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Drivers Must Obey State Laws on School Buses and Zones: PD

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Be aware of school buses and school zones! That’s the message police departments across the state are putting out as over a half million children head back to school over the next few weeks.

Police say with the influx of heavy traffic and pedestrians, it’s crucial drivers don’t speed and obey state laws when it comes to school buses and school zones.

State law says the fine for passing a stopped bus with the red flashing lights turned on is $465. Red flashing lights mean students are getting on or off the bus. Yellow lights mean the bus is about to stop.

The fine for speeding in a school zone can be anywhere from $181 to $286.

State Police are warning drivers to be alert about kids who may be hurrying to class. And police want parents to talk to their kids about looking both ways before crossing any street.

If your kids take the bus, state police want you to remind them to wait in a safe place, away from the road and where the bus pulls up to the curb.


NBC CT, Big Y, Red Cross Harvey Relief Drive Sept. 1-16

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NBC Connecticut is partnering with Big Y World Class Markets and the American Red Cross to help raise donations for those impacted by Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana.

From Friday, Sept. 1 through Saturday, Sept. 16, Big Y customers and employees can donate to the Red Cross at all Big Y locations in the state.  There will be donation containers available at the registers at Big Y stores.

Hundreds of Red Cross volunteers and employees are currently in the region impacted by Harvey, including more than 40 from Connecticut.

“The Red Cross is grateful for the support of Big Y World Class Markets and our partners at NBC Connecticut,” said Mario Bruno, CEO, American Red Cross Connecticut and Rhode Island Region. “This campaign will enable the Red Cross to aid in the recovery of those impacted by Hurricane Harvey. The outpouring of support we have seen over the years from Big Y employees and their customers has been tremendous.”

“The partnership with NBC CT is invaluable,” Bruno added.

The American Red Cross is helping provide supplies for shelters and families stranded in their homes, including ready-to-eat meals, comfort kits, and kitchen and cleaning supplies.

If you cannot make it to a Big Y to donate, you can donate online through the American Red Cross website by clicking here.  You can also call 1-800-RED-CROSS or make a $10 donation by texting "HARVEY" to 90999.

NBC CT, Big Y, and the American Red Cross previous partnered together on a relief drive in 2016 to help victims of Hurricane Matthew.

NBC Connecticut is proud to be Connecting You to Caring.

Beacon Falls Firefighters Headed Down to Texas with Supplies

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One of the most devastating natural disasters in the country continues to impact millions and a group of local firefighters is stepping up to help.

"Just watching everything on TV, you feel like you're kind of helpless and you want to do something," said Milford resident Michelle Alicki.

So when Alicki heard Beacon Hose Company Number One in Beacon Falls was asking for donations to send to Texas for victims of Hurricane Harvey, she and her 7-year-old daughter knew what they had to do.

"If it were to happen to me, I would want someone to help me out too," said Alicki.

"We felt like we needed to do something, but we didn't know what. So we started throwing together an effort to get as many supplies as possible," said Firefighter and Asst. Secretary Michael McGee.

McGee, Captain Cal Brennan, Firefighter Tim Hanks, and Firefighter Ryan Caulfield will head down to Texas this week to drop off all the donations they receive to those in need.

The four have been in contact with Galena Park Fire Department just outside of Houston, and that's where they'll be heading. The firefighters say they're taking their own time off and using a personal vehicle and a fire department trailer to transport the items down. Because of the short notice, Caulfield says he's taking unpaid leave to make the trip.

"They wanted to do this. This is not something we're dispatching them down there," said Kyle Brennan, a first responder with Beacon Hose Company Number One. He's also the brother of Cal Brennan, who will go down to Texas. "It really shows the true character of a town when you go outside of it to help other people in need. And I'm so proud of them, and I wish I could go too."

"It's what we do at this fire department. It's a small-town America type of idea, and we like to do what we can to benefit everybody else," said Caulfield.

The firefighters say they're looking for a variety of supplies to bring down to Texas.

"Bottled water is a big one. Nonperishable food, clothing - mostly socks and underwear, items for hygiene, baby formula, and you can't forget about the animals - we're also accepting cat and dog food," said Brennan.

Firefighters say several people have already donated along with some businesses, including the Walmart in Naugatuck and Penske Automotive.

Beacon Hose Company Number One is accepting donations on Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Shortly after that, the four firefighters will hit the road and head to Texas with, hopefully, a packed trailer.

For more ways to help the victims of Harvey, click here.



