The Hartford Yard Goats will host "Connecticut's largest Halloween Trick or Treat" community event at the Dunkin' Donuts Park on Sunday, Oct. 28, the team announced Tuesday.

Kids 12 and under will be able to walk throughout the concourse and the suite level collecting candy.

“We’re happy to be able to provide a fun environment for children to celebrate Halloween,” Yard Goats President Tim Restall said. “It’s another great way Dunkin’ Donuts Park serves as the front porch of our community.”

More than 40 local businesses and sponsors, including NBC Connecticut, will be passing out candy.

The event is free and registration is not necessary.

It will be held rain or shine.

Gov. Dannel Malloy fired back at accusations that his administration is responsible for any kind of spike or jump in violent crimes by people who were released early from state prisons.

A spokesman for the governor said Meriden Republican Senator Len Suzio was peddling, “alternative facts,” in order to bolster his position in an election year.

During a press conference Tuesday at the Legislative Office Building, Suzio said he identified 14,008 violent crimes committed from October 2011 to June of 2018 by people who were released early from prison.

Suzio, who is running for reelection in November, said he received the information on crimes committed by prisoners who were granted early release through a Freedom of Information Act request submitted to the Connecticut Department of Correction.

He said he took it upon himself to go through the file to identify violent crimes committed by those released early. Suzio described his findings as, “shocking.”

According to Suzio’s analysis, he discovered 319 murders and rapes, in addition to 775 inmates who were charged with crimes against a child.

“How much proof do we need that this law is a catastrophic failure and a betrayal on the people of Connecticut by the Malloy administration?” Suzio asked. “I’m advocating the immediate suspension of the program because with a huge number of violent crimes being committed each and every day, every day that passes we’re talking another six or so violent crimes being committed.”

Suzio’s data collection and analysis, when viewed in a vacuum, looks bad, but the broader picture of crime in Connecticut far more positive on the whole.

While Suzio claims to have identified more than 14,000 violent crimes over a roughly seven year period, that same period saw a decline in overall violent crime by a wide margin. From 2011 to 2017 there were 61,887 violent crimes reported in Connecticut, according to state and federal records. And from 2005 there were 72,802 reported violent crimes. That drop shows Connecticut residents were at lower risk for violent crime than previously.

In addition, the number of arrests has been halved since 2003. Malloy took office in 2010. In 2003 there were 136,137 arrests reported for all crimes. The estimate for 2018 is that there will be somewhere in the range of 76,000 arrests.

The picture on recidivism, previous offenders committing crimes and returning to prison, is also more positive than Suzio suggests.

The year many Malloy criminal justice policies took effect, in 2011, a spokesman for Malloy wrote, 4,403 inmates returned to prison who were released. Three years later, in 2014, the number was down to 3,840 inmates who were arrested and then returned to prison.

Malloy’s spokesman Leigh Appleby wrote, There is no disputing that Connecticut is safer today than when Governor Malloy took office. That is an objective fact, backed up by FBI data. Senator Suzio’s end game would see more people – mostly people of color – locked up for longer periods of time, and our state would only be less safe. Today’s press conference was an embarrassment.”

Suzio argues past data is not relevant when looking at those who keep committing crimes.

“If you think the state of Connecticut is safer because of your administration and the laws that you’ve enacted, then go tell it to the 14,008 victims of violent crimes that have been committed by prisoners who were released early because of your notorious and catastrophic early release law.”

When asked whether there is only so much the system can do to prevent bad people from doing bad things, Suzio acknowledged there is no perfect formula to reducing crime.

“There are some people who are incorrigible and there are some people who can be reformed," he said.

More than 50 disabled parking tags were confiscated by Hartford police at the last two concerts at Xfinity Theatre because people who are not disabled were attempting to park in dozens of handicap spaces.

Hartford police said they got all kinds of excuses when they did an informal compliance check at Sunday’s Zac Brown Band concert, where thousands were in attendance.

Lt. Paul Cicero oversees the department’s Major Crimes Division.

“We recovered 37 tags from this last show and 15 tags from the previous show," he told NBC Connecticut.

The Xfinity Theatre, according to Hartford police, waives a $60 parking fee for those who need the spaces. That prompts people to misuse tags or use fake tags. Some are expired. Some are just photocopies of tags.

