Dozens of ATV’s and dirt bikes have been caught on camera racing down busy streets in Hartford and neighbors in the South End are fed up.

Some of them started recording a group of riders racing down New Britain Avenue in Hartford this past weekend to show the extent of the dangers.

The group can be seen weaving through traffic at the White Street Triangle.

“Someone's going to get killed,” said Mike Fenalson.

Riders had even posted their own YouTube videos of the illegal and dangerous ventures through the South End neighborhoods.

They speed through residential areas, veer into lanes of oncoming traffic and ride on the back wheels.

“They have no respect for the road or the neighbors,” Fenalson added.

He lives on White Street and says that the group has been riding through here all summer.

The noise continually keeps him up at night and he wants police to step in.

“When I do go to bed, you can't. There are 7 or 8 of them and they’re racing up and down the road,” Fenalson added.

Hartford Police said they have been keeping an eye out for the riders in the area but admitted the group was tough to catch because it was illegal for law enforcement to chase them.

“It's a problem. We're handcuffed in how we can attack it,” Hartford Police Lieutenant Brian Foley explained.

So detectives started to turn to Facebook. They said the rides often get planned through the social media website.

After scouring some posts about an event this past weekend, authorities showed up and made a few arrests.

“We're doing our best to address it within the means that we're allowed to,” Lt. Foley added.

Police said they would continue to use creative ways to crack down on the risky rides through town to make the streets safe and get rid of the nuisance for neighbors.

Police also say they are working with the Mayor and City Council to change the laws, making it easier to confiscate ATV’s and dirt bikes if they see riders at stop lights or pulled over at gas stations.

A law enforcement sweep stemming from a year-long undercover drug operation culminated with the arrests of 65 people on Tuesday and the seizure of various types of drugs, officials confirmed.

Approximately 150 law enforcement officials from the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other agencies took part in the takedown as part of “Operation Mountain Shadow” in Ramona and Poway.

Officials served 12 search warrants from 6 a.m. to noon, and arrested suspects on drug charges, including conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

The operation and sweep netted a whole lot of evidence as well.

According to officials, evidence seized during Operation Mountain Shadow includes 14 pounds of heroin, 56 pounds of cocaine, 93 pounds of methamphetamine, 30 grams of marijuana and 5 pounds of prescription pills.

In all, the drugs have an estimated street value of $2.1 million. In addition, 76 firearms and 1 live grenade were seized by investigators, as well as $230,000 in cash.

Officials say Operation Mountain Shadow was launched in October 2012 in response to numerous citizen complaints.

During the crackdown, undercover deputies and agents conducted “buy-walk” operations, in which they bought meth, heroin, cocaine and firearms from suspects.

The suspects arrested in this operation face federal drug charges and possibly state charges. They face varied sentences depending on their criminal background, ranging from probation to 25 years in prison, officials said.

On Tuesday, the office of U.S. Attorney Laura E. Duffy confirmed that 12 suspects arrested in Operation Mountain Shadow have been charged with federal drug trafficking and firearms offenses.

Those in federal custody include: Paulino Aguirre, 68; Johnny Castillo, 42; Christopher Maldonado, 38; John Caudle, 40; Oscar Rodriguez-Torres, 41; Miguel Rodriguez-Torres, 41; Todd Young, 47; Jose Tyoran, 40; and Israel Ornelas, 40.

The defendants hail from Ramona, Vista, Poway and Spring Valley. Most have been charged with distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy, while some also face a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm.

In addition to the DEA and sheriff’s department, agencies that assisted in the year-long operation and Tuesday’s successful sweep included: the U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Attorney’s Office; U.S. Border Patrol; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the Regional Auto Theft Task Force (RATT); the San Diego County District Attorney's Office; the Narcotics Task Force (NTF) and the FBI Violent Gang Task Force.
 

The Newtown, Conn. school superintendent sent an email to parents and staff members Tuesday, with a warning about the season premiere of "Sons of Anarchy" on FX, which includes a scene involving a school shooting.

