Quantcast
Channel: NBC Connecticut
Viewing all 57608 articles
Browse latest View live

Waterford High School in Shelter-in-Place Lifted

$
0
0

A shelter-in-place at Waterford High School is over. Police said it was issued Tuesday after a bullet was found in a student support conference room.

Waterford High School’s administration and Waterford Police Department’s school resource officer conducted interviews and learned who brought the bullet to school and said it might have been accidental. 

Police and the school are continuing to investigate. 

Students were never in danger and all students are safe, according to police.

The bus schedule remains as normal.

Students were able to participate in their normal classroom activities during the shelter-in-place, but no one was allowed to enter or leave the school.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

NAACP Calls for People to Attend Simsbury Board of Ed Meeting After Controversial Photo

$
0
0

The NAACP is calling for people to go to Simsbury's board of education meeting Tuesday night after a controversial photo surfaced on social media that appears to show two Simsbury High School students in blackface.  

The incident is not on the regular meeting agenda, but an agenda for a special meeting tonight does mention that the board is expected to go into executive session to “discuss a student discipline matter.” 

The greater Hartford branch of the NAACP issued a news release Monday afternoon calling for residents to attend the Board of Education meeting “to voice their collective concerns following an incident in which two Simsbury High School students appeared in ‘blackface’ on social media.”

“The Simsbury Board of Education needs to understand that this incident has repercussions beyond the town,” GHNAACP President Maxien Robinson-Lewin said in a statement. “The action – or inaction – of the district following the unconscionable actions of these students is unacceptable. We know there is strength in numbers, so we plan to show our strength at tomorrow’s meeting.”

Superintendent Matthew T. Curtis said he sent a message to parents last week about the meeting.

“First and foremost, I want to acknowledge the challenges of the last several weeks relative to the incident earlier this month where racially offensive images were posted by SHS students on social media. No one wants what has happened here to define us as a community. What will define us is what we do with the tough lessons we have learned and conversations we have had. As Superintendent, I have had an opportunity to meet, speak with, and learn from many individuals both inside and outside the community over the past two weeks and the feedback has been meaningful. While I have heard from many individuals who have had suggestions about how we can improve our efforts related to inclusion and diversity, I have also heard from others who wish to voice their opinions and provide feedback in a public way. As such, the board and I would like to invite members of our Simsbury community to our Board of Education meeting on Tuesday February 26th, at 7:00 pm to be held at the Simsbury High School Amphitheater. We will hear from any community members who wish to speak during the public audience session at the very beginning of the meeting. Our goal is to provide an opportunity for families to share their perspectives on school climate and to offer suggestions and advice for moving the school community forward productively,” Curtis wrote. “We look forward to seeing and hearing from you on February 26th.”

Robinson-Lewin said she wanted to see students held accountable for their actions She said the students received a one-day suspension.

"To me, that does not teach the students that their actions have consequences," she said. She also said she wants the school to revisit the disciplinary policy. 

“I think that it's very important they are disciplined accordingly because their policy allows for them to be disciplined, even though the incident happened off school grounds,” Robinson-Lewin said. 

Curtis said in an emailed statement that, under FERPA, school officials are “prohibited from discussing or disclosing any discipline information about our students.”

The public meeting will be held in the Simsbury High School auditorium. It starts at 7 p.m. 

South Windsor Public Works Crews Rescue Wedding Ring

$
0
0

When a man accidentally dropped his wedding ring down a storm drain in South Windsor, he thought he’d never see it again.

Married couple Kayla Mikkelson and Jose Encarnacion said they were walking along Deming Street in South Windsor outside the daycare where they work last Friday, when all of a sudden Encarnacion’s wedding ring slipped off his finger.

“His ring is too loose because I bought a size too big,” Mikkelson said.

“I thought she was going to kill me,” said Encarnacion.

It fell into this catch basin. They did what they could to pull it out on their own, but it was too tough.

“He tried to get it out with a stick and it went into the water,” Mikkelson said. “I was nervous because I was like—I could buy another ring, but it’s not going to be the first ring.”

They called police for help, who connected them to the town's Public Works Department. A crew came out right away.

“We shifted some guys around,” said Vincent Stetson, Superintendent, Street Services. “They brought some pumps out.”

They used a special technique to suck out the water.

“We have a bunch of pumps here that could have very easily sucked everything up and broken the ring, but they used a little puddle pump and took their time,” Stetson said.

After an hour and half, the drain was dry and the ring was found.

A symbol of their love that was almost lost. Now it’s one they said they’ll cherish more than ever.

