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Fire Breaks Out at Marcello's Deli & Catering in Danbury

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A fire broke out at Marcello's Deli and Catering in Danbury shortly before midnight on Monday night.

Dispatchers received multiple calls for smoke coming from a structure near Lake Avenue and Hobson Street. Dispatchers alerted firefighters who quickly arrived on scene.

When crews arrived, firefighters said they found a large volume of smoke coming from the roof of the business.

Fire officials said crews worked to put out a stubborn fire in the attic space of the business.

According to Danbury Fire Department, the fire eventually became a third alarm fire. Additional personnel and mutual aid from Bethel, Brookfield and Ridgefield Fire Departments, along with Danbury Police, Danbury Hospital EMS and Danbury Emergency Management responded to the scene.

Danbury Public Works also responded to the scene to assist with icy conditions.

Crews battled the fire in the frigid temperatures for a few hours before it was deemed under control, fire officials said.

There was nobody at the deli at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported.

The Danbury Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of the fire.

A business next door to the deli told NBC Connecticut that the deli is closed on Tuesday.



Photo Credit: Danbury Fire Dept.

Former Employee Accused of Breaking Into W.B. Mason in Hamden Twice

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Hamden Police have arrested a man who is accused of breaking into a building that belonged to his former employer multiple times last month.

Officers were called to W.B. Mason on State Street on December 3, 2018, after getting a report of suspicious activity.

Investigators learned that a former employee, later identified as 24-year-old Darren Bowman, of Hamden, forcibly entered the business on two occasions.

The first incident happened on December 1, 2018, when Bowman entered the business through a rear door and stole keys to a company truck, police said. Bowman drove the truck for a couple of hours before returning it.

During the second burglary, which police said happened the next day, Bowman allegedly forcibly entered through the same door and stole supplies including bottled water and paper towels.

Police applied for and were granted an arrest warrant for Bowman.

On Monday, police arrested Bowman at Hamden Police Department.

Bowman is facing charges including burglary, criminal trespass, larceny and using a motor vehicle without the owner's permission. He was detained on a court-ordered $25,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on January 25.



Photo Credit: Hamden Police

Watch: NY's Tappan Zee Bridge Demolished With Explosives

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The Tappan Zee Bridge was demolished Tuesday morning, sending a chunk of the old span into the annals of New York history. 

The bridge's demolition had been set for Saturday but it was postponed due to high winds. Workers used explosive charges to demolish the remains of the old bridge, which spans the Hudson River between Tarrytown in Westchester County and Nyack in Rockland County.

The demolition took place around 10:50 a.m., sending smoke billowing into the air where a portion of the bridge had stood.

Traffic was expected to be stopped for about 45 minutes, with crews temporarily closing entrance ramps to the northbound/westbound Thruway at exit 9 (Tarrytown-Sleepy Hollow-Route 9), Route 119 in Elmsford and Saw Mill Parkway (exit 22). Entrance ramps to the southbound/eastbound Thruway were also closed at exit 10 (Nyack-South Nyack-Route 9W) and exit 11 in Nyack (Nyack-South Nyack-US Route 9W). 

State police were expected to stop traffic in both directions on Interstate 87/287 between exit 11 in Nyack (Nyack - South Nyack – US Route 9W) and exit 9 (Tarrytown – Sleepy Hollow – Route 9) in Tarrytown for approximately 45 minutes. State police will reopen the ramps and release traffic after TZC has determined that the area is safe.

Motorists were strongly advised to avoid travel in this area during that time. Those traveling in the area at the time were expected to face severe delays.

The new Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge replaced the Tappan Zee.

The original bridge, which opened in 1955, was a poster child for America's crumbling infrastructure. Shifting steel plates gave drivers unnerving glimpses through road cracks of the chasm below.

There are plans to dismantle the western portion without explosives sometime this year.



Photo Credit: News 4

New Britain Teaches Students About Staying Safe Online

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In the digital age of education, New Britain public schools want students to be savvy about online safety. On Tuesday, all fifth- and sixth-grade students in the district were bused to New Britain High School for a tech talk. 

Supt. Nancy Sarra, of New Britain public schools, said the idea for the forum sparked after concerned parents and teachers noticed online conversations and actions making an impact on the classroom. 

“When there are disagreements among students, it’s beyond now just one setting here in the classroom,” Sarra said. “It’s spilling over into social media.” 