“I think it’s a good thing it’s being checked out. By the time the handicap people get there the spots are all filled,” said Estella Clark of Hartford. Clark holds a valid parking permit that she uses while shopping.

Using the tags illegally takes spaces and resources away from the people who actually need it.

“They’re coming in with these tags that did not belong to them, or they were expired, or the individual was deceased and what not, passing the point of payment by showing these tags,” Cicero explained.

“I think it’s very wrong. It should be used properly. I use it for my mom, myself, my daughter. We all have had problems in our lives. Give it a fair shake,” Cheryl Harold said.

Fines and charges can get pricey, to the tune of hundreds of dollars.

“If you utilize a tag that is not yours and park in a parking spot it could be $300.00 in infractions,” Cicero said.

Police are returning the placards to the Department of Motor Vehicles who will return the legitimate tags to their rightful owners. DMV officials said misusing a tag can have consequences for the permit holder as well.

“Disabled parking permits are for the exclusive use of the person with the disability and grants permission to park in reserved spaces. If the permit holder allows another driver to misuse it, the Department of Motor Vehicles may revoke the permit or deny renewal,” explained Jim Carson, a DMV spokesperson.

Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) are giving students an education who otherwise couldn’t afford one.

CSCU expanded its partnership with the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS), making Connecticut the first state in New England to offer free classes to Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enrolled students at all 12 community colleges.

Students have around 60 programs at their disposal, from advanced manufacturing to emergency medical response.

“We have many people who are hungry, who are homeless and we have a responsibility to find ways to educate them so that they can provide for themselves and their families into the future,” CSCU President Mark Ojakian said.

Often times people are working, but they don’t make enough money to support themselves or their families, said DSS Commissioner Roderick Bremby.

More than 70 percent of students are employed within six months of completing the program. There are 1,200 students enrolled this academic year.

Capital Community College was the first CSCU institution to carry out SNAP Employment & Training more than 10 years ago. Tunxis Community College rounded the number of schools out to 12 this academic year.

Chrissy Chasse, of Bristol, is part of the program at Tunxis. She originally graduated from the community college in 2001 as a certified EMT, worked on an ambulance, had a car, bought a condo and birthed a son.

But a back injury sent the life she built for herself spiraling and lead to an opiate addiction.

“It all kind of falls like dominos,” Chasse described.

Now almost three years clean, she wanted to get back to helping people. Her future changed with a trip to the grocery store.

“I picked up a Tunxis catalog and said, ‘It doesn’t hurt to dream,’” Chasse said.

Inside she saw free classes were available to people who qualify for SNAP and is now studying to become a medical assistant.

According to Chasse, this class helped her go from being worried and frustrated about her future, to having hope for one. And she’s proud to be an example for her 10-year-old son.

“I do homework with my son sitting across the table from me, I realize that I have the only face I need looking up to me,” Chasse said.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday mocked allegations made by Christine Blasey Ford that Judge Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her at a high school party more than 30 years ago.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday mocked Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her when they were teenagers, despite having said previously that he found her Senate Judiciary Committee testimony last week “credible.”

In a one-man re-enactment of her testimony, with his voice alternating between inquisitor and an impression of Ford, Trump challenged the veracity of the testimony that has paused Kavanaugh’s Senate confirmation process, NBC News reported.

The ridicule of Ford, delivered at the Landers Arena in deeply conservative DeSoto County, Mississippi, is in stark contrast to the respectful way in which Trump and his aides had previously treated Ford’s testimony, even as they have stood by Kavanaugh and his assertion that he never assaulted her or anyone else.

Bristol police are trying to identify the driver involved in a hit-and-run crash over the weekend.

Police said on Sunday a truck towing a large boat backed into a vehicle parked at 910 Stafford Ave.

Anyone who recognizes the vehicle in the photo above is asked to contact Officer Cyr at 860-584-3000.

More than 200 firefighters have been battling an early Wednesday six-alarm blaze for hours in the East Village, a fire that hurt nine people, seven of whom were firefighters and one of them suffered serious injuries, officials say.

The smoky blaze, which the FDNY called "stubborn," broke out inside a five-story apartment building just before 2 a.m. on First Avenue, between East 11th and East 12th streets, according to the FDNY. By 6:30, the fire was still not under control and forced the FDNY to recommend the Department of Education to close two nearby schools.

