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South Windsor Baseball Team to Send 2 Players to Division 1

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South Windsor High School baseball coach Mike McDermott knows baseball players who will go on to play in Division I don’t come around often and that’s why his team this year is “very unique.” The Bobcats have two players who are headed to play Division 1 baseball. 

Will Nowak, a senior, is headed to the University of Hartford next fall and Zach Donohue, a junior, is committed to playing at UConn. 

“I've always been a big UConn fan,” Donahue said. “Basketball football, baseball and I'm just really excited to go there.” 

McDermott said this team has talent and history. 

“It's a crew we were waiting for since their freshman year,” McDermott said. 

This is a year the players have been waiting for since they were little kids, just starting to play. 

“We've been playing through Little League, all stars, all the way up through here,” Jimmy Tamburro, a senior, said.  

“We have strong pitchers that are seniors, a lot of people are stepping up,” Nowak said. “Outfielders, infielders, seniors all over the place.” 

McDermott started coaching at the school four years ago, so this team will be the first he’s seen from start to finish. 

“It's nice seeing that they mature, they become leaders, they become vocal, they pull for one another and they help the younger kids,” McDermott said. 

The younger players are hoping to keep the legacy going when they are seniors as well. 

“Sharing this journey with them means everything,’ Donahue said. “I'm excited to hopefully continue that next year."  



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

John Bolton Chaired Anti-Muslim Think Tank Until Last Month

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President Donald Trump's new national security adviser was, until last month, the chairman a nonprofit that promoted false, misleading anti-Muslim news, according to an NBC News review.

John Bolton began chairing the Gatestone Institute in 2013. The advocacy group has warned of a "jihadist takeover" in Europe" and a "Great White Death" on the continent, and its articles have been amplified by a Russian troll factory.

Gatestone is "a key part of the whole Islamaphobic cottage industry on the internet," said a spokesman for the civil rights group Council on American-Islamic Relations. He called it "very disturbing" that Bolton would be associated with the organization and be "in one of the most powerful positions on the planet."

A representative for the National Security Council, which Bolton now chairs, said Bolton is aware of the story but that it doesn't comment on inquiries about outside organizations.



Photo Credit: Alex Brandon/AP, File

Man Dead After Crash in Hartford: Police

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A 57-year-old man is dead after a crash in Hartford early Monday morning.

Officers responded to the 200 block of Blue Hills Avenue at 1:27 a.m. after receiving reports of a crash and found a blue 2011 Honda Civic that had crashed into a tree on the front lawn of 295 Blue Hills Ave.

Crews at the scene provided medical aid but the driver, a 57-year-old man, was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to police.

They said no one else was in the vehicle.

This is the 10th fatal crash in Hartford this year and the 11th traffic fatality, according to police. 

The Crime Scene Division is investigating and they ask any witnesses to call Sergeant Jason Lee at 860-757-4341.





Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Children With Cap Guns Threatened People at Stamford Theater

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Five juveniles from Stamford were arrested after they went into the Majestic movie theatre in Stamford with what appeared to be guns Sunday night and told everyone to put their hands up, according to police. 

Police were alerted at 7:53 p.m. Sunday that several people had gone into the theater with guns and threatened people. 

Officers responded to 118 Summer St. and determined that several people had run inside and yelled, “Everyone get their hands up,” then shot cap guns and they fled south on Summer Street. 

Officers found four juveniles at Washington and Tresser boulevards and seized two cap guns, police said. Another juvenile was detained near the theater with a backpack. Police said they found another cap gun nearby. 

Five juveniles were brought to the Stamford Police juvenile division for processing. 

The teens who fired the cap guns have been charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, breach of peace and conspiracy, according to police. 

The other two juveniles were charged with breach of peace and conspiracy. 

The suspects, four boys and girl, are from Stamford and are between 10 and 16 years old, according to police. 

Police said the theater patrols were quite shaken up from this incident and should all be commended for their cooperation with the investigation and willingness to come forward.  



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Suffield Official Placed on Leave After Domestic Violence Allegations

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The superintendent of the Suffield Water Pollution Control Authority has been placed on administrative leave after he was arrested in Massachusetts, accused in a domestic violence incident.