"I have learned that on the season premiere of the show 'Sons of Anarchy' which airs at 10 PM tonight on the FX cable station, there will be an episode in which a teenager enters the school with a high-caliber semi-automatic and opens fire," John Reed said in the email. "While you don't see the visual impact of this, you will hear the shots and cries from the victims."

"Sons of Anarchy," which is entering its sixth season, follows an outlaw motorcycle gang and is known for its violent and intense episodes. The show's creators and FX have not revealed what's ahead for the season premiere, but fan sites have alluded to a major tragedy at the end of the Tuesday's show.

"For obvious reasons, this program could have a very harmful impact on parents, children and staff members. I wanted you to have this information so that you can plan accordingly for you and your family," Reed said in the email.

One person is dead and three people were injured in a shooting in front of T Mart at Trumbull and Reservoir avenues in Bridgeport this afternoon.

According to police, Christopher Pettway, 26, of Bridgeport was shot to death. Three other males in their late teens to early 20s were also wounded.

The injuries the survivors suffered are not believed to be life-threatening, police said.

The shooting happened around 2:30 p.m., police said. The area around the market is cordoned off with police tape.


 

The Democratic primary for mayor in West Haven is too close to call and it appears that there will be a recount this weekend, according to the New Haven Register.

Ed O’Brien secured a slim 12-vote lead over incumbent Mayor John Picard.

Unless Picard concedes, there will be a recount this weekend.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face Bart Chadderton, a Republican, in the general election in November.
 

As Northern California fire crews were out battling the raging Morgan Fire near Mount Diablo this weekend, someone was rifling through their station and stealing their stuff.

Firefighters returned to Station No. 7 at 1050 Walnut Avenue in Walnut Creek Monday after battling the brush fire to find their iPads, watches, cash and even two wedding rings gone.

The discovery was disheartening to the crews who had spent 24 hours protecting at least 100 structures threatened by the fire, which had grown to 3,200 acres and was 70 percent contained as of Wednesday, said Contra Costa County Fire Protection District spokesman Steve Aubert. Police are now looking for the person or people who did it.

PHOTOS: Incredible Images of California's "Morgan Fire"

Firefighter Judon Cherry was especially rattled. He noticed his things were missing when he wanted to charge his phone and check in with his wife of 20 years, only to find his belongings - including his watch and wedding ring - weren't there.

"When I went into the bedroom to charge my phone I noticed my stuff had been messed with and my iPad was missing," Cherry said.

Cherry said knowing someone went through bedroom lockers and stole their personal belongings while they worked to save homes is almost unbelievable.

"Are you serious? Somebody actually came into the fire station and stole from us after we helped people?" Cherry said. "It's devastating."

MORE: Mt. Diablo "Morgan Fire" 70% Contained

Police believe burglars pried open the locked back door sometime Sunday night, while crews were out on the line.

A sweep of the station revealed that in addition to Cherry's lost items, someone had taken another firefighter's wedding ring and a pair of watches.

Aubert said there was also a burglary attempt at Fire Station No. 3 at 1520 Rossmoor Parkway in Walnut Creek at about 2:30 a.m. Monday while firefighters were asleep. In that case, someone attempted to break into a bedroom window, but firefighters woke up, prompting the would-be burglar to flee, Aubert said.

"We're going to be evaluating the security at each of the stations to provide a better level of security for the department's resources and personnel," Aubert said.

Firefighters are now considering video cameras and gates with codes to beef up security.

SEE ALSO:

• Bay Area Communities Mark 12 Years Since 9/11 Attacks
• Mt. Diablo "Morgan Fire" 70% Contained
• Human Ashes Found on Fremont Road, Returned to Relative
• San Francisco Band's Van Stolen in Chicago
• Funding Needed for Rim Fire Repairs at Hetch Hetchy

You now have another fine dining option in Hartford.  The Capital Grille is now serving up lunch and dinner on Front Street.