Photo Credit: Beacon Hose Co #1

Woman Charged in Coventry Home Invasion

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Police have arrested a woman suspected in a home invasion Friday in Coventry.

Officers arrested 21-year-old Enysia Rosado, of New Britain, Tuesday after a home invasion Friday on Sam Green Road in Coventry and police said New Britain police assisted by locating Rosado in that city.

The victim told police she was home alone and asleep Friday when Rosado broke into the home, assaulted her, threw the victim’s cell phone and assaulted her again as she tried to flee from the residence, police said.

The victim was able to get in her car and Rosado followed as the victim drove to a relative’s home a few miles away, police said.

Once she got there, the victim called police and Rosado left the area, police said.

Police said Rosado and the victim know each other and a protective order was issued to prevent Rosado from contacting or assaulting the victim from a previous incident.

The victim sustained minor injuries, police said.

Rosado was charged with home Invasion, 48 counts of violation of a protective order, stalking in the second degree, assault third degree, disorderly conduct and operating a motor vehicle while under suspension.

Police said the 48 counts of violation of a protective order stem from Rosado contacting the victim on different occasions in violation of the order that was in place since July 2017.

She was held on $100,000 bond.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Thomaston Firefighters Collect Donations for Harvey Victims

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The Thomaston Volunteer Fire Department is collecting donations for the victims of Hurricane Harvey and the hope is to get enough to fill a 53-foot trailer.

Starting at noon on Tuesday, they started collecting donations to fill the truck, which was donated by JRC Transportation, and will bring the supplies down to storm-ravaged areas in Texas.

They are looking for non-perishable items, such as bottled water, diapers, wipes, canned goods, bug repellants, protein bars, new or gently used clothing, and toiletries. Cash and checks will also be accepted.

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Donations will be accepted through Sunday at the fire station, located at 245 South Main Street in Thomaston, from 9 a.m. until dusk each day.

For other ways to help the victims of Harvey, click here.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
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Boston Bruins Visit Hartford Today

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The Boston Bruins are giving back to their supporters here in Connecticut, as well the other five New England states, this summer.  The team made a stop in Hartford during the team's first ”Summer Fan Fest Tour” and will be at Old State House Square in Hartford until 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30

Noel Acciari, a Johnston, Rhode Island native who played at Providence College, 28-year-old Riley Nash, and assistant coach Jay Pandolfo are in Hartford for the event.

From 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., fans will be able to participate in various events alongside Bruins players, coaches, executives, and broadcasters for free, including Q&A sessions, taking photos and more. 

This initiative is in conjunction with the Bruins Academy’s “Learn to Play” program, which gives new equipment to youth players from local communities, as the organization expects to provide more than 4,000 children between 4 and 9 with gear prior to the season. 

Youth hockey players will also be able to participate in drills and kid-friendly fitness activities. 

In addition, sponsors will be giving away tickets to various home games for the 2017-18 season. 

More information regarding the tour can be found on the Bruins’ website

Additional information about the Bruins Academy Learn to Play program can be found here. 

Following is the full tour schedule:  

Wednesday, Aug. 30: Hartford, Connecticut at Old State House Square, 800 Main St., 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., 60 Elm St.

Thursday, Aug. 31: Providence, RI at ALEX AND ANI City Center, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., 2 Kennedy Plaza. 

Editor's Note: The Fan Fest Tour website previously said the event would be at Bushnell Park. 



Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Man Accused of Choking Woman Until She Nearly Passed Out: Police

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Ledyard police arrested a New London man who is accused of choking a female victim until she nearly passed out.

Police said they responded to a home after a third party called on behalf of the victim, who had injuries to her neck and said she nearly passed out from being choked.

The suspect, 25-year-old Gage Weber, of New London, was driving away from the scene as officers arrived, according to police.

They took him into custody and he has been charged with disorderly conduct, third-degree strangulation and violation of a protective order.

Weber was held on a $10,000 bond.




Photo Credit: Ledyard Police

State Police Seek Suspect in Washington Home Invasion

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Connecticut State Police are investigating after two men broke into an elderly Washington resident’s home and stole multiple items early Tuesday morning.

According to police, the home invasion occurred shortly after midnight but wasn’t reported until around 9:40 a.m. Police said two men wearing ski masks broke into a home on Tinker Hill Road while the elderly resident was home. She was not injured during the incident.

Numerous things were stolen, police said. The Western District Major Crimes unit is investigating.