“I was happy,” Mikkelson said.



Photo Credit: South Windsor Public Works
This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Mailbox Plow Damage: Simsbury DPW Clarifies Town Guidelines

$
0
0

Some Simsbury residents are raising concerns about snow plows damaging mailboxes but the town’s Department of Public Works believes homeowners bear some of the responsibility as well.

“We’ve had to repair ours a couple of times, but we’re going to put in a more sturdy one this summer so that shouldn’t be as big of a problem,” Guy Weiland of Simsbury said.

The Director of Public Works told NBC Connecticut the department has had close to a 100 damaged mailbox complaints so far this winter due to heavy slush or the plow of the truck hitting a mailbox. He said each complaint is reviewed and temporarily fixed on the spot if possible.

“The drivers do their best,” explained Director Tom Roy. “They take a lot of care but inevitably things do happen.”

Roy said homeowners are responsible for making sure their mailbox is properly secured. According to the town, along with being anchored, the mailbox must be at least 9 inches back from the curb or pavement.

“We have, unfortunately, seen mailboxes that are right up against the edge of the roadway and some that actually overhang the roadway. It’s just inevitably going to lead to contact with the plow.”

Some residents said it really isn’t an issue and they appreciate what the crews do and the long hours they work. They said the solution may be different in each case.

“It just depends on the amount of damage,” Chris Odlum of Simsbury said. If it’s minor, I wouldn’t have that big of an issue, but if the whole thing just literally just popped out and was on the street, I guess it’s a little bit of a different issue.”

According to town officials, if a plow hits a mailbox and it meets town requirements, the town will cover the cost of repairing or replacing a post or mailbox with a reimbursement of $25. They also encourage residents to come on a ride-along with one of their drivers to gain a better understanding of what they run into during storms.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

MISSING PERSON: 86-Year-Old Woman Missing From New Britain

$
0
0

Police are trying to locate an 86-year-old woman missing from New Britain.

Authorities have issued a Silver Alert for 86-year-old Mary Braga. She is 5-foot-6, 140 pounds, with grey hair and brown eyes.

She was last seen wearing an ivory shirt with flowers, gray pajama pants with polka dots and a gray wool hat. New Britain police said Braga suffers from Alzheimer's and speaks Spanish. She uses a cane.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts should contact New Britain Police at 860-826-3000.



Photo Credit: Connecticut State Police

Election Results: Special Elections in 5 Districts

$
0
0

Senate Democrats in Connecticut declared victory in two out of three state Senate races Tuesday night, with an upset in the 6th District giving Republicans another voice in the General Assembly.

The Special Election was held to fill three vacant state Senate seats and two vacant House of Representatives seats after those lawmakers resigned in order to accept jobs in the new Lamont administration.

Democrats Derek Slap won the 5th District seat and Saud Anwar the 3rd District, while Rick Lopes lost to Gennaro Bizzarro in New Britain. Democrats still control the Senate with a comfortable 22-14 majority.

While the Bizzarro victory was a huge upset, the Saud Anwar victory was a romp in what could have been a much closer election. A source told NBC Connecticut’s Max Reiss the margin was 58 percent to 41 percent.

Democrat Anthony Nolan claimed victory in the race for the 39th House District, with Republican Joseph Zullo taking East Haven's 99th District seat.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Simsbury Community Voices Concerns About Controversial Photo

$
0
0

People in Simsbury attended a Board of Education meeting Tuesday night to voice their concerns weeks after a photo that appears to show two students in blackface materialized on social media.

The superintendent and NAACP both encouraged people to attend the meeting. For many who spoke, this went beyond one incident. They said cultural education needs to be a priority.

During public comment, there was disagreement on the intent of the photo.

“It was hurtful and it was inappropriate however I don't believe there was racial hostility in these children's hearts,” one attendee said.

Maxien Robinson-Lewin, president of the Greater Hartford NAACP, disagreed.

“I do think it was intentional And whether it was intentional or unintentional I think these kids should be held accountable for their actions,” she said.

Some felt this incident was isolated, but Robinson-Lewin said they need to have bigger conversations about changing climate and culture.

Current and former students spoke up, sharing their own experiences.

“I hear the n-word uttered every day in the halls, and it's something the teacher hears and just shut their door,” one student said.

The key for many was moving forward through education in the classroom.

Superintendent Matt Curtis said since the incident they’ve held small group discussions with students, and administrative staff participated in a cultural competency workshop. And it won’t stop there.