Suffield police said staff from the Ludlow, Massachusetts Police Department contacted them at 7:15 a.m. on Thursday, April 19 for help to find 39-year-old Shane McCannon, of Munson, Massachusetts who is employed as the superintendent of the Suffield Water Pollution Control Authority.

Authorities said police in Ludlow were in the process of obtaining an arrest warrant for McCannon in connection with a domestic disturbance earlier in the morning and Suffield Police set up surveillance in the area of the Water Pollution Control Authority, where McCannon was seen leaving in his vehicle around 11:22 a.m.

Suffield police “maintained mobile surveillance” of McCannon until he got to Massachusetts and Springfield, Massachusetts Police stopped him on Sumner Avenue in Springfield, police said.

According to Suffield police, the arrest warrant for McCannon is for charges including strangulation/suffocation, assault and battery on a family/household member and larceny of less than $250. McCannon was arraigned on Friday, April 20.

During an emergency meeting of the Board of Selectmen and WPCA Thursday night, McCannon was placed on administrative leave, effective immediately, pending further investigation. 



Photo Credit: Suffield Police

Police Investigating Armed Robbery at Yale

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A man robbed two Yale University students at gunpoint at a residential college early Monday morning and university police are investigating and adding patrols, according to Yale University Police.

Chief Ronnell Higgins, the director of public safety and chief of police for Yale, issued a statement to the Yale community Monday morning that said two undergraduate students encountered a man in a room at Timothy Dwight College just after 1:30 a.m. Monday.

When confronted, the man showed a handgun, stole a computer and fled from the college, police said.

No one was injured during the robbery.

Yale university police are investigating and have increased patrols in the area.




Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Graphic Arrest of Black Woman At Waffle House Sparks Outrage

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Graphic video of a 25-year-old black woman taken to the ground by three white Alabama police officers during a controversial arrest Sunday morning at a Waffle House has sparked outrage online and in the local community, prompting protests and sit-ins, NBC affiliate WPMI reported.

Cell phone video posted to Facebook shows Saraland police officers wrestling the woman to the ground as her clothes slip down, exposing her bare breasts while patrons looked on. Chikesia Clemons can be heard repeatedly asking the officers what she did wrong, video shows. 

A Waffle House employee called police around 2:30 a.m. Sunday after Clemons asked for a manager's contact information when her order was canceled over her objections of being charged an additional fee for plastic utensils, according to Al.com. Clemons told the employee that in a previous visit she was given them free of charge.

"They didn't even ask her to leave, she was waiting for them to give her the district manager's card so she could file a complaint on one of the waitresses," Clemons' mother, Chiquitta Clemons-Howard told reporters Sunday. "When they went to go get the card, that's when the police showed up. The officer should've come in and said we need you to leave."

Video captured by Clemons' friend Canita Adams shows one of the officers confronting the woman sitting on a chair and trying to grab her arms as Clemons maintains that she had done nothing wrong. Clemons tells the officer she was waiting to be given a regional manager's phone number. 

At one point, she is forcibly pulled off the chair and taken to the ground by two officers as her dress slips down, exposing her breasts, another video shows. Clemons appears to try to cover herself with her arms as officers attempt to roll her over and search her. 

When she demands to know what they are doing, an officer responds, "I'll break your arm, that's what I'm about to do."

Clemons was booked on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, according to Clemons-Howard, Al.com reported. 

After videos of the incident were posted to Facebook Sunday morning, protesters gathered at the Waffle House on Industrial Parkway demanding answers. At least one demonstrator was handcuffed, Al.com reported.  

"What I want actually is to get justice for my daughter in this case. I don't feel that she was treated fairly. I think the things that were showed were very offensive not only to me as a woman but to my child,” Clemons-Howard told WPMI.

The Saraland Police Department issued a statement Sunday morning stating that they were aware of the arrest at the Waffle House and videos, but weren't able to comment futher on an ongoing investigation.

"Our department strives for transparency and we encourage our community to be aware of current events. Saraland’s public safety director, Chief J.C. West, and the mayor are aware of the situation and are awaiting the results of the investigation. When the facts of the investigation are gathered, we will have a response," the department added.

