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Beach Boys to Perform at Big E

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The Beach Boys are heading to the area and will perform at the Big E.

The band will perform Sunday, Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m. at The Big E in West Springfield, Massachusetts.

It is a free show, but there will be a limited number of premium reserved seats for $29 and they will go on sale Thursday, Aug. 16 at 10 a.m. online. They will also be available at the Big E Box Office.

VIP packages are available at TheBeachBoys.com and MikeLove.com and do not include Fair admission.

The Big E runs from Sept. 14 to 30.

The Beach Boys will also be in Connecticut on Aug. 15 for a show at the Ridgefield Playhouse



Photo Credit: Getty Images for Celebrity Fight

Lane of Route 44 in Avon Closed After Crash

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One lane of Route 44 in Avon is closed after a crash. 

Police said a juvenile stole a white four-door car from Farmington and West Hartford police were behind it, following the driver, before they ended the pursuit. 

The car collided with a vehicle, police said. A juvenile sustained minor injuries and is now in Avon police custody, according to police. 

No one in the maroon vehicle was injured. 

Police said the westbound lane of Route 44 will be closed for at least one hour.



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4-Year-Old Battling Cancer Makes Visit to Old Saybrook PD

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Old Saybrook Police are sporting a special uniform this summer to help support a 4-year-old boy who is fighting cancer.

Sean McDonnell was greeted by police lights and sirens. He had a special escort into the police department. He ate ice cream, met the police dog and even spent some time in jail.

"It really is overwhelming," said George Mcdonnell, Sean’s dad. "They’ve really rallied around Sean and our family."

"Sean has been an absolute warrior through all this, through all the treatment," he added.

Sean is undergoing treatment for an aggressive cancer. Old Saybrook Police have been there every step of the way. They organized "Shorts 4 Sean." They donate $5 to the family each day they wear shorts, polos and baseball caps as part of their uniforms. The police union is matching their donations, and they’re also collecting money online.

"He’s an incredibly brave kid, and that’s why he’s our hero and we’re so glad that he joined our ranks today," said Chief Michael Spera.  “Sean and his brother were sworn in as official junior members of the Old Saybrook Police Department.”

They have already raised more than $10,000 and hope to double that by the end of August.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Father Faces Deportation as Son Battles Rare Condition

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A Connecticut father is facing deportation back to his native country, Colombia while his 14-year-old son battles a rare genetic condition.

“I am the support for my family,” Julian Rodriguez told NBC Connecticut.

He is waiting on news for a request for stay in the United States from ICE.

Julian came to the United States 18 years ago seeking political asylum from Colombia. That ended in 2009, and he has been giving numerous stays based on his son Santiago’s treatments. Santiago has a genetic immune deficiency disorder and undergoes treatment at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

“It occurs in about one in 200,000 kids,” said Dr. Juan Salazar, physician in chief at Connecticut Children's Medical Center. “So it is extremely rare, but it is devastating. Kids who have the disease sometimes grow into adulthood, but in the end universally it is always fatal.”

Santiago is doing well now after an experimental stem cell therapy at the National Institutes of Health. He and his family are part of a study there that aims to help other kids like him.

“His care needs to be done in the United States,” Salazar said. “This is something that cannot be done elsewhere. This is something that has contributed to the health care of children.”

Congressman Joe Courtney and Sen. Richard Blumenthal are standing behind them.

“We are going to fight,” Blumenthal said. “Vamos a luchar. Just as Santi has fought. We must fight for him. Our values as well as our medical research depends on Santee and his family staying here.”

“I don’t know what I would do, or be doing here without my dad,” Santiago Rodriguez said. “He’s helped me through so much during my life. He’s always been a support and I really need him.”

Rodriguez’s attorney says he’s trying to comply with ICE’s orders. He has a plane ticket for September 12, but he’s hoping he doesn't have to use it.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Shooting, Robbery Reported on Wethersfield Ave in Hartford

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Hartford police are investigating a shooting and street robbery on Wethersfield Avenue Tuesday afternoon.

Police confirmed the Major Crimes Division was investigating, but no other details were immediately available.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

CT LIVE! PHOTOS: Top Lobster Rolls in Connecticut

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Photo Credit: NBC CT

New London Police Investigate Attempted Abduction

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New London police are investigating the attempted abduction of a 12-year-old boy Tuesday.

The victim told police he was walking in Fulton Park near the intersection of Crystal Avenue and State Pier Road around 4:15 p.m. when a man wearing a ski mask grabbed him by his wrists and tried dragging him toward a car parked on Crystal Avenue. The victim was able to escape the man's grasp and ran.