For five months, Anthony Weiner tried to make New Yorkers believe that he was worth giving another chance.

His mayoral campaign, he said, was a bet that they would look past his mistakes and listen to his ideas.

He lost that wager. Badly.

Weiner ended the Democratic primary on Tuesday in fifth place, with about 5 percent of the vote, according to unofficial returns. On his way to give his concession speech in Manhattan, he had to duck into a side entrance to avoid Sydney Leathers, one of the women with whom he'd once exchanged lewd online messages under the alias Carlos Danger. She showed up outside and declared primary night was the ideal time for them to meet in person.

From the stage, he told supporters: "We had the best ideas. Sadly, I was an imperfect messenger.”

And now his political life is likely over.

For most of his career, Weiner wasn't the guy everyone laughed at. He was charming and funny -- and grating and temperamental. He was a grandstander and a fighter. He seemed to genuinely love public service, and the spotlight it brought him. He served as a city councilman from Brooklyn, and then a congressman.

But what he always wanted was to be mayor.

He ran in 2005, and nearly forced a runoff against Fernando Ferrer, but conceded in the name of party solidarity. He planned to run again in 2009, and was considered a leading contender, but dropped out after Mayor Bloomberg chose to run for a third term. He started raising money for 2013, when Bloomberg would finally be out of the way. He raised about $4 million, enough to be taken very seriously.

And then, in the spring of 2011, Weiner was caught using Twitter to send provocative photos of himself to women. At first, he claimed he’d been hacked. But he eventually confessed, resigned from Congress and went into virtual hiding with his wife, Huma Abedin, a senior adviser to Hillary Clinton. At the time, Abedin was pregnant with their first child.

He re-emerged in April of this year in an intimate set of interviews with The New York Times Magazine in which he said he'd salvaged his marriage, received forgiveness and was ready for politics again. He entered the race in May, and shot to the top of the polls in June. In July came revelations on a gossip website named The Dirty that he'd continued his online escapades after his resignation. Abedin appeared with him at a news conference to defend him, but didn't show up again. Carlos Danger jokes fed the late-night talk shows.

Weiner always insisted that he was running because he thought he had more to give his city. Some, including his former congressional constituents, stood behind him, out of loyalty to the work they’d seen him do.

He insisted that the media was undermining his efforts to talk about his ideas. Perhaps that was true. But Weiner also seemed unable to escape ridicule. He called a 69-year-old Republican candidate "grandpa." He made fun of foreign journalists. He faked a Caribbean accent on a parade float. At the Dominican Day parade, he jogged Sixth Avenue in slim-fitting red pants while waving a flag. He got into a shouting match with a man at a Brooklyn bakery who insulted him and his wife.

It was sometimes hard to tell if loved the attention, or hated it.

He did interviews for "Meet the Press" and the "Today" show last weekend and complained that his campaign had been reduced to a "soap opera." He vowed not to stop when things got "a little tough."

On primary day, Weiner got into an argument with a woman in Harlem who ridiculed him and told him to drop out.

"You are all about you," she said.

"Get used to it," he replied.

A few hours later, the returns came in.

One last time, Anthony Weiner had asked his city for another chance.

And New Yorkers told him to scram.

Then, when it was all over, as he drove away from his concession speech, he flipped a reporter the middle finger.

Investigators are trying to figure out what caused a fire in Beacon Falls that forced two families out of their home.

The fire started in a bedroom in a two-family home on South Main Street around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, officials said.

Crews were able to quickly get the flames under control, but two people inside were taken to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

The Red Cross is helping the two families until they can return home.

Although they didn't reach a goal of two million riders, thousands of bikers rolled through the Washington, D.C. Wednesday to mark the 12th anniversary of 9/11. 

The bikers -- riding with the group "Two Million Bikers to D.C." -- snarled traffic on the Beltway with a ride honoring the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the members of the military called to serve after the attacks. 

Many riders participating are veterans, and said they rode to protect Americans' freedom in the midst of tumultuous times. 

