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Cowboys Kneel as a Team Prior to National Anthem in Arizona

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The Dallas Cowboys knelt as a team near the 50-yard line prior to the national anthem before Monday night's game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Then they locked arms and stood while Jordin Sparks sang the national anthem.

Team owner and general manager Jerry Jones and his family joined the team on the field for the display of unity.

The Cowboys' official Twitter account posted a message and photo soon after the anthem, stating "#FootballIsFamily."

The Cardinals gathered on the goal line as a team, some of them locking arms, during the anthem. Cardinals owner Michael Bidwell and his family and general manager Steve Keim joined them.

Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett had addressed the topic with the team, but it was more of a discussion than a plan of action meeting, NBC 5 Cowboys insider Jean-Jacques Taylor reported earlier Monday.

Some players thought about kneeling during the national anthem, but Jones was trying to persuade them all to stand, a source told NBC 5.

Prior to leaving North Texas for this week's game, Garrett made no public comment about President Donald Trump's comments concerning NFL players who choose to kneel during the national anthem, but Garrett said he did not expect any of his players to protest during Monday night's game.

"We have an approach that we believe in, and I won't comment beyond that," Garrett said Saturday.

The protests began last season with then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who has repeatedly explained that he took a knee as a way to protest police brutality and racism facing minorities in America, especially people of color.

On Friday, President Trump said players who protest during the national anthem should be fired, but the comments sparked even more protests by NFL players during Sunday's games.

Trump then carried his feud with the NFL over players who kneel in protest into the new week with a fresh volley of tweets.


"Tremendous backlash against the NFL and its players for disrespect of our Country. #StandForOurAnthem" he wrote Monday evening.

Trump's views sparked backlash and were considered racist by some.

"The issue of kneeling has nothing to do with race. It is about respect for our Country, Flag and National Anthem. NFL must respect this!" he said in one of his Monday tweets.

NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart defended players' rights to peacefully protest what they view as racial inequality and police mistreatment of black males.

At Woody's Tavern on Bryant Irvin Road in south Fort Worth, Cowboys fans watched the national anthem with great anticipation.

"What do you think they're going to do? Stand up? Kneel? Sit down?" asked fan Robert Maddox, a contractor at Lockheed Martin.

He and a friend, Kacey Clauser, are both die-hard Cowboy fans but had different opinions on the pregame controversy.

"I hope they stand, I hope they stand," said Clauser, an off-duty bartender.

Maddox said the players should do whatever they want.

"I support them more than I support Donald Trump right now for his actions," he said. "What has he done good for us lately? Honestly."

They watched as the Cowboys knelt in solidarity before the national anthem and then stood for the performance.

"They got their message across but still did the right thing," Clauser said.

Maddox agreed.

"I respect everything the Cowboys do," he said. "They're respectful. They're the nation's team."

NBC 5's Scott Gordon and The Associated Press contributed to this report.



Photo Credit: AP Photo/Matt York
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Woman Charged With Manslaughter in Fatal Ashford Overdose

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A North Windham woman linked to the fatal overdose of an Ashford woman last September now faces a manslaughter charge, police said on Monday. 

On Sept. 8, 2016, state police were assigned to investigate the apparent overdose death of an Ashford resident. According to an arrest warrant application the accused, Jessica Hill, 46, of North Windham, conspired with the victim to steal morphine and use it.

According to investigators, the deceased victim and Hill were friends. Investigators allege that on Sept. 7, 2016, Hill and the victim made plans to hang out. The victim worked as a surgical assistant at CT Oral Surgery in Mansfield. Hill and the victim decided to go to the CT Oral Surgery offices after hours to steal morphine, investigators said.

The arrest warrant application states that Hill told police after the pair stole the morphine, they went back to the deceased’s home and injected each other with the morphine. Hill said she then went to sleep in the living room, then left when she woke up.

The victim's son found her dead in the bathroom the next day, investigators said.

The victim had a history of narcotic use, according to police.

Hill was charged with second-degree manslaughter on Monday and her bond was set at $50,000. 



Photo Credit: Connecticut State Police

West Haven Mom Wants Registry for Violent Offenders

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Corrinna Martin lost two daughters and a granddaughter in apparent separate acts of domestic violence.

Now she hopes to spare other families from similar suffering by turning her grief into action.

Martin still holds on to memories of her daughters Alyssiah Wiley and Chaquinequea Brodie.

“As long as I’m breathing their lives, their spirits still live on in me,” Martin said.

In this world of Google and Facebook, Martin wants to make it easier to discover someone’s criminal past.