Police said the suspect fled the area.

The suspect is described as a male wearing a ski mask, gray sweatshirt, black pants and hiking boots. The suspect’s vehicle is described as a silver four-door Honda with a license plate that was blue on top and gray on the bottom, with palm trees on either side of the plate number.

Anyone with information should contact New London police.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Bysiewicz Wins Democratic Nomination for Lt. Gov.

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Susan Bysiewicz has won the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor over opponent Eva Bermudez Zimmerman.

Bysiewicz has served multiple terms as both a legislator and secretary of the state, which she says, makes her the ideal selection to join the Democratic ticket as the nominee. Bysiewicz has picked up the support more than 50 local chief elected officials so far during her campaign.

Ned Lamont, who secured the Democratic nomination for governor, announced Bysiewicz as his preferred running mate before the party’s May nominating convention.

"Ned and I are looking forward to getting our economy going and solving some of the big fiscal challenges that are facing our state and we feel like we bring a very collaborative approach," Bysiewicz said Tuesday night. "We want to reach across the aisle which I think is going to be important in this environment."

Bermudez Zimmerman is a union organizer who was born in Hartford and currently lives in Newtown where she served out a term on the town council after being appointed to the seat. Bermudez Zimmerman had the support of labor unions around the state, and she had the support of the American Federation of Teachers in Connecticut.

Click here for full election results.


Markley Wins GOP Nomination for Lieutenant Governor

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State Sen. Joe Markley has secured the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor over opponents Jayme Stevenson and Erin Stewart.

Markley is considered by many in the Connecticut General Assembly to be the single most conservative member of the body.

He’s a fiscal and social conservative, a reliable challenger to liberals and progressives in the State Senate, and even to moderate Republicans.

He says it’s for those reasons that he would help the GOP nominee for governor, and not drag the ticket down in any way.

Markley is anti-abortion, and recently picked up the endorsement of the Connecticut Citizens Defense League, the leading gun rights advocacy group in the state.

It remains to be seen of Markley's conservative values in a state where those views are less widespread will help him beat out a Democratic opponent for statewide office.

He will go up against Democratic candidate Susan Susan Bysiewicz in the general election.


Santos Defeats DuPont, O'Neill in GOP 5th District Race

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Manny Santos is the winner of the GOP primary for the 5th Congressional District nomination.

Santos had the inside track as the endorsed candidate of the party. He won the party’s support at their convention back in May.

"A win for Republicans in this state is also a win for the people of this state. It is also a win for the taxpayers," Santos said in a victory speech Tuesday night.

He defeated businessman Rich DuPont and former college professor Ruby Corby O’Neill.

Santos is the former Mayor of Meriden, one of the largest cities in the 5th Congressional District alongside Danbury, New Britain, and Waterbury.

He has struggled with fundraising, not even reaching $100,000 in total donations while his presumptive Democratic opponent Jahana Hayes has surpassed $450,000 in fundraising.

The winner of the 5th Congressional District will replace Elizabeth Esty who chose not to run for reelection after allegations of sexual assault in her office against a former staff member surfaced earlier in the year.

To see the full primary night results, click here.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Jahana Hayes Defeats Mary Glassman in 5th District Race

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Mary Glassman, the endorsed party candidate, conceded Tuesday night to former 'National Teacher of the Year' and political outsider Jahana Hayes in the Democratic race for the 5th Congressional District.

Hayes, a first-time candidate, is a former National Teacher of the Year from 2016 who rose to fame following her selection for the award. It led to an appearance on Ellen Degeneres’ talk show, and meetings with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle.

Hayes was emotional during her speech Tuesday night.

"When we started this campaign 102 days ago, 102 days ago with no money, no network, no people, people told me I have no chance, and I had no business trying to do this, but tonight we proved them wrong. On November 6, we take back the House," Hayes said.

Glassman, the well-known and established former Simsbury First Selectwoman, acknowledged defeat in the race to replace Elizabeth Esty in the district that includes New Britain, Waterbury, Danbury and most of Western Connecticut.

Glassman said she'll fully support Hayes in her race to November, and offered her any help she can give.

"It's the mood of the people," she said of her loss. "People want something different and we heard that tonight and that's the Democratic process. And we need to focus on getting Democrats elected in November and that's what I'm going to do. I've always been a Democrat, served 25 years in public service and will never stop making a difference," Glassman said.

Hayes would become the first African-American from the Democratic Party to represent Connecticut in Congress if she wins in the general election.

See full primary election results here.