Anyone with information on this crime should contact Trooper Kenney of Troop L at 860-626-7900 ex. 5202.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Philly Becomes Latest 'Sanctuary City' to Sue AG Sessions

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In an attempt to maintain trust between law enforcement officials and immigrant communities, the City of Philadelphia filed a lawsuit in federal court Wednesday morning against U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who recently imposed new restrictions on federal grant money for so-called "sanctuary cities."

Similar lawsuits against the attorney general have already been filed in five municipalities, including Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The city hopes to prevent Sessions from imposing new and “unprecedented” requirements on the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (or JAG grant), which provided Philadelphia with $1.6 million last year to spend on police overtime, training, equipment, courtroom technology and other aspects of the criminal justice system.

“As you know, the city welcomed immigrants long before I was ever mayor,” Kenney said. “Immigrants are key to the success of Philadelphia.”

The lawsuit refers to Philadelphia's "vibrant immigrant community" as a vital part of its workforce and says the city has adopted policies "that seek to foster trust between the immigration population and city officials and employees." As a rule, Philadelphia officers do not ask residents about their immigration status.

Sessions, at the behest of the Trump administration, announced new conditions in late July for any city or state receiving JAG money. They required municipalities to provide ICE with 48-hour notice of any scheduled release of so-called prisoners of interest and allow immigrations officials to interview inmates while in custody.

“As far as we can tell, these unprecedented grant conditions are purely political,” Kenney said. “The Trump administration claims that it is imposing these to keep Philadelphians safer, but the facts don’t lie. Philadelphia isn’t breaking federal law. We’re doing smart policing and, as a result, we had the lowest level of crime in 2016 that we’ve had in 40 years.”

The lawsuit contends that while JAG money goes through the U.S. Attorney General’s Office, the grant was established by Congress to help local law enforcement fight crime. It cannot be changed or amended without authorization from Congress to expand immigration enforcement.

“We are therefore asking a court to intervene and to recognize that the Attorney General lacks the authority to impose any of these conditions,” City Solicitor Sozi Pedro Tulante said. “Fundamentally, the Attorney General cannot use this vital … funding as a way to coerce Philadelphia into implementing federal immigration policy.”

The Department of Justice called the lawsuit "a disservice" by "protecting criminal aliens rather than law-abiding citizens."

"When criminal aliens are returned to the streets instead of sent home, public safety is undermined," said Department of Justice spokesman Devin M. O'Malley.

But immigration advocates argue that asking police to perform ICE duties would only undermine an already fragile trust built between law enforcement officials and immigrant communities.

A May 2017 report conducted by FiveThirtyEight found that immigrants in three cities, including Denver and Philadelphia, reported fewer crimes committed against them after the election of President Donald Trump. While this could signal crime is down overall, it could also suggest immigrants are scared of being profiled or deported, according to advocates. 

"We want to send the message that Philadelphia is a safe place," Miriam Enriquez, executive director of Philadelphia's Office of Immigrant Affairs, said. "We don't want people to be afraid to speak out."

On Wednesday, Kenney also signaled a willingness to help undocumented immigrants, especially children, impacted by Tropical Storm Harvey. Philadelphia offered assistance to people displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2009 and could do so again.

“We have the capacity to do that and we have the heart to do that,” he said. “We’re just trying to figure out how to help without being in the way.”

Meanwhile, Councilwoman Helen Gym issued a statement expressing her support for the lawsuit.
"I am proud to stand with Mayor Kenney and the City of Philadelphia as we take on the outrageous actions of this federal administration," she said. 

Kenney has at least one ally in Philadelphia Councilwoman Helen Gym, who issued a statement expressing her support for the lawsuit.

"I am proud to stand with Mayor Kenney and the City of Philadelphia as we take on the outrageous actions of this federal administration," she said. 



Photo Credit: AP/Composite Photo

Bridgeport Man Charged in Death of Man Found in Burning SUV

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A Bridgeport man has been charged with murder in the shooting death of another man whose body was pulled from a burning SUV in June.

Bridgeport Police said the body of 28-year-old Jason Nieves was found inside a burning stolen SUV near Houston and Dodd Avenues around 10 p.m. on June 7. Nieves had been shot.

According to police, 34-year-old Anthony Reeves shot Nieves twice while they were in the stolen vehicle, then left him there. Police allege that Reeves then returned with another man and set the car and Nieves on fire.

Reeves is charged with murder, conspiracy to commit arson, criminal possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit, and larceny. He was held on a $100,000 bond.



Photo Credit: Bridgeport Police Department

West Hartford Burglar Broke in With Selfie Stick: Police

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West Hartford police have arrested a man who is accused of breaking into a local business with a selfie stick.

