It’s said a mother’s love never dies; it lives on in her children. Cara Belvin is proof of that. 

“I was 9 years old when my mother died of breast cancer,” Belvin said. “My mother was just smart and beautiful and funny, and my brother and I always say she just gave us wings to fly.” 

Through her work as a breast cancer advocate and school psychologist, Cara has wrapped those wings around others. But becoming a mother of two herself helped her realize an even higher calling. 

“I thought surely we’ve had so many advancements in children’s bereavement,” she said, “and what I wished I had [when I was a child] was this opportunity to meet other girls like me ... you feel like the only girl in the world whose mom died.” 

Now 42 years old, Belvin has already outlived her mother by five years. And it was five years ago she had an idea: Mother’s Day was a particularly painful time of year. So, she thought, she would find teenage girls coping with maternal loss, and take them away for a retreat on Mother’s Day weekend. 

In 2014, seven girls were part of the inaugural trip, and empowerHER was born. 

Today, the non-profit has grown to serve hundreds of girls up to age 24 who have experienced the early loss of a mother. Support is provided through events, retreats, and one-on-one mentoring relationships.

Ali Borkowski’s mother Wendy passed away last October after an accident. The 19-year-old Southington student said at first, the loss didn’t feel real, but “when it hit me, oh man it hit me, like a tornado.”

Laurie Faye can relate. She was 17 when her own mother died of breast cancer. so when she was paired with Ali as a volunteer mentor in December, the two had an instant connection. Borkowski said the relationship has helped her open up and cope with the loss.

“Until empowerHER is when I started literally feeling every emotion and being able to talk about it, and that has helped me so much more,” she said.

Not all empowerHER mentors have experienced maternal loss. Some have overcome different challenges and forms of grief. After an extensive screening and matching process, they commit to spending at least five hours a month with their mentees for at least one year. But Laurie and Ali have grown so close, they say they talk every day, and plan to be part of each other’s lives forever.

“I want her to know that she’s going to be OK,” said Laurie. “That I will be there for [her]. And I firmly believe that I am a stronger and better person for everything I’ve gone through and for that loss. And I know that she will be too.”

Mentor-mentee activities range from leisurely lunches, shopping and conversation to more difficult milestones like spending holidays or the anniversary of a mother’s passing together. But the idea isn’t to replace the role of the mother, Belvin said. Instead, mentors provide empathetic support and additional resources for the girl and her family.

“By definition mentors are adults who show a young person they care. A child of grief needs reminders that there are adults who care.”

And most importantly, Belvin said, mentors show girls first-hand that trauma is survivable. That even through grief, there can still be joy in life.

To learn more about empowerHER, refer a girl or become a mentor click here.

A maintenance worker at Staples High School in Westport worker is accused of recording videos of a female student multiple times without her knowledge.

Police arrested 52-year-old Paul Telep Tuesday. According to police, on April 2 the school resource officer noticed that Telep appeared to be recording students, particularly one girl, on his cell phone. The officer confronted Telep and reported the situation to school officials, police said.

Investigators seized the phone and found seven videos of the same student on different occasions. The student told police she was not aware she was being recorded.

Telep turned himself in to police on Tuesday. He was charged with third-degree stalking and released on a $50,000 bond. He is due in court on May 16.

Members of POWER (People Organizing for Women's Empowerment and Rights) House stood on the steps of the Alabama State House on Thursday morning to protest HB314, a bill that amounts to a near total ban on abortions. As lawmakers showed up to vote, the women held up signs that read, “Abortion Is A Human Right,” NBC News reports.

Under the Alabama legislation, doctors could face up to 99 years in prison for performing an abortion procedure. In the version passed by the state House, the only exception would be regarding the mother's health. A Senate committee added an exception for rape, but the Senate suddenly tabled the exemptions for rape and incest Thursday.

“If you get rid of abortions, essentially, it's not going to go away, it's just going to get more dangerous,” said Bianca Cameron-Schwiesow, a clinic escort for POWER House.

The volunteers at POWER House say there is already only a single clinic between Tampa, Florida, and Jackson, Mississippi.“In the late 90s, we had over 20 clinics in the state. And now, in 2019, we have three for the whole state,” said Mia Raven, founder and director of POWER House.

This Sunday may be another chilly and gloomy day on the Connecticut shoreline, but local business owners say they won't let the weather get in the way of making it a special weekend for moms.

"It’s supposed to be pretty chill and a little rainy so we're kinda bummed,” said Susan Jaskot, an owner of Dockside Seafood & Grill in Branford.