The fire started off as a three-alarm blaze burning on the first and second floors, but quickly went to a fourth-alarm and then went up again to a fifth-alarm around 5 a.m.

Seven firefighters were injured, although just one of them suffered serious injuries, but officials say he is expected to survive; all other injuries to firefighters were considered to be minor. The type of injuries the firefighters suffered were not immediately known.

Two civilians were also hurt, but their injuries are also described to be minor. Other civilians were seen wrapped in Red Cross blankets as they looked on. 

All residents in the building were evacuated as well as two neighboring buildings. It’s not yet known what may have sparked the blaze.

Commuters are urged to avoid the area. 

A downed tree has closed part of Route 4 in Burlington on Wednesday morning.

According to Connecticut Department of Transportation, there's tree down on wires in the road.

The incident has closed Route 4 between Route 179 and River Road.

Officers do not have an estimate for when the road will reopen.

A teenager has died after a crash on Route 6 in Mansfield on Tuesday night.

Police said a vehicle was traveling on Route 6 westbound near the Route 195 exit in Mansfield shortly before 7:30 p.m. when the driver lost control of the vehicle, left the highway and collided with a tree. The vehicle landed in the center median.

The driver of the vehicle, 21-year-old Tyler Sorel, of Brooklyn, Conn., sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Windham Hospital for treatment. The passenger, 19-year-old Britney Wilson, of Brooklyn, Conn., was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.

According to officers, the highway was wet and there was heavy rain at the time of the crash.

Troopers are continuing to investigate the accident. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Trooper Ferreira at Troop K in Colchester at (860) 465-5400.

There is extra security at Hartford Public High School Wednesday after officers responded to a large fight between students in the cafeteria Tuesday.

School officials said three students were involved in a fight in the cafeteria during lunchtime and police said a security guard was scratched while trying to break up the fight.

School officials said no injuries were reported. It is not clear what prompted the fight.

The school restricted students' movements for a little over an hour while the situation was brought under control.

A golden retriever found inside a trash bag in a dumpster has been named American Humane's 2018 American Hero Dog for overcoming her severe injuries and becoming a certified therapy dog, "Today" reported.

Chi Chi lost all four legs after being bound and left for dead in the dumpster in South Korea. But animal workers found her and revived her, and her story caught the eye of a family in Arizona. The Howells adopted Chi Chi, who learned how to walk and eventually got two sets of prosthetic legs.

She's since become a therapy dog and had cancerous tumors removed, making her a cancer survivor as well. 

"When people meet Chi Chi, they are inspired by her courage, perseverance, ability to overcome adversity and her never-give-up attitude," Elizabeth Howell said in a statement released by American Humane.

Route 9 south in New Britain has reopened after a multi-vehicle crash on Wednesday morning.

The multi-vehicle crash closed Route 9 southbound between exits 28 and 27 around 7:30 a.m., according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

There is no word how many vehicles were involved.

Minor injuries were reported, police said.

The area of Linbrook Road and North Main Street in West Hartford is flooded and crews have responded. 

Water is bubbling up on the road and one resident reports having four to five feet of water in the house. 

Police said the issue is a water main break, but crews from MDC said crews are investigating the cause of the flooding.

A woman from Windsor is competing on this season of NBC's "The Voice."

Twenty-six year old Kymberli Joye performed Whitney Houston's song "Run to You" during blind auditions on Monday and secured a spot on Team Kelly.

During her audition, three coaches turned their chairs around: Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson and Blake Shelton. Clarkson used her one and only block of the season on Hudson so Joye could not pick her as her coach. 

Joye is a worship leader and minister and she sings in the choir at her church, where her parents are pastors. For the past seven years, Joye has been working alongside gospel singer JJ Hairston. One of the albums they recorded has been nominated for a Grammy, according to her bio on The Voice's website.

Joye graduated from Windsor High School in 2009. While in high school, she participated in the Windsor High School Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, Teens of Praise Gospel Choir and Pizazz! Vocal Jazz Ensemble, school officials said.

You can watch The Voice on Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. right here on NBC Connecticut.

Lightning is believed to have caused a fire at an apartment complex in Hamden Tuesday night that displaced eight people. 

