Hundreds of teddy bears are now in the arms of patients battling cancer at Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital.

“The Sandra Smiles project started about a year ago when my grandmother passed away,” explained Tyler Lauretti. “We wanted to do something in her memory. She had cancer for a long time and fought that battle. It’s something she always wanted to do, to do something for that kids that were going through similar treatment.”

GUND donated 400 bears that are wearing special shirts.

“I think the hope is that they feel a little bit of strength, a little bit of happiness, that they hug that bear tight, and it helps them get through it,” Lauretti said. “It’s a tough time and she knew that.”

They traveled from Hartford to New Haven on the brand new CT Rail Hartford line.

“We’re able to participate in this because were able to connect to the hospital from here,” Randal Davis from the Connecticut Department of Transportation said. “For us, this is all about connectivity, but also about being a part of something that’s truly and inspiring in the state.”

“That little dream of hers is finally coming true,” said Lauretti. “It feels great to know that if she was here today she would be so happy and so delighted to see these kids’ faces.”

A 15-year-old boy is accused of grabbing a girl and locking her in a bathroom stall in Hamden Wednesday afternoon.

Police said it happened around 5 p.m. at the Miller Memorial Library. Investigators said the victim, a 15-year-old girl, was leaving the restroom when the suspect jumped out at her, covered her mouth and forced her into a bathroom stall. He then locked the stall.

The victim screamed for help, but the suspect covered her nose and mouth so she couldn’t breathe, police said. A witness heard the scream and stopped the attack.

The 15-year-old boy was arrested and charged with unlawful restraint, strangulation, and breach of peace. He was not identified due to his age.

The U.S. Coast Guard says it is at the scene of a disabled cruise ship in Buzzards Bay on Cape Cod on Friday afternoon.

The disabled vessel, the 376-foot Star Pride, is a luxury ship that was making a cruise from Montreal, Canada to Manhattan, New York.  It was scheduled to make its maiden docking in New York on Saturday.

The Coast Guard said there are 350 people on board. The cruise ship is now anchored and holding as it awaits the arrival of commercial tugboats.

The Fairhaven harbormaster said the ship lost power off Cuttyhunk Island. He said efforts to restore power have been unsuccessful thus far.

After 5:30 p.m., the Coast Guard said the ship had regained power, but it is not pulling anchor yet.

No injuries have been reported.

No further information was immediately available.

Former Nixon White House counsel John Dean urged a Senate committee on Friday to reject the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh Dean said, in part,, "If Kavanaugh's confirmed, a president who shoots someone on Fifth Avenue can't be prosecuted in office."

A school crossing guard was hit by a car in Stamford Friday.

Police said the 83-year-old crossing guard was hit on Stillwater Avenue and Virgil Street around noon. He was alert on scene and taken to Stamford Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

The victim was wearing a reflective vest, but there were no children crossing at the time. He was standing by the left front fender of his vehicle, which was parked at the curb, at the time of the crash.

The 18-year-old driver told police she lost control of her vehicle while turning right onto Stillwater Avenue from Virgil Street. She was issued a ticket for driving without a license and failure to drive in proper lane.

Newly released surveillance video shows the moment 29-year-old Omar Enrique Santa Perez opened fire in a Cincinnati bank Thursday. The gunman shot five people, killing three, before officers shot and killed him.

Connecticut businesses provided a mixed bag of news in the annual survey conducted by the Connecticut Business and Industry Association.

“As things get better you would hope the optimism would rise a little bit and it’s not quite there, yet,” said Joe Brennan, CBIA’s president.

On the whole, companies did report that individually, many are doing better.

Sixty-nine percent of businesses responded that they have been profitable over the past year, while the rest reported either now profit or that they lost money.

The harshest assessments had to do with the direction of the state of Connecticut, the performance of elected officials, and the state’s ability to develop and retain millennial employees.

Eighty-one percent of respondents said they either somewhat or strongly disapprove of the legislature’s handling of the economy and job creation, with 59 percent feeling strongly.

Ninety-seven percent of respondents said state policymakers focus too heavily on workplace mandates rather than prioritizing economic development and job creation.

The pessimism of the outlook is also specific, as many fear for what the next General Assembly and governor’s solutions may be to the state’s nearly $5 billion deficit projected over the next two years.

“Most of our folks firmly believe, as do I, that another round of large tax increases is going to do a lot more harm than good for this state,” Brennan said.

The issue of retaining millennials is one of the topics that CBIA and employers say the state and businesses need to come up with solutions for in the immediate future.

Sixty-seven percent of respondents reported that they have trouble finding and retaining millennial talent, while the remaining 33 percent reported no issue when it came to recruiting or holding on millennial employees.