Scott Driscoll, of Internet Safety Concepts, is a former law enforcement officer who knows the darkest corners of the web as well as anyone and he led the forum. 

“I spent about 10 years as a 13-year-old girl on the internet, arresting predators and pedophiles all over this country,” Driscoll said. “So when I speak to them, it’s not a lecture. It’s first-hand experience. I was you online.” 

Driscoll said he knows where children are most vulnerable online and how they behave. One of his messages to students is reminding them of the power they have to say no to something as simple as a friend request. 

“Just because we share a school hallway doesn’t mean we’re friends and have to continue our communications outside,” Driscoll says. “You don’t have to explain anything to anyone. It’s protecting yourself and making it comfortable for you.” 

Driscoll said parents need to do their own homework and research about what’s on your kids’ screens and how these apps work. 

“I think for parents, the first thing they do is sit down and say, ‘What are you doing? Let me look at your phone. Let’s talk about it.’ Doesn’t have to be that we’re taking everything away from them, but let’s talk about and understand what our kids are using,” he said. 

Driscoll encourages parents to tell their children how social media is meant to be positive. You can reinforce how they use their devices by making them sign contracts, or having them use the acronym “SAFE” when taking a photo, which means to be Sure it’s Appropriate For Everyone. 

“We know they’re going to use technology,” he said. “It’s been given to them. Now we have to give them the skills so they can use them in the right way,” he said. 

Seventh and eighth graders will take part in a similar assembly forum in two weeks. 

Parents in the district will also have their own presentation. Driscoll offers more tools for parents and their children when it comes to online safety at www.InternetSafetyConcepts.com



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Shooting Outside New Haven Apartment Complex Was Self-Inflicted, Accidental: PD

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A West Haven man was shot outside of an apartment complex in New Haven on Tuesday morning and police said that it was self-inflicted and accidental.

New Haven police were alerted about a gunshot victim on Sherman Avenue just after 11 a.m. and found a 38-year-old West Haven man with a gunshot wound to the upper leg.

His injuries are not life-threatening and he was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital, according to police. 

The investigation is underway and anyone with information is asked to call police at the New Haven Police Detective Bureau at 203-946-6304.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Three Charged in New Britain Home Invasion

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New Britain police have arrested three suspects in a home invasion.

Officers responded to a home on Stanley Street just before 11:30 p.m. Monday to investigate and the victim said three men who were wearing all black clothing went into the home, pinned the resident down and stole items from the residence, according to police.

A witness saw one person with a knife in his hand take off from the house and police provided all officers with descriptions of the intruders.

Then a plainclothes officer saw three people on Daly Avenue who matched the descriptions and saw one of them get into a vehicle and drive away.

Several officers responded to the area, stopped the vehicle and found evidence from the robbery, police said.

Police arrested 19-year-old Dynell Cyrus Hall, of Hartford, 24-year-old Domonick Mathews Christopher, of Newington, and 20-year-old Deandre Brown Lloyd, of East Hartford. 

Hall was charged with home invasion, conspiracy to commit home invasion, larceny in the second degree, conspiracy to commit larceny in the second degree, burglary in the first degree, conspiracy to commit burglary in the first-degree, robbery in the first degree, conspiracy to commit robbery in the first-degree, disorderly conduct, unlawful restraint in the first degree and criminal mischief in the second degree. 

Christopher was charged with home invasion, conspiracy to commit home invasion, burglary in the first degree, conspiracy to commit burglary in the first degree, larceny in the second degree, conspiracy to commit larceny in the second degree, robbery in the first degree, conspiracy to commit robbery in the first degree, interfering with an officer and disorderly conduct. 

Lloyd was charged with home invasion, conspiracy to commit home invasion, burglary in the first degree, conspiracy to commit burglary in the first degree, larceny in the second degree, conspiracy to commit larceny in the second degree, robbery in the first degree, conspiracy to commit robbery in the first degree, interfering with an officer and disorderly conduct. 



Photo Credit: New Britain Police

Police Arrest Suspect in Wolcott BB Gun Damage

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An investigation into BB gun shootings in Wolcott has led to the arrest of a local man who police said admitted to damaging a victim’s vehicle in retaliation for a prior incident.

On Dec. 23, detectives started looking into several reports of BBs damaging houses and vehicles and identified the suspect’s vehicle.

Police have identified the suspect as 50-year-old Joseph Leonard, of Wolcott, and said he admitted to two of the reported complaints.