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Stefanowski Beats Out Large Field for GOP Nomination for Gov

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Bob Stefanowski is the projected GOP nominee for Connecticut governor over a large field of opponents.

The Madison resident has run an unconventional campaign in the land of steady habits. He bypassed participating in the party’s nominating convention back in May, has been running television ads since the start of the year, and is funding his campaign through private donations and with his own money as opposed to applying for the Citizens Election Program.

"So I think it’s fair to say this campaigns been underestimated from the start," Stefanowski said at a victory speech Tuesday night. "I don’t think anybody really thought we’d be standing up here right now. But we proved them wrong and we’re going to prove them wrong when we beat Ned Lamont in November."

Endorsed Republican, Danbury’s Mayor Mark Boughton, as well as former hedge fund manager David Stemerman, former Trumbull First Selectman Tim Herbst, and tech entrepreneur Steve Obsitnik all conceded to Stefanowski Tuesday night.

Stefanowski described his competitors as "tough" and "terrific guys" to go up against.

“I look forward to reaching out to them over the next couple days and getting their views on how to beat the Democrats this fall," he said.

Stefanowski said the state needs tax relief, and he has the boldest effort in the field of Republicans looking to become governor. He said he can scale back the income tax over the next eight years, ending with a phase out.

“I learned to that to save our state we have to defend core Republican values of smaller government with less interference in our lives, lower taxes, greater personal responsibility and the highest moral and ethical standards possible," Stefanowski said of his time so far on the campaign trail.

Stefanowski will face Democratic candidate Ned Lamont in the November general election.

For full primary night election results, click here.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

San Francisco Set to Roll Out the 'Poop Patrol'

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It has a funny name, but it’s targeting a serious problem. San Francisco is rolling out the "Poop Patrol."

Next month, two city crews will begin patrolling and cleaning the parts of San Francisco that generate the most complaints about human and pet waste on sidewalks. The Department of Public Works says it’s going to concentrate on the area between Van Ness Avenue and the bay, with particular attention to Polk Street and the Tenderloin area.

The development comes after a NBC Bay Area investigation detailed an alarming amount of trash, drug needles and feces scattered across the city. The report centered around a 153-block survey of downtown San Francisco, revealing trash on every block, 100 needles and more than 300 piles of feces along the 20-mile stretch of streets and sidewalks. The report spotlighted a preschool teacher who said part of her duties was teaching young children how to avoid the contamination.

San Francisco already spends millions of dollars cleaning up the streets but Public Works is still flooded with complaints — about 65 a day. 

Polk and Pine and the surrounding alleyways, especially, have been the focus of thousands of complaints.

Mayor London Breed is dedicating $1 million to what is being dubbed the Poop Patrol: Five employees and a supervisor whose job will be to get ahead of the complaints by scouting out problem areas, installing pit stop toilets and cleaning up waste.

"I’ve had to do deal with it myself in front of my home, and it’s not a pleasant feeling," Breed said. "I want to change San Francisco for the better. I want to clean up the city."

Mohammed Nuru, the head of Public Works, says the two trucks and six employees represent a shift from reacting to complaints to being more proactive.

Residents say human waste is a big problem.

"I even see people pooping next to my car when I’m in the car parking," resident Dawa Sherpa said.

Resident Rose Smith added: "They run into places like public places, and people tell them, 'Well we don’t have a restroom for you,' and then they just dump on the street."

Mayor Breed told NBC Bay Area last month in her first one-on-one interview since taking office that she has encouraged homeless advocacy groups to talk to their clients about cutting down on the problem.

Supervisor Hillary Ronen has said that part of the root of the problem is that the city has been too focused on permanent housing for the homeless and neglected to provide enough temporary shelter, which can provide the homeless with a respite from the streets.

San Francisco spent $65 million on street cleaning last year and plans to add nearly $13 million in additional spending over the next two years. Nuru has estimated that half of his street cleaning budget has gone toward cleaning up feces and needles from homeless encampments and sidewalks. 

A single pile of human waste, Nuru has said, takes at least 30 minutes for one of his staffers to clean. 

Asked if $1 million is enough money to make a difference, Nuru said it's a start.

"Hey, this is our city, and we have to do whatever it is going to take to make sure our city is clean and safe for people to walk and is a city that everyone loves," he said.



Photo Credit: NBC Bay Area
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Suffield Village Closed for Gas Leak Investigation

Camel Prom Mom Charged With Social Security Fraud

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A North Philadelphia restaurateur who gained local fame last year for spending $25,000 on her son's prom, including camels, has been charged with defrauding the Social Security Administration.