“Recruitment here is very, very challenging,” said Lynn Fusco, president of Fusco Corporation, who was a panelist for CBIA during a discussion of the state’s economy. She said Connecticut has to come up with a way for its cities to compete with major urban centers that are both right around the corner and across the country.

“There’s a multitude of universities, I mean Boston, so many knapsacks walking around, it really seems like a college town and the Yale graduates seem to leave for New York or San Francisco or Boston. They don’t stay.”

Brennan says if the state can get its fiscal house in order, the state may be able to see some of the gains many other states have seen over the past few years.

“Confidence leads to investment. Investment leads to growth and job creation, so that’s what we really need, that path toward more jobs.”

Rapper Mac Miller was found dead in his California apartment Friday, according to multiple published reports. The rapper had been open about his substance abuse issues in his music and was arrested on suspicion of DUI in May after he crashed his car. He split with his girlfriend Ariana Grande that same month, and she cited his substance abuse problems as an issue. Miller, who was set to go on tour next month, was 26.

US Senator Chris Murphy demanded Friday that US Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos testify before Congress on the issue of arming teachers.

The department has provided loose guidance that a certain pool of money that gets sent to states and school districts can be used to purchase weapons and to train staff or faculty in the use of firearms.

“It’s really important that we make it clear to Betsy DeVos that federal funds cannot and should not be used to help arm teachers,” Murphy said during a press conference where he was joined by education advocates.

The groups joining Murphy ranged from teachers’ unions, to school boards, to parent teacher groups.

One of those in attendance was Jennifer Falotico, who is a mother of two from Stamford, and is the current president of the Connecticut Parent Teacher Association.

She says the discussion of arming teachers misses the point when it comes to solutions for school and student safety.

“Never once did I think that armed guards or armed teachers or even necessarily armed professionals in the building was the ultimate solution,” Falotico said. “We needed to look at what caused that child to go in and do that. From day one, I felt that way, that’s the discussion in my home, so my kids I think understand that.”

No school system in Connecticut has advocated for arming teachers or staff in any way.

The Connecticut Citizens Defense League criticized Murphy’s press conference and his motives. The group shifted the topic to the issue of gun free zones, saying they have never stopped a mass shooting.

“Senator Murphy and others are playing politics while letting children remain vulnerable to simply protect a political agenda,” wrote Scott Wilson, the president of the CCDL. “This way of thinking has cost countless lives since the implementation of so-called gun free zones. Let's have an honest discussion about proper training, and who might be able to carry firearm, and when".

Murphy disagrees with those sentiments, and says he wants real answers from DeVos.

“Guns in schools make those schools less safe. They put kids at risk. They may increase the profits of the gun industry. They may allow for gun companies to sell more guns but they jeopardize the safety of our kids.”

The American Association of Pediatrics has issued new recommendations about when children should get a flu shot.

It’s urging parents to get kids vaccinated as soon as the flu shot becomes available. The 2017-1018 flu season became one of the most severe seasons on record.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of August 18, 179 children have died from influenza-related illness. Approximately 80 percent of them were not vaccinated.

“Anyone that’s over the age of 6 months who doesn’t have some other contraindication should get the flu shot every year for the prevention of flu and for the people around them,” Dr. Jason Kurtzman at Go Heath Urgent Care in Avon.

Kurtzman says symptoms of the flu include muscle aches, body aches, cough, chest congestion and nasal congestion. He says it’s not too soon to start thinking about vaccinations.

“They’ve had a couple cases already this month in around our centers, but not prevalent,” he said. “They usually start to show up in fuller force toward the end of October and early November. End of September to early October is the recommended time to get it.”

Dozens of people rallied outside the First and Summerfield United Methodist Church in New Haven Friday to show their support for a father who has called the church home since last December.

Nelson Pinos sought sanctuary more than nine months ago to avoid deportation to his native Ecuador. He told NBC Connecticut he came to the US in 1992 for a better life and has lived in Connecticut for nearly 20 years.

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Supporters are demanding Pinos be free to leave the church. They argue Immigration and Customs Enforcement should grant Pinos a stay of removal as his case is being reviewed.

“It’s extremely important to us, beyond important, because it’s been 281 days. It’s been way too long. We’re stressed. We’re tired, we’re tired of waiting. It’s been too long, something needs to be done,” said Kelly Pinos, Nelson Pinos’ daughter.

Today immigration officials reaffirmed that there is a removal order against Pinos, who they consider an immigration fugitive.

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They say that is order is still in effect even though he remains in a “sensitive location.”

