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Philippine Leader Says He's Thrown People From Helicopter

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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened government officials with the prospect of being thrown out of a helicopter mid-air if they are found to be corrupt, claiming he had done it before and had no qualms about doing it again, NBC News reported.

The former prosecutor said he once hurled a Chinese man suspected of rape and murder out of a helicopter.

"If you are corrupt, I will fetch you using a helicopter to Manila and I will throw you out. I have done this before, why would I not do it again"? Duterte said during a speech to victims of a typhoon on Tuesday.

Duterte's latest threat comes just a few weeks after he admitted killing people during his 22 years as a mayor of Davao City, sometimes riding a motorcycle looking for "encounters to kill."



Photo Credit: Wu Hong-Pool/Getty Images

State Police Seize 10K Oxycodone Pills During Traffic Stop

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State police arrested one man after seizing around 10,000 Oxycodone pills during a traffic stop.

According to police, state troopers noticed a Ford F150 with equipment violations at the I-95 south Service Center around 3 p.m. Wednesday. When police pulled over the vehicle the passenger, identified as John Torres, 30, of West Haven appeared nervous and made troopers suspicious.

Police said they called in a K9, who detected narcotics. When police searched the vehicle they found the Oxycodone pills, which have a street value of roughly $200,000.

Because of the amount of pills, state police contacted the DEA to take over the case. Torres was arrested and handed over to the DEA, which will file charges.



Photo Credit: Connecticut State Police

Florida Bald Eagles Await Eggs to Hatch

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A live video feed is poised over the nest of two Florida bald eagles who are waiting for eggs to hatch. 

American bald eagles Harriet and her mate M15 have been taking turns incubating the eggs since they were laid in late November in their Fort Myers-area nest, NBC affiliate WFLA reported.  

An area real estate company provides a live look at the nest with the "southwest Florida eagle cam." 

Dick Pritchett Real Estate has provided the live video stream of the nest for four years, according to WFLA's report. 



Photo Credit: AP
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Heavy Rain, Wet Snow as Storm Moves Through

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While the major snows will miss Connecticut, beneficial rain and some snow will impact the state today.

Late this morning, snow is beginning across the state. The precipitation has already flipped to rain in shoreline areas.

Initially, temperatures will fall a few degrees due to evaporational cooling.

However, with no high pressure to the north, warmer air will win out fairly quickly.

This means heavy rain for most of Connecticut. Snow will likely hold on in far northwest Connecticut. Norfolk, for example, could very well pick up a half foot of snow.

South and east of the hill towns, the snow totals drop off fairly quickly.

The precipitation begins to move out this evening.

Tomorrow will be mostly cloudy and breezy with flurries. Highs will be near 40 degrees.


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21 Officers Died in Ambush Shootings in 2016, Report Says

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This year was particularly deadly for police officers in the United States, with 21 deadly ambush shootings marking the highest number in more than two decades, according to a law enforcement advocacy group that tracks fatal shootings of officers. 

Those shootings, including the five officers gunned down in Dallas in July, are a 163 percent increase from 2015, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund's annual fatalities report, released Thursday. Overall, 64 officers were fatally shot in the year, a more than 50 percent increase year over year.

Police shootings were a major issue in the U.S. in 2016, both when officers were targeted and when they shot suspects who appeared not to be a danger.

In fact, the ambush in downtown Dallas took place in the midst of a peaceful protest against officer-involved shootings across the nation, with gunman Micah Xavier Johnson leaving seven other officers wounded along with two civilians before police tracked him down and killed him.

Less than two weeks later, three officers were killed in an ambush in Baton Rouge.

"You'd have to go back almost to the 1970s to see a similar experience in American policing," where officers were regularly being targeted, NBC News analyst and former New York Police Department Commissioner Bill Bratton told NBC.

President Barack Obama held a closed-door meeting with police, activist and civic leaders in the wake of the Dallas shooting to try and hash out a way to improve police-community relations, but emerged saying America is "not even close" to where it needs to be to resolve those issues.

Police shootings were a major issue in the presidential campaign as well, with eventual-President-elect Donald Trump touting himself as the "law and order candidate" and winning the endorsement of the national police union, the Fraternal Order of Police.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund report said there were 135 total officer fatalities in 2016, including automobile crashes and other causes, the most since 2011 but below the average for the decade between 2006 and 2015.

Texas had the most officer fatalities, at 17, followed by California, Louisiana and Georgia.

