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Hartford Learns Lessons from Seattle on Burying Highways

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Several experts on Seattle’s recent tunnel project presented their lessons to Hartford leaders and community members, Monday.

The event was organized by Congressman John Larson, who represents Hartford, and has lobbied for dismantling the current highways that cut through the capital city, and instead putting them underground to alleviate surface level congestion and create new open space and commercial development.

"The City of Hartford has an amazing asset in the Connecticut River,” said Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin of the idea of putting the city’s highways below ground. “I think there's amazing possibilities for economic development, for recreation, for improving quality of life if we were able to reconnect, truly reconnect the city to the river."

In Seattle, the project there is called the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement, which reshaped what’s known as the SR99 corridor. The highway had been a viaduct, similar to both interstates 91 and 84 through Hartford, but over the past decade, a tunnel was bored beneath the existing route, and it’s set to open before the end of October of this year.

Overall, the project cost $3.2 billion, which was a combination of state and private funding sources.

Since Connecticut’s highways are both part of the interstate highway system, the federal government would have some level of input, and the state would likely need to rely on an appropriation from Congress to make any changes to the highways.

Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Jim Redeker said, "Our model is very very constrained. Typically, we use federal money and we bring state money in to match it and we sell 20 year bonds, and that's it."

In Seattle, both state and local officials expect the change to the viaduct into a tunnel to transform the waterfront in the city. They have already seen billions in investment for both commercial and residential properties that would not have been built without removing the viaduct. Once the tunnel opens, it will take the state six months to remove the old infrastructure.

Paula Hammond, the former Secretary of the Washington Department of Transportation, said Hartford and Connecticut leaders could see the same kind of transportation progress with a similar process.

"I think what we learned on our viaduct replacement project was to realize it wasn't just a transportation project and when you're in a community and you have the ability to have multiple benefits from a project, that it's time to work together and really think about how you can really improve the quality of life and the economy in a city like Hartford."


Recruit Class Starts Training at New Haven Police Academy Amid Officer Shortage

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Thirty-one officer candidates began their training at the New Haven Police Academy Monday as the department deals with a growing officer shortage.

“We need these officers in our communities as soon as possible,” Chief Anthony Campbell said. “After a wave of retirements and the loss of many recent academy graduates to our suburbs, I’m happy this has gotten underway," he said.

Mayor Toni Harp led the swearing-in at the police academy for the 31 members of the 23rd recruit class.

“Growing up in Connecticut and close to New Haven I always had a prestige for New Haven that it’s a great city and I wanted to be part of a bigger department that has a good reputation,” Jennifer Giovanni said.

Giovanni is one of 12 women in a recruit class that police say is the most diverse in a decade. Half of the aspiring officers are black or Hispanic and nine are New Haven residents.

“They can relate to the community’s needs a little bit better than those coming in from outside cities and areas,” said Assistant Chief Racheal Cain, who is in charge of Professional Standards. “Our academy teaches them not just about the law and tactics, they teach them the importance of community policing.”

The start of the academy class had been postponed three months because of a scandal at NHPD. Two officers stepped down after an investigation found they falsified documents while conducting applicant background checks.

NBC Connecticut reported the union is pushing for better pay while the department could be down about 130 officers at the end of the year.

“Obviously, we’ve been down officers for a while now and these officers with substitute some of them,” Chief Cain said.

Recruit Jawan Haddock was born and raised in New Haven. He said he looks forward to wearing his uniform in the neighborhood where he grew up.

“The feeling that I made it,” he said. “And now it’s my turn to give back to the community, same thing they gave me.”

A section of the academy training is focused on narcotics and the issue of addiction, Cain said, adding they will use the police response to the spike in K2 overdoses on the New Haven Green as a teachable moment.

The police academy runs 32 weeks before the officer candidates go through field training. Graduation is scheduled for April.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Police Search for Suspect in Thompson House Invasion

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Detectives from Connecticut State Police are investigating a house invasion in Thompson on Monday.

Police were called around 8:38 a.m. by a homeowner on Laporte Road. The homeowner said he was the victim of an armed robbery.