Authorities investigating several cases of letters containing white powder that were mailed to facilities in Connecticut have uncovered more letters connected to the case.

The FBI, USPS, US Marshals Service, Connecticut State Police and local departments are investigating multiple incidents of letters containing white powder delivered to both government and non-government organizations over the last few days. At least four of those incidents were in Hartford Wednesday. New Haven authorities are also investigating several similar cases.

According to the US Attorney’s Office, investigators seized unmailed letters and stopped some letters from reaching the recipients. Authorities are also warning potential recipients to look out for anything suspicious. Some letters continue to arrive at new locations.

Connecticut State Police said that to date, no one who had contact with any of the white powder suffered any illness or injury. Anyone who receives a suspicious package is encouraged to call 911.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said 51-year-old Gary Gravelle, of New Haven, is being questioned in connection with these incidents. Gravelle was arrested on a supervised release violation unrelated to this case and is in custody. Officials said no charges have been filed in connection with the white powder incidents.

Gravelle is known to federal authorities. In 2013, he was sentenced in Bridgeport federal court to 70 months in prison for mailing threatening letters and he was released from federal prison in November 2015.

A 29-year-old Waterbury man was sentenced 80 years in prison for murdering a mother and her 9-year-old daughter in 2017.

Anthony Rutherford received 40 years for each killing as part of a plea deal with the state.

The judge said the murders of Chaquinequea Brodie and her 9-year-old daughter My’Jaeaha Richardson were by a “sociopath with absolutely no conscious.”

Those strong words were delivered after Rutherford apologized in court.

“I want to apologize sincerely, for actions.”

That apology too little too late for the victims' family.

"No remorse. No sense of feeling any type of anything for what he’s done and to callously say he sincerely apologizes, really?” Corrina Martin, Brodie’s mother told NBC Connecticut. “A million years wouldn’t be enough."

Memories and pictures are all Martin has left of her daughter granddaughter.

“They tried to bring a lot of joy and happiness to anyone that knew and met them,” Martin said. “It was a gruesome acceptance of an 80 year sentence that does not fit the crimes committed against my daughter and granddaughter.”

Rutherford was Brodie’s live-in boyfriend at the time of the crime. Police say Brodie was killed in front of her daughters, the youngest just 2 years old. They helped identify Rutherford.

This tragedy happened four years after the victim’s sister was killed in an unrelated murder. Alyssiah Wiley was only 20 back in 2013, when she was killed. Her ex-boyfriend, Jermaine Richards was convicted of murdering and dismembering Wiley’s body after ending their four-year relationship.

Martin said both her daughters were victims of domestic violence.

“Such a demon such as that to come in under already gruesome situation in a fragmented family trying to piece together of the heinous horrific loss of my daughter, to do even more gruesome a crime to murder a mother and child.”

A dog is recovering from a snake bite after an encounter at the West Hartford Reservoir Tuesday morning.

Tim Lynch said his wife didn’t even see the snake curled up on the trail until it was too late.

Their golden retriever Chappy approached it, and the snake attacked.

Chappy had to spend the night at the veterinarian. 

“It was a difficult day on Tuesday, but you know he seems to be okay and fully recovered. People should be careful with their pets because we didn't know this kind of thing can happen around here,” Lynch said.

Lynch said they brought in a picture of the snake to confirm it was a copperhead.

CT Veterinary Specialists said snakes aren’t uncommon in the area, but bites are.

Walk into Heather Trachtenberg’s South Windsor home and you’ll find just about any toy imaginable, including a few of the popular stuffed animals from Build-A-Bear workshop. But she said the shopping experience to get those toys left her frustrated with the company.

“It was very busy and the lines were very long,” Trachtenberg said.

In July, Trachtenberg was one of many who faced long lines during the store’s “pay your age day” event. Ultimately, she decided to leave.

“I think it’s horrible. I don’t ever want to go there again.”

To solve the debacle, Build-A-Bear Workshop handed out vouchers to each customer in line. But those who left could sign up for the store’s bonus club to receive a coupon for $15 off. Trachtenberg said she never saw anyone giving out vouchers.

“They were never walking up and down the line with vouchers. We never saw anybody with vouchers,” she said.

Trachtenberg pointed that out to the store manager at the Build-A-Bear Workshop in The Shoppes at Buckland Hills in Manchester when she called and questioned it. She said management informed her that club members can log on to their accounts and get a voucher to use at another time. Then, she told us, she discovered the vouchers all had the same number on them.

Trachtenberg contacted Build-A-Bear’s corporate office and was told club members could only use one voucher for each membership account. She said she signed her husband up for a Build-A-Bear account to get a second voucher to cover their two kids, but claimed the company would not allow her to use any additional vouchers for her friend’s children who were with her that day, telling her club membership holders had to be present.