Waffle House did not respond to NBC News' request for comment, but a spokesman told Al.com Monday that the "information we have received at this point differs significantly from what has reportedly been attributed to Ms. Clemons and strongly supports the actions taken by the Saraland Police Department."

The incident follows the arrest this month of two black men at a Starbucks in Philadelphia within minutes of their arrival. That case, for which Starbucks' CEO has apologized, and another recent example of police being called to a New Jersey gym where a black member was working out with a guest, have put a national focus on what has been called "retail racism." Also referred to as "shopping while black," it's the experience of being treated differently than white customers, whether by being refused service, followed or falsely accused of doing something wrong.



Photo Credit: Canita Adams

10 Arrested During ATV Investigation: Hartford Police

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Hartford police arrested 10 people and seized more than a dozen all-terrain vehicles Sunday.

Police said the arrests and seizures were part of a multi-jurisdictional ATV operation the Hartford Police Traffic Division led.

Officers also seized a U-Haul van and a Dodge pickup that police said were used to transport the ATVs and marijuana.

Nine of the 10 people who were arrested were not from Hartford, according to police.




Photo Credit: Hartford Police Department

LifeStar responding to Route 2 in Marlborough

Man with Firearm Arrested At Bradley Airport: Police

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A Torrington man was arrested at Bradley International Airport Monday morning after a loaded handgun was found in his carry-on luggage, according to state police.

Connecticut State Police said TSA security personnel flagged the carry-on bag for a possible firearm as it was being scanned.

TSA said they found a .40 caliber handgun with a bullet in the chamber. They did not name the person who was charged.

Connecticut State Police said the 39-year-old, Atlanta-bound passenger, Matthew English, was placed under arrest, accused of a weapons violation and circumventing airport security. 

The firearm and permit were taken into possession, according to police. 

Police said English was released on a $5,000 non-surety bond and he's scheduled to appear at Enfield Superior Court on May 10.

TSA reminds passengers that they are responsible for the content in the bags brought to the airport checkpoint and those who bring firearms to security checkpoint are referred to law enforcement.



Photo Credit: Connecticut State Police and TSA

Veteran Undergoes World's First Full Male Genital Transplant

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A veteran who was injured in Afghanistan has received the world's first total penis and scrotum transplant, Johns Hopkins Hospital announced Monday. 

A team of nine plastic surgeons and two urological surgeons performed the 14-hour surgery last month. The penis, scrotum and part of an abdominal wall came from a deceased donor, the hospital said. 

The patient has recovered from the surgery and is expected to be released this week, officials say. The hospital did not disclose in which branch of the military the patient served.

"When I first woke up, I felt finally more normal… [with] a level of confidence as well. Confidence… like finally I’m okay now," said the patient, who asked not to be identified. 

The hospital said many soldiers injured in blasts from improvised explosive devices come home with debilitating hidden injuries — like the loss of their genitals. 

"We are hopeful that this transplant will help restore near-normal urinary and sexual functions for this young man,” said W.P. Andrew Lee, M.D., professor and director of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

A hospital spokeswoman says doctors are hopeful the patient's reproductive functions will return in six months. 

The team that performed the surgery also performed the country's first bilateral arm transplant, in a wounded warrior.

Four other successful penis transplants have been performed, two in South Africa, one in China and one in Boston. But those transplants involved only the penis, not extensive surrounding tissue.



Photo Credit: Johns Hopkins Medicine

Brady's Back: Agent Says He Expects QB to Return

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The agent for Tom Brady told ESPN he expects the quarterback to return for the 2018 season.

ESPN's Adam Schefter said Brady's agent, Don Yee, told him "he expects his client Tom Brady to return for 2018 season." Schefter had reported last week that Brady still had not committed to playing next year.


Per his current contract, Brady is slated to earn $14 million in base salary in each of the next two seasons. He can be an unrestricted free agent following the 2019 season, by which time he'll be 42 years old.

Brady was not in attendance for the start of the team's offseason program last week. He had been in Quatar on a business trip, but returned home last Tuesday.


If Brady had decided to retire, it would have been a huge blow to the Patriots - especially after they traded backup quarterback and heir apparent Jimmy Garoppolo to the San Francisco 49ers last year.