“My hope is from these challenging times comes an opportunity to learn to grow and to educate each other,” Curtis said. “There is no room for hate in this conversation.”

Some called for harsher disciplinary actions for the students involved, while others said it shouldn’t be about punishment, but education.

The school district said due to federal law, they’re unable to discuss any disciplinary action taken.

Haddam Parents Fight to Keep Elementary School Open

$
0
0

People in Haddam are fighting to save an elementary school as the school district moves ahead with plans to close and sell it.

Community members worry about losing their beloved Haddam Elementary School and hoped for a reprieve at a Board of Education meeting Tuesday night.

“My little girl loves the school. She cries when she comes home and thinks about her school closing," said parent Jennifer Petrillo.

Petrillo is among a passionate group fighting to keep the school open.

“It’s been a long year. A lot of time away from the family," she said.

Since the decision last year to shutter it at the end of this school year backlash has been growing in the community.

“It’s so torn and it’s so sad," said Regional School District 17 School Board Member Brenda Buzzi.

Buzzi and another board member threw out a Hail Mary at the meeting: a motion to delay the closure by a year.

“It got the heart racing. We were hoping it was going to change and then it backtracked and flip-flopped," said parent Megan Maynard.

Ultimately the effort failed.

And now the district will work with the towns that make up the district, Haddam and Killingworth, to look at a proposal by a developer to convert the school into apartments.

It’s now definitely a joint effort," said Joanne Nestia, the BOE chair.

Nesti defended a process that some in the community feels they have been left out of and has been rushed.

“We’re trying to be what’s good for a school district of 14,000 people," she said.

Supporters of closing the school say it comes as there are fewer kids in school in the district and consolidation can help save money.

Opponents say their fight to save it will continue. 



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Man Killed in Crash on Route 87 in Lebanon

$
0
0

One person has died after a crash on Route 87 in Lebanon early Wednesday morning.

The single-vehicle crash happened around 1:30 a.m. on Route 87, also known as Trumbull Highway, according to Connecticut State Police.

Firefighters said a man was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not been released.

Route 87 was closed between Goshen Hill Road and Waterman Road. It has since reopened.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

State Police Seize 27 Pounds of Marijuana in North Canaan

$
0
0

One man is facing narcotics-related charges after Connecticut State Police seized 27 pounds of marijuana from a home in North Canaan during an investigation on Tuesday night.

Troopers and several detectives from the Western District Major Crime Squad executed a search warrant at a home in North Canaan on Tuesday.

They said a total of 27 pounds of marijuana was seized and 63-year-old James Madsen was arrested on several narcotics-related charges.

He is in custody, pending a court appearance on a $30,000 cash or surety bond.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about drug activity is encouraged to contact Troop B at (860) 626-1820. All calls will remain confidential.



Photo Credit: Connecticut State Police

WATCH: Michael Cohen's Public Testimony, With Live Updates

$
0
0

Michael Cohen, the former personal lawyer and fixer for President Donald Trump, is testifying in public before the House Oversight Committee. Cohen is expected to provide alleged evidence of criminal conduct by Trump, including in the period since he took office. Trump dismissed Cohen in a tweet sent hours ahead of the hearing by claiming he "is lying in order to reduce his prison time."

Watch live above — the blog below will refresh every two minutes.

[[504984452, C]]

[[501561521, C]]



Photo Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

State Trooper Transported to Hospital After Cruiser Gets Hit on I-91N in Windsor

$
0
0

A Connecticut State Police Trooper was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries after his cruiser was involved in a crash on Interstate 91 north in Windsor early Wednesday morning.

Troopers were called a two-car crash on I-91 north near exit 35 around 12:30 a.m.

A state police cruiser was stopped in the right lane of the four northbound lanes of the highway assisting with traffic control while a tow truck removed a vehicle involved in a previous incident. The police car had its emergency lights activated and there was a flare pattern, troopers said.

A vehicle, driven by 36-year-old David Thomas Simmons, of Pennsylvania, was traveling northbound in the right lane and collided with the back of the police car, according to state police.

While state police were investigating, they said Simmons admitted to drinking alcohol before the crash.

Police said they detected a strong odor of alcohol on Simmons's breath and his person and he was seen with red glossy eyes. Simmons is also accused of slurring his speech and stumbling as he walked to the back of his vehicle.

According to state police, Simmons remained silent when he was asked to provide information associated with the crash.

He was arrested on scene and is facing charges including DUI and failure to move over for an emergency vehicle.

Simmons was unable to post a $10,000 bond and was transported to the Hartford Correctional Center. He is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday in Enfield.