About a week and a half ago, Jermaine Richards was convicted after a third trial of killing and dismembering Wiley, who had been his girlfriend in 2013.

At the time, she was a 20-year-old Eastern Connecticut State University student.

Then in August, police said Anthony Rutherford killed Brodie, who he was dating and her nine-year-old daughter at their home in Waterbury.

“Rather than seek my own vengeance again I’m keeping their spirit alive by turning that anger into a passion so that other families, people in my community, and friends don’t have to experience this gut-wrenching, heart-breaking grief,” Martin said.

Recently, Martin launched an online petition to create a National Violent Offenders Registry.

She envisions an online database bringing together local and state criminal histories from across the country; making it easier for the justice system and community members to find out about previous arrests and convictions.

For this mother, she hopes it allows people to keep better track of offenders, making it more difficult for them to move from state to state, and victim to victim.

“I won’t say it’s too late for our family because it’s never too late, it’s never too late to make change,” Martin said.

Martin hopes to collect enough signatures to persuade Congress to act.

She’s already started a domestic violence awareness organization.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Livery Owner Cited for Allegedly Operating Without Permits

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A Plainville livery service has been forced to shut down after the state found the owner was operating without proper permits after an anonymous complaint tipped off the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

"The regulatory authority is there for a reason, fundamentally to ensure safety," spokesman Kevin Nursick for the state Department of Transportation told NBC Connecticut.

Online state records from the Secretary of the State’s office show Kaz Tours and Travel opened for business in 2013.

A video from their website online advertises, "Do you need a reliable and safe ride to and from the airport? Look no further than Kaz Tours and Travel."

Their website offering limos for weddings cruises and airport shuttles to NYC, Boston and Bradley International, as well as, tours of the Big Apple and beyond. A white 14-passenger van and Lincoln town car, at owner Kaz Debinski’s home in Plainville provided some of those services, according to Department of Motor Vehicle records.

"They did not have any authority to operate livery interstate or intrastate period. So, operating illegally for some amount of time. You want to make sure these vehicles and drivers are regulated and public is safe," according to state officials. 

The DOT regulates livery permits, the DMV enforces.

Last week the DMV and Plainville police paid a visit to Debinski's home, citing him for illegally operating a livery service without a permit.

According to the summons report, state officials wrote “Initially, Mr. Debinski stated he was not in business. I advised him that I had visited his website and have knowledge he transported several people to and from New York. It was at this time that his story changed and he decided to tell me the truth."

At home, Debinski told NBC Connecticut he had insurance and was fixing the issue, adding, "I only pick up in Connecticut and go out of state and pick up out of state and bring people back to Connecticut."

Getting a proper livery permit entails paperwork and nearly two hundred dollars.

"Background check on the drivers, making sure the vehicles are appropriate and inspected appropriately depending on vehicle, making sure they have insurance, so if something does go wrong they are going to be covered," DOT Spokesman Kevin Nursick added.

“We are happy to tell public if licensed or not, so if public contacts us about a livery service or a taxi service, we will let them know whether or not they are appropriately licensed to operate the best way to contact us is through our website, we have a contact us form, send us an email we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can and we’re pretty fast on this, so send us an email and we’ll let you know.”

As far as granting a livery permit to Debinski, DOT officials will take his case into consideration. 

NASCAR Champ Ted Christopher Remembered

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Those who came to pay their respects to NASCAR champion Ted Christopher said there was no one quite like him.

They described him as a hard worker and great competitor who loved grabbing ice cream before and after a race. So it seemed fitting that everyone should have some at his wake.

"This ice cream truck here is for Ted," said friend and racing competitor Keith Rocco. "He'd want ice cream right now."

The Connecticut racing legend's life was cut short when the plane Christopher was in crashed earlier this month in North Branford, killing him and the pilot. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

On Monday, hundreds lined up at Bailey's Funeral Home in Plainville to pay their respects.

"He had a bounce in his step, and I'm just waiting for him to come bounce around the corner," said Michael O'Sullivan, who was Christopher's crew chief.

O'Sullivan suffered a severe stroke several years ago. He said Christopher and the NASCAR star's wife came to visit him several times a week at the hospital. Shortly after leaving the hospital, cameras captured a candid and emotional moment between O'Sullivan and Christopher at Stafford Motor Speedway. Christopher has just won the 2014 championship. It was an unforgettable victory.

"He was my boss number one, my brother, my best friend," O'Sullivan said.

And there was still one more victory left. Keith Rocco worked for the modified champion as a crew member and then raced against him. He raced against him this past Friday in Stafford Springs. The race was dedicated to Christopher who won one last time with Rocco right behind him.