"The enemy has a say when the war is over," "I believe they're saying it's not, so we're here." 

On their Facebook page, in all caps, the group said they will stand by the Constitution and Bill of Rights, adding that they're "against any fundamental transformation of America."

• Officers Who Died on 9/11 Honored in D.C.

The ride began at Harley Davidson of Washington in Fort Washington, Md., at 11 a.m. Many drivers pulled over along the side of the highway to wave and take pictures. 

"I could stay here for half an hour; I don't care; this is America," said Santana Sensenna while stuck in the traffic.

The bikes rolled in a steady stream for 50 straight minutes before heading to the Beltway. The ride wasn't smooth for everyone. At one point, a motorcycle went down on the Outer Loop in the Bethesda area, causing traffic to back up for miles.

• 9/11 Anniversary Marked With Tributes

At the National Mall, another motorcyclist ran his bike into the back of a pedicab.

"I think the heat got to me and I kind of blacked out a little bit," said the rider, Bill Eisenheart. "You know, I didn't see him."

But the overarching theme of this day was remembering what happened Sept. 11, 2001.

"9/11 happened then, but it's still happening," said rider Ken Mortello.

Mortello, a Desert Storm veteran and full-time firefighter, came down from New Jersey to be a part of the ride. He remembers vividly what the day was like for one of his friends in New York City who rushed into the World Trade Center to help.

"He had a woman with third-degree burns. As he came through a tunnel, one tower collapsed. The tunnel that he was in collapsed -- missed him by about two feet. Buried everybody else that was with him," Mortello said.

He says some friends have still not gotten over that day, and that's why he was riding Wednesday.

• PHOTOS: New York Remembers 9/11

The group apologized on their Facebook page in advance of the event for the gridlock they expected to cause.

Organizers tried to get a last-minute permit to close some intersections near monuments and on Capitol Hill in D.C., but the National Park Service denied that request.

According to US News and World Report, park service spokesperson Carol Johnson said allowing the road closures "would cause a severe service disruption of traffic."

However, permits are not required to hold a rally in the city. It will be up to individual riders whether they choose to enter the city, WTOP reported.

"What could have been a one or two hour ride through will now likely be an all day event," the organizers said in the Sept. 6 post.

Another group of participants made their way up Interstate 95 in Stafford at around 9 a.m. and reached D.C. after 11 a.m. I-95 North at exit 143 in Stafford County was closed for about 15 minutes as motorcyclists began their trip.

MORE ON NBCWASHINGTON.COM:

• Million Muslim March Attendees Confronted by Christian Protesters on National Mall
• Amtrak Service Restored Between D.C., Philly
• Striking Sanitation Worker Struck by Trash Truck
• Trumps Promise Greatness for Old Post Office Hotel in D.C.

A water main break has shut down Route 1 in Groton.

According to police, the water main break is significant, and Poquonnock Road (Route 1) will be closed for several hours.

There are detours in place.  Westbound traffic is being diverted at South Road to Runway Lane to High Rock Road and back to Route 1.  Eastbound traffic is being detoured at Buddington Road to the Gold Star Highway to North Road, according to police.

Water was being shut off in the area, but police did not know if  water service was disrupted to any homes or businesses.

Drivers are urged to avoid the area, police said.

Several people were transported from the scene of a crash involving a rideshare van and an SUV on Interstate 84 East in East Hartford just before 10:30 a.m., according to state police.

Police said the Greater Hartfoord Rideshare van carrying nine passengers was in the center lane of I-84 East in East Hartford, stopped for Department of Transportation construction between exit 55-56. and was struck by an SUV driven by Yusuf Bawwab, 22, of Manchester.

The Ambulance Service of Manchester sent four ambulances to the crash, Aetna also sent an ambulance. Everyone in the van was taken to a hospital to be checked out for possible injuries.

Bawwab was not hurt.

The road remained open after the crash because it is in a construction pattern.

