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Person Flown to Hospital After Car Hits Tree in Tolland

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One person was flown to St. Francis Hospital to be treated for serious injuries after a driver crashed into a tree on Sugar Hill Road in Tolland Tuesday night, according to Tolland Alert. 

Officials said it took half an hour to get the patient out of the car. 

Sugar Hill Road was shut down for hours but reopened Wednesday morning.



Photo Credit: @TollandAlert

UK Couple Finds Last-Minute NYC Marriage Witness on Reddit

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A Liverpool couple who decided to wed at New York City Hall panicked when they realized they needed a witness. But the internet came to their rescue.

Dan and Gill McCauley, who met two years ago at a pub, decided to tie the knot in New York City. Both had been married before, each have children and they wanted to do something “just for us,” they said.

They booked a date at the New York City Marriage Bureau, but just weeks before they were due to exchange vows, they realized they were missing one crucial thing: a witness. To be legally wed in New York, a couple needs to have a witness, and the British couple didn’t know who to turn to.

Dan had an idea, but it was a long shot. Without expecting much of a response, he posted on a community page for New York City residents on the online platform Reddit.

“Hi peeps I need a witness for clerks office wedding we're coming to nyc in 2 weeks and we're panicking over a witness,” the post read.

Within a day the couple was overwhelmed with responses from New Yorkers willing to give up their mornings so the couple could get married. Dan and Gill said they had about 15 responses to their call for help, but Michael Robinson stood out.

"We've got a guy called Mike who has agreed to be a witness and take photos for free," Dan said. “He just seemed like a really, really nice guy."

Come Tuesday, the couple were found just inside the revolving doors at the New York City Marriage Bureau, standing as though meeting a blind-date of sorts, looking out for "Mike." The bride wore an apricot dress with lace sleeves and matching apricot trainers that sparkled with silver sequins. She also held a matching bouquet a friend had made her, which she'd brought over in her hand-luggage.

“I have high heels in my bag, I’m going to change into them,” she giggled. She didn’t, and the groom joked after the wedding that now he was unlikely to ever see them on her.

It was the perfect day for a wedding: blue skies, not a breath of wind and at least 50 degrees. Outside the Marriage Bureau, the entrepreneurial flog bouquets of flowers, confetti and even cheap rings. Two men lingered with professional-looking cameras, one with a small display of couples who have come before perched on the stone wall of the building. Multi-colored petals lined the concrete steps up the to bureau, along with a few cigarette butts.

Robinson arrived through the revolving doors at 9 a.m. on the dot, as promised. Also from the U.K., he had recently quit his job to take photos and focus on professional development and, with his DSLR camera, he snapped photos of his new friends as they waited to marry. He said, when used for good, Reddit could be really good. 

After going through the metal detector, the couple was given a number -- much like at the Social Security Office. On green felt couches, alongside other grooms and brides to-be, they chatted with Robinson about their adventures in New York City so far — getting lost on the subway and going to Rudy’s tavern to get a beer, a shot and a free hot dog.

“C003” came over the loudspeaker. After hearing their number, Dan, Gill and Robinson made their way first to the license counter and then to wait their turn for the chapel.

“I'm really nervous,” Gill said. Dan was, too. “We’ve got all the paparazzi here,” he joked.

Soon the couple were called into the chapel for their turn with the Bureau’s celebrant. Like the most traditional of weddings, the lovers recited their vows, exchanged rings and sealed the promise with a kiss. Robinson snapped away on his camera, and dutifully captured a close-up of the rings, as requested by Gill.

With the rest of their lives planned, what did they plan to do with the rest of the day? “We’re going to get a drink with Mike,” Dan said. And the happy trio wandered off into the sunshine.

Glastonbury Mom Accused of Leaving 5-Year-Old Son Home Alone

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A Glastonbury mom is accused of leaving her 5-year-old son home alone, according to police.

Police said officers responded to a home on Deming Road just after 4:30 p.m. on April 19 for a welfare check on a 5-year-old boy who had been left home alone and they determined that the two children in the residence, the 5-year-old and a 7-year-old, are left home alone frequently.

As officers were at the scene, the mother, 27-year-old Michelle Montgomery, returned home and was brought to the Glastonbury Police Department.

The state Department of Children and Families was notified and brought the children to a relative’s house. The relatives have temporary custody, according to police.

Montgomery was charged with risk of injury and released on a $10,000 bond.

She is due in court on May 2. No attorney is listed on the online court documents. 