According to the homeowner, he was inside of his house, exiting the bathroom in his master bedroom when he was confronted by a man. The homeowner described the man as being in his early to mid 30s, approximately 5'6" to 5'8", about 130-150 pounds with tan skin, dark colored eyes, dark brown hair and dark, unshaven facial hair. The homeowner said the man was wearing a black baseball-style hat with white-colored numbers and letters on the front of it, a black pullover sweatshirt, grey denim jeans and white, high top sneakers with red and black trim.

The homeowner said the man brandished a folding knife and demanded that the homeowner drive him to an ATM to withdraw money. The man threatened to cause bodily harm to the homeowner if he did not comply with his requests so the homeowner drove to two separate banks and withdrew money for him.

The homeowner was able to provide police with a partial Massachusetts plate and vehicle description, which officers said was found to be stolen earlier in the morning from Webster, Massachusetts. The vehicle was described as a green 2003 Pontiac Grand AM with a lot of bumper stickers with a Massachusetts license plate of 5VAJ30.

Anyone with information on the man or any information regarding the investigation is asked to call Connecticut State Police at (860) 779-4944.



Photo Credit: Connecticut State Police

Car Crashes Into Building, Catches on Fire in Bloomfield

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Crews responded to a building in Bloomfield after car crashed into it and caught fire on Monday night.

Witnesses tell NBC Connecticut that a car went through a stop sign and crashed into the former Bloomfield Hardware Store on Tunxis Avenue. The building then caught on fire within five minutes of the crash.

According to witnesses, people driving by stopped and helped pull the driver out of the vehicle. Police said the driver was not seriously hurt.

Fire crews were at the scene trying to extinguish the fire at the vacant store.

It is unclear what caused the crash. 



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Hartford Looks to End Illegal Trash Dumping

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If you've driven around Hartford, you've probably seen it: bulk trash left on the side of the road, a lot of it dumped illegally. It's a big problem for the city and they're looking to put a stop to it.

"It's a huge problem. It imposes a huge cost on our city, both in terms of manpower and time and resources to clean it up. But it also affects how the city looks, and we take that very, very seriously. We're going to be as aggressive as we can, so one message I hope everyone gets is when we get those complaints, we're going to follow up on them. And if we can catch people in the act or track them down, we're going to do everything we can to bring them to justice. Nobody should think they can dump illegal trash on the city without paying the price," said Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin.

From recliners to TVs to sheetrock to just garbage, people illegally pile their trash on the sidewalks and then take off, knowing that someone will eventually come along to clean it up.

"It's businessmen, it's doctors, it's lawyers who own properties who are hiring people to clean their apartments out. Instead of them going to get permits in whatever town they live in, it seems like they take it to Hartford and Hartford will clean it up," said Hartford DPW Superintendent Vernon Matthews.

Matthews says the majority of people dumping illegally in the city don't live in the city. He says in his 24 years with the department, this is the worst he's ever seen of illegal dumping. He says it used to be that crews would go out maybe twice a week, but it's every day now.

"Now it's ramped up where you really can't keep up. It's constant, and it's not in the three or four locations where we used to pick up. It's all over the place," said Matthews.

Sometimes people are even caught on camera dumping bulk items. On Case Street, a camera caught a truck pulling up and someone gets out and starts throwing mattresses on the sidewalk. The illegal dumping was reported to police and we're told officers found the vehicle and the suspects.

City officials hope more residents will keep an eye out for people illegally dumping items and call police when they see it. Matthews says the cost to the city is significant: hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.

"It's costing the taxpayers and residents money for us out here picking this stuff up across the city where it's coming from out of town. It's a slap in the face, it really is," said Matthews. "This extra illegal bulk is putting a strain on us. It's putting a strain on the staff because it's just constant."

City officials say previously every trash day they would have a bulk truck go out too, but they felt that incentivized illegal dumping because it basically made it free. To try to combat that, starting this year, residents now get two free bulk pickups a year that they can schedule.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

CT Army National Guard Holds Send-Off Ceremony

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On Monday at the State Armory, the Connecticut Army National Guard held a send-off ceremony for 40 members of the 192nd Engineer Battalion.

