and empty bottles of oxycodone and other prescription drugs, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. A search of his cellphone revealed text messages discussing Navin's use of heroin, oxycodone and Xanax.

Investigators also found a receipt from a shooting range dated Aug. 5, the day after his parents, Jeffrey and Jeanette Navin, disappeared from their Easton home.

Jeffrey Navin, 56, serves as president of the J&J Refuse sanitation company in Westport, while Jeanette Navin, 55, works as a school library aide in Weston. Police said they had recently moved to Easton from Westport.

Kyle Navin works as operations manager of J&J Refuse and told police the family was in the process of selling the company, according to search warrants obtained by NBC Connecticut.

Police records indicate Kyle Navin saw his parents the morning they vanished. According to the warrants, Jeffrey and Jeanette Navin visited him and asked to take him out to dinner, but Kyle Navin said he had a broken back and declined.

That was the last anyone heard from Jeffrey and Jeanette Navin.

No phone calls have been made from the couple's cell phones since the day they disappeared, according to search warrants. Those phones have since been turned off.

Five days after the couple disappeared, a state trooper found their pickup with a broken window in a Westport commuter lot, authorities said. Investigators have taken more than a dozen swab samples from the vehicle, according to the search warrants.

As part of the investigation, crews have scoured the Putnam Ash Residue Landfill, a 186-acre site operated by Wheelabrator Technologies used to dump ash from all the state's waste-to-energy plants.

About a week before the Navins vanished, a judge denied Jeffrey Navin's motion to reopen a case appealing more than $2.2 million in debt on a $900,000 Guilford home. Other relatives have said they don't believe the couple's finances factored into their disappearance.

Police have also searched the couple's current and former homes and one of their bank accounts.

It's not clear if Kyle Navin has an attorney. He could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call state police at 860-685-8190. All calls will remain confidential.



Photo Credit: Weston Forum/NBCConnecticut.com

Chemicals to Make Fish Oil Found in Boston Basement

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The acid and other chemicals found in the basement of a Boston building Tuesday evening were being stored to make fish oil, Boston Fire officials say.

The chemicals were found as part of some type of laboratory around 6 p.m. in the basement of Fenway Market on Kilmarnock Street, near Fenway Park, Boston Police Commissioner William Evans said.

Initial results of the chemicals were not indicative of explosive materials, nor a meth lab, Evans said. A hazardous materials team was investigating as well as the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Several neighboring buildings in the city's Fenway neighborhood were evacuated after the discovery of the possible lab, police said. A shelter was being set up for evacuees.

Evans said lots of acid and a "heating" device were found in the building's basement as part of a routine inspection by the city's Inspectional Services Department. Officials add that an entrance and exit to Fenway Market were also blocked.

Boston police confirmed earlier that first responders were investigating calls of flammable liquids at 76 Kilmarnock St.

Crowds at the Boston Red Sox game that started at Fenway Park just after 7 p.m. may need to be redirected if the situation is ongoing, police said.

Road closures in the area includes Kilmarnock Street, Park Drive and Boylston Street. Police were asking drivers to seek alternative routes.

Businesses and restaurants in the area also closed down for the night due to the incident.

Stay with necn and necn.com as this story develops. 



Photo Credit: necn
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