Photo Credit: Glastonbury Police

'Huge' Alligator Spotted Strolling by Florida Middle School

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An alligator out for a Sunday stroll brought traffic to a halt outside a Deltona, Florida, middle school this weekend.

Karl Miranda told NBC affiliate WESH he drives by Deltona Middle School regularly on his way to work and was surprised to hit traffic on that road on a Sunday evening.

At first, Miranda wasn’t sure why cars were slowing down, but as he got closer, he told WESH, he saw something "huge and murky" sauntering down the sidewalk.

"As I got closer, I saw it was a gator, and the closer I got, it was a big gator," Miranda said.

Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission officials said Tuesday a trapper responded to the scene Sunday night but did not find the approximate 8-foot gator anywhere on the property.

Volusia County Animal Control officers walked the school grounds Monday morning before classes began and did not see signs of the alligator.

The school is near several bodies of water indigenous to wildlife, including alligators, according to WESH.

Petit Decides Against Run For Congress

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State Rep. Dr. William Petit announced on Wednesday that he will seek re-election to the General Assembly and will not run for Congress.

Petit had been considering a run for the 5th District congressional seat after Rep. Elizabeth Esty announced she would not seek re-election earlier this month.

"I thought long and hard about running for Congress in the 5th District and all that would entail. But family considerations and my deep seeded commitment to the people I now serve won out," Petit said in a release.

Petit's name came up almost immediately after Esty's decision not to run again amid allegations she failed to protect staff from harassment and threats of violence by her former chief of staff.

He was elected to represent the 22nd State House District in 2016.

"At this point, I feel I can be a stronger agent for changing Connecticut for the better in Hartford than in Washington," Petit said.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Missing Sailor Found Safe in Another State

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A sailor missing from Groton for a week was found safe an unharmed on Wednesday, according to police.

Jacob Tyler, 24, a Navy sailor from Groton, was reported missing on April 18.

He was last seen leaving his home on his motorcycle on the morning of April 17 and hadn't been seen since.

Tyler was found in another state and is safe, police said.

There is no criminal aspect to his disappearance, according to police.



Photo Credit: Groton Town Police Department

New Haven Police Sergeant on Leave During Investigation

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A New Haven police sergeant has been placed on paid administrative leave as the police department investigates allegations of improprieties while off duty, according to police. 

A news release from the New Haven police department says Police Chief Anthony Campbell has launched an internal investigation into alleged improprieties of Patrol Sergeant Brian McDermott. 

The department’s internal affairs unit is investigating the personnel matter and McDermott will remain on paid administrative leave until the investigation is complete, according to police. 

No additional information has been released.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Nassar Sentencing Judge Is Supporting Victims After Verdict

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The judge who said it was her "honor and privilege" to sentence ex-Dr. Larry Nassar to up to 175 years for molesting young girls under the guise of medical treatment is speaking out and continuing to stand by the victims months after Nassar's verdict.

Judge Rosemarie Aquilina spoke to the Detroit News Tuesday in her first interview since the sentencing. She gained attention for allowing more than 150 victims to offer statements and responding to each one in the marathon seven-day hearing in January.

"I support the girls," she told The News. "I said that at the sentencing. Nothing has changed there."

Aquilina consistently chastised Nassar and comforted his victims in the courtroom. She turned heads for her pointed language when handing down her sentence for Nassar, who had pleaded guilty to counts of sexually assaulting girls. 

"I just signed your death warrant," she told Nassar from the bench. "It is my honor and privilege to sentence you."

However, Aquilina has continued championing his victims outside the courtroom, retweeting blog posts seeking justice and empowering the army of "sister survivors" on Facebook, The News reported.

Critics questioned whether Aquilina's language and behavior undermined the pursuit of justice. Criminal defense attorney Anne E. Gowen, writing for Time, said Aquilina's choices in court represent "a warning to future defendants that the judiciary and vigilante justice are not as separate as one might have believed," adding that determining someone's fate is a "solemn responsibility." And others wondered how it would affect a possible appeal, should Nassar choose to pursue one before the July deadline.

Aquilina defended her advocacy, saying she no longer needs to be "fair and impartial" once the verdict is reached.

"The case is over," she told the publication. "No judge is fair and impartial (after the verdict). That’s for before the sentencing."

She added that she wasn't concerned her continued advocacy would affect a potential appeals process.

Aquilina also took on Michigan State University after a contentious board of trustees meeting last week, when an abuse victim of Nassar claimed the school interim president pressured her to accept a settlement payoff. Aquilina said the woman, Kaylee Lorincz, should have been allowed more time to address the school officials.

