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Man Dies After Being Found Unresponsive at Southington Hotel

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A man has died after he was found unresponsive at a hotel in Southington.

Police said they responded to a medical incident at the Homewood Suites on West Street after getting a report of an unresponsive male.

Officers administered first aid and CPR to the man, later identified as 40-year-old Sean Lawlor. Police said he was transported to Bradley Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police said there were no signs of foul play at the scene.

Lawlor's death remains under investigation.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Dems Cautious on Subpoena Powers as They Prep Investigations

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The most powerful tool available to Democrats taking control of the House next month, the subpoena, is being held in reserve as they build their strategy to investigate the Trump administration, congressional officials in the party involved in decision-making told NBC News.

Subpoena power is hardly a magic wand, according to top lawmakers, aides and former officials, and key committees are said to be planning a more deliberate approach starting with targeted requests for information from Trump officials.

"You have to pick your targets. You have to prioritize and focus on the ones you really need, and where you can win public approval," said Irvin Nathan, House Democrats' top lawyer last time they controlled the chamber.

While progressive activists are eager for a showdown with President Donald Trump, some Democrats are looking for places they can cooperate with him on legislation.



Photo Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images, File

Newlyweds Take Guests to Target to Shop for Kids in Need

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Florida Newlyweds give back by taking entire wedding party to Target for a Toys For Tots shopping spree. WESH's Gail Paschall-Brown reports.

DEEP Offering Free Lifeguard Training for State Park Jobs

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The state is working to recruit lifeguards for the summer and will be offering free lifeguard classes for people interested in working for the Connecticut state park system.

To recruit lifeguards for the eight Connecticut State Park guarded beaches, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will offer American Red Cross Lifeguarding classes at no cost.

Participants must successfully complete prerequisites and attend all days of the class to complete the certification, which can only be used to work as a lifeguard at Connecticut state parks.

“While summer is months away, the process to finding and training lifeguards to protect our beach visitors is well underway. These classes are designed to train people interested in working as a lifeguard at one of our State Park beaches, and who may not be in a position to pay for the certification themselves,” DEEP Deputy Commissioner Susan Whalen said in a statement. “We hope this new approach will assist our recruiting efforts to have full lifeguard squads at each of our lifeguarded beaches.”

DEEP is offering a Lifeguarding with Waterfront Module class for people who have no current certification and a Lifeguarding with Waterfront Module Review class for guards who already have a certification that will expire before next summer.

You must be at least 16 by May 25 to be a lifeguard or 18 to be a lifeguard supervisor.

Hours of work for lifeguards are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. five days per week and weekends and holidays are mandatory. 

Following are the training schedules:

Lifeguarding with Waterfront Module Review Class:

  • Thursday, Dec. 27, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Friday, Dec. 28, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Dec, 29, from 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Lifeguarding with Waterfront Module Class:

  • Thursday, Dec. 27, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Friday, Dec. 28, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Dec. 29, from 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, Dec. 30 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The training location is at Woodrow Wilson Middle School at 1 Wilderman's Way in Middletown.

To register, contact Sarah Battistini at sarah.battistini@ct.gov or call 860-418-5958.

Lifeguards cover eight of the state parks beaches and you can apply online here:

  • Black Rock State Park in Watertown
  • Burr Pond State Park in Torrington
  • Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison
  • Indian Well State Park in Shelton
  • Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme
  • Sherwood Island State Park in Westport
  • Silver Sands State Park in Milford
  • Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield


Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

USPS Expects to Process, Deliver Nearly 3 Billion Pieces of Mail This Week

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It's hard to believe that Christmas is only eight days away.

As you can imagine, the postal service will be busier than ever with more people shopping online.

Officials said this week alone, they will process and deliver close to 3 billion pieces of mail, including greeting cards.

At the processing facility in Hartford, 2 million pieces of mail will be sorted on Monday, alone.

“My staff at the Hartford plant will be working 24 hours a day from now until Christmas Eve and out in the field today we’ll deliver close to a million packages,” said John Wezenski, the senior plant manager for the Connecticut Valley District.

The United States Postal Service has several resources on its website, including the last day packages should go out to make sure they arrive by Christmas.



