Mother Nature is delivering this fall weekend. It’s expected to be sunny and warm, which has many businesses excited that people are going to take advantage of the outdoors.

Marilyn Graham gathered her friends together to celebrate her 77th birthday at Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock in New London.

“Everyone’s so busy though! Even in your 90s,” Graham laughed.

They weren’t too busy for lobster rolls. But with the majority of the crew in their 80s and 90s, they were waiting for a sunny day to come out.

“We tried to do it earlier but the weather was very bad and we didn’t want to chance anyone getting sick,” Graham said.

The lobster roll hot-spot had a lunch line Friday. People were out enjoying their last taste of summer and summer-like weather before Captain Scott’s closes for the season on Oct. 14.

“It’s good for business for sure. It’s better than rain. You never know there. October is tricky,” owner Susan Tierney said.

It’s also been a rainy summer and fall.

“A lot of diehards for lobster rolls would come down with their umbrella. It was a good year, not our best because of the weather,” she said.

Autumn businesses, like Holmberg Orchards, are also very excited the sun will be shining and people will be spending time and money outdoors.

“We love it when it’s sunny on the weekends, we don’t like it when it rains. And so far we’ve had plenty of rain but it all comes during the week so at least when the doors are open, it’s sun shining,” said farmer Russell Holmberg.

He expects thousands to come to Gales Ferry this weekend to pick apples, pumpkins, drink cider and go for tractor rides.

“It’s looking like we’re going to get three beautiful day strung together,” Holmberg said.

Ten-year-old Allison Wojnar and her brother Aiden, 7, were in the pumpkin patch trying to find the perfect ones. Aiden touted the good weather. Allison couldn’t wait to for the next activity: apple picking.

“I’m really excited because I love apples! They’re like my favorite snack,” Wojnar said.

The almost summer-like weather is good news for Maugle Sierra Vineyards in Ledyard, too. They have live, outdoor music Friday and Sunday.

“It brings in a lot of people,” said Noreen Lima, a tasting room associate. “They want to be outdoors as much as they can before the winter comes.”

That’s what Dan Bell is going to do. The East Windsor boater is planning to get out on the water with his son, who is home from college this weekend.

“Unfortunately it was a late summer coming,” Bell said. “But at least we got a little extension here on the end!”

Officers with the East Central Narcotics Task Force arrested a man who is accused of selling large amounts of drugs in Manchester and South Windsor.

Officers said they received information about a drug dealer who lives in Maine on Friday. They said 20-year-old Nicholas Simmons would frequent the towns of Manchester and South Windsor to sell large amounts of marijuana.

Simmons was arrested following a lengthy ongoing investigation. The East Central Narcotics Task Force also had an arrest warrant for Simmons for various drug charges involving marijuana from a previous case.

According to police, they seized over 8 pounds of marijuana, dozens of THC vape cartridges, hundreds of edibles containing THC, marijuana oils, LSD, Simmons's vehicle and an undisclosed amount of cash.

Simmons is facing charges including possession of narcotics, possession with intent to sell, operating a drug factory and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $300,000 and he will appear in court in Manchester.

The East Central Narcotics Task Force works with other municipal and federal law enforcement agencies to stop illegal narcotics sales and use in Manchester, South Windsor and Vernon. Anyone with information about illicit drug activity is asked to call the East Central Narcotics Task Force at (860) 645-5548. All calls will remain confidential.

Close to 3,000 runners and walkers laced up for the Pounding the Pavement for Pink 5K in Seymour on Saturday morning. The annual event has grown over the years, celebrating survivors and taking the fight against breast cancer to new heights.

“The world needs goodness,” said Mary Deming, Founder and President of Seymour Pink. “It needs kindness and today is a concentrated dose of that.”

Jessica Barry ran in honor of her mother who passed away four years ago.

“My mom was a breast cancer supporter before she was diagnosed,” explained Barry. “We had no family history. She got diagnosed and had stage 4 cancer.”

Organized by Seymour Pink, the run has raised almost $2 million over the year, supporting Connecticut patients and their families.

“This is a journey that I never had anticipated, and it’s because of Seymour Pink this journey has been easy to go through,” said Pamela Maher, a breast cancer survivor.

Maher was diagnosed four years ago.