"I don’t like girls being shut down," Aquilina said Tuesday. "Everyone has the right to be heard.”

However, she declined to weigh in on whether there should be more shakeups in MSU leadership, instead keeping the focus on the victims.

"I won't get into a political mess," she told The News. "I’m supporting the girls."

Both the president and athletic director of MSU have resigned from their posts in the fallout of Nassar's abuse scandal, and the Michigan attorney general has launched an investigation into his work at the university.



Photo Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images, File

Hamden Car Dealership Employee Accused of Embezzlement

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The finance manager of a Hamden car dealership is accused of stealing $80,000 from the company. 

Officers responded to Partyka Chevrolet, at 200 Skiff St., in Hamden on Nov. 7 to investigate a report of embezzlement and police said the finance manager, 34-year-old Jevene Wright, of Bridgeport, is accused of stealing around $80,000 from the dealership. 

Customers provided Wright with cash or personal checks to make purchases and Wright instructed them to leave the “pay to the order” part of their checks blank, according to Hamden police, then he would fill in his name and deposit the proceeds into his personal bank account. 

On April 23, police arrested Wright at Meriden Superior Court. He was charged with larceny in the first degree.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Spicer Unveils Melania Trump Wax Figures at Madame Tussauds

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Former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer was on hand at Madame Tussauds in New York on Wednesday to help unveil the museum's newest addition — a wax figure of first lady Melania Trump. 

The wax Melania Trump is part of a larger installation titled "Give Melania A Voice," NBC News reported. It will give visitors the opportunity to publish tweets on behalf of Melania on the museum's @MTMelaniaMoments Twitter page beginning on Thursday and lasting until May 31, 2018.

Spicer deemed the wax first lady very life-like, saying, "I’m not kidding, I looked at a photo I had with the first lady before I left and I mean — it's pretty remarkable how life-like it is, and the same thing with the president. It's impressive."

Trump's wax figure was put in place in January 2017. Madame Tussauds said it receives permission from subjects before creating the figures.



Photo Credit: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Lettuce-Linked E. Coli Outbreak Soars to 84 Cases in 19 States; 42 Hospitalized

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The number of cases in the E. coli outbreak tied to Romaine lettuce grown in Arizona has boomed to 84 in 19 states, with 42 people requiring hospitalization, more than a half-dozen of them for a type of acute kidney failure, the Centers for Disease Control said Wednesday.

That's an increase of 31 people in 10 states just in the last week, when the CDC expanded its warning and told people to avoid all kinds of romaine lettuce that may have been grown in Yuma, Arizona. At first, the agency targeted chopped.

Investigators still haven't been able to determine the original source of the outbreak, which has now affected people in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New York and a wide swath of the south and midwest. The most cases have been reported in Pennsylvania (18), followed by California (13) and Idaho (10). To date, New Jersey has seven cases, New York has two and Connecticut has two. No deaths have been reported.

Illnesses started on dates ranging from March 13 to April 12. Sick people range in age from 1 to 88, with a median age of 31. Most of the victims have been female. Nine of the 42 related hospitalizations were for hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can be a fatal form of kidney failure. 

Ninety six percent of 67 people interviewed in connection with the investigation reported eating romaine lettuce in the week before their illness started. Symptoms of E. coli infection include diarrhea, severe stomach cramps and vomiting. 



Photo Credit: Douglas Sacha/Getty Images

100 Underage People Found at Hamden Bar: Police

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Police and staff from the State of Connecticut Liquor Commission found 100 underage people when they responded to a bar on Whitney Avenue in Hamden for a liquor compliance check, according to police. 

Officers responded to the location on April 20, asked for identification and said they found 100 people under 21 years of age and seized 42 fraudulent identifications. 

Several of the underage patrons told police staff did not ask for identification. 

Several infractions were issued and the State of Connecticut Liquor Commission is investigating.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Police Release Dash Cam Video of Chase in East Haven

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East Haven police have released dash cam footage of a police chase that led to the arrests of two teens. 

The video from the police cruiser shows the chase on April 19 after dispatchers contacted patrol officers at 11:45 p.m. 

Dispatchers alerted officers that New Haven Police were in a pursuit on Interstate 91 north, near exit 8, of a stolen Gold GMC Yukon with New York plates. 

New Haven police ended the pursuit. 

In an attempt to elude police, the driver of the Yukon entered the Sunset Ridge Apartments, at 341 Smith Ave., and eventually went into a wooded area, down an embankment and struck a tree, police said. 