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Woman Killed in Head-On Crash in West Haven

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A woman has died after a head-on crash in West Haven on Sunday night.

Police were called to Boston Post Road around 11 p.m. after getting a report of a crash with injuries.

Investigators believe a Volkswagen Jetta and a Ford Tempo were traveling in opposite directions on Boston Post Road when they hit each other head-on.

Police said both drivers were the only ones in their vehicles and were transported to the hospital.

According to police, the female driver of the Ford was pronounced dead after arriving at the hospital. The male driver of the Volkswagen is reported to be in stable condition.

Officials have not released the identities of the drivers and said family notifications have not been completed.

Police do not know which vehicle crossed the centerline or why.

The West Haven Police Department Major Accident Squad was called in to complete the investigation, which is ongoing.

The area of Boston Post Road was closed, but has since reopened.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is encouraged to call police at (203) 937-3925.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Police ID 80-Year-Old Pedestrian Killed in West Hartford

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A pedestrian who was struck in West Hartford Sunday night has died, according to police.

Officers said the pedestrian, later identified as 80-year-old June Krisch, of Storrs, was crossing Park Road when she was hit by a vehicle just before 9 p.m.

Police said lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful and she was pronounced dead at St. Francis Hospital.

Officers said the driver of the vehicle that collided with Krisch remained on scene and has cooperated with police in the investigation.

The West Hartford Police Traffic Division is leading the investigation and was assisted on scene by West Hartford detectives, West Hartford firefighters and members of the Metro Traffic Services.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing.

The road was closed for hours but has since reopened. 



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander Won't Seek a Fourth Term

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Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., announced Monday that he will not seek election to a fourth term.

The state's senior senator, Alexander has a solidly conservative voting record but is known in the halls of the Senate as a consensus-builder on policy. Under GOP term-limit rules, the next Congress, which begins in January, will be his last as chairman of the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

"I have gotten up every day thinking that I could help make our state and country a little better, and gone to bed most nights thinking that I have," he said in a statement. "I will continue to serve with that same spirit during the remaining two years of my term."



Photo Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images

1 in 3 See 'Major Gains' on Women's Equality This Year: Poll

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Only about a third of Americans say women have made "major gains" toward equal rights in the past year, which saw the #MeToo movement and a record number of women elected to Congress, according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll.

Overall, men and women have similar views on how much progress has been made in the year.

Democratic women remain particularly pessimistic about the gender equality fight over the long term — about a third of them said women have made major gains in the last 10 years, whereas about half of Republican women and men of both parties saw major gains in the same time frame.

The same percentage of Americans, 46, say women have made major gains toward equality in the past decade as they did in a Merit Report poll in 1982.



Photo Credit: Brianna Soukup/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images, File

New Britain Offers Free Parking Downtown for Holiday Shoppers

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The City of New Britain is offering free two-hour parking in the downtown area for holiday shoppers.

Meter fees will be suspended starting Tuesday on Main Street, West Main Street, Arch Street and the Badolato parking garage. The Szczesny garage is also available for holiday parking. Regular rates return on 7 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 26.

The Blogoslawski/courthouse parking garage is not included and will still charge regular rates during this period.

There is a two-hour limit on parking and vehicles left longer are subject to ticket and/or towing at the owner’s expense.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Hartford Police Make Arrest in 2008 Cold Case Killing

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Hartford police have made an arrest in a fatal 2008 shooting near the XL Center.

James Dexter “Decky” Brown is charged with murder in the 2008 death of 20-year-old Kenny Sullivan.

On June 26, 2008, police responded to a reported shooting in the area of Main Street and Trumbull Street after a 93.7 Hot Jam Concert at the XL Center. They found Sullivan with a gunshot wound to his abdomen. He was rushed to Hartford Hospital in critical condition and died of his injuries.

Investigators discovered during the concert there were several fights at and around the XL Center between members of the “Money Green Bedrock” and “Sandz-Bridge” street gangs, groups known for gun violence over drug sale territory in the area, according to police.

Over the next eight years, investigators from the Hartford Police Department and State’s Attorney Office Cold Case Unit continued to follow up on the case. On Sept. 21, 2016, police obtained an arrest warrant for Brown, who was already incarcerated at the Butner Federal Correctional Institute in Butner, North Carolina on unrelated drug charges. After serving his sentence, Brown waived his right to extradition and was taken to Hartford on Friday.

