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Bank Manager Accused of Embezzling $850,000

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A Hamden man is accused of embezzling more than $850,000 from the bank he worked at in Orange and has been arrested.

A federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment yesterday alleging that Stephen Carbonella, 59, of Hamden, embezzled funds from Webster Bank Corporation, where he served as bank manager of the Orange branch office, according to the office of John Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.

Carbonella is accused of withdrawing more than $850,000 from account holders’ certificate of deposit accounts between 2003 and 2017 and forging signatures and falsifying documents.

He was charged with one count of embezzlement by a bank officer or employee. 

Carbonella was arrested this morning, appeared in court and entered a plea of not guilty. He was released on a $200,000 bond.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

1 Connecticut Swimming Area Closed

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Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

'Impeach 45' T-Shirts Spark #BoycottWalmart Movement

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Twitter users are calling for a boycott of Walmart after T-shirts with "Impeach 45" were being sold on its website.

Tweets with #BoycottWalmart began circulating as news spread about the "Impeach 45" t-shirts available in sizes ranging from adult to baby tees. 

The merchandise is sold by Old Glory and is available via Walmart's third-party marketplace, according to CNBC.com. Walmart.com also sells "Make America Great Again" merchandise. 

"These items were sold by third party sellers on our open marketplace, and were not offered directly by Walmart. We’re removing these types of items pending review of our marketplace policies," a Walmart spokesperson said.

Talk show host Joe Pagliarulo asked on Twitter, "hey @Walmart care to explain why you would sell these shirts? Are you out of your mind taking the chance of alienating at least half the population? #Walmart #Impeach45"

Calls for merchandise to be removed from Walmart.com has been effective in the past. In 2016, it stopped selling apparel that read “Bulletproof – Black Lives Matter," when a police organization said the company was “profiting from racial division.” Walmart also came under fire for selling a shirt last year that read "Rope. Tree. Journalist. SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED."



Photo Credit: Walmart.com
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Consumers Hit With Highest 4th of July Gas Prices in 4 Years

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By the Fourth of July, drivers usually see the highest gas prices of summer in the rear-view mirror.

That may not be the case this year, even though the national average is down about 14 cents from the near $3 a gallon drivers paid in late May. Consumers are paying the highest Fourth of July gasoline prices in four years, CNBC.com reported.

The uncertainty surrounding U.S. efforts to sanction Iranian oil, as well as unexpected outages in other oil-producing countries, has driven West Texas Intermediate crude futures to fresh 3½-year highs.



Photo Credit: AP

Body Found in Abandoned Hartford Building

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A body was found in an abandoned building in Hartford that drug users frequent, according to police. 

Officers responded to 15 Grand St. after receiving reports that someone in the building was deceased and they found a dead male in a crawl space on the third floor. 

He appeared to have been dead for a while, according to police. 

Members from the office of the chief medical examiner responded and removed the body. 

There was no indication of foul play, according to police, and the cause of death is being investigated. 

An investigation is also underway into who the person was.

Proposed Merger Comes as Key Education Programs Dismantled

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While President Donald Trump has tweeted about fixing the country's education system, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is working to fade out key Department of Education programs, with her latest move coming this week.

During the campaign, Trump pledged to eliminate the Department of Education and last month took the first step when he proposed the agency be combined with the Department of Labor.

Though doing away with the department would likely appeal to Trump’s base, education and labor experts said the proposal is unlikely to pass because it aims to merge two agencies with different objectives. The proposal would require congressional approval. 

Still, even if Congress doesn’t approve the proposal, the Trump administration has taken multiple steps to dismantle several of the department’s signature programs.

This week, DeVos is expected to eliminate Obama administration policy that protected students in debt to for-profit institutions, according to NBC News. DeVos’ desire to loosen regulations on for-profit colleges has prompted lawsuits from several state officials.

Critics of DeVos’ plans believe they’re intended to diminish the Department of Education’s oversight function, according to NBC News. Merging the education and labor departments could help the administration do the same.

The Department of Labor didn't respond to NBC's request for comment. The Department of Education didn't make anyone available to comment.

"It's an ideological check off with small government conservatives in the Republican coalition," Seth Harris, a Cornell professor and former deputy secretary of labor under the Obama administration, said in an email to NBC. "They expect Republican presidents to downsize government. Going from two Cabinet departments to one may make it appear that Trump is committed to that agenda."