“This here is a family and that to me, you can’t ask for a better way of life than to have this many people impact who you are, what you are,” said Maher. “There’s no judgment.”

Deming, who lost her mother to the disease more than 40 years ago, said this is what she was meant to do. She has grown the race from about 300 the first year.

“This is bigger than me. This is bigger than my mom. This is about a community in need and the rest is history.”

Westport Police seized more than $100,000 and drugs from a vehicle early Saturday morning.

An officer said he observed a suspicious vehicle parked at Torno Hardware on Post Road East around 1:30 a.m., when the business was closed. He said there was one woman and two men inside of the vehicle at the time. Another person associated with the vehicle, later identified as 30-year-old Ninifa Ruiz, emerged from behind the building.

As the officer spoke with the occupants, he said he could smell a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the car. Officers said they found the female in the car to be in possession of a small amount of marijuana and she was given an infraction. Ruiz was later found to be in possession of ecstasy pills.

Officers said they then deployed a K9 who indicated on the suspect vehicle.

During a search of the car, police said they found $110,000 in cash inside of a backpack. None of the parties claimed the backpack or its content. Police said the people inside of the car also did not have an explanation for the amount of cash.

Officers took Ruiz into custody and officers seized the ecstasy pills and money.

Ruiz, of Everett, Massachusetts, is facing charges including sale of a hallucinogen and possession of a controlled substance/hallucinogen. She was released after posting $7,500 bond and is scheduled to appear in court in Norwalk on October 16.

Interstate 91 north in Hartford has reopened after a multi-vehicle crash on Saturday morning.

According to the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the crash happened between exits 27 and 28 on I-91 north shortly before 10:30 a.m.

The two right lanes were closed, but have since reopened.

The highway was congested for about four miles between exits 23 and 27 in Hartford and Rocky Hill.

It is unclear how many vehicles were involved in the crash and if anyone was injured.

A man has been arrested and charged with murder in connection to a Willimantic woman's death.

Willimantic Police found 27-year-old Angela Martinez-Acevedo's body in an apartment at 36 Ash Street on Tuesday. 

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said the cause of her death was strangulation and her manner of death was homicide.

Officials from the Office of the State's Attorney, the Connecticut State Police Major Crimes Unit, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner's Office, the New York Police Department and the Department of Children and Families were contacted for assistance in the investigation. 

Investigators said they reached a point in the investigation where 28-year-old Julio Cruz-Cabrera became a suspect. He was identified, located and interviewed.

Officers said they obtained an arrest warrant for Cruz-Cabrera and he was taken into custody in New York on Friday, where he is being held as a fugitive from justice.

Cruz-Cabrera is facing a murder charge in Connecticut, according to Willimantic Police.

The investigation is ongoing. Police ask the public to contact them with any information that may help their investigation. You can call Willimantic Police at (860) 465-3135 or Connecticut State Police at (860) 896-3230.

The head coach of the Quinnipiac University men's lacrosse team is no longer with the university and the team's suspension has been extended, school officials said Saturday.

According to a statement, the university has extended the suspension of the men's lacrosse team through December 31, 2018. The team was suspended in September after allegations of violations to the student conduct policy involving hazing and alcohol.

School officials said disciplinary action has been handed down to individual student athletes on the team and the head coach is no longer with the university. The assistant coach men's lacrosse coach, Mason Poli, has been appointed interim head coach, effective immediately.

Quinnipiac University released the following statement on Saturday:

“After a comprehensive investigation into violations of the student conduct policy involving hazing and alcohol, the university has extended the suspension of the men’s lacrosse team ‪through Dec. 31, 2018‬,” said Lynn Bushnell, vice president for public affairs. “In addition, disciplinary action has been handed down to individual student athletes on the team. The head men’s lacrosse coach is no longer with the university. Effective immediately, Mason Poli, the assistant men’s lacrosse coach, has been appointed interim head coach. Because of university policy and federal law protecting the privacy of student records, we cannot provide any additional details on this matter. The university will continue to take action toward those responsible for behavior that poses a threat to the well-being of our students.”

After lasting 4 rounds against an undefeated Lightweight champion in Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor eventually tapped out when Khabib managed to get behind Conor for a rear naked choke. 

The highly anticipated fight turned out to be more of a brawl, with Nurmagomedov immediately getting McGregor onto the ground where he could grapple with him. 