The State Trooper, later identified as 52-year-old Robert Zdrojeski, was transported to Hartford Hospital to be evaluated for non-life threatening injuries.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com
This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Mail Truck Catches Fire at North Haven Gas Station

$
0
0

A mail truck caught on fire at a gas station in North Haven on Wednesday.

Firefighters said the vehicle caught fire at the Mobil Station on Washington Avenue.

In a photo tweeted by North Haven Fire Department, flames and smoke can be seen coming out of the front of a United States Postal Service mail truck near gas pumps at the gas station. 

According to fire officials, firefighters were able to keep the fire contained to the mail truck and it did not extend to the fuel pumps or building.

No injuries were reported.

The Mobil Mart is currently closed. It is unclear when the business plans to reopen. 



Photo Credit: North Haven Fire Department

‘Wing Tip Strike’ Reported on Southwest Flight at Bradley

Read Cohen's Explosive Opening Statement to Congress

$
0
0

President Donald Trump's former attorney, Michael Cohen, is set to testify publicly in the House of Representatives Wednesday. Read a draft of the explosive document, in which he alleges that Trump is a racist, cheating "conman" who knew more about WikiLeaks' hack during the presidential campaign than he led on at the time, obtained by NBC News from a congressional aide.

App users can read the document here.

Hours before the hearing, Trump tweeted that Cohen "is lying in order to reduce his prison time."

The hearing in the House Oversight and Reform Committee begins at 10 a.m. ET.



Photo Credit: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

Price Rite in Willimantic to Close

$
0
0

The Price Rite in Willimantic will be closing at the end of March.

The store, which employs around 40 people, is slated to close on March 23.

Company officials said all current full- and part-time employees are being offered comparable positions at other Price Rite Marketplace stores in the region.

“We appreciate all the hard work, loyalty and dedication of each and every one of our associates and wish them all the best in their future endeavors. It has been a privilege to serve the local community over the past nine years,” the statement from the company says.

They said they do not plan to close any other Connecticut Price Rite stores this year.

There are nine other Price Rite supermarkets in Connecticut, according to the company's website.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Red Sox Cancel Player Availability Amid 'Family Emergency' Situation

$
0
0

A Red Sox player press availability in Florida was abruptly canceled Wednesday morning after a reported family emergency affecting someone in the team's organization.

It's unclear which player or staff member is affected.

However, pitcher David Price tweeted out a message of support for the player.

"Through triumph, tragedy, and heartbreak this team/organization sticks together!!" he wrote.

A Red Sox spokesperson said the team will share details "when appropriate."



Photo Credit: NBC Sports - Boston

Kids Aged 11, 13, 15 Accused of Leaving Stolen Vehicle on Wallingford Road

$
0
0

An 11 year-old, a 13-year-old and a 15-year-old are accused of leaving a stolen vehicle on a road in Wallingford early Wednesday morning.

Officers were called to North Colony Road during the early morning hours after getting a report of a vehicle that had been left in the road.

Police said a witness told them that three people left the vehicle and were walking south on North Colony Road.

While officers were responding to the call, they said they found three people walking along North Colony Road.

After investigating, police learned that the three people officers saw were the same people the witness saw leaving the vehicle in the road.

Investigators said the vehicle left in the road was stolen from Hamden on Sunday and the three people were all juveniles aged 11, 13 and 15.

All three were arrested and charged with larceny.

The 13-year-old was released into the custody of his mother. The 11-year-old and 15-year-old were detained and later transported to a juvenile detention on a juvenile custody detainer, according to police.

Boy Dies After Accident at Mount Southington

$
0
0

An 8-year-old boy has died after an accident at the Mount Southington, according to Southington Police. 

Police said the child was injured in an accident on Feb. 19 and was treated at the scene, then transported to a local hospital. 

Police learned on Feb. 20 that the boy died from his injuries. 

The medical examiner said the child died of blunt impact injury to head with a skull fracture and his death was accidental. 

NBC Connecticut reached out to Mount Southington but there was no immediate response.

2-Year-Old Falls Through Vent in Floor at Vernon Home

$
0
0

A toddler was taken to the hospital after falling through a vent in the floor of a home in Vernon on Wednesday.

Police said the 2-year-old child fell six to seven feet into the basement through a vent in the floor of a home on Regan Road.

The child was awake and conscious when first responders arrived and was taken to Connecticut Children's Medical Center, according to officers.

It is unclear what caused the vent to give way. Police said the incident appears to be an accident.



Photo Credit: Vernon Police
Viewing all 57608 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images