The merger proposal was introduced as the Trump administration aims to rescind a policy that asked schools to consider race in their admissions processes. The Obama-era policy was implemented to encourage diversity.

Sydney Morris, co-CEO of education advocacy group Educators for Excellence, said it’s unclear how the proposed department changes would impact teachers and students locally.

Since its inception in 1980, the Department of Education has created federal financial aid policy, monitored educational trends and made sure students have equal access to education.

The Department of Labor seeks to improve working conditions, protect benefits, connect employers with potential workers and monitor changes in employment trends.

Despite its small chance of passing in Congress, the proposal prompted concerns about the department’s role and funding of programs to help disadvantaged students, such as support for Title XI, special education and the approval of grants.

“We keep hearing to better coordinate education we need it to lead to jobs,” Laura Schifter, a Harvard professor who teaches a course about the federal government’s role in education, told NBC. “Education is much broader than the sole purpose of producing jobs. That’s something that’s lost.”

Educators are also concerned with the impact a potential merger would have on the Department of Education’s staff size. Though it has more than 4,000 employees, the agency sometimes fails to accommodate requests in a timely manner, said Noelle Ellerson, the associate executive director of policy and advocacy for The Schools Superintendents Association.

Harris, meanwhile, said the objectives of the two agencies only overlap in the category of workplace development and that it’s a myth that parts of both departments don’t already collaborate.

DeVos said in a statement that the proposal “will make the federal government more responsive to the full range of needs faced by American students, workers and schools.”

The plans to reorganize several agencies were first mentioned in March 2017, when Trump sought a review of the government to determine how to make it more efficient. The Trump administration previously expressed a desire to cut the Department of Education’s budget.

Trump’s efforts to makes changes to the Department of Education continue a trend among Republican administrations. Former President Ronald Reagan attempted to remove the department in the 1980s.

“It’s very clearly not a proposal that’s meant to be implemented,” Harris said. “It doesn’t talk about cost, structure [or] employees. It doesn’t talk about what the benefits would be.”



Photo Credit: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

SUV Collides with Motorcycle in West Haven, Flees Scene: PD

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An SUV driver is in custody after fleeing the scene of a serious accident involving a motorcycle in West Haven Tuesday afternoon, according to West Haven police.

Witnesses and police said an SUV collided with a motorcycle in Captain Thomas Boulevard just before 5 p.m. The motorcyclist was injured and taken to the hospital by ambulance. The extent of the motorcyclist’s injuries was not immediately clear.

According to police, the SUV driver fled the scene, but witnesses followed the driver until police were able to stop the vehicle in a nearby shopping plaza. The suspect is in custody.

More details were not immediately available.

NBC Connecticut has a crew on scene and will provide updates as they come into the newsroom.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

CT Leaders Push for Housing for Displaced Puerto Ricans

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It has been nearly a year since Hurricane Maria wiped out Puerto Rico, displacing approximately 1,700 families. On Tuesday, a federal judge decided to extend FEMA’s temporary shelter assistance program for another 20 days.

”We have so many people in the state of Connecticut,” said Lilly Velez-Herrera of Lilly Without Barriers. “If everybody did $1, I can house people for six months. One dollar.”

Community organizations around the state have been working for months to help find families affordable, long-term housing as lawmakers urge Washington to take responsibility.

“I’m also outraged and angry and embarrassed for our nation that we still have rejected the need for more permanent, longer-term housing that these families need and deserve,” said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal. “We are hammering FEMA to do its job and fulfill its responsibility, and I’m hopeful FEMA will listen. It has an obligation.”

Velez-Herrera said several families were staying in the Red Roof Inn in Hartford. She said the transition has been tough and traumatic.

“There are jobs available, but when you say I don’t speak English, guess what that job is unavailable to you,” Velez-Herrera explained.

She said while the future is uncertain, they will continue to advocate for services.

”We’re hitting the pavement, but we don’t know if we’re going to find housing.”

Legislators said they will continue pushing Washington to act quickly given a long-term housing plan has been in place after other disasters such as Katrina and Superstorm Sandy.

“Treating Americans from Puerto Rico as second class citizens is absolutely reprehensible,” Blumenthal said. “They’ve received a temporary reprieve from the court, but what’s needed now is programs that will provide more permanent, longer-term housing relief.”