On the 12th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, communities across Connecticut are coming together to honor the lives lost.

WATCH: 9/11 ceremonies in New York here.

Here is a list of local events taking place today to commemorate 9/11:

• Milford: 8 a.m. ceremony at Jonathan Law High School football field.
• Avon: The Avon Volunteer Fire Department will hold its 9/11 Memorial Service at AVFD Company 1, 25 Darling Drive in Avon at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 11, 2013.
• Manchester: 8:30 a.m. ceremony at Manchester Firefighters Memorial Garden, 331 Tolland Turnpike.
• Middletown: 8:30 a.m. ceremony at South District Fire Dept. on Randolph Road.
• Woodbury: 8:30 a.m. ceremony at Hollow Park.
• Bridgeport: 9 a.m. ceremony at Margaret E. Morton Gov. Center, 999 Broad St..
• Farifield: 9 a.m. ceremony at Fire Headquarters, 140 Reep Rd., front ramp
• New Canaan: 9:45 a.m. ceremony at Vine Cottage on Main St..
• East Haven: 11 a.m. ceremony at Town Hall
• West Haven: 2 p.m. ceremony at the University of New Haven in the Maxcy Quad.
• Enfield: 6 p.m. ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial Garden at Station Two on Weymouth Road.
• Danbury: 6 p.m. ceremony at Elmwood Park on Main St.
• Bethel: 6:30 p.m. ceremony at South St Fire Headquarters and then proceed to the lawn of the municipal center with a start time of 7 p.m.
• Greenwich: 6:30 p.m. ceremony at Greenwich Town Hall.
• Wallingford: 7 p.m. New Life Church Community 9/11 Memorial Service, Mountain Ridge Campus, 350 High Hill Road.

Gov. Dannel Malloy has proclaimed Wednesday as "Honor our Heroes and Remembrance Day" in the State and is encouraging residents to join in a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m..

One hundred sixty one victims with ties to Connecticut were killed as a result of the 9/11 attacks.

Once a week throughout the 2013 season, we will focus upon on a player or matchup that could prove troublesome for the Giants in their upcoming game. This week, we’ll take a closer look at Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker. 

Of Wes Welker’s nine catches in his debut with the Broncos on Thursday night, three were on third downs to keep a drive alive, and two ended drives with touchdowns in Denver’s 49-27 victory against Baltimore.

The Broncos, for the record, were second in points scored and third-best converting third downs in 2012 without Welker, one of the NFL’s most skilled inside receivers.

For opposing defenses, it’s another hurdle to clear. Dealing with Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker on the edges is tough enough, but Welker adds to the challenge with his quickness and feel for the passing game.

Welker already has a good rapport with quarterback Peyton Manning; the trio of third-down receptions and the touchdown catches of two and five yards in Week One are proof of that. Welker, who caught nine of 11 passes from Manning, got the best of his matchup with Ravens cornerback Corey Graham, who’s a solid player.

The Giants haven’t faced Welker since Super Bowl XLVI, when he was a member of the Patriots. At various points of that epic battle, safety Antrel Rolle, cornerback Aaron Ross and linebacker Jacquian Williams all had to deal with Welker in coverage in some form or fashion. Overall, Welker caught 7-of-8 passes thrown his way for 60 yards, with a long reception of 19 yards.

On Sunday, Giants cornerback Terrell Thomas could draw Welker in the slot at times. Welker is smaller and quicker than Thomas, but Thomas showed well in his return to action in Week One after missing two full regular seasons with knee issues. In 38 snaps, Thomas notched seven tackles.
“T2 is a hustle guy,” Giants safety Antrel Rolle said of Thomas on Monday, according to the club. “He wants to make every play and that’s what we expect from him and I know we’re just only looking for him to get better.”

No matter who draws Welker, the Giants must be sure tacklers after Welker makes the catch. He’s likely to catch the majority of the passes thrown his way, and it’s up to the Giants to try to limit his damage to little gains.