Police said a suspicious person was spotted on a bicycle on Farmington Avenue, near Westfield Road, around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday. The bike has a license plate attached to it and officers determined that the bike had been stolen from West Hartford Center a couple hours earlier.

Officers then determined there were seven failure to appear warrants for the man, 19-year-old Chance Robinson, of Hartford.

Police said they found evidence that Robinson had been at Modern Tire at 7 Raymond Road, and determined he used a selfie stick to access the night key drop box, burglarized the store and intended to steal cars from the business.

Robinson was charged with second-degree burglary, first-degree criminal attempt at larceny, two counts of third-degree criminal attempt at larceny, seven counts of second-degree failure to appear and sixth-degree larceny.

Bond was set at $85,000.

Police recommend that residents make every effort to mark personal property so that it can be easily identified in the event that you lost it or it is stolen.




Photo Credit: West Hartford Police

Third Juvenile Charged in Connection With Murder of Danbury Teen

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Police have charged a third juvenile in connection with the death of an 18-year-old Danbury man on Aug. 5.

Police said officers found 18-year-old Gabriel Bara-Bardo, of Danbury, alone and unconscious, on the road next to his vehicle on Abbott Street around 5:45 p.m. on Aug. 5 when they responded to a report of suspicious activity.

Bara-Bardo never regained consciousness and died from his injuries, according to police. His death was later ruled a homicide caused by complications following blunt impact to the head and neck.

A boy turned himself in to police at 11:38 a.m. Wednesday. He has been charged with second-degree robbery, fifth-degree larceny, two counts of conspiracy to commit robbery and larceny and two counts of criminal liability. He was transported to the Bridgeport Juvenile Detention Center.

Police previously arrested a 15-year-old boy who was charged with felony murder, second-degree robbery, criminal mischief, larceny and four counts of conspiracy to commit all the above charges. He was transported to the Bridgeport Juvenile Detention Center.

Police have also arrested a 16-year-old boy who was charged with felony murder, second-degree robbery, second-degree criminal mischief, fifth-degree larceny and four counts of conspiracy to commit felony murder, second-degree robbery, second-degree criminal mischief and fifth-degree larceny,

Police said they expect to make more arrests.






Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Chick-Fil-A Coming To 'The Rent' For UConn Football Games

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UConn football fans will have some new food options at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field this season - including Chick-Fil-A.

The popular fast-food restaurant will have a concession booth on the concourse of the stadium, according to a release from Spectra Venue Management.

Chick-Fil-A will sell some of its signature items, including the Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich, Spicy Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich, Grilled Cool Wrap and Chick-Fil-A Waffle Chips.

Chick-Fil-A won't be the only new food this season. There are several new items being added to the menu at The Rent this year.

New offerings include a Husky Burger, Randy Edsall Burrito Bowl, Bacon Jalapeno Mac & Cheese, Fried Pickle Chips, a Mexi Bratwurst Sandwich, and a Fully Loaded Baked Potato.

Local favorite Chowder Pot will also be offering clam chowder.

UConn's first game is Thursday night against Holy Cross at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford.



Photo Credit: Facebook/ChickfilA

DNA Solves Mystery of 'America's 1st Serial Killer' H.H. Holmes

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This summer's great murder-mystery surrounding a man hanged in Philadelphia 121 years ago and known as "America's first serial killer" has been solved.

We think.

An eight-part television show called "American Ripper" on the History Channel that examined the life, death and legends surrounding mass murderer Herman Mudgett, aka H.H. Holmes, concluded Tuesday night.

NBC10 Investigators were first to unearth the growing mystery in April of the Holmes conspiracy that he escaped death. Then, in July, NBC10 exclusively reported that a search for the truth was underway — with Holy Cross Cemetery in Delaware County as the epicenter.

The question all along, spurred on by the show's co-host and Holmes' great-great-grandson, Jeff Mudgett, was whether Holmes actually hanged at Moyamensing Prison in South Philadelphia in 1896 and was then buried at the Yeadon cemetery.

Mudgett and a team of anthropologists from the University of Pennsylvania exhumed bones found at the grave site Holmes was believed to be buried. Then came skeletal analysis and facial reconstruction and look backs at newspaper accounts questioning whether Holmes escaped his hanging.

Like this news story, the television show waited a while — until the final seconds of the 42-minute season finale — to reveal the DNA evidence that would prove conclusively whether Holmes did indeed hang.

In the end, the evidence concluded ... the body in the grave was indeed Holmes.