Brown was charged with one count of murder and held on a $1 million bond.



Photo Credit: Hartford Police Department

Absenteeism a Problem in Hartford Public Schools

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Hartford Public Schools leaders say more students are missing too much class, and the district is taking on a new plan of action.

The number of students who miss school on a chronic basis in Hartford is twice as high as the national average.

“A lot of times students are absent from my classes,” said Alexa Marotta, a senior at the Hartford Magnet Trinity Academy.

Absenteeism is a problem in Hartford.

“When one out of four students is chronically absent, it is a crisis for our community,” said Luke Bronin, mayor of Hartford.

School Superintendent Leslie Torres-Rodriguez says a student is chronically absent when they miss 10 percent of the school year, or 18 days.

“While it does not sound like a lot, we know from the research that it makes a profound impact on student performance,” she said.

Paid for in part through grants and state funding, Hartford Public Schools is now partnering with Attendance Works, a leading national organization that helps districts use data to solve attendance issues.

“To try to identify each and every student and then the barrier,” said Torres-Rodriguez. “Whatever the barrier is that is keeping that student from coming to school.”

Torres-Rodriguez says schools will tap community organizations like the United Way to reach students and families. It's a multi-faceted approach to get more kids in class.

“It’s sad to see that so many miss it because school is so important,” Marotta said. “It allows you to grow and have those friendships.”



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Police Search for Suspect in Farmington Halloween Stabbing

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Police have identified the man they are searching for in connection with a stabbing at a Halloween party in Farmington and they are asking for help from the public to find him.

Three people were stabbed when a fight broke out outside a house on Talcott Notch Road during a Halloween party early on the morning of Thursday, Nov. 1, police said.

One victim was in critical condition, another victim was in serious condition and the third victim was found in a Hartford area hospital with superficial stab wounds.

Information about the party was posted on Snapchat, which led to as many as 300 people showing up at the house, police said last month.

Authorities said they have obtained an arrest warrant charging 24-year-old Tyshawn Acluche, of New Britain, with assault in the first degree and two counts of assault in the second degree.

They are looking for him and ask anyone who knows where Acluche is to call the Farmington Police Detectives at (860) 675-2400 or the FPD tip line at (860) 675-2483.

Police urge residents to call police if you see Acluche but not approach him.



Photo Credit: Farmington Police

Man Dies After Falling From Ladder While Making Home Repairs

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A 70-year-old Guilford man died after falling off a ladder while doing home repairs.

Police said emergency crews responded to a home on Lovers Lane around 1 p.m. for a reported fall. The victim had fallen from a ladder and injured his head and back. He was taken to the hospital where he died of his injuries.

The victim has not been identified as this time.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Prosecutors Drop Case Against Man in Officer's 1993 Killing

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Suffolk District Attorney John Pappas announced Monday that his office is ending prosecution of Sean Ellis for first degree murder and armed robbery in the 1993 slaying of a Boston police officer.

The case is being dropped because prosecutors don't believe they would be successful in a retrial due to the amount of time that has since passed.

"The nature of the evidence has not changed in 25 years, but the strength of it has declined with time," Pappas said.

He also said the involvement of corrupt police detectives in the investigation has compromised their ability to prosecute the case.

"This was not an easy decision. It may not be a popular decision, but it is the right decision," Pappas said.

Ellis was sentenced to life in prison after he was convicted in 1995 of the shooting death of Detective John Mulligan. Mulligan was shot five times in the face at about 3:30 a.m. on Sept. 26, 1993, while he slept in his car while on a security detail outside a pharmacy.

The Supreme Judicial Court released Ellis from jail in 2015, saying he didn't get a fair trial because two police detectives who played key roles in the investigation later pleaded guilty to corruption charges, and prosecutors didn't provide Ellis' defense team with all of the evidence.

"It's kind of like surreal," Ellis told NBC10 Boston on Monday. "To say that I'm happy and ecstatic is an understatement."

He said he still had the GPS monitoring device on his ankle as he heard the news Monday.

Asked what he has learned about himself since 1993, he said he has learned that he is "resilient." He still maintains his innocence.