Police said they have an ongoing investigation of similar other vandalism complaints involving a BB gun that might be connected.

Leonard turned himself in to police on Jan. 10 and has been charged with two counts of criminal mischief in the first degree, two counts of illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle and two counts of breach of peace in the second degree. 

He posted a $10,000 bond and is due in Waterbury Superior Court on Jan. 24.



Photo Credit: Wolcott Police

Food Pantry Opens at Coast Guard Academy to Help During Shutdown

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As the government shutdown drags on, a food pantry has popped up on the United States Coast Guard Academy’s campus in New London to help struggling families who went without their first paycheck on Tuesday. 

With the help of the Southeastern Connecticut chapter of the Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer’s Association and the Southern New England Branch of the Coast Guard Enlisted Association, Leamy Hall was transformed into a makeshift food pantry as 2,000 people continue to oversee the Coast Guard’s daily operations without pay and 160 members remain furloughed. 

“It’s amazing that people care about us this much in our time of need,” Petty Officer 2nd Class Miranda Brudzinski said. “It definitely takes some of the burden off.” 

“We’ve had multiple Good Samaritans just pull up in their car right outside Leamy Hall right here on (the) Coast Guard Academy campus and just bring us boxes or bags or anything that they … anything that they can think of that will help,” Petty Officer 2nd Class Lauren Laughlin said. 

Coast Guard officials said anyone who works for the Department of Homeland Security, which is unfunded during the shutdown, is welcome to come by and pick up supplies from non-perishable food items to toiletries to baby items. 

Brudzinski, a mother of two, said every bit helps. 

“Stuff for lunches. Rice Krispie treats, chips, stuff to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches,” she said. 

And for those much more willing to give than receive, she had some comforting words. 

“This is a judge-free zone. This is here for everybody. The more you take, we can get more. We want people to get the help that they need,” she said. 



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Ex-Yankees MVP Closer Accused of Child Sex Abuse

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World Series MVP pitcher John Wetteland is out on bond, accused in North Texas of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14.

Wetteland, 52, who now lives in Trophy Club, was booked into the Denton County Jail Monday and posted a $25,000 bond the same day.

In a probable cause affidavit filed Jan. 15, the victim alleged that while between the ages of 4 and 6, from October 2004 to October 2006, three separate assaults took place. NBC 5 has a policy of protecting the identities of sexual assault victims, so the affidavit and further details about the allegations are not included in this article.

The former major leaguer has not issued a statement and it's not clear if he's obtained an attorney.

Wetteland played 12 seasons in the majors for the Rangers, Yankees, Expos and Dodgers before retiring in 2000. After winning a World Series in New York in 1996, where he was named the series MVP, he landed in Arlington where he spent the final four years of his career setting a team record of 150 saves.

His final game was on Sept. 20, 2000; at age 33, after his Rangers contract expired during the offseason, he retired from baseball. Wetteland was later inducted into the team's Hall of Fame in 2005.

According to a biography published by the Seattle Mariners, Wetteland spent three seasons as a roving pitching coordinator for the Texas Rangers beginning in 2002. In 2006 he worked as a bullpen coach for the Washington Nationals before heading to Seattle for two seasons in 2009 and 2010.

Wetteland was hospitalized in 2009 after reportedly considering suicide, though he later said his hospitalization was due to his elevated blood pressure and heart rate and that it had been addressed.

In between MLB coaching gigs, Wetteland, a longtime born-again Christian, coached baseball and taught Bible studies at Liberty Christian School, in Argyle, from 2007 to 2008, according to a report in The Dallas Morning News. A vice president with the school told the paper Wetteland has had no association with the school since his departure.

Before joining the Rangers as a closer, Wetteland spent two seasons with the New York Yankees and three each with the Expos and Dodgers. The All-Star closed out his career with a record of 48-45, 330 saves, 804 strike-outs and a 2.93 ERA from 1989-2000.

Wetteland and his wife divorced in 2015. They have four children.



Photo Credit: Denton County Sheriff's Office
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Temporary Hamden High School Employee Accused of Email Threats

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Police have made an arrest after investigating threats emailed to Hamden High School employees Monday and said the suspect is a “temporary contracted employee” at the school who said she wanted the students to leave early. 

Police responded to the school just before 10 a.m. Monday to investigate after three Hamden High School staff members received threatening emails, according to police. 