"As we begin the new year, let us all resolve to respect, honor, and remember those who have served us so well and sacrificed so much in the name of public safety," memorial fund President and CEO Craig W. Floyd said in a statement.

The organization inscribes the names of officers killed in the line of duty on a monument in Washington, D.C. There are nearly 21,000 names on it already.



Photo Credit: Getty Images, File

West Hartford Police Investigate Gunfire on Albany Avenue

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West Hartford police are investigating after shots rang out near the Calvary Church on Albany Avenue Wednesday night.

Police said they were called for a report of shots fired in the area of the church, located at 1855 Albany Ave., around 11:20 p.m. When officers arrived on scene they spotted a number of kids running from the area. Several were stopped for questioning.

According to police, many of the kids came from a house party on the Hartford end of Prospect Avenue.

No shooting victims were found, but police did find evidence that shots were fired. A shooter was not found.

One juvenile was arrested for drug possession and inteferring with a police investigation, police said.

Police have received no reports of injuries or property damage as a result of the gunfire. The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information should contact West Hartford police at 860-523-5203.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Crews Responding to Fire on Hurlburt Street in New Britain

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New Britain firefighters are responding to a fire at multi-family home on Hurlburt Street Thursday morning.

Fire crews were working at 22 Hurlburt Street as of 10:30 a.m. Details of the call were not immediately available.

Check back for updates



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Boy, 6, Dies After Rollover Crash in North Haven

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A 6-year-old Meriden boy has died after he was thrown from a pickup truck that rolled over on Interstate 91 in North Haven on Christmas morning.

A woman driving on the southbound side of the highway lost control of the truck and slid into the median, rolling over several times before coming to rest in the northbound lanes near exit 12, according to state police.

The 6-year-old, identified as Noah McCoy, was one of three children in the truck at the time.  He was ejected and rushed to the hospital with serious injuries.

On Thursday police said the child died of his injuries.

McCoy was not not in a child seat or using a seat belt, police said.

The northbound lanes of the highway were shut down from around 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

The driver and the other two children, ages 13 and 11, were taken to the hospital to be checked out for minor injuries.



Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

NY Issues Nation's 1st Known Intersex Birth Certificate

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On Tuesday, 55-year-old Sara Kelly Keenan received something in the mail she's been waiting for her entire life: an accurate birth certificate, NBC News reported. 

Keenan was born intersex, with male genes, female genitalia and mixed internal reproductive organs. In September, she made headlines when a judge allowed her to become the first California resident—and second U.S. citizen—to change her gender to "non-binary."

Now, Keenan, who uses female pronouns, is making history again. Hers is believed to be the first birth certificate ever issued in the United States that reads "intersex" in the gender field, instead of "male" or "female."

Keenan was unaware of her anatomy for most of her adult life, because her parents and doctors agreed to keep it secret when she was born in New York City. Now, the city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has issued Keenan's new birth certificate.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

1 Hour a Day on Social Media Makes Teens Miserable: Study

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Kids between 10 and 15 who spend as little as one hour a day chatting on social networks are overall less content, NBC News reported, citing a recent report by published by the IZA Institute of Labor Economics.

"Spending one hour a day chatting on social networks reduces the probability of being completely satisfied with life overall by approximately 14 percentage points," the authors concluded in "Social Media Use and Children's Wellbeing."

The research, which was conducted from 2010 through 2014 and surveyed British households, was partially an effort to "contribute to wider debates about the socioeconomic consequences of the internet and digital technologies."

The study cited some theories for why children's well-being might decrease, including cyberbullying, an increase in social comparisons and a decrease in real-life, face-to-face activities.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Former Shelton Student Launched Cyber Attacks on School: PD

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Shelton police have arrested a former Shelton High School student accused of launching cyber attacks against the high school’s internet service.

Police said the juvenile suspect, who was not identified due to age, used a cell phone to launch daily Distributed Denial of Service, or DDOS attacks on the school, disabling the school system’s internet service citywide in November and December 2015 and March and April 2016. DDOS attacks work by sending rapidly to overwhelm a server.

The former student was arrested Thursday and charged with computer crimes third-degree.

The school’s internet has been restored and defensive software was installed to prevent future attacks.



Photo Credit: KNBC

Trump Responds to Russia Sanctions: 'Time to Move on'

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President-elect Donald Trump reiterated his call for the U.S. to "move on" rather than retaliate against Russia for interfering in the 2016 election as the Obama administration imposed new sanctions against the Kremlin's intelligence services and their top officials.