DNA analysis at Kings College in London, England, comparing the skull of the skeleton in the grave to Mudgett's DNA, proved a match. By Wednesday morning, the Philadelphia Archdiocese re-interred the skeletal remains in his grave at the Yeadon cemetery.

"Dental records and DNA testing reveal a conclusive link to Jeff Mudgett," the show announced in its final moments. "Proving that the remains exhumed are those of H.H. Holmes. The result ends a century of speculation about Holmes' final days."

Mudgett, however, remains skeptical.

"This doesn't deter me from my investigation. There are too many coincidences for this to be another bogus theory," he said of connections between his ancestor and theories that Holmes killed as many as 200 people in several cities, as well as, possibly London.

Holmes is best known for his “Murder Castle” in Chicago. He built the hotel equipped with secret rooms, chambers and a spot for dissections in the basement. With visitors from around the globe visiting the city’s World’s Fair in 1893, Holmes’ unwitting guests checked in but some never left. 

It’s believed Holmes sold his victims’ bodies, organs and bones. According to Rider University Professor Joe Wojie the going rate was about $8 to $10 a body.

Holmes' story was portrayed in the bestselling 2003 book "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson.

According to newspaper accounts, Holmes was marched to the gallows at Moyamensing Prison a year after he was convicted of murder in 1895.

The prison was located on 1400 South 10th Street in Philadelphia before it closed in 1963 and was demolished in 1968. Holmes’ body was eventually interred at Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon. Holmes requested his casket be encased in concrete so no one would steal his body.

An 1898 newspaper article sparked the conspiracy theory that Holmes somehow escaped death at Moyamensing and ended up in South America. On Tuesday night, the History Channel show may have put a final nail in that theory's coffin.

Watch NBC10 News at 6 p.m. to see investigative reporter George Spencer talk more about the grave excavation, the results of the DNA testing and the re-burial Wednesday of Holmes' body at Holy Cross Cemetery.


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How to Help CT Food Bank With Harvey Relief Efforts

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Connecticut's two regional food banks are mobilizing to support Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

The Connecticut Food Bank in Wallingford and Foodshare in Bloomfield are part of Feeding America, a national network of 200 food banks organizing a coordinated response for victims.

The CEO, Bernie Beaudreau, said cash donations can go a long way for helping the people in Harvey's path. 

"Before the storm, in Houston there were many many thousands of people that were food insecure," Beaudreau said. 

During a natural disaster, like the Category 4 hurricane that hit Texas, low-income families displaced from their homes are disproportionately affected, he said. 

"Now with this devastation they are the most impacted, people who don’t have money in the bank, who don’t have those extra resources are at the mercy of whatever help they can get," Beaudreau said.

 To support the thousands of families in need, the Connecticut Food Bank is collecting cash donations, along with partners across the country. 

"The dollar will purchase locally, it will get the best deals from their vantage point. Anything we get here, we’d have to truck 2,000 miles to Texas," the food bank and foodshare CEO said.

At storage facilities, like the one in Wallingford, also carry health and hygiene products.

"What you will see in the wake of disaster is a lot of these items are as needed as canned goods, as other nonperishables," Paul Shipman, the director of marketing for the Connecticut Food Bank.

Beaudreau said right now, like so much of the region, the Houston Food Bank is flooded. 

"It's closed and they got water in the food bank," Beaudreau said about the Houston food bank.

Twelve years ago as the executive director at the Rhode Island Food Bank, Beaudreau said he traveled to Louisiana in the days following Hurricane Katrina, a strong Category 3 storm. 

And once again, the Feeding America network is ready to help fellow Americans dealing with devastation. 

"We’ve offered our help when they need it. They may not need the Connecticut food bank’s help with trucks and materials- they might. We’re waiting to hear from that," Beaudreau said.

If you'd like to support the food bank Harvey relief efforts, click here



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Fannie, Freddie Announce Harvey-Related Mortgage Relief

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Three federally-sponsored agencies announced they are suspending foreclosures and evictions for 90 days on homes that have been affected by the catastrophic flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey.

Homeowners with mortgages owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or the Federal Housing Administration qualify for relief on properties located within a "FEMA-declared disaster area that are eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance," the federal agencies said on Tuesday.

In addition to the foreclosure and eviction moratorium, Fannie Mae said homeowners impacted by Hurricane Harvey may qualify for a forbearance, a temporary suspension or reduction of their mortgage payment for up to six months.