"They started him as if he was there, and they let him win the race. I guess you could say I finished second to Ted one more time," said Rocco.

For the all-time winningest driver at Stafford, the speedway will retire Christopher's #13.



Photo Credit: Getty Images for NASCAR

'I Owe Them': Convicted Mosque Shooter Embraces Islam

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Ted Hakey Jr. spends his days working to spread the word of the Muslim community in Meriden.

It's a far cry from what he felt in his heart two years ago when he was arrested for shooting at an empty mosque.

"I was a Muslim hater," Hakey told NBC Connecticut's Keisha Grant in an exclusive interview.

The former U.S. Marine was arrested for a hate crime in November 2015 after firing 30 shots into the Ahmadiyya Baitul Aman Mosque on Main Street with a high-powered rifle a day after the Paris attacks.

Hakey said he found himself intoxicated and fed up with attacks halfway around the world.

"You could see the mosque clearly from my house because there were no leaves on the trees," Hakey said. "I went to get out of my car and thought, 'Oh yeah, the Paris attacks. Let me do something about it'."

Four of the 30 shots he fired tore through the Baitul Aman Mosque in the middle of the night. It took federal and local authorities just hours to trace the bullets back to Hakey and the FBI arrested him on federal hate crimes.

Zahir Mannan is one of the leaders of the mosque and said those bullets didn't just pierce walls, they shot fear through the heart of the Ahmadiyya community. This sect of Islam is made up by the only group of Muslims that believe in the Messiah.

"That belief in itself, believing that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was the Messiah, has made us the subject of persecution all over the world, but not here in America," Mannan said.

Hakey said his former understanding of Islam came from what he read online. He said Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms not only led to his hatred of Islam but fueled it.

"What you see on social media sites," Hakey said. "That was my education of Islam."

Hakey's life would change forever when he requested to sit down with the mosque leaders to apologize before his sentencing.

"This huge bodybuilder-type guy comes in and to see tears coming down his face and red cheeks, it humbled us," Mannan said. "It was a genuine connection that you can't fabricate."

Hakey said the conversation changed his attitude.

"If they handed this any other way," he said" I would've went to prison angry. I would've came out and I would've been just as angry."

Hakey said it wasn't just the words of the mosque leaders, but their actions, that made him come around. While Hakey spent six months in prison, Mannan kept his promise to visit every other week.

Mannan also gifted Hakey with precious keepsakes, including his grandfather's Holy Quran.

"We talk about things I don't even discuss with my best friends," Hakey told NBC Connecticut. "It's just a relationship that's really, very tight."

Mannan called Hakey a "brother".

"He became my brother when he prayed next to me," Mannan said. "He prayed with me and he didn't have to do that," Mannan said.

Hakey considers himself a changed man. He hasn't converted to Islam, but he does spend his time spreading the word. He hopes his story inspires others to embrace the community that taught him the true meaning of forgiveness.

"I feel that I owe them, just to get out there so that people don't make the same mistake that I did," Hakey said.

The Ahmadiyya Baitul Aman Mosque in Meriden invites the public inside every Friday night for a gathering called Coffee, Cake and Conversation.

"Knock on the door. You're always welcome," Hakey said. "There's no membership, no secret handshake. You don't need a card. Everybody is welcome."

Hakey has been instrumental in bringing a whole new demographic for those conversation groups at the mosque.

Last year, Hakey spoke at Jalsa Salana, which is the oldest and largest Muslim convention in the country.

"I feel I owe them," Hakey said. "For the forgiveness I was given."



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Madison to Vote on Major School Renovation Plan

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The town of Madison is voting Tuesday on a referendum that will decide the future of elementary schools in town.

The referendum asks residents if the school district should spend $34 million to rebuild Ryerson Elementary School.

This is part of the Board of Education’s plan to build a new Ryerson School, renovate Jeffrey School and eventually close Island Avenue School. The focus is addressing issues with the older buildings as the town sees fewer students in the district.

The superintendent is concerned that if the referendum is not approved, the district will be faced with future decisions about whether to spend money on students or fix buildings.

"It's really important that people are aware that a failed referendum will be more disruptive for kids," said Madison Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice.

Scarice added that the potential closing of Island Avenue School is an unfortunate necessity.

“It’s really unfortunate. It’s very emotional for a lot of people, me included. It’s unfortunate we have to come to that. Our enrollment is down and we have to right-size our district to be responsible with the building resources we have,” said Scarice.

School officials said that if the referendum failed students may be forced to attend multiple schools and work around construction work. Some parents were on board with the proposed changes.