The Stratford-based unit is expected to take off in a few days to support Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

“This will be my first deployment to Afghanistan,” said Captain Nichole Giunto.

Giunto along with others on the team will help oversee clearing roads of everything from trees to explosives, making it safer for others to pass.

Giunto’s husband – Justin – is also a guardsman and will stay home this time.

“Obviously I don’t want her to go. But I know she’ll be safe. She’s going with a lot of good people,” said Captain Justin Giunto.

Among those in the group: Sergeant Ryan Gilbert. He works in Manhattan and saw the memorials last week on the anniversary of 9/11.

“You felt it when you walked by, guys that lost their lives in the Trade Towers that were firefighters, you saw the flowers, it’s like wow. This is still going on. This is still real. You have a certain respect to go over there, do a great job. So their sacrifice wasn’t for nothing,” said Gilbert.

The group is expected to return in about a year.

Back in May, the company also jumped to help clear roads in our state after powerful storms caused extensive damage.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Car Crashes Into At Least 6 Vehicles During Pursuit: Police

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A car that was driving erratically crashed into at least six vehicles, including three police cars on Monday night, according to police.

New Haven Police contacted Connecticut State Police to report a black car with a temporary registration driving erratically around 5:12 p.m.

According to witnesses, the vehicle was seen driving the wrong way and was traveling northbound on Interstate 91 southbound.

When the vehicle traveled from the New Haven area to the Wallingford area, troopers surrounded the vicinity in an attempt to make contact with the driver, police said.

Witnesses said the vehicle then corrected his direction of travel and began to travel southbound on I-91 southbound from the Wallingford area, in a suspected attempt to evade responding police officers.

The operator of the car collided with at least three state police cruisers and at least three other vehicles during the pursuit, police said. There were minor injuries reported and one person was taken to the hospital to be treated for injuries.

New Haven Police were able to apprehend the driver of the car and take him into custody, police said. Officers believe he was involved in several burglaries throughout the city. The man's name has not been released.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

2nd Person Arrested in Connection With Enfield Teen's Death

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Enfield Police have arrested a second person on Monday in connection to a teen's death from last week.

Police said Michael Cerrato, 20, was arrested for hindering prosection in connection to the death of 16-year-old Justin Brady on September 10.

Emergency crews were called to Cerrato's house, on 15 Hoover Lane, just after midnight to investigate a report of an assault. When they arrived, they found Brady lying on the ground, covered in blood with multiple stab wounds. First responders used CPR and a defibrillator on Brady at the scene. He was alive while he was being transported to Baystate Medical Center, but was pronounced dead at 1:33 a.m.

On Tuesday, police arrested 18-year-old Shyheim Adams, of Enfield. He has been charged with manslaughter in the first degree.

The arrest warrant said police believe that Brady and Adams went to Hoover Lane to fight and Adams stabbed Brady several times.

According to police documents, Cerrato said after the stabbing, Adams went into his house and washed his hands. Shortly after, Cerrato drove Adams to an address in Hartford before Enfield Police arrived to Hoover Lane. After dropping Adams off, Cerrato drove around for a while to process what had happened and then went back to his house in Enfield.

The documents said police believe by driving Adams to Hartford, Cerrato rendered criminal assistance to Adams who had just committed a class A or B felony.

Cerrato is being held on a $50,000 bond.



Photo Credit: Enfield Police

Alumnae From Kavanaugh Accuser's High School Express Support

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More than 200 alumnae of the Holton-Arms School in Bethesda are said to have signed a letter supporting a classmate who accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct when they were both in high school.

The signatories rallied around Christine Blasey Ford after she went public in The Washington Post with allegations that Kavanaugh pinned her to a bed at a house party in the early 1980s in Chevy Chase and wouldn't let her leave.

"I thought he might inadvertently kill me," Ford said. "He was trying to attack me and remove my clothing."

Kavanaugh, then a student at Georgetown Preparatory School, denies the allegation. But many of Ford's fellow alumnae have rallied in support.

"Dr. Blasey Ford's experience is all too consistent with stories we heard and lived while attending Holton," the letter reads in part. "Many of us are survivors ourselves."