As for what's next, he said he wants to go back to school so he can get a better job. He's in his 40s now and says he's doing entry level work that someone in their late teens, early 20s would typically be doing.

Boston Police Commissioner William Gross said he agrees with the district attorney's decision but said that doesn't mean that Ellis didn't kill Mulligan.

"He's a father, and a brother and a son. It was with heavy heart we had to discuss this with the family for this final outcome," Gross said of Mulligan.

"Sean Ellis is culpable," he added. "Not innocent at all."



Photo Credit: necn

Girl Killed in Domestic Stabbing in West Hartford: PD

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A girl is dead and two other people injured after a domestic stabbing in West Hartford Monday, according to police.

Crews responded to 187 Stoner Drive around 3:30 p.m. West Hartford police confirmed a juvenile victim died of her injuries. A woman was also hurt, but her condition was not immediately clear.

Police have a suspect in custody and said that suspect is a juvenile. He was also taken to the hospital.

The victims have not been publicly identified at this time.

There is no threat to the public, according to police.

Police remain on scene investigating.

No other details were immediately available.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

North Haven May Have to Spend $800K on New Fire Gear

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The town of North Haven may have to spend up to $800,000 to replace North Haven Fire Department gear that was contaminated when firefighters responded to an industrial fire in November.

“This is the largest emergency purchase we’ve had to make,” First Selectman Michael Freda (R-North Haven) said of his nine years in office.

In the early morning hours of Saturday Nov. 24, a North Haven police officer called in a fire after noticing smoke billowing from a business in the Defco Industrial Park.

“Had we not aggressively put that fire out when we did, it would have turned much worse,” North Haven Fire Chief Paul Januszewski told NBC Connecticut.

But since that fire “everything has been taken out of service” because of exposure to chemicals from the Parker-Hannifin Corporation where the fire originated, Januszewski said.

“We were able to look at a lot of the runoff from the water and visualize inside of the building where the fire was actually taking place and noticed a chemical substance,” Januszewski explained.

More than 40 North Haven firefighters need new helmets, boots, gloves and protective gear.

“It could be as much as $800,000,” Januszewski said.

The most expensive piece of equipment needing to be replaced is the self-contained breathing apparatus. Two air tanks and a breathing mask combined are about $14,000, according to the chief.

“We cannot have our firefighters and our fire department without those air packs and all that gears that needed so we moved pretty quickly on that,” Freda said.

The town is seeking reimbursements through insurance claims, Freda said.

“In crisis situations like this, when we have to tap into our reserves to purchase the equipment we have the cash flow if you will so that we can spend the money,” Freda said of the town’s finances.

Several North Haven taxpayers told NBC Connecticut that this big purchase is an appropriate use of the town’s emergency funds.

Firefighters are sharing gear and the department has borrowed some breathing packs from the Stamford Fire Department until all of the replacement gear arrives by the end of the month, Januszewski said.

“The town has been fantastic in recognizing the need to replace this equipment as fast as possible,” he added.

A majority of the firefighters filled out forms documenting their exposure to the chemicals during the Nov. 24 fire.

NBC Connecticut reached out to Parker-Hannifin in North Haven, but the company had no comment Monday afternoon.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

State Police Training Businesses for Active Shooter Situations

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Active shooter situations have become more common in the United States from schools to places of worship. Connecticut State Police in Tolland want to make sure area businesses are prepared for a worst-case scenario.

On Friday they hosted an active aggressor training at the Tolland Library so if there were a situation of that caliber, business owners have to foundation to put a plan in place.

“The reality of the world is this is something we have to consider. And when you have to consider it, then you have to somewhat prepare for it the best you can,” said Mike Smida. He is one of the owners of Star Hill Family Athletic Center in Tolland.

The approximately 140-square foot facility can see about 3,000 people on any winter weekend, according to Smida, which is why he said he needs to put a plan in place in case there ever is an active aggressor or shooter.

“If something did happen, we would jump into the right action as opposed to sitting there and just panicking,” Smida said. “I always feel better if I have a plan and I can follow it even in the worst of circumstances.”

He and representatives from about 10 other Tolland business spent part of the day at active aggressive training led by state police.

It’s part of a community policing initiative that was at no cost to the community.