“Why should I have to bring all four adults with me when they have accounts and were willing to give me their account numbers,” said Trachtenberg. And said she ended up buying the bears for her own kids with the two $15 vouchers and spending even more money. “I think that they probably should’ve just honored the $15 off coupon that we could use all at once or even just let us pay our age,” she said.

After she tried to call and send multiple emails to corporate to complain, Trachtenberg said she got nowhere.

“We just get form letters back saying they’re experiencing a high volume of emails and we may not respond,” said Trachtenberg. So, Trachtenberg contacted NBC Connecticut Responds.

Build-A-Bear’s Workshop Director of Communications and Giving Beth Kerley told Responds:

“A great guest experience is a top priority for our company, regardless of the day or event. We are working to reach out to Mrs. Trachtenberg and look forward to speaking with her directly.”

As a result of Responds, Trachtenberg said Build-A-Bear Workshop offered her two $20 gift cards. And that’s something Trachtenberg can certainly bear. “You’re amazing. You answered me right away,” said Trachtenberg.

LifeStar responded to a one-car crash in Lebanon early Saturday morning.

Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department posted on their Facebook shortly before 3 a.m. that they were dispatched to Old Colchester Road for a truck versus pole crash with possible injuries.

When first responders arrived, they said they found a car that had crashed into a pole. The crash had snapped the pole and wires were down.

One person inside of the car had moderate injuries and LifeStar was requested to the scene.

Once the person was removed from the vehicle, LifeStar transported them to a local trauma center. The extent of their injuries is unknown.

Old Colchester Road was closed while Bozrah Light and Power replaced the damaged pole.

A Silver Alert has been issued for a man who is missing from New Haven on Saturday.

Officials said 50-year-old Ifai Bonilla was last seen wearing a white shirt before he was reported missing on Saturday.

He is described as a man with salt and pepper hair and brown eyes. He is 5'7" and weighs 190 pounds.

Police did not release a photo of Bonilla.

If you locate him or know of his whereabouts, you're asked to call New Haven Police at (203) 946-6316.

A billboard advertising a Massachusetts jewelry store has stirred up some controversy.

The advertisement on Route 20 in Charlton, promoting Farieri Jewelers in Sturbridge, shows a man proposing on one knee on a football field.

"If you're going to take a knee this season, please have a ring in your hand," the billboard reads.

"It takes a little kick on what's going on with the NFL, and just kind of bringing it into our industry," said store owner Scott Garieri.

But what may have been Garieri's intention of a lighthearted joke, playing off of Colin Kaepernick's protest of kneeling during the national anthem, has been interpreted very differently by some people.

"That's crazy. I mean, I don't really understand it, they really picking on Kaepernick," said Taron Sumlin. "At the end of the day, he stood up for what he believed in."

"Because that's disrespectful because he took a knee, and people have got their own opinion, but it's just very disrespectful," added Chris Honeywood.

"They could probably think of something classier to use than talking about something so controversial," said Melissa McDonald.

Garieri says his daughter, who also works at the small, family-owned jewelry store, received death threats after trying to explain the billboard to commenters online.

"It's not meant to be racist, it's just -- it's a billboard," said Garieri. "We're just trying to poke fun at a little something, get a little attention, do a little business."

Garieri says while he wasn't trying to make a political statement, he also doesn't agree with NFL players kneeling in protest.

"When it comes down," said Garieri, "if I have to make a choice, I'm going to stand behind the veterans of the United States."

Despite the controversy, Garieri says he has no intentions of taking the billboard down.

Police in Middletown are investigating an untimely death on Saturday.

Officers said a woman's body was found in the Westlake area of Middletown.

The investigation is in the preliminary stages and police did not release further information about the incident.

According to police, this is an isolated incident and the public is not in jeopardy.

More than 1900 people are participating in the eighth annual Closer to Free Ride in New Haven on Saturday. According to officials, a bicyclist participating in the event suddenly passed away during the ride.

The annual bike ride raises money for the Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center in New Haven and supports patient care and research.

Bikers can choose to ride a ten, 25, 40, 65 or 100 mile route. Some riders are expected to cross the finish line as late as 5 p.m. depending on what route they took and their pacing.

Friends, family members and supporters can enjoy the finish line festival at the Yale Bowl, where there will be food, drinks and activities for the whole family. The festival ends at 5:30 p.m.

Members of the NBC Connecticut team, including reporter Justin Schecker, anchor Mike Hydeck and meteorologist Bob Maxon participated in the ride. NBC Connecticut is a proud media sponsor of the event.