Actor Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who graduated from Holton-Arms in 1979, tweeted that she signed onto the letter.

The letter, obtained by NBC Washington, demands a thorough and independent investigation before the Senate votes on Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination. Republicans have already put off a planned committee vote scheduled for Thursday. Ford and Kavanaugh are now both set to publicly testify before Congress next week, News4 reported.

Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, a 1971 graduate of Holton-Arms, was among those who called for public testimony under oath from both Ford and Kavanaugh.

Holton-Arms Head of School Susanna A. Jones said the school wasn't involved in organizing the letter but supports Ford speaking out.

"It is imperative that all voices are heard. As a school that empowers women to use their voices, we are proud of this alumna for using hers," Jones said in a statement.

Ford also won support from a group of women who stood outside the Supreme Court on a rainy Monday evening holding signs reading, "I believe her" and "Men who don't listen to women can't lead our nation."

But Kavanaugh has his own vocal supporters: Sixty-five women who knew him in high school signed onto a letter released Friday saying he has "always treated women with decency and respect." 



Photo Credit: News4
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A Year After Hurricane Maria, Puerto Ricans Rebuild Amid Setbacks

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There are still blue tarps on homes in Canóvanas, one of the Puerto Rican cities hardest hit by Hurricane Maria, Ramón A. Paez Marte told NBC News.

Rebuilding his home has been a struggle, and getting federal aid for it nearly impossible — FEMA denied his application and tens of thousands more on the island, hit by the devastating storm one year ago.

Families across the island are still reeling from the nearly 3,000 deaths, more than 200,000 people who left and the roughly $90 billion in damages.

Dogged by questions about local and federal response, Puerto Rico's crippling debt and more, the recovery feels like unfinished business, despite opportunities for much-needed innovation in areas like energy and urban planning.



Photo Credit: Erika P. Rodriguez / for NBC News

East Granby High School, Middle School on Lockdown: Police

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State police have responded to East Granby High School and are investigating a complaint that a student brought a weapon onto school grounds on Friday, according to state police.

State police said they found the student alleged to have had a weapon and the school is currently on lockdown while troopers search the premises.

Both schools are located at 95 South Main St. and state police said the high school and middle school are both on lockdown.

Parents said they received a text message saying this is a soft lockdown, police are investigating a report and students are in classrooms.

The superintendent said all the students are safe, in their classrooms and in no imminent danger.

No additional information was immediately available.

Check back for updates.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
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Connecticut National Guard Rescues Person, Dog from Storm-Hit South

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The Connecticut National Guard rescued a person and the person’s dog while providing assistance in North Carolina after Florence struck.

This photo captured the moment Sgt. Michael Justo, of the Connecticut Army National Guard, reached his hand out of the helicopter during the rescue efforts.

Members of the CT National Guard have been supporting search and rescue missions and transporting relief personnel and equipment.



Photo Credit: Connecticut National Guard
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Venue Changed for Reese Witherspoon Book Tour

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Actress Reese Witherspoon is bringing her book tour to Connecticut and she will be in Madison tonight.

“Whiskey in a Teacup” is Witherspoon’s first book and RJ Julia Bookseller is bringing her book tour to Connecticut today. It was originally scheduled for the Shubert Theater in New Haven, but it will now be at the First Congregational Church of Madison, at 25 Meetinghouse Lane in Madison.

The title is a lesson Witherspoon’s grandmother taught her, according to the description on the Simon and Schuster website. It says her grandmother always said that “a combination of beauty and strength made southern women ‘whiskey in a teacup’” -- delicate and ornamental on the outside, but strong and fiery on the inside. 

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General admission tickets are $59 and each ticket includes an unsigned copy of the book.

The VIP ticket package is no longer an option and those tickets will be refunded.

Those tickets were listed for $404 and were to include a meet and greet with Witherspoon, preferred event seating in the first five rows, early entry into the theater, an individual photo with Witherspoon, a limited edition Draper James tote bag filled with gifts and goodies and a signed copy of “Whiskey in a Teacup.”

You can purchase tickets on the Shubert Theater website. 