With the assistance from the New Haven Police Department, two people were taken into custody. 

Noel Adon, 18, of New Haven, and a 17-year-old were transported to the hospital for evaluation. Once they were released, they were transported to the East Haven Police Department.

Adon was charged with larceny in the second degree, engaging police in pursuit, reckless driving, interfering with a police investigation and operating without a license. 

He was held on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on May 2. 

The juvenile was issued a juvenile summons charging him with conspiracy to commit larceny in the second degree and interfering with a police investigation. 

He is due in juvenile court on May 2.




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State Trooper Injured in Crash During Police Chase on I-95

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A Connecticut State Police trooper suffered minor injuries in a crash during a police pursuit on Interstate 95 in Old Saybrook Wednesday afternoon.

State police said the crash happened when troopers were assisting the Old Saybrook Police Department with a chase of the tractor portion of a tractor-trailer on I-95 southbound around 2:40 p.m. During the chase, the suspect vehicle collided with a State Police cruiser, causing minor damage.

The trooper suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital for evaluation, police said.

The suspect, who has not been identified, was taken into custody.

More information was not immediately available.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Clerk Robbed Outside Store as Witnesses Watch, Don't Intervene, Video Shows

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A Florida liquor store clerk was robbed of more than $11,000 as a group of witnesses stood idly by while she fought to fend off the suspect.

The incident was captured on surveillance video outside the 19th Street Liquors store in Fort Lauderdale. According to Ash Raff, the store's manager, the employee was picking up money to deposit.   

Video shows the woman holding a black bag as she walks out of the store. A man then ambushes the woman and wrestles the bag out of her hands while several bystanders watch. The suspect flees the scene on foot. 

"We don't deserve this because we fight to make a living," Raff said.

He believes the robbery was planned. Raff said the employee has been picking up money from the liquore store for 15 years and the suspect may have known which days she stops by.

The suspect was seen on surveillance video loitering in front of the store for more than an hour before she arrived, appearing to be waiting for the victim, Raff said. 

He said he usually walks his colleague to her car, but on the day she was robbed he was not working. The woman was not injured in the attack, but Raff said she is still shaken up over the incident. 

Anyone with any information on the robbery is urged to call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.


Your Stories: Branford Resident Wants to Save Downtown Trees

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There’s a grassroots last-minute effort to save more than a dozen trees in downtown Branford slated to by cut down by the end of the week.

Nineteen trees along Main and Ivy Streets in Branford are set to come down. Laura Green contacted NBC Connecticut because she wants to stop it.

“My heart broke when I saw the pink signs on Monday,” she said. “I know the aesthetic beauty of trees are great - those will be lost whether or not they’re great trees to have in the area, whether or not they’re healthy. I would just like to have a public opinion hearing to maybe offer some dissenting views.”

Town leaders say that the trees have become a hazard because of their age. They’re worried that limbs could fall and potentially hurt somebody.

“It’s not only in a windstorm,” said First Selectman James Cosgrove. “We’ve had on a summer day, a limb snap.”

Cosgrove said this is part of a long-term project involving the tree warden that started two years ago, and trees have been properly tagged for removal.

Cosgrove said the project had its chance for public discussion at various boards and commission meetings.

“The sad part is the town thinks that it’s communicating with the community and the community is not aware that all this is happening,” said Branford resident, Celia Toche.

Once these trees come down, new ones will be planted in the coming weeks.

“As long as they put new ones in keep the green going and that’s all we care about,” said Dylon Conway, another Branford resident.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Boil Order Continues in Danbury Days After Water Main Break

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Forty-eight hours after a water main break left tens of thousands of people in Danbury without a drop, there was finally a break Wednesday.

“Normally the repair time is five to six hours, not two days,” Mayor Mark Boughton said.

Boughton estimated they lost several million gallons of water from the system.

“This was rare in a sense that it was a style that we've never seen in a break before and it was a one-of-a-kind piece so you can’t order from your local Home Depot or something like that,” Boughton said.

A valve specially flown in from company in Buffalo, New York was installed in the Tamarack Street water main Wednesday morning, pressurizing the system and returning water to residents. The city is still under a boil advisory.

“Rarely are they 16-inch water main breaks that affect the hospital and the schools and regular travel for the city Danbury,” Lorinda Arconti said.

Arconti is one of dozens who lined up for drinking water at the Danbury Fire Department. She’s lost track of her life without water.