Around an hour later, Hamden High School administration received another threatening e-mail, police said. 

The emails led to all Hamden schools following “stay put” protocols as police investigated. 

Investigators identified 21-year-old Ajaunna Laudat, of New Haven, a “temporary contracted employee” at Hamden High School as a suspect. 

They said she confessed to sending the threatening e-mails and said that she wanted the students to leave early. 

Laudat was charged with threatening in the first degree, falsely reporting an incident and breach of peace in the second degree. 

She was detained on a $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on Jan. 25. 



Photo Credit: Hamden Police

42,000 Coast Guard Members Miss 1st Paycheck Due to Shutdown

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The nation's 42,000 active-duty Coast Guard members missed their scheduled paycheck Tuesday, as the only military branch to work without pay during the government shutdown, NBC News reported.

Because the Coast Guard is under the Department of Homeland Security, it is getting no funding during the shutdown. All other parts of the military are under the still-funded Department of Defense.



Photo Credit: AP

Police Make Arrest in Foxwoods New Year's Eve Stabbing

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Mashantucket tribal police have arrested a man wanted in connection with a stabbing at Foxwoods casino on New Year’s Eve.

Nineteen-year-old Kevin Shan of New London was charged with first-degree assault, violation of a protective order and breach of peace.

He was held on a $100,000 bond and appeared in court Tuesday.

The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.



Photo Credit: Mashantucket Tribal Police

Man Accused of Harboring, Sexually Assaulting 12-Year-Old Girl in New Britain

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New Britain Police have arrested a 21-year-old man who is accused of harboring a 12-year-old girl for several days and sexually assaulting her.

Police said Carlos Emanuel Padilla, of New Britain, was arrested and charged with three counts of sexual assault and three counts of risk of injury to a child on Monday.

In October of 2018, police said Padilla was reportedly harboring the child, who had been reported missing.

According to police, officers located the girl several days later at Padilla's residence. He was arrested on site for that incident.

Investigators later determined that Padilla and the victim were engaged in a sexual relationship for several months prior to her going missing, which is why they issued a warrant for the charges of sexual assault and risk of injury to a child.

Padilla, who police said is currently incarcerated, was charged in court with the new arrest and was arraigned on Monday.



Photo Credit: New Britain Police

Lamont to Discuss Unemployment Benefit Options of Federal Workers

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Gov. Ned Lamont is expected to announce details on unemployment benefits for federal employees affected by the government shutdown Tuesday.

The shutdown is now in its 25th day, making it the longest shutdown in history with no resolution in sight. This shutdown is the result of the ongoing fight between President Donald Trump and Democratic lawmakers over funds for a U.S.-Mexico border wall.

There are about 800,00 federal employees feeling the financial pinch as they remain furloughed or are working without pay. Some have taken second or third jobs to make ends meet.

Approximately 1,500 federal employees in Connecticut are impacted by the shutdown. The state Department of Labor has already been offering some of them employment benefits, but previously said only furloughed employees who are not allowed to work can file for unemployment. That means those working without pay were considered ineligible for benefits.

The state DOL said they are doing what they can within federal guidelines to help, but even those furloughed employees who can file for unemployment may not see any. The department still needs to be able to request information on those employees, which may be impossible due to the shutdown.

Connecticut Democrats Prioritize Early Voting

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Connecticut is behind most of the country when it comes to access to voting and flexibility in casting ballots.

There are 38 states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, that offer some kind of early voting, but Connecticut is not one of them.

“We have a perfect election system for about 75 years ago for a much different age and time,” said Rep. Matt Ritter, (D – Hartford), the majority leader in the Connecticut House of Representatives. “It’s not reality for 2019. The things you can do from your phone is pretty remarkable, yet we make people from six to eight, squish into this weird statutory scheme that just doesn’t work anymore.”

Connecticut’s Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, the state’s top election official, announced a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the General Assembly to make changes to voting, which could include more days to vote, and more methods like expanded absentee ballots.

Merrill has proposed this amendment in the past and it has either been turned down by voters or it hasn’t been called by lawmakers for a vote.

“This issue for me has been a long time coming, and I think its time has come,” Merrill said.

Connecticut, like many other states, saw record turnout for the November 2018 election, and with that turnout there were lines that led to some people standing for hours before they could cast their ballots.