Photo Credit: Getty Images for AT&T
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Celebrate National Cheeseburger Day

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It's National Cheeseburger Day! If you are a burger connoisseur, you know there are many places to grab a mouthwatering, juicy cheeseburger in Connecticut.

Here are some of them:

Louis’ Lunch
261-263 Crown Street in New Haven
(203) 562-5507

Ted's Restaurant
1046 Broad Street, Meriden 203-237-6660 and 43 Berlin Road, Cromwell 860-635-8337

Shake Shack recently opened its first Hartford-area location in West Hartford's Corbin Collection.  The popular chain also has a location in New Haven to enjoy its SmokeShacks and 'Shroom Burgers, along with its fries and shakes.

Harry's Place in Colchester, a viewer favorite, has been featured in Roadfood for the incredibly juicy burgers. They also call a Harry’s cheeseburger “fast food perfection.”
Harry’s holds the distinct honor of being on the National Register of Historic places.

Max Burger in West Hartford serves up everything from a classic burger, to a gourmet chicken burger or a veggie burger. Trust us, your taste buds will be very, very happy with this food outing. The Inside Out burger is delicious, but check out the full menu, including the specials.
Max Burger
124 LaSalle Road, West Hartford
860-232-3300

Plan B Burger Bar is one of those places that you’ll keep going back to, time and time again. They pride themselves on the fresh beef burgers, but you can get just about any kind of burger you can imagine. The New Englander is made with lobster, smoked gouda, caramelized onion, lettuce, tomato and corn spread.

There are several locations in the state:

Plan B Burger Bar: 

120 Hebron Ave., Glastonbury, 860-430-9737
1638 Boston Post Road, Milford, 203-713-8700
4 Railroad St., Simsbury, 860-658-4474
230 Tresser Boulevard, Stamford, 203-964-8353
138 Park Road, West Hartford, 860-231-1199

Prime 16 in New Haven and Orange. In the past, viewers have lauded these burgers. Build your own or pick one of the specialties. You won't find a honey truffle burger on too many menus.

Shady Glen, in Manchester, is another viewer favorite. It's not uncommon for people who've had a Shady Glen cheeseburger to say it's the best -- ever.

Corner Pug, West Hartford. If you’re heading out on national burger day with someone who, for some reason, does not share your burger love, head to the Corner Pug in West Hartford. You can indulge on a blackened Cajun burger or knife and fork Irish nacho burger while your dining partner has salad, steak, mac and cheese or chicken.
These are just some of the best places to go for burgers. There is no way to name them all. Let us know your picks by commenting below.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Man Accused of Public Indecency at Library in Greenwich

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Police have arrested a Bridgeport man who is accused of public indecency at the public library in Greenwich.

Kenneth Belle, 38, is accused of masturbating in front of a female at the library Monday.

The female told police she was sitting at a table when she saw a man lower his pants and expose his genitals, lick his fingers and rub a magazine against his underwear.

Belle was charged with public indecency and he is due in Stamford Superior Court on Oct. 1.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Jack-Knifed Truck Closes Route 9 Ramp

Roll Over Closes Route 85 in Bolton

Threat on Wall Prompted Brief Evacuation of Berlin High School

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Berlin High School was briefly evacuated on Tuesday after a threat was found on a wall.

Berlin High School principal Eileen Eustis sent a message to families that said the school was required to evacuate because a non-specific threat that was written in one of the bathrooms.

Berlin police were called, the school was searched and students remained outside for 15 minutes until the gymnasium was cleared. Then students were moved to the gymnasium to be out of the rain and remained there for around 15 minutes until police ensured the building was safe, the message from Eustis says.

Students then returned to their fourth-period classes.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Thompson Schools Dismiss Early Due to Water in Middle School Boiler Room

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Thompson public schools are dismissing early Tuesday because of flooding. Officials said water is coming into the boiler room at Thompson Middle School and they are dismissing out of an abundance of caution. 

A message on the school district’s website says the middle school and high school will dismiss at 1:30 p.m. The elementary school will dismiss at 2:30 p.m. and there will be no after-school programs.

Thompson received around two inches of rain in around an hour, according to the NBC Connecticut meteorologists. 



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Crews Responding to Hazmat Incident at Cromwell Hotel

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