Right now, the only other quarterback on the roster is journeyman Brian Hoyer, who is 16-21 as a starter in nine NFL seasons. He went 0-6 with the 49ers last season prior to being released after the team acquired Garoppolo.



Photo Credit: Getty Images
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East Hartford Police ID Officers Involved in Feb. Shooting

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East Hartford police have identified the five officers who fired their service weapons when a car chase that began in East Hartford ended in a police-involved shooting in February 2018.

Authorities said the Feb. 4 pursuit began in East Hartford around 8:30 p.m. when officers spotted a car that had been reported stolen.

Police followed the car to Turtle Creek Lane in East Hartford, where police confronted the driver and fired shots.

During that confrontation, officers were injured. Officials did not provide a detailed description of that confrontation but said that the injured officers were not shot.

Police continued to pursue the suspect, who fled the scene. According to Connecticut State Police, the suspect was involved in multiple crashes with other vehicles during the pursuit.

The chase ended at the New London Turnpike near Copley Road in Glastonbury, where officers shot the suspect.

The suspect was then taken to a local hospital, where he later died of his injuries. He has been identified as 31-year-old Juan McCray.

The injured officers were treated at local hospitals for minor injuries and have been released.

East Hartford police have identified the five officers who fired their weapons during the incident – Sgt. Joseph Ficacelli, Officer Thomas Castagna, Officer Marc Caruso, Officer Richard Hill, and Officer Garrett Ostafin, They all remain on administrative duty, which is standard protocol.

Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crime Squad and the Hartford State’s Attorney’s office continue to investigate the incident.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecitcut

Vernon Police Seek Burglary Suspect in Teal Coat

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Vernon police are trying to identify a suspect in a home burglary on Bamforth Road earlier this month.

According to police, officers responded to a burglar alarm at a home on Bamforth Road just before 4 p.m. on April 10. Officers found that someone had broken into the home and stole jewelry.

The home had a surveillance system and captured photos of the suspect.

The suspect is described as being in his mid-50s. He was wearing tan baseball cap, a teal coat, blue jeans, white sneakers and black gloves at the time of the crime.

Anyone who recognizes the suspect pictured above should contact the Vernon Police Department at 860-872-9126.



Photo Credit: Vernon Police Department

Watertown Police Looking for Man Involved in Burglary

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The Watertown Police Department is trying to identify a man involved in a commercial burglary.

The burglary happened at the Liquor Superstore on 1432 Main Street on April 19 at approximately 4 a.m., according to police.

According to police, the suspect broke the front glass door with a large rock. He then stole the cash register with several hundred dollars inside.

Watertown Police said the suspect appears to be wearing a black or dark colored jacket, blue jeans, and a baseball hat. Police said the hat appears to have a "B" on it and might be a Chicago Bulls hat with the Bulls logo on the side.

A second person was inside a vehicle waiting out front, police said. The car is described as possibly a tan SUV.

Anyone with information on the identity of the man is asked to call the Watertown Police Department at (860) 945-5200 or Crimestoppers at (860) 945-9940 for an anonymous cash reward.




Photo Credit: Watertown Police Department

9 Dead as Van Strikes Toronto Pedestrians

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A van driver plowed into Toronto pedestrians Monday, leaving nine dead and 16 injured. The van fled the scene and the driver was taken into custody a short time later.

Man Who Once Relied on Food Pantry Now Runs It

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NBC Connecticut and Telemundo Connecticut are proud to partner with local food banks and stop and shop for the Feeding Our Families food drive.

With your help we can feed thousands of local children and families.

More than 15 years ago, Bill Cole relied on the Tri-Town Pantry at the Hockanum Valley Community Council. Now, he manages the pantry to help others.

“I had a choice. I could pay the car payment or I could buy food,” Cole said. “It was a constant struggle so now I feel like I’m able to understand what the majority of our clients who are coming through the door are feeling.”

In partnership with eight regional food banks and Stop & Shop, NBC Connecticut and Telemundo Connecticut will be collecting food donations Saturday, April 28, at more than 85 Stop & Shop locations throughout the state. The Tri-Town pantry is just one of the local food pantries that will benefit from your donations.