Early voting periods or no-excuse absentee balloting is allowed in states all over the country. In the northeast, Vermont allows 45 days for early voting, Maine provides between 30 and 45 days depending on when absentee ballots are available, and Massachusetts provides 11 days for voters to cast ballots before an election.

Recently, in New York, the General Assembly approved multiple new voting reforms including a 10-day window for early voting, which is now sitting on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s desk.

In order to make a change to the way the state votes, a change to the constitution is required. If 75 percent of lawmakers in both the House and Senate approve the proposed constitutional amendment then it will automatically be placed on the November 2020 ballot, the same ballot voters will use to vote for president of the United States.

If the proposal passes both the House and Senate by margins of less than 75 percent, then a second vote in the House and Senate would be required in 2021, and the question would then be posed to voters in 2022.

“Nothing would change immediately but it simply allows Connecticut to move forward with some of these reforms that you’ve already seen in so many other states,” Merrill said.

Republicans were not present at the press conference rolling out the effort, but Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano, (R – North Haven), said in a statement, “I have concerns about changing the constitution without having a full vision to implement early voting in a way that guarantees fraud cannot occur. I look forward to discussing these concerns with the Secretary of the State and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.”


Hartford Teen Remembers Make-A-Wish Trip

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NBC Connecticut is once again proud to host “Miles for Smiles.”

Your donated airline miles could make a wish come true for a kid in the fight of their life.

One Hartford teen is still smiling because of what Make-A-Wish did for her.

“My god, I had so much fun. Like, I want to go back. Really do,” said Sheika-Lee Palmer.

Sheika-Lee lights up remembering her visit to South Korea. The trip had been a dream and just looking forward to it helped brighten her days as she battled bone cancer.

“Instead of me being all gloomy and stuff, I was always happy,” said Sheika-Lee.

At the time, it was a tough and draining treatment for the then 14-year-old from Hartford. In the middle of it came a surprise: Make-a-Wish granted her wish at NBC Connecticut during “Miles for Smiles” last year.

“When she hear about the Make-a-Wish I think it changed her, yeah a lot, her mood a lot because she was happy about it,” said Christine Pratt, Sheika-Lee’s mother.

At first Christine was a little concerned about the long flight to Asia.

“Sheika-Lee was like, ‘Mom, I’m not changing my mind. That’s my wish. That’s my wish come true, mom. I go through a lot mom. And that’s my wish come true.’ And I say, okay,” said Christine.

Sheika-Lee was treated to an authentic Korean meal in New Britain. And in April she was off to Seoul.

Once there, Sheika-Lee along with her mom and friends dressed up, explored the country and enjoyed one of their big highlights: visiting a museum devoted to a type of Korean music.

It’s dubbed K-Pop and Sheika-Lee’s love of it had originally sparked her interest in Korea.

“Me and my friend went crazy in the store. We started just picking up random stuff and purchasing it. We lost it,” said Sheika-Lee.

Now happy and healthy, Sheika-Lee is going to high school and hopes to return to Korea to attend nursing school.

“I want to get good grades because I want to help kids with like my situation,” said Sheika-Lee.

UConn Dining Services Holds Annual Culinary Competition

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When you think "dining hall food" your taste buds may not get too excited. But once a year, the Dining Services employees at the University of Connecticut get a chance to show off their true chops.

“This has been going on for 19 years,” said Rob Landolphi, Assistant Director of Culinary Development at UConn. “’The Boiling Point’ is our version of an Iron Chef.”

The competitors receive mystery baskets, which include the main ingredients they are to use in their culinary creations. This year, they received an additional surprise ingredient and a few minor items from the pantry.

The main ingredients this year? Goat cheese, potato bean mash, Indian pickles, and a jelly donut.

Scott Chapman works at McMahon Dining Hall and has been competing at this event for over a decade.

“I think this is one of the toughest ones we’ve had,” said Chapman. “We’ll figure it out, one way or another.”

Rand Richards Cooper is one of the judges at the event. He has reviewed restaurants all around the world for Bon Appetit, The New York Times and now, with Hartford Magazine. As a judge, he says he looks for one thing in particular.

“If someone can take a difficult and even bizarre ingredient and not hide it but actually find a way to feature it, I’m always impressed by that,” said Richards Cooper.

As time ran out the stakes were high. But no matter the outcome, Chapman will keep coming back for the once-a-year experience.

“It’s not about winning,” he said. “It’s about having fun and learning how to use your techniques.”