The consistent pressure tired McGregor, and after briefly fighting back through some trademark jabs and swings, Nurmagomedov brought him to the ground again. Nurmagomedov proceeded to force McGregor to tap out, essentially surrendering. 

A riled-up Nurmagomedov then jumped out of the ring and attacked McGregor's jiu-jiitsu trainer Dillon Danis. 

A perplexed McGregor was then hit over the head by someone who had climbed into the ring during the ensuing chaos, likely by one of Nurmagomedov's crew. 

After being briefly brought out of the arena, Nurmagomedov returned to the ring with scores of security holding him back. While he was declared the winner, UFC president Dana White refused to hand him the championship belt. 

The feelings of protesters and supporters of Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the nation’s highest court centered, in Connecticut, on the swing vote of Maine’s Republican Senator Susan Collins.

Dozens of people gathered on the steps of New Haven’s Superior Court following the Senate vote on Saturday boo-ed Sen. Collins, whose vote pushed Kavanaugh’s nomination over the top in a 50-48 margin, one of the narrowest ever for a Supreme Court nominee.

As protesters observed a moment of silence, some covering their mouths with red tape, others in the state celebrated.

The Family Institute of Connecticut, a socially conservative organization opposing abortion, had launched an email campaign targeting Collins’ vote last week. Peter Wolfgang, their Executive Director, applauded the efforts of around 300 Connecticut residents he said successfully swayed the Senator to vote ‘yes’ for Kavanaugh.

“The pro-life community here in the state of Connecticut played a pivotal role in this,” Wolfgang said. “We’re absolutely thrilled.”

A number of the protesters taking turns at the megaphone in New Haven, both men and women, identified as survivors of sexual violence.

“My heart is broken for Dr. Blasey Ford, who out of a heroic sense of patriotism, bravely told her story in the face of her greatest fears,” said Laura Cordes, the Executive Director of the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence.

Both sides are now turning their attention towards the upcoming November elections.

“On November 6, this battle is on. I look forward to meeting everybody on the front lines,” said Brittney Yancy, at the protest.

Wolfgang said the controversy surrounding Kavanaugh’s confirmation process has galvanized the right.

“There’s a lot of outrage on the conservatives' side and you’re going to be in for some surprises this election cycle,” he said.

A man was hospitalized after being stabbed in Hartford on Saturday night.

Police responded to Mansfield Street just after 9 p.m. for a report of a stabbing.

They found a man suffering from several stab and slash wounds on his arm, neck, and head, according to police.

The man was taken to the hospital with what doctors called non-life threatening injuries.

Police said the victim and the suspect know each other, but no arrests have been made.

Firefighters responded to a fire at a business in Groton on Sunday morning.

The fire broke out at PCC Structurals on Poquonnock Road, according to fire officials.

Flames broke out while employees were working, but they were able to get out unharmed, fire officials said.

The fire was out as of 1 p.m., but the building suffered damage to its roof.

The Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department was assisted by several surrounding departments to get the fire under control.

The Poquonnock Bridge fire marshal and the state fire marshal are investigating.

PCC Structurals manufactures complex castings for industrial gas turbines and other energy applications, according to its website.

Route 154 in Old Saybrook was closed Sunday morning after a crash involving a motorcycle and another vehicle.

The crash happened around 8:30 a.m. near the Route 9 on-ramp between Essex Road and Christy Heights Road, according to the state Department of Transportation.

Police were still at the scene reconstructing the accident at noon and the road remained closed.

There was no word on injuries.

Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to call them at 860-395-3142.

One person was taken to the hospital following the release of a large amount of pepper spray at a Litchfield campground Sunday. 

Emergency crews responded to Cozy Hill Campground for reports of a hazmat incident around 1 p.m. 

After investigating, it was determined a large amount of pepper spray had been released causing people to feel ill. 

A total of six people were evaluated by EMS and one person was transported to the hospital. 

The condition of the person transported to the hospital has not been released at this time. 

A teenager has lost two fingers after a homemade explosive device incident in Hartford Sunday night. 

Hartford police and bomb squad are investigating at a residence on Gray Street after the teen was injured while handling a homemade explosive. 

Authorities said the teen did not know what the device he was holding was and was not involved in making it.

According to police, the explosive was about the size of a golf ball and appears to have been created with common household products. 