Crews from the Hamden Fire Department responded to the apartment complex at 22 Warner St. at 11:10 p.m. and said a heavy band of thunderstorms was moving through the area at the time and that several 911 calls came in from the residents of the apartment complex reporting a lightning strike. 

Firefighters found the roof smoldering and shingles displaced and charred. 

Two apartments sustained light damage from water and inspection holes, according to the fire department, and the five adults and three children who live in them have been moved to local emergency housing. 

The Connecticut Chapter of the Red Cross is assisting with temporary relocation. 

No one was injured. 

Lightning strikes are also thought to be responsible for power outages. As a precaution, United Illuminating cut power to the Warner Street complex and has restored it to the unaffected apartments, according to the fire department. 

The Hamden fire inspector is investigating.

Police in Maine need the public's help locating a woman who was last seen Sunday night in North Yarmouth.

According to the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, Kristin Westra, 47, was last seen at her family's home on Lufkin Road.

"It's critical that we find her," said Captain Scott Stewart. "We are not ruling out foul play."

Stewart said Westra was seen on a neighbor's security camera returning home from a jog Sunday evening. Her husband told investigators that she went to bed Sunday night. By the time he woke up early Monday, she was missing. He reported her missing to police around 9 a.m. Monday.

The sheriff's office says that no known vehicle was involved and it's unclear why Westra would be missing.

"She didn't have her phone, her keys, her car, or her wallet," said brother Eric Rohrbach. "We're terrified about the conditions she's in right now."

Rohrbach said his sister had been stressed at work, teaching elementary school students at the Chebeague Island School — and stressed at home, where her family is undergoing an expensive renovation.

"She's been getting a lot of anxiety and having trouble sleeping," he said. "I'm thinking she snapped, had a break, and left. Doing this to her family means she was not in the right mind when she left."

Friends have started a website, findkristin.org to help generate tips.

A team of at least 50 searchers from the Maine Warden Service and investigators from Maine State Police and the Cumberland County Sheriff's Department converged on the Lufkin Road area Tuesday. They plan to search into the night and hope to deploy a search plane when rainy conditions clear.

Westra is described as 5', 10" tall, 140 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the Cumberland County Regional Communications Center at 207-893-2810.

A female was found dead in an apartment on Ash Street in Willimantic Tuesday night and police are investigating.

Police officers and medical personnel responded to the apartment at 8:17 p.m. after receiving reports of an unresponsive person and found a female dead, according to a news release from police.

Willimantic police said they contacted the state police Eastern Major Crimes Unit and the Office of the State’s Attorney for assistance in the investigation.

Police said this appears to be an isolated incident and there is no threat to the community, but the investigation is ongoing.

Police have not identified the victim.

The storm on Tuesday uprooted a lot of trees in Manchester, brought down power lines and left neighbors in the dark.

On East Eldridge Street, four trees came crashing down. Thankfully, none of them hit houses.

"Three about 50 feet trees collapsed and they smashed the fence, our lawn furniture, our shed, our jungle gym are tossed around the yard," said Jeff Ladewig, of Manchester.

Just down the road on Grandview Street, neighbors saw a tree spin and then slowly fall to the ground.

Eversource has been working to restore power in the area on Wednesday morning.

The National Weather Service will conduct surveys in Fairfield County, as well as Rockland and Westchester counties in New York. 

The National Weather service confirmed an EF-0 tornado with maximum wind speeds of 85 miles per hour touched down in Ronkonkoma, New York, on Tuesday night.

A tornado warning was issued for Fairfield County, but was canceled as storms weakened.

Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for Hartford, Fairfield, Tolland and Windham counties Tuesday afternoon but have since expired.

A woman was severely assaulted in North Haven early Wednesday morning and police have arrested a suspect. 

Police said they victim sustained a broken noise, a broken jaw, a concussion and severe bruising to her face. 

Officers found her when they responded to Peters Lane at 1 a.m. to investigate an assault in the front yard of a home and witnesses reported seeing a man sitting on top of a woman and punching her. 

The man had fled after the witness called police, but he rammed the victim’s car first, then drove away, according to police. 

Police identified the suspect as 37-year-old Scott Macri and said he was found running from his disabled car in Wallingford. 

Macri was charged with assault in the second degree, risk of injury to a minor, criminal mischief and breach of peace. It’s not clear if he has an attorney.