“Just brushing teeth, to rinsing off vegetables, to getting water going for dinner,” Arconti said.

Campuses like Broadview Middle School, Henry Abbott Technical High School were back in class after closing Tuesday, drinking bottled water only. Students at Western Connecticut University were warned to not drink or even use the water to wash their hands, as Danbury Hospital and nursing homes remained under a fire watch early this afternoon.

“We have people stationed right at the facilities just to make sure if there's a problem we have somebody there immediately,” Danbury Fire Chief T.J. Wiedl said.

Wiedl said the water main relief has been round the clock. Firefighters kept trucks outside certain facilities in case water sprinklers were needed in a fire emergency.

“I’m glad we're getting near the end this is been a lot of sleepless time and most the crews went without sleep throughout the night,” Wiedl said.

Boughton said the earliest that boil advisory could be lifted is early Thursday afternoon.

Waterford Police Investigating Multiple Business Break-Ins

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Police are investigating a string of burglaries in Waterford where the thieves escaped with cash.

Eight stores along Boston Post Road were hit last week, including Maria Longinidis’ NV Bakery and Market. There, the glass door was smashed in.

“They stole petty cash from the register, they damaged the front window but nothing else was destroyed. It was a blessing nobody was here,” Longinidis said.

Two of her strip mall neighbors at 40 Boston Post Road were also hit that night. The glass to their storefronts were smashed and cash was also taken.

After an alarm went off, police said the people involved ran away, just as a business owner showed up.

Also that night, a business at 60 Boston Post Road was targeted in the same way.

“They went in an immediately went to the cash registers. And that was about all they went to. They didn’t go looking for a safe,” said Lt. Steve Bellos of Waterford Police.

A couple of days later, four stores in the Utopia Center at 262 Boston Post Road were targeted. This time, police said the thieves pried their way in.

“It's really off-putting. It’s kind of frightening because we are here, we work late,” said Hillary Kansel of Utopia Salon.

Thieves targeted cash at Utopia. Kansel said the salon was ransacked.

They also broke into Jordan Chiropractic, but didn’t take anything. The business’ alarm scared the thieves away after they broke through the door.

“They busted it up pretty good. But we got it working again and we’re going to put some dead bolts on it,” said Ken Jordan, the office manager.

Bellos said outside Jordan Chiropractic’s back door was a hat that belonged to a worker at Filomena’s – one of the restaurants hit. Police believe the hat was stolen.

Officers used K9s, collected paint chips, are reviewing surveillance and are now testing DNA to see if they can track down the people responsible and if the crimes are linked.

“You know, it’s more just like a violation, still kind of feel unsafe. We’re just hoping they catch them soon,” Longinidis said.

New London Police responded early on April 15 to three businesses that were also broken into. Waterford and New London Police are working together to see if there’s any link.



Photo Credit: Waterford Police Department

New Gmail Features 'Nudges' for Procrastinators

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Google is giving Gmail a makeover for its 1.4 billion users with new tools and features, including most notably, disappearing messages the tech giant announced Wednesday, NBC News reported. 

At first glance, the new Gmail design tweaks are subtle, including a new side panel for accessing calendars and tasks and large, color-coded warnings on suspicious emails, NBC News reported.

Some of the features include a user deciding whether a message could disappear now or five years from now and the option to revoke an email at any time. For procrastinators, a new feature will also "nudge" remind users how much has past since receiving an email, NBC News reported. 



Photo Credit: AP/Patrick Semansky

Quest Lab in Branford Closed After Driver Crashes Into It

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Quest laboratory on North Main Street in Branford will be closed for the rest of the week after an 82-year-old woman crashed into the building just before 7 a.m.

Police said the driver got confused while parking. The impact from the crash sent bricks and glass into the waiting area, but the office had not opened yet, so no one was waiting there.

Three employees were in the back when the crash happened and they were not injured. The driver refused medical treatment.

This is the second crash an elderly person has been involved in in Branford in 48 hours and police urge families to put some thought into when it might be time for older loved ones to stop driving.

“More and more drivers are driving later in life, which is wonderful for them and for their mobility and health, but at some point I think the families need to sit down and recognize when some of our elderly seniors may get to that point where we need to assist them in driving and make a decision whether or not driving for them is the safest capability,” Captain Geoff Morgan, of Branford Police, said.

The Branford Quest location will be closed until Monday and they are directing people to go to the Quest location at 190 Main St. in East Haven or the one on Route 1 in Guilford in the meantime.






Photo Credit: Branford Police
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