No other information was made immediately available. The investigation is ongoing. 

This story is developing. NBC Connecticut will provide updates as they become avaialble. 

SpaceX will launch a Falcon 9 rocket on Sunday evening from Vandenberg Air Force base, carrying an Argentinean satellite and marking the first time the Falcon 9 booster returns to land at Vandenberg AFB.

The Falcon 9 is a two-stage launch vehicle, meaning it is made up of two parts that carry the payload to orbit.

- First Stage: The booster, or first stage, is what carries the payload for roughly the first 2 minutes and 40 seconds of the launch.

- Second Stage: The second stage is what the payload is attached to. When the stages separate, the second stage carries the payload to orbit while the booster returns for landing.

The first stage for this launch is a recycled booster that flew the Iridium 7 launch in July. That booster landed on a drone ship in the Pacific. For Sunday's launch, the booster will be landing back at Vandenberg AFB for the first time, on a newly constructed landing pad near the launch site.

Liftoff is currently scheduled for 7:21 p.m. Pacific Time on Sunday. Sunset at Vandenberg is 6:38 p.m. Pacific Time, so there is a chance we could see an illuminated contrail at the very end of the first stage's burn and the start of the second stage's burn. Regardless of illuminated contrail, SoCal residents may get to see something a bit different from the "traditional" Vandenberg launch: the return.

For launch, look towards the west-northwest from the LA area and watch for a bright light that is rapidly climbing into the sky. After the stages separate, we may see another light as the booster turns around and starts flying back towards Vandenberg AFB. This light will be flying in the opposite direction of the launch. Residents closer to Vandenberg may hear a sonic boom as the booster approaches.

SpaceX may again attempt to recover the payload fairings in a giant net attached to a boat. These fairings protect the satellite from the forces of the atmosphere during launch, and are ejected after the stages separate.

Police have issued a Silver Alert for a missing 81-year-old Enfield man.

Police said Walter Bowen was last seen Sunday and he was wearing a white baseball cap, jeans, white sneakers and a gray sweatshirt. 

Bowen has black hair and brown eyes. He is 6-feet-2.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Enfield Police Department at 860 763-6400.

Firefighters have responded to a natural gas leak in Spring Glen on Whitney Avenue in Hamden. 

They said a low-pressure natural gas line was struck during a system upgrade and repairs are underway. 

No additional information was immediately available.

A Redding man’s decision to clean out his wallet came just in time to cash in on a $1 million Powerball ticket that was just weeks from expiring.

The Connecticut Lottery put out an appeal at the end of September for people who bought Powerball tickets in Wilton for the drawing on May 2 to check them because one ticket that was worth $1 million would expire on Oct. 29. 

Charles Dudley, of Redding, found the ticket and came forward on Oct. 3, just 23 days before the ticket would have expired.

"I had stopped for ice cream at the [Georgetown] Shell station that day," Dudley told lottery officials, according to the story on the CT Lottery website. "While I was there, I got a Powerball Quick Pick, put it in my wallet, and then forgot about it."

Dudley was cleaning out his wallet when he found the Powerball ticket, which was stuck between a number of old receipts.

"I checked the winning numbers on the Lottery's website and couldn't believe it. I checked it over and over. The numbers were a match. It didn't feel real, though, until I checked the location of where the ticket was sold. It was where I bought my ticket," he said, according to the lottery.

The winning Powerball numbers drawn on May 2 were 5 - 14 - 31 - 40 - 50 and Powerball 6. 

Officials have responded to an emergency in the Housatonic River in Milford. 

Officials from the fire department said a boat is involved. 

No additional information was immediately available.

Former first daughter Barbara Pierce Bush tied the knot at the Bush family's compound in Maine over the weekend. 

The 36-year-old co-founder of a health nonprofit organization wed screenwriter Craig Louis Coyne Sunday in a private ceremony, NBC's "Today" show reported. 

Bush is the daughter of former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush, and the granddaughter of former President George H.W. Bush, all of whom attended the wedding at Walker Point compound. Former first lady Barbara Bush, the bride's grandmother and namesake, died in April at 92.

Bush's twin sister, "Today" anchor Jenna Bush Hager, served as the matron of honor and her two children had roles in the ceremony. 

The couple will live in New York.