“I think it’s important. I think if the buildings aren’t at the level where they need to be, if they’re falling apart, I don’t think that’s good for the students and I don’t think it’s good for the town,” said Joanna Zygmont, a parent in Madison.

But some parents have concerns about the proposal.

“Closing schools and knocking down good buildings is just a waste of money when that money could go toward paying teachers more money, having good programs and keeping our libraries and our learning resources available for all the kids,” said Chip Walz, a parent in Madison.

"We are in favor of neighborhood schools and we're very in favor of saving tax dollars for things that actually educate our children,” said Chip Walz, who lives in town.

Tuesday’s vote is the first of three. Later there will be another vote regarding the closing of Island Avenue School, and a third to spend another $34 million on renovations in the coming years.

If Tuesday's referendum is approved, the superintendent expects construction to start at Ryerson Elementary during the summer of 2018 and be complete by summer 2020.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

New Britain Hosts Supply Drive for Puerto Rico

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People in the city of New Britain are coming together to help the victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.

Radio station, Hot 93.7, Mayor Erin Stewart, and the Puerto Rican Society of New Britain organized a donation drive, and so far the response has been overwhelming. They’ve collected thousands of bottles of water, hundreds of cans of food, and a lot of supplies.

CCSU student Jennifer Conran says she felt compelled to help.

“If I put myself in their shoes, oh my gosh,” she said. “But I’m happy that I’m helping.”

Maria devastated the US territory, and it could take several months to restore power.

“Imagine waking up and in four hours everything you’ve worked for is destroyed,”Stevey Newnez from Hot 93.7 said.

New Britain has a large Puerto Rican population. Mayor Erin Stewart says they organized this drive to do anything they can to help.

“Not only are we collecting nonperishable items, food, water, diapers, baby formula, cat food, pet food, but were also collecting monetary donations too,” Stewart said.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Manchester Considers Redesign of Busy Intersection Near Mall

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A major intersection near the Buckland Hills mall in Manchester could be getting a facelift.

A town meeting Tuesday will discuss how the busy intersection could be redesigned.

This proposed project is meant to make safety improvements on Buckland Street at the Buckland Hills Drive and Pleasant Valley Road intersection, near the mall.

The project’s estimated to cost $903,000. Nearly all of the construction would be paid for by the state and the rest should be covered by Public Works Bond funding.

The proposed project incorporates two key changes. First, removing and replacing the current traffic lights. And second, removing channelizing islands which help drivers make a right turn, a suggestion that some drivers agree on.

Sometimes, people have to make that U-Turn, and it really does cause problems," said South Windsor resident Mary Ellen Flynn.

Though for some in the area, navigating through construction is the last thing they want to be doing amidst a busy intersection.

“It will be horrible because traffic is already bad in this area. But, I think in the long run, after everything is done, I think it’ll be a good thing, so you just have to suck it up and deal with it,” said Sherikia Lockman of Manchester.

The public is invited to voice their opinion on the project at a town meeting Tuesday at 6:30 p.m at the Lincoln Center at 494 Main Street. 

The public is invited to this meeting, and can also submit written comments or suggestions to the town engineer. For more information on the plans, click here. 

“If they start messing with this, then that’s just going to piss off people more. It could cause more accidents and more tailgating in my opinion. So, I think they should leave it alone.” 



Photo Credit: Town of Manchester, Connecticut

Sterling Man Arrested on DUI Charges in Danielson

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A Sterling man was arrested on DUI charges in Danielson Saturday night.

Connecticut State Police said they pulled over 38-year-old Nathan Corey on Main Street after a series of traffic violations. Corey failed field sobriety tests, police said.

Troopers found a small amount of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a 12-inch machete inside the car.

Corey was wearing a t-shirt that read "Beer + beer = shenanigans" at the time.

He was arrested and charged with operating under the influence of alcohol and a variety of traffic violations, as well as possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, and weapons in a motor vehicle. He was issued a $10,000 bond and is due in Danielson Superior Court on Oct. 3.



Photo Credit: Connecticut State Police

Interstate 84 Ramp in New Britain Open After Car Fire

Yalesville Road in Cheshire Closed After Serious Crash

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Yalesville Road in Cheshire is closed after a serious accident, according to a Cheshire Police Department tweet.

Police said at least one person required extrication. The road is closed while accident reconstruction investigates.

More information was not immediately available. Check back for updates.

Airplane Mode: An Odd and Unsettling Era in Air Travel

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If it feels like that empty middle seat on airplanes is always full, you're not imagining things. There are fewer empty seats than ever as airlines increase their profits, NBC News reports, just one of many ways the experience of flying is changing.