Chapman’s team came in second place with their Sweet Potato & Bean Empanada, Western Meets Eastern Fusion Dumplings and a Fried Doughnut Bread Pudding with Chambord Raspberry Lemonade Sauce.

The winning team received a plaque to display in their dining hall, and a reputation for best spot to eat on campus.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Whiting Forensic Employee Sentenced in Abuse Case

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A judge handed out the first prison sentence in connection with a patient abuse case at our state’s maximum security mental hospital.

NBC Connecticut Investigates broke the story about the abuse almost two years ago.

Supporters of 45-year-old Gregory Giantonio packed the back benches of the courtroom to watch a judge hand him a sentence of five years in prison, suspended after four months, plus three years probation, on a single count of intentional cruelty to persons.

Giantonio is one of 10 employees from the Whiting Forensic Division arrested in connection with charges they repeatedly abused Bill Shehadi, a patient then in his late 50’s, at the state’s maximum security mental hospital in Middletown.

Much of it was caught on the hospital surveillance system.

Al Shehadi says his brother suffered kicking, poking, and more with Giantonio in his brother’s room.

Tearing up at times, Giantonio was brief as he made his case for leniency in connection with his plea.

He told the court “I want to apologize to Mr. Shehadi, to his family and friends, and I want to apologize to my family and friends for what they've had to endure because of my actions, and I'm truly sorry for what happened.”

Fellow staffers who came to speak on behalf of Giantonio explained they work in an extremely difficult environment where they are often the ones getting hurt by patients, and Giantonio often showed compassion for Shehadi, someone they say is arguably the most difficult patient.

All told, the state put 37 people at Whiting on administrative leave in the Shehadi abuse case, and 35 no longer work for Whiting.

Of those, 26 were dismissed or terminated, four resigned, and five retired.

Proposed Bill Seeks State Licensing for Beauty Technicians

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A bi-partisan push for regulation of the beauty industry in Connecticut proposes licensing requirements for people who work on nails, eyelashes and skin.

Connecticut is the only state in the country that does not license nail technicians.

NBC CT Investigates looked into customer complaints surrounding salons throughout the state. The report received hundreds of viewer comments on Facebook, and some said they were injured at local salons. The reaction on social media caught the attention of freshman state Rep. Jillian Gilchrest (D-West Hartford).

“I saw the reporting by NBC on this issue and saw the reaction from folks in my community that this is an issue that’s directly impacted them, and knew I wanted to take action,” Gilchrest said.

Gilchrest and Rep. Fred Camillo (R-Greenwich) are co-sponsoring the bill that would impact nail technicians, eyelash technicians, and estheticians who perform services like facials and waxing.

The bill also proposes that managers be licensed in the services their businesses offer.

“Licensing would at least put certain standards in place,” Gilchrest said.

Julia Trigila, who owns Scarlett’s Lash Boutique & Spa in Newington, said she frequently receives calls for help from beauty customers who said they were hurt at other salons.

“It happens all the time,” Trigila said. “They’ve sent me pictures and their eyelids look like golf balls.”

Lack of education amongst job-seekers also makes it a struggle for her to make hires, she said. Trigila wants to see new regulation require 600 hours of training for technicians, who she said often don’t understand the impact of lax health and safety practices.

“There’s injuries starting to occur, there’s allergic reactions, and they don’t have the knowledge to understand what is going wrong,” she said.

Self-described fiscal conservative Camillo said he knows expanding state oversight will be unpopular with some of his colleagues, but there’s potential for licensing fees to help pay for the program.

“There’s a possibility this could absolutely be a revenue-plus for the state,” Camillo said.

The details of how a licensing and education program could work have yet to be written, but it is possible current beauty professionals already working in Connecticut could bypass new training requirements by taking an exam.

The bill must go through an often-times long committee process before it can become law, and opposition is sure to surface as specifics are laid out. NBC CT Investigates will continue to follow developments through the legislative session.

Man Shot in New Britain

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New Britain police are investigating a shooting on North Street Tuesday night.

Police said the victim was found in the area of 238 North Street. The 34-year-old man was taken to the hospital for treatment. His condition was not immediately clear.

A witness told NBC Connecticut he heard the gunfire while he was playing video games inside his apartment.

“I was in my apartment playing Fortnite and I heard gunshots. So I had to drop my remote and came outside. And I came outside and I saw some guy laying down. I was traumatized. I didn’t know what to do," Christian Olan said.

No other information was immediately available.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
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