Photo Credit: Dennis M. Rivera Pichardo/ AP, File

Man Charged With Murder After Hartford Assault Victim Dies

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Hartford police have arrested a suspect in a fatal stabbing on Hungerford Street last month.

Twenty-seven-year-old Anthony Storniolo faces a murder charge in the death of 35-year-old Troy McIntosh.

Police said that on June 23 officers responded to the area of 542 Park St. for a reported assault. The victim, identified as McIntosh, was found suffering what police described as a “single puncture wound” to his chest. McIntosh was hospitalized, and passed away from his injuries on July 1.

Investigators determined that the actual attack took place at 178 Hungerford St. Storniolo was identified as a suspect, and located at that address on July 3.

Storniolo was arrested and charged with murder. He was held on a $1.5 million bond and is due in court on July 5.



Photo Credit: Hartford Police Department

Thomaston Man Tried to Hit Police Officer With Vehicle: PD

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A Thomaston man faces charges after accusations he tried to hit a police officer with his vehicle.

Thomaston police said 21-year-old James Bennett turned himself in on Monday. Bennett is accused of driving recklessly by a Thomaston police officer multiple times on June 6, trying to cause a confrontation.

According to police, when the officer told Bennett to stop, Bennett accelerated and tried to hit the officer with his car.

Bennett is charged with criminal attempt to assault an officer, reckless endangerment, interfering with an officer, reckless driving, failure to obey traffic control signal, failure to obey officer’s signal, and other traffic violations. He was held on a $30,000 bond.



Photo Credit: Thomaston Police Department

Fireworks Safety: Dos and Don'ts According to State Police

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With big fireworks shows taking place across the state, experts say a professional setup is your best bet to see a great display and not get hurt. But not everyone wants to leave the fireworks to professionals and experts have advice to keep you and your family safe.

State Police Trooper Paul Makuc showed off illegal fireworks collected in the state, including anything that’s aerial or explodes.

He said only sparklers and fountains are allowed in Connecticut. And even they can be dangerous.

“These sparklers can burn up to 1200 degrees and create third-degree burns,” Makuc said.

That’s why Makuc suggests wearing eye protection and long sleeves.

Burns are not the only concern, with firefighters responding to dozens of fires over the past three years due to fireworks.

“Once they are done and once they are finished doing their effect, put them in a bucket of water. Soak them for a long duration of time. We find that many house fires occur after those items are finished and thrown in the trash,” Makuc advised.

Many people stopped by fireworks pop-up stands in the state including in Berlin at TNT Fireworks on the Berlin Turnpike.

Staff also follow another strict rule for selling displays.

“Kids can’t buy them. You have to be above 16 with ID,” said Brandon Grant of TNT Fireworks.

Kids under 16 also are not allowed to use fireworks. Anyone caught breaking the laws can face charges.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Lawsuit Against Census Citizenship Question to Move Forward

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A federal judge on Tuesday allowed a lawsuit challenging a new citizenship question on the census to go forward, NBC News reported

In ruling on the legal action against the U.S. Commerce Department, a New York City judge said there was strong evidence that the citizenship question in the next census had been added in bad faith. Judge Jesse Furman of the Southern District of New York ruled that the Trump administration will be required to provide more information as to how it came to the decision to add the question to the 2020 census.

The lawsuit was filed earlier this year by a group of 17 states, Washington, D.C., and six cities, led by New York. They cited a concern that fewer immigrants will respond to the survey and therefore decrease the accuracy of the 2020 census, which determines funding allocation and how political districts are drawn.

"By demanding the citizenship status of each resident, the Trump administration is breaking with decades of policy and potentially causing a major undercount that would threaten billions in federal funds and New York’s fair representation in Congress and the Electoral College," New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood said in a statement.



Photo Credit: Michelle R. Smith/AP, FIle

Fire Damages Apartment in Vernon

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An apartment on Franklin Park East in Vernon is damaged after a fire early Wednesday morning.

Firefighters say they were called to a fire at the home at 33 Franklin Park East around 2:30 a.m.

When firefighter arrived, they say there was heavy fire coming from the property. Neighbors reported hearing popping noises and said they thought it was fireworks, but fire officials said it does not appear fireworks were involved in the fire. They're told the noise actually came from really small propane tanks that were in a shed that was up against the apartment.