Travelers stress can begin the minute they set foot in an airport, and only compound from there. Minor indignities, like being nickel and dimed for things that were once free, are piling onto mega-stressors: long delays, canceled flights, being held on the tarmac.

Nearly half of Americans, including a majority of people over 45, said in an NBC News/SurveyMonkey poll that air travel has gotten worse in the last decade.

"There is a tremendous sense of diminished expectations on behalf of passengers," says Bill McGee, an aviation adviser at Consumer Reports. "The fun went out of it a long time ago. Most of us are just looking for civility and to get through it in the most painless way possible."



Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images, File

Hartford to Celebrate New Mark Twain Children’s Book

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A new children’s book based on a fairytale Mark Twain told his daughters in the late 1800s is being released today, more than 100 years after the death of the famous author, and Hartford is celebrating with a parade.

A parade starts at Hartford City Hall and continues to the front steps of the Hartford Public Library in celebration of the new book, “The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine.” 

Twain, who was born in Missouri, made his home in Hartford for more than a decade and this illustrated book tells the story of a poor boy named Johnny, according to the publisher

Johnny is alone except for his pet chicken and meets a woman who gives him magical seeds that change his fortune, allow him to speak with animals and send him on a quest to rescue a stolen prince, according to the publisher.

The story is about generosity, empathy and quiet courage – “gifts more precious in this world than power and gold,” according to the publisher.

The cover price for the hardcover book is $32.99 and the eBook will sell for $14.99.

The news conference begins at noon on the front steps of the Hartford Public Library.

A Look at the History of the National Anthem

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News4's Chris Lawrence looks at the history of "The Star-Spangled Banner" as athletes across the country protests racism as the anthem plays.


Otto Warmbier's Parents Rip North Korea as 'Terrorists'

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North Korea should be thought of as terrorists, "not a victim," said the parents of the American college student who died after spending months in a prison there, NBC News reported.

"They kidnapped Otto, they tortured him, they intentionally injured him, they are not victims, they are terrorists," said Fred Warmbier on Fox News Channel's "Fox & Friends," alongside his wife Cindy Warmbier Tuesday, after North Korea claimed falsely that the United States had declared war on it through a threatening tweet from the president.

The Warmbiers' son was unconscious, blind and deaf when he returned to America in June on a military aircraft, in such a mangled state that his appearance almost caused Cindy Warmbier to "pass out."

"We got halfway up the steps, we heard this howling, involuntary, inhuman, sound. We weren't really certain what it was," Fred Warmbier said. "Otto was on the stretcher … and was jerking violently making these inhuman sounds."



Photo Credit: Bryan Woolston/AP, File

I-84E in Middlebury Reopens After Crash

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Interstate 84 eastbound has reopened Middlebury/Southbury line after a crash involving a tractor-trailer and a street sweeper.

Injuries were reported, but the severity of those injuries was not immediately clear.

The highway was initially closed then opened to one lane, causing delays during rush hour. As of around 8 a.m. the road was reopened.

More information was not immediately available. Check back for updates.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Man Accused of Lewd Act Outside Danielson Dunkin’ Donuts

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A Groton man was arrested Monday after state police said they found him masturbating and watching pornography in a car in the parking lot of a Dunkin’ Donuts in Danielson.

Police responded to the doughnut shop on Wescott Road around 11 a.m. Monday to investigate a suspicious person in the parking lot and state troopers found a man inside a vehicle who was masturbating while watching pornography on a mobile device, according to state police.

John Christopher Willis, 28, of Groton, was arrested and charged with public indecency and breach of peace.

Bond was set at $5,000 and Willis is due in Danielson Superior Court on Oct. 4.



Photo Credit: Connecticut State Police

Crash Caused Heavy Delays on I-95 North in New Haven

Middlefield Restaurant to Host ‘Will & Grace’ Viewing Party

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The revival of “Will & Grace” premieres Thursday night and a Connecticut restaurant is hosting a viewing party to celebrate.

Fire at the Ridge at Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort in Middlefield is hosting a viewing party at 8 p.m. Thursday night. 

The restaurant will be offering themed cocktails and appetizer specials and there will be a look-alike contest, so dress like your favorite character for a chance to win prizes.

The original series, starring Debra Messing, Eric McCormack, Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally, ran on NBC from 1998 to 2006.

NBC Universal is the parent company of NBC Connecticut and “Will & Grace” airs Thursday night at 9 p.m., right here on NBC Connecticut.




Photo Credit: Getty Images
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