Freddie Mac announced it would suspend mortgage payments for up to 12 months. The agency also said it will work with servicers to ensure that no property inspection costs resulting directly from Hurricane Harvey will be passed on to the affected borrowers.

But despite relief from mortgage payments and penalty fees during the moratorium, interest on their loans would still accrue, CNBC reported.

What's more, flood insurance has sharply declined in Houston, according to The Associated Press, and some residents may not have the finances to fix up their homes and will be forced to go into debt, sell or abandon their home altogether.

With more than 400,000 U.S.-backed loans guaranteed by three federal mortgage agencies, Fannie, Freddie and the FHA may face possible losses.

Fannie Mae guarantees loans on over 36,000 homes, totaling nearly $5.1 billion in unpaid principal balance, in Harvey's initial impact area, according to Reuters. Freddie Mac's portfolio has 167,000 homes with mortgages it secured in counties affected by Harvey.

About another 200,000 Federal Housing Administration-insured homes are in the affected counties, the Department of Housing and Urban Development said.

"That number could grow if FEMA identifies additional counties in Texas and parishes in Louisiana in need of individual assistance," Freddie Mac spokeswoman Lisa Tibbits said in a statement to Reuters.



Photo Credit: AP

Travelers Insurance Use Drones to Assess Texas Damage

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Travelers will be using drone technology to help assess customers' home damage from Hurricane Harvey. 

"It's much easier and safer to access different portions of the roof while inspecting for damages," Mike Thompson, a member of the Travelers Catastrophe Response Team, said.

Patrick Gee, the senior vice president of claims at Travelers Insurance, said the drones are one of several of the company's resources on the ground. 

"As the storm exits to the east, we come in from the west," Patrick Gee, Senior Vice President of Claims at Travelers Insurance said.

There are already hundreds of employees, including 15 from Connecticut, who are working from mobile claim centers.

"If power is out or cellular until communication networks are down we can use those centers as a base to make advance payments to customers, to allow our customers to charge their smart devices to connect to the internet," Gee said.

Gee said claim professionals are also using social media and satellite images to recreate a footprint of the customers' property among other claims.

"I'm looking forward to getting down there and helping our customers," Thompson said.

Thompson will work in Texas for the next month, each claim is expected to be processed by the catastrophe team within three to four weeks.

Travelers said flood damage is covered through the National Flood Insurance Program which it estimates about 15 percent of Houston homeowners have.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Man Sues United Airlines Alleging Harassment Over His Name

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A Wisconsin man filed a federal lawsuit against United Airlines alleging he was harassed by a reservation agent over his name.

William J. Dicks filed the lawsuit Aug. 25 in federal court, claiming he received harassing telephone calls from a United Airlines employee while looking for information about a flight earlier this year.

According to the lawsuit, the incident started when Dicks called United's reservation department on Feb. 15, a 48-minute call, that he said resulted in sexual harassment, disrespect and humiliation.

The lawsuit claims the agent on the phone told Dicks his name was “controversial” but that “he like[d] it.” He also asked Dicks what he would do to the agent if the pair were alone and asked if Dicks used “protection” when being intimate with his then-girlfriend.

The agent also allegedly inquired about Dicks’ Facebook account info so that he could see “photos or personal information” about him, the suit states.

“This sequence of events caused [Dicks] to be reminded of the trauma he suffered as a child when he was teased because of his last name,” the suit reads.

Minutes after the phone call ended, Dicks alleges he received two more phone calls from the reservation department, but declined to answer.

Despite repeated attempts to report the phone call, Dicks said he had no luck in getting answers, though he feared the agent had accessed his personal information.

The lawsuit, which seeks a trial by jury, alleges the agent invaded Dicks’ privacy and caused him “great emotional stress.”

In a statement, United Airlines said it “has zero tolerance for harassment of any kind and we are reviewing the suit.”



Photo Credit: Getty Images

ICE Stands Down in Houston Area

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Immigration agents have not arrested any non-criminal immigrants in the Houston area in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, an agency spokesman told NBC News.

The suspension of arrests is a step beyond the promise made by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ahead of the storm. On Friday, the agency said "routine non-criminal immigration enforcement operations will not be conducted at evacuation sites, or assistance centers such as shelters or food banks."

"Our priority in the hurricane-stricken areas is saving lives," ICE said in a statement. "While we’re not conducting immigration enforcement in affected areas, we will not allow criminal enterprises to take advantage of the situation, and ICE personnel will remain vigilant toward such activities."

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Wednesday that people in need were not being asked to produce their papers. 



Photo Credit: Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images

University of New Haven Student Reported Missing

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