Firefighters worked to contain heavy fire on the outside of the apartment, but it eventually spread to the attic. Firefighters from Bolton, Ellington and Tolland County 911 were called to help fight the fire.

"It was a pretty routine fire. We did call all stations in because the heat and humidity today made it a very muggy night and we had mutual aid cover our firehouses while we were on scene here," said Vernon Fire Chief Steven Eppler.

The man who lived inside the apartment was able to escape without any injuries. Officials say he will be displaced as repairs are made to his apartment.

The fire marshal is working to determine the cause of the fire.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Rocky Neck, Other Popular Parks Reach Capacity

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Multiple parks have reached capacity on Wednesday morning.

 The following state parks are full and can no longer accomodate new vehicles.

  • Rocky Neck State Park in Niantic
  • Scantic River State Park in Enfield
  • Gardner Lake State Park in Salem
  • Pattaconk Lake Recreation Area in Cockaponset State Forest
  • Squantz Pond Park in New Fairfield
  • Miller's Pond State Park in Durham
  • Wadsworth Falls State Park in Middletown
  • Burr Pond State Park in Torrington
  • Quaddick State Park in Thompson
  • Mt. Tom State Park in Litchfield
  • Bigelow Hollow State Park in Union
  • Black Rock State Park in Watertown
  • Indian Well State Park in Shelton

Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven is also full for the day and is now closed to additional visitors. Lighthouse Point Park will reopen to the public on Thursday morning.

Temperatures on Wednesday are expected to reach around 93 degrees inland and 84 along the shoreline with high humidity. There are chances for scattered showers or storms.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Man Arrested for DUI After Hitting Cruiser in E. Windsor: Police

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East Windsor Police have arrested a man for driving under the influence after he hit a police car early Wednesday morning.

Officers say they conducted a traffic stop on Prospect Hill Road around 12:30 a.m. While an officer was speaking with the driver of the vehicle they pulled over, a vehicle being driven by 26-year-old Oscar Alvarez-Hernandez of East Windsor hit the back of the police car. According to police, the cruiser had its flashing lights activated before the crash.

Investigators later arrested Alvarez-Hernandez for DUI and failure to drive a reasonable distance apart. He was released on bond and is scheduled to appear at Enfield Superior Court on July 16.

There were no injuries in the crash.

Officers are using the accident to remind drivers not to drink and drive. In a facebook post, police say "it is easier now than it has ever been to find a sober driver due to Uber and Lyft."



Photo Credit: East Windsor Police

8 Things to Know About This Year's Hot Dog Scoffing Comp

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Photo Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sudo Downs 37 Dogs to Win $10K in Women's Hot Dog Contest

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12.08 a.m. Speaking in a pre-contest interview Joey Chestnut acknowldges it's hot out there, but at least it'll keep the dogs warm. “I can’t be lazy, I’m just going to have fun," he says. He's going for his 11th Mustard Belt.

12.04 a.m. We're waiting for the men's contest to kick off in just minutes. Will Joey “Jaws” Chestnut be able to keep up with his own world record of 72 dogs and buns in 10 minutes?

11.33 a.m. Sudo downed 41 dogs last year, and just 37 this year, but she said she still felt good. She was watching her competitors and could see she had a comfortable lead: “I just left room for improvement next year," she said.

11.31 a.m. Sudo has won $10,000 for her efforts. She was a whopping nine dogs ahead of the competition, and scoffed 37 franks and buns in total. It's not as much as she's done before, but it was enough to take her fifth title. In second place, with 28 dogs and buns was the oyster eating champion of Ireland Michelle Lesko. World record-holder Sonya Thomas took third at 26.

11.21 a.m. Miki Sudo is the runaway winner! She's secured her place as a five time champion at Nathan's. "Absolutely a comfortable win," commentators say. 

11.17 a.m. The women's competition is underway with Miki Sudo in first place so far, about 7 dogs ahead of the pack. Sudo is the reigning champ, but does not hold the world record.


What You Need to Know: 2018 Hot Dog-Eating Competition

Chowdown champions are facing off at Nathan’s Famous July Fourth hot dog eating contest, where the men’s record stands at 72 frankfurters and buns in 10 minutes. The women's competition kicks off at 11 a.m., and the men will go head-to-head at midday. 