Saudia Shuler was indicted for allegedly collecting nearly $37,000 in government benefits by claiming she was disabled yet continuing to work, according to the U.S. attorney for Eastern Pennsylvania.

"The defendant applied for benefits from the Social Security Administration, claiming she was disabled and unable to work. After Social Security approved benefits, the defendant continued working, including the operation of her own restaurant," a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office said in an email Tuesday. "This work and income was never reported to Social Security, in violation of program rules."

If she is found guilty, Shuler faces a maximum sentence of 140 years in prison.

The fraud charges come in the aftermath of a momentous year for Shuler, 44, who twice made headlines for lavish spending.

In the spring of 2017, Shuler spent $25,000 on a camel, three tons of sand and exotic cars for a massive event in her neighborhood celebrating her son’s prom.

It was dubbed "Dubai to Philly."

Months later, at Christmastime, the North Philly restaurant owner held another big party in her neighborhood. It featured hundreds of gifts and two reindeer.

“I know what hard time is,” Saudia Shuler told the crowd of hundreds who gathered along North 22nd Street. “Because I come from hard times.”

The event was held at Country Cookin', the restaurant Shuler owns. She put her role as a business owner aside for the night and became "Saudia Claus," handing out hundreds of gifts to excited children.

“We gave them 140 bikes,” she said. “We gave out over 50 scooters. We gave out 'Batman' cars, like the remote-controlled cars you put your feet on and then drive.”

Shuler told NBC10 that she used the chances to celebrate her good fortunes after dealing with tragedies, including the murder of her son's father and multiple health scares over the past decade.

“I had a stroke. I had seizures. I had cancer,” she said. “All within the last three years.”

At the time, Shuler said she’d received donations from all over the country to help pay for the outsize events.

After reading his client's indictment, Philadelphia-based attorney Tariq El-Shabazz, said, "I didn't see the meat yet, I've just seen the bones." He added that Shuler is still waiting to see what evidence the U.S. attorney's office will present. 

"She is obviously upset because there are allegations contained in the indictment that are absolutely untrue," El-Shabazz said.

Other allegations are being turned around to look different than reality, he said.

She faces six counts of wire fraud, one count of theft of government funds and two counts of Social Security fraud.



Photo Credit: Saudia Shuler instagram
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FDA Recalls Are Reminder China Controls Much of Drug Supply

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The Food and Drug Administration has recalled certain drugs in recent days, one out of precaution and one due to possible contamination, and the warning has served as a reminder of a drug market that's increasingly outsourced to other countries, NBC News reported

Recent recalls include blood pressure drug Valsartan and thyroid medications Levothyroxine and Liothyronine. The FDA said some Valsartan batches around the world have been contaminated with a potentially cancer-causing chemical. No product sold in the U.S. has been found to be contaminated, but the generic versions could have the potential to generate the chemical. Still, the danger only lies in lifetime exposure and patients can continue taking the drug until they confirm its unaffected or they switch to an alternative.

But the case does illustrate the challenges the FDA must overcome in regulating the drug market and how vulnerable the U.S. is when it depends on other countries, especially China, to make essential drugs. The FDA has ways of ensuring product safety, such as regularly sending inspectors to scrutinize Chinese facilities. The thyroid medications were recalled out of precaution over what the FDA said were deficiencies in the manufacturer's practices.

However, no inspection would have found the potentially cancer-causing chemical, a byproduct of processing foods such as bacon as well as a water contaminant.



Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Man Wanted for Armed Robbery in West Hartford, Getaway Driver Arrested: Police

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West Hartford police have arrested a man that was wanted in connection to an armed robbery that happened last week and who they believe was his getaway driver.

Police said they had an active arrest warrant for 44-year-old Luis Rodriguez for committing an armed robbery at Sam's Food Store on New Britain Avenue on August 6. On Tuesday, Rodriguez was taken into custody from his mother's house in East Hartford without incident.

In a release, officers said he entered the store, reached over the counter and grabbed cash from the register drawer. He was holding what appeared to be a black pistol in his other hand and left out of the store, heading possibly south. He was wearing a blue button down shirt, dark pants and a dark blue hat.

He was considered armed and dangerous.

Officers also arrested 43-year-old Larisa Almodovar on Tuesday. Investigators determined Almodovar, who police said is Rodriguez's girlfriend, was his getaway driver.

Rodriguez is facing charges including robbery, larceny and unlawful restraint. He was held on a $500,000 bond and is in court on Wednesday.

Almodovar is facing charges including conspiracy to commit robbery and conspiracy to commit larceny. She was held on $100,000 and is also in court on Wednesday.