Welker will get his receptions on Sunday, but if the Giants are to even their record at 1-1, he cannot continually have catches of consequence — the receptions the Broncos need and get as Manning and Welker make it look like they’ve been playing together for years, not months.

Police are investigating a bank robbery at Citizens Bank, at 190 Trumbull Street, Hartford around 9 a.m. today.

Police have not released much information, but said they are looking for the robber or robbers.

A witness told NBC Connecticut that she heard the robbers left the money on a table inside the bank. Police have not confirmed that information.
 

A 54-year-old woman from Orange has died after the motorcycle she was riding collided with a minivan Saturday night in Shelton.

Ramona Seeley died of her injuries today. Police said she was riding on a motorcycle driven by 55-year-old Samuel Seeley when they crashed into a Dodge Minivan at River Road and Murphy's Lane around 9 p.m. Sept. 7.

Samuel Seeley was taken to the hospital with serious, non-life threatening injuries. Ramona Seeley was also taken to the hospital, where she died.

Police said Megan Kalanick, 22, of Shelton, was driving the Dodge and wasn't hurt.

The Shelton Police Traffic Division is investigating and no charges have been filed.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 203-924-1544.

The evacuation at Norwich Superior Court has ended after a bomb threat was reported earlier today.

State police said the threat was reported around 1 p.m. The court was evacuated and people were asked to avoid the downtown area.

Traffic was rerouted during the investigation.

Police searched the courthouse and said they did not locate a bomb or suspicious package.

The Utah man shown in a viral video so loopy from anesthesia that didn't recognize the beautiful woman talking to him was his wife said he would be skeptical of his viral video, too.

Jason Moretensen and his wife Candice appeared on NBC's "Today" show Wednesday amid reports that the YouTube video "Seeing Her for the First Time Again" might be too good to be true.

In the video, Mortensen appears to have suffered amnesia after undergoing hernia surgery. The pharmaceutical executive is shown falling in love all over again with his wife of six years.

"You're the prettiest woman I've ever seen," he tells Candice from his hospital bed, not realizing who she is. After she informs him that they are married, Mortensen tells her he's "hit the jackpot" and compliments her "perfect" teeth. The video has been viewed over 5 million times online.

"He had been acting like that for about 20 minutes before I pulled out my phone, so I finally realized I need to get this on video so he can see how he acts," Candice Mortensen explained on "Today." She plans to show her kids the video someday.

Jason Mortensen said that he doesn't remember anything from the video. He has undergone four other surgeries for his hernia injury.

"I guess I've been a weirdo during all of them," Mortensen said.

Since the video exploded across the Internet, doubters have poked holes in the story. A user on Reddit pointed to a head shot of Mortensen from an acting auditions website. And Slate.com quoted a psychologist who specializes in memory impairment who discounted that the type of memory loss Mortensen seemed to experience could have occurred post-surgery.

Mortensen's surgeon, Dr. Paul Robinson at Intermountain Healthcare Hospital in American Fork, Utah, told "Today" that he was not in the room when Candice shot the viral video. But he said Jason's reaction, while unusual, would not be impossible either.

Earlier this week, Jimmy Kimmel revealed that he was behind another viral video showing a woman catching fire while twerking.

"I heard that on Jimmy Kimmel some video was faked, and I can understand all the skepticism,’’ Jason Mortensen said of his case. “I talked to my doctor yesterday, and he says he’s gotten like 150 phone calls, so I finally gave him permission to tell them that I had the surgery.”

Fall is almost here, but summer is hanging on with temperatures feeling like 100 degrees today.

This is not a record-breaking day of heat, but the temperature reached 90 degrees Fahrenheit at Sikorsky Airport, which matched the record for the day set in 1983.

It's 95 degrees at Bradley International Airport, 4 degrees shy of the record 99 set in 1983.

Be careful if you have to spend much time outside. Heat advisories are in effect until this evening.
We want to know how you are spending this hot late-summer day. Share your photos with shareit@nbcconnecticut.com.