Ten-time winner Joey “Jaws” Chestnut will confront 20 other men on New York’s Coney Island boardwalk. He set the record last year. 

Miki Sudo is seeking a fifth women’s title in a row. The 19-woman field includes record-holder Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas.

Sudo downed 41 franks and buns last year. Thomas’ record is 45, but she managed 30 last year.

The event attracts thousands of in-person spectators and is televised on ESPN. 

Last year, animal rights activists tried to unfold a banner amid the crowd. Five protesters were taken into custody for questioning and released.

Refresh for the latest updates starting 11 a.m.



Photo Credit: Bebeto Matthews/AP

Gas Leak Closes Part of Sackett Point Road in North Haven

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Part of Sackett Point Road in North Haven is closed after a gas leak on Wednesday morning.

Members of the North Haven Fire Department, the North Haven Police Department and the Southern Connecticut Gas Company are at the scene.

Sackett Point Road is closed from Universal Drive to State Street, according to police. Universal Drive can still be accessed by going westbound on Sackett Point Road and from Montowese Avenue.

It is unclear how long the road will be closed for.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

16-Year-Old Boy Drowns in Pool at Keney Park in Hartford: Police

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This 4th of July has started on a tragic note in our Capitol City. Police say a teen drowned at Keney Park pool in the early morning hours.

Hartford investigators say it would have been difficult for anyone to gain access to the pool because it was surrounded by not one, but two fences. In fact, police officers had to wait for the fire department to cut the chains that secure the gates before they could enter the pool area and pull out the victim. That victim, family members confirm, is 16-year-old Jaevon Whyte of Hartford.

Jaevon’s stepfather told NBC Connecticut News that two people came to their house looking for Jaevon at 12:30 in the morning. He said the teen left with the pair and when he didn’t return home, they called police. Jaevon’s stepfather said police told his family that the three were swimming in Keney Park pool when one yelled that the police were coming. He said the two boys ran away in different directions leaving Jaevon behind. Jaevon’s stepfather said the teen couldn’t swim.

One Hartford mother who brought her daughter to the nearby splash pad to cool off this morning was disturbed by what she learned.

“It’s really scary to think that, you know, that could have happened right here in Hartford,” said Sophia Hercule.

Police said they found the boy at the bottom of the deep end of the pool. He was rushed to the hospital, but was pronounced dead. Many family members came to the scene later in the morning. While his mother was too upset to speak about her son, one cousin told NBC Connecticut she’ll always remember Jaevon’s smile. He would have turned 17 next week.

According to the mayor’s office, Keney Park pool is now closed.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

6 Firefighters Injured Battling House Fire in New Haven

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Six firefighters are recovering from injuries they sustained while fighting a fire on Arthur Street in New Haven early Wednesday morning.

More than 50 firefighters responded to a fire in the basement of a home at 20 Arthur Street around 5:40 a.m. Firefighters say the home has balloon frame construction which caused the fire to quickly spread straight up the floors. It heavily damaged the second and third floors before burning a hole in the roof.

Both the second and third floors of the home are uninhabitable, according to the fire department.

Twelve people including seven adults and five children were able to escape before firefighters arrived. The Red Cross is helping both families find temporary housing until repairs can be made.

"It's just crazy, unexpected. You think you're going to celebrate Fourth of July today and then your house burns," said Montasia Brockenberry, who escaped the fire with her 7-month-old son. 

Heat from the fire combined with Wednesday's weather led to six firefighters needing medical treatment. Officials say one firefighter suffered an eye injury while fighting the fire and was transported to the hospital. The other five firefighters were treated for heat-related issues on the scene. Officials say the firefighters had to deal with heavy smoke, heavy hoses and mattresses that all contributed to heat exhaustion.

“With the heat and 80% humidity, it exacerbates the firefighters’ work. As you can see they wear heavy gear, 100 plus pounds, so it doesn’t help the situation. Firefighters get heat exhaustion," said Assistant Chief Orlando Marcano of New Haven Fire Department.

Several nearby homes were also evacuated as a precaution which left many families standing in the heat for hours.

"We have been out here for three hours already so we just got drinks for the kids, make sure the kids are ok and everything,” said Jennifer Cortez of New Haven.

Investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
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