Photo Credit: West Hartford Police

President Trump Endorses Stefanowski for Governor

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Hours after becoming the projected GOP nominee for Connecticut governor, Bob Stefanowski is getting an endorsement from President Donald Trump.

“It is about time that Connecticut had a real and talented Governor. Bob Stefanowski is the person needed to do the job. Tough on crime, Bob is also a big cutter of Taxes. He will win in November and make a Great Governor, a major difference maker. Bob has my total Endorsement!,” the president, a Republican, Tweeted Wednesday morning.

Stefanowski, a Madison resident, bypassed participating in the party’s nominating convention in May, has been running television ads since the start of the year, and is funding his campaign through private donations and with his own money as opposed to applying for the Citizens Election Program.

"So I think it’s fair to say this campaign’s been underestimated from the start," Stefanowski said during a victory speech Tuesday night. "I don’t think anybody really thought we’d be standing up here right now. But we proved them wrong and we’re going to prove them wrong when we beat Ned Lamont in November."

Democratic Gov. Dannel Malloy decided against running for a third term and Stefanowski will face Democratic candidate Ned Lamont in the November general election.

Lamont and Stefanowski didn't waste time going at each other.  Lamont used Trump's Twitter endorsement of Stefanowski by labeling his Republican opponent as "Bob Trumpanowski" in a tweet on Wednesday.

Stefanowski quickly responded by calling Lamont "Ned Malloy" in a tweet.  The GOP hopes Malloy's unpopularity will carry over to Lamont in November.

Endorsed Republican, Danbury’s Mayor Mark Boughton, as well as former hedge fund manager David Stemerman, former Trumbull First Selectman Tim Herbst, and tech entrepreneur Steve Obsitnik all conceded to Stefanowski Tuesday night.

Stefanowski described his competitors as "tough" and "terrific guys" to go up against.

“I look forward to reaching out to them over the next couple days and getting their views on how to beat the Democrats this fall," he said.

Stefanowski said the state needs tax relief, and he has the boldest effort in the field of Republicans looking to become governor. He said he can scale back the income tax over the next eight years, ending with a phase-out.

“I learned that to save our state we have to defend core Republican values of smaller government with less interference in our lives, lower taxes, greater personal responsibility and the highest moral and ethical standards possible," Stefanowski said of his time so far on the campaign trail.

For full primary night election results, click here.





Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
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More Than 300 Students Displaced After Fire in Plainfield School

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The Superintendent of Plainfield Schools is searching for a new school for more than 300 fourth-grade and fifth-grade students after a fire damaged a school late Tuesday night.

Firefighters said they were called to The Plainfield Memorial School on Canterbury Road shortly before midnight after getting a report of an activated fire alarm.

When firefighters arrived, they determined there was an active fire in the building and additional fire departments, including Moosup, Central Village, Atwood Hose, Danielson and South Killingly were called in to help fight it.

The fire was located in several administrative rooms on the second floor of the school, firefighters said. It took about an hour to get the fire under control. A significant amount of smoke was also ventilated from the building.

"The heat was so intense in the location of where it was that it burned through one of the water mains so most of the damage we're seeing is water on the second level and the first level in the rear midsection of the building. And that seeps across the cafeterias, into some of the classrooms. It'll be a lot of recovery including a 20-foot hole in the ceiling," said Plainfield Schools Superintendent Kenneth DiPietro.

DiPietro guesses there's between $500,000 to $1 million worth of damage to around 12 to 15 rooms including the cafeteria and library at the school.  He said the insurance company will need to come assess the damage.

DiPietro believes it could take months before the school is recovered and cleaned up enough to allow students to be safe inside again. One of his main concerns is mold and smoke inhalation. 

"Three hundred and fifty, 360 students need a place to be housed where they can be safe and educated," he said. School is still scheduled to begin on August 29.

The school system is working to find a building that can accomodate students for the start of the new school year. DiPietro said the students cannot be put into the neighboring Plainfield Central School because it cannot hold that many kids.

Staff and students will be notified through the school messenger system that sends out calls. There will also be a number for parents to call to have questions answered.

The Plainfield Fire Marshal's Office and the Plainfield Police are working with Connecticut State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit to determine the cause and origin of the fire.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Body Found Floating in Water in New London

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Police are investigating after a woman's body was found floating in the water in New London on Wednesday morning.

Dispatchers took a call reporting a possible body floating in the water underneath the City Pier around 10:22 a.m., officers said.

When first responders arrived, police said they did find a woman's body floating in the water.

Officials have not released the woman's identity.

The investigation is ongoing.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
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