“Obviously the climate today in society with all of these going on, we felt it was really important to do that,” Tolland Administrative Resident State Trooper Kevin Eklund said.

Over 70 percent of active shooter events happen in less than five minutes and often, they’re pre-planned, said troopers leading the course. That’s why it’s so important to pay attention to any warning signs ahead of time, find a way to notify the people around you that there is an emergency—especially if you work in a large facility and staff is scattered—and have a plan to react.

“We want to be prepared for any occasion, for any type of public that comes through our doors,” said Kathy Bach, president of the Tolland Historical Society and the director of the Old Tolland County Jail and Museum. In her position, she works with seventh to 12th graders and wants to make sure they’re safe.

Gail Otis is the executive director of the Preschool of the Arts. There are three locations, two of which are in Tolland. She hopes to develop a plan with the information she learned from this meeting.

“It’s terrifying thinking what we would have to do in that case. But we want to be fully prepared,” Otis said.

The superintendent of Tolland Public Schools was also in attendance though they have separate training and plans.

Local state police and firefighters will go around to businesses and do a risk assessment of their facility.

Troopers also hope to hold training for even more businesses in the new year.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Volunteers Throw Holiday Party for Foster Families in New Haven

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New Haven first responders and Toys for Tots threw a special holiday party for dozens of foster families in New Haven Monday.

Seven-year-old Zaniya Agnew knew exactly what she wanted for Christmas: a sparkling makeup set, and she made sure her little sister got a present too (a small gumball machine).

"I'm getting toys and having fun listening to Christmas music," Agnew said.

Inside the New Haven Regional Fire Training Academy, dozens of kids got to grab some food and pick out a toy. All the children who attended Monday night's party are part of the Guardian Kinship Program of the New Haven Probate Court, which helps foster families and family members stepping in to raise children.

"These are grandparents oftentimes taking on family responsibility who need help themselves," said New Haven Probate Court Judge Clifton E. Graves, Jr.

"For this event all the fire departments and police departments and AMR in New Haven will collect toys at the beginning of the tree lighting, at the beginning of December, through this event," said Sgt. Michael Rickaby.

Sgt. Rickaby joined the U.S. Marine Corps ten years ago and began taking part in Toys for Tots eight years ago. When he joined the New Haven Fire Department four years ago, he wanted to help create an event that focused on families like Bernice Hobby's.

"It helps us a lot during the holidays because we're on a fixed income," said Hobby.

Grandma Bernice raised four grandchildren, including 12-year-old Hezekiah.

"I'd rather take my grandchildren instead of letting them go in the system," said Hobby.

Hezekiah was at Monday night's party and was surprised to see Santa come in on a fire truck.

"It's just shocking because he usually comes in a sleigh," said Hezekiah.

The New Haven Fire Department, New Haven Police Department, U.S. Marine Corps, and AMR all helped put the event together. And generous donations from the community helped fill up boxes of toys. Seeing children receive the toys they want makes it all worthwhile for volunteers.

"For those that might need a little boost or a little bit extra, I want to provide that for them," said New Haven Firefighter Daniel Del Prete, who helped spearhead the event.

The event is in its third year and they're hoping it only continues to grow and make the holidays brighter for even more children.

For those interested in learning more about the Guardian Kinship Program, you can head to www.ctprobate.gov or call 203-946-4880.

For those interested in donating toys to the All Hands Toy Drive, from the New Haven tree lighting until the party, people can donate toys to the police department or any of the fire stations in New Haven.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Poor Cybersecurity Makes US Open to Missile Attack: Watchdog

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The Defense Department's internal watchdog said in a new report that cybersecurity lapses like neglecting to encrypt classified flash drives and failing to put physical locks on critical computer servers leave the United States vulnerable to deadly missile attacks, NBC News reported

The findings came in a new report made public Friday, summing up an eight-month-long investigation into the nation's ballistic missile defense system by the Pentagon's Office of Inspector General. 

The audit examined five of the 104 Defense Department facilities that manage ballistic missile defense systems and technical information.

It's just the latest internal finding that U.S. defense infrastructure is deeply vulnerable to cyberattacks.



Photo Credit: Mark Wright/Missile Defense Agency via AP
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