“I think many of us forget that in the months following the holidays that the need is great, and we’re coming up to the summer when the need is even greater, said David O’Rourke, CEO of Hockanum Valley Community Council.

“One in seven people in Tolland County suffer from food insecurity,” Cole said. “Not knowing whether they’re going to have food to put on the table for their kids, sending their kids to bed hungry at night. That’s why we’re here. We’re here to serve those people.”

Broadway Star Mandy Gonzalez Trains Local Students

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“History is happening” in New Britain as local performance students got the chance to learn from one of the best on Broadway Monday.

In partnership with Central Connecticut State University and the Ana Grace Project, Mandy Gonzalez put on a special workshop today at New Britain High School. Gonzalez is currently starring as Angelica Schuyler in the hit Broadway musical “Hamilton.”

“I’m here to give back, and working with students inspires me,” Gonzalez said.

The students from New Britain High School, CCSU and CREC got the chance to learn from Gonzalez.

“It’s just such an amazing feeling that I got to come here and do that because I don’t get to do that every day,” said student Jerry Hamilton.

“I think it’s awesome,” said student, Catherine Knight-Diaz. “They say they came here from New York at 6:30 this morning on their off day to teach us and hang out with us and I think that’s a really wonderful thing.”

Gonzalez is also known for role in the Lin-Manuel Miranda musical, “In the Heights,” and starred as Elphaba in “Wicked.”

“There are so many things that training in the arts can do for young people,” she said.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Target Scraps Women's Hunter Rain Boots Due to Quality Issues

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Retail giant Target announced Friday that it will not release tall women’s rain boots as part of its Hunter for Target collaboration due to quality and production problems.

The boots — $40 versions of the British company's original Wellington boots, which retail for $135-$155 — had initially been delayed when the collection launched last week. 

"After thorough evaluation, we’ve decided not to make this item available,” Mark Tritton, Target’s chief merchandising officer and executive vice president, said in a press release. "We’re very sorry, but the production simply didn’t meet our standards, Hunter’s standards, or the standards we want guests to have when they shop at Target."

Target will "look into how this happened, and we’ll work hard to ensure it doesn’t happen again," Tritton said. They are working with another company to recycle the women’s boots that were produced.

"We promise to do better next time,” he added.

Men’s boots went on sale with the rest of the collection's more than 300 items on April 14, but most sizes are already sold out. 

The limited edition Hunter for Target line, which launched April 14, is the retailer's latest collaboration with a big-name fashion brand.  Target has rolled out limited-time collaborations with established high-end brands such as Missoni, Alexander McQueen and Jean Paul Gaultier, as well as designers like Victoria Beckham and Lilly Pulitzer. 



Photo Credit: Target

Norovirus Causes Illnesses at WCSU: Health Officials

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The recent gastrointestinal outbreak at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury is Norovirus, according to officials from the State Department of Public Health.

Western Connecticut State University in Danbury is closed today after around 100 students became sick last week.

“DPH’s Epidemiology and Food Protection Programs, along with the State Laboratory, are coordinating with officials at WCSU, the Danbury Health Department and Danbury Hospital to investigate an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness at WCSU that has now been confirmed through laboratory tests to be Norovirus,” the Department of Public Health said in a statement.

Students complained of symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhea and the school has encouraged anyone who is experiencing symptoms to go home if possible and see their doctor or visit an urgent care or a hospital emergency room for treatment and ask to be tested for a possible virus.

State officials said the illnesses were first reported on Friday afternoon, but some of the ill patients became sick as early as Tuesday, April 17.

“We have advised WCSU on proper cleaning procedures for Norovirus and will continue to investigate and coordinate with officials in Danbury and at WCSU. In order to avoid becoming ill with Norovirus or spreading the virus, students and staff should practice frequent hand washing with soap and water. They should also avoid preparing food for others, working in a day care center, health care facility or food service establishment if having gastrointestinal symptoms – vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, low grade fever – and seek medical attention if those symptoms become severe,” the statement from the state Department of Health.

Students are encouraged to wash their hands before eating or handling food, and to avoid sharing food or drink with others. Any students who vomit in their dormitory should contact Housing or Residence Life staff to help with cleanup.






Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
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