"It's time for our country to move on to bigger and better things," Trump said in a statement. "Nevertheless, in the interest of our country and its great people, I will meet with leaders of the intelligence community next week in order to be updated on the facts of this situation."

On Wednesday, Trump suggested that the U.S. and Russia lay to rest the controversy over Moscow's computer hacking of Democratic Party officials, saying, "We ought to get on with our lives."

The White House expelled 35 Russian intelligence diplomats from the U.S., imposed sanctions on nine Russian individuals and entities in retaliation for Russia's interference in the U.S. presidential election and harassment of U.S. diplomats by Russian personnel and police.

Obama's move to punish the Russian government puts Trump in a tough position of having to decided whether or not to undermine retaliatory sanctions or abandon his calls for better relations with Moscow. U.S. officials acknowledged that Trump could use his executive authorities to reverse the sanctions.

Trump's refusal to accept the assessment of the intelligence community also puts him at odds with congressional leaders, who appear to be unified in the conclusion that Russia's government was responsible for hacking its way into tipping the election in favor of the GOP candidate.

Republican Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham said the sanctions are a "small price" to pay for interfering with U.S. elections, adding that they'll lead efforts in Congress to impose stronger penalties.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnel called the sanctions "a good initial step" but criticized Obama's overall foreign policy and said the U.S. must work to ensure that attacks against the nation are met with overwhelming response." 

But the president-elect has held firm to his skepticism of the intel apparatus he's about to inherit.

Russia, which has repeatedly denied the hacking allegations, called the penalties a clumsy yet aggressive attempt to "harm Russian-American ties." Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia would take into account the fact that Trump will soon replace Obama as it drafts retaliatory measures.

Trump has long had a cozy relationship with Putin, going out of his way to praise him during the campaign and resisting joining the chorus of criticism over Russia’s alleged involvement in the elections. He has said the idea that Russia tried to help him win was “ridiculous.”

“I think it’s just another excuse,” Trump said in December. “I don’t believe it. No, I don’t believe it at all.”

The president-elect has also belittled the intelligence agencies that he will assume command over on Jan. 20, insinuating in a tweet that they couldn't be trusted.

“These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction,” he said.

Trump said in July that he would consider lifting previously imposed sanctions against Russia, including those against Russian state banks and corporations following its 2014 invasion of Ukraine. While the U.S. has thus far refused to recognize the legitimacy of Russian referendums in Crimea, Trump has hinted in the past that he may be prepared to do so.

Uber Driver Saves 16-Year-Old Teen From Sex Trafficking

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A California Uber driver is being hailed a hero after he helped rescue a 16-year-old runaway from sex traffickers, NBC News reported.

Keith Avila picked up the teenager and two other females in and drove them to a Holiday Inn in Elk Grove, California.

While in the car, the women openly talked about delivering the girl to a "John" and getting money from him. Once his fare was dropped off at the hotel, Avila called the police.

Elk Grove public information officer Chris Trim told NBC Latino that police immediately detained Destiny Pettway, 25, and Maria Westley, 31, when they arrived at the scene. Police found the teen trafficking victim with Disney Vang, 20, in a hotel room.

A member of the Uber Safety Team reached out to Avila to congratulate him for his work. An Uber representative reiterated their admiration for his quick thinking and thanked him again.



Photo Credit: NBC News

Top NBC Connecticut Social Media Stories of 2016

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These were the top 15 stories you liked the most on our Facebook page. Hope you continue liking the page as much as we do!

Route 9 in Berlin Shuts Down Following Multiple Spin Outs

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Route 9 was shut down on Thursday night following multiple spin outs, police said.  

State troopers said up to eight cars spun out during seperate incidents on Route 9 going northbound in Berlin due to icy conditions around 9:15 p.m. 

Route 9 was closed near exit 21 and exit 22 as police tried to get the cars to safety. 

No injuries were reported.

There were no other details immediately available. 


Fire Breaks Out at Thompson Church

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Crews responded to a heavy fire at a church in Thompson on Thursday night. 

Dispatch said a second-alarm fire broke out at the Thompson Congregational Church located at 347 Thompson Road just before 11 p.m. 

No other details were immediately available on this developing story. 



Photo Credit: Valentine Iamartino

Cost of New Britain Freight Train Crash

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NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters learned that it will cost New Britain nearly $80,000 to respond to a train wreck earlier this month. 

City leaders are hoping to strike a deal with Pan Am Railways, Inc. and the Naugatuck Railroad company for reimbursement, according to documents obtained by NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters. 

Jesse Suarez owns Leon's Liquors in the busy shopping plaza right near the site of the crash. He was working the day it happened and said "I see the cars all derailed!" 

According to paperwork, $78,432.24 is the estimated cost city leaders say it took to respond to the Dec. 6 train derailment in the heart of downtown.

NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters obtained this letter of reimbursement sent to Pan Am Railways and the Naugatuck Railroad Company on Wednesday.

Weeks after the accident that also impacted local business owners, who pay property taxes here in the city.

"We were here that day and I was standing right behind counter and I seen one of the cars fell off. We lose a little money, we had to shut down, no choice," Suarez reminded NBC Connecticut.

The next day, New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart informed the NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters they were already sorting out the costs and figuring out who to seek reimbursement from.

"Our police costs our overtime Costs. Our DPW costs for OT. Building and Inspections Dept. Out here. We had NB EMS, so certainly a big cost to this having a lot of people on staff, on call for 24-hours," Stewart told NBC Connecticut back on Dec. 7.

NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters requested invoices from city department heads; including $24,000 for police regular and overtime duties, a $40,000 bill to replace and repair a damaged brick wall, $7,700 for City Department of Public Works wages and equipment and $3,000 for fire department response. 

"They should be asking for reimbursement. Taxpayers from the city of NB should not pay anything in this accident," Suarez said.

Co-owner of Leon's Liquors and the wife of Jesse Suarez, Maria Suarez, stated: "It's not our fault!"

In its reimbursement request, the city offers both companies the chance to remove the remaining brick wall at their expense, in lieu of its $40,000 replacement, leaving both companies, the rest of the $38,400 bill.

Jesse Suarez thinks that is a fair move, "To me it's not much, what they're charging. It could've been a loss of life, which would've been worse!"

A Pan Am Railways spokesman said they haven't received the letter and can't respond until they do.

The Naugatuck railroad company hasn't called NBC Connecticut back.

Meanwhile we've asked the Federal Railroad Administration for a cause and they tell us it is still under investigation. City officials say they haven't heard anything yet either.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Man Critically Injured After Being Shot 6 Times in Hartford

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A man was critically injured when he was shot six times in Hartford Thursday, according to police.

Police said they responded to reported gunfire at 163 Adelaide Street around 1:15 a.m. Thursday. Meanwhile, a victim was found in an apartment at 167 Baker Street.

The victim, who has not been identified, was shot six times on the right side. He was taken to Hartford Hospital, where he is listed in critical but stable condition, police said.

Police believe the victim was shot while sitting in a parked vehicle, then ran to the apartment where he was found.

The Major Crimes Division and Crime Scene Division were called to investigate. Police continue to investigate.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Man Tried to Steal Car During Craigslist Transaction: PD

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West Hartford police have arrested a man accused of trying to steal a car by brandishing a fake gun during a sale arranged on Craigslist, and police said the suspect has a history of similar crimes.

Police said that on Thursday the accused, Clifford Walker, 19, of Hartford, met with the victim to view a car the victim had advertised for sale on Craigslist. Walker allegedly asked the victim to let him test drive the vehicle, then once they were in the car Walker allegedly pulled out a handgun and told the victim to get out.

According to police, the victim fought back and was able to take the gun from Walker. The weapon turned out to be a BB gun.

Walker then fled, but officers located him shortly afterward, police said.

Walker is charged with criminal attempt at robbery, criminal attempt at robbery involving an occupied motor vehicle, criminal attempt at larceny, and weapon in a motor vehicle.

Police said Walker was also wanted on a warrant from another robbery on Dec. 2 where he allegedly stole a cellphone at gunpoint during a Craigslist transaction then rammed the victim’s car when he fled. Walker faces charges including robbery, larceny, threatening, and several motor vehicle violations in that case.

Additionally, according to police Walker was out on bond from a previous arrest where he allegedly stole a vehicle during a Craigslist transaction.

Walker is being held on a $250,000 bond and is expected in court Friday.



Photo Credit: West Hartford Police Department

New Haven Police Investigate 'Smash-and-Grab' Burglaries

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New Haven police are investigating a series of smash-and-grab burglaries on Crown Street overnight.

Several businesses, including Mecha Noodle Bar, Olives and Oil Bar/Restaurant and The Wine Thief, all had windows smashed in and items stolen sometime Thursday into Friday.

The Wine Thief manager Karl Ronne tells NBC Connecticut that the thief, or thieves, stolen nothing but a bottle of whiskey, and that the other alcohol and the cash register were untouched in his store.

New Haven police remain on scene investigating.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
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