Jaskot said moms deserve better weather for Mother's Day weekend.

"We just said that yesterday too, my staff and I were talking, I think this is like the third rainy Mother's Day in a row, yeah it’s not fair," she said.

By now, Jaskot and her staff know how to prepare for the one day of the year when the restaurant takes reservations.

"On days like today and this weekend we'll keep everything sealed up where you can still see out and then we haven outdoor heaters," she said, "so we'll keep it nice and toasty."

So far, it has not felt like April showers have brought May flowers.

"I think everyone's anxious to go out and plant flowers so we get some color and springy feel to the season and it just seems like its taking forever," said Lisa Bonnanzio, owner of Flowers by Lisa in East Haven.

According to the National Retail Federation, Mother's Day spending is expected to set a new record of $25 billion this year. Flowers remain the second most popular gift after greetings cards.

"I think the flowers really do it, they brighten everybody's day with the mix of colors and stuff like that it will be great," Erika Santiago said.

After working Sunday morning at Flowers by Lisa, Santiago said she plans to spend the afternoon with her mom and children at a family barbecue.

"The weather might impact it," Santiago said, "but as long as you’re around family it will still be a great day."

Jaskot said she plans to celebrate Mother's Day on Saturday with her mom. On Sunday, she'll be with extended family at her restaurant.

"We have so many regulars here that people that come all the time they are like family to us so its a fun day," she said.

As of Friday afternoon, Jaskot said she still had limited reservations available at Dockside Seafood & Grill for later in the day Sunday.

The notice arrived at the home of Denise Schreck, a New Jersey woman who suffers from high blood pressure, last July. Valsartan, the blood pressure medication used by Schreck and millions of other Americans, was tainted, NBC News reports.

"URGENT PRODUCT RECALL," blared the words at the top of the letter from her pharmacy.

Since last summer, drug companies have announced a total of 45 recalls of generic lifesaving blood pressure medications. They include certain versions of valsartan and two other blood pressure drugs, losartan and irbesartan, as well as other blood pressure medications that contain the recalled drugs in their formulations. The raw ingredients were all traced to overseas manufacturing sites where drugs can be processed at a lower cost than at U.S. facilities.

"Growing up, we had this saying, 'You get what you pay for,'" said Massoud Motamed, a former inspector with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). "We have that belief for everything except pharmaceuticals. If we want to drive competition and drive the price down, it comes at the cost of quality."

For Motamed, the recalls tell only part of the story. He says a more systemic issue has largely gone unreported: FDA inspectors struggling to keep up with foreign drug manufacturers that may bury or hide problems in their production.

A four-year-plan to ease congestion on the Charter Oak Bridge is finally coming to fruition.

Preliminary work started in April. The construction cones aren’t out yet, but already people are anxiously anticipating the changes coming down the road.

Mention the bridge to drivers around Hartford and the reaction is swift.

“The Charter Oak bridge, forget it. The traffic is terrible,” said Maxine Pugrab of Berlin.

“It’s a challenge,” added Andrew Silvers of Windsor.

Keith Sales drove a UPS truck in this area for most of his career. Now living in Florida, he says he doesn’t miss it.

“The traffic here, it’s ridiculous,” said Sales. “If you don’t go over all the way to the left side of the lane you’re going to be in a God awful mess.”

However, some say when it’s time to exit the aggravation reaches a new level.

“It was like really bad. We could have gotten into an accident,” said Lela Monahan of Manchester.

“They cut your right off, so they’re cutting you just to get over to the other side,” added Pugrab.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is trying to fix the unsafe congested strip of I-91 north for drivers headed from Hartford toward East Hartford and I-84 east over the Connecticut River.

“It’s safety. It’s a huge safety issue right now. The back-up’s all day,” stated Donald Ward, DOT District Engineer.

A $213 million project will add a lane to the interstate, expand the exit to two lanes, and move it from the right side of the road to the left.

“The trucks just cannot get up that incline and get up enough speed to get to that bridge,” explained Ward. “If we get the Charter Oak traffic to the high speed side on the Charter Oak Bridge they just continue straight and there’s no weaving anymore and people who want to get to Rt. 2 they’ll be on the right side.”

The welcome news means drivers may no longer have to find unconventional and unsafe ways to get around the bottleneck.

“Some people are smart enough, they’ve been in it long enough where they’ll get ahead of everybody then creep in where there’s a truck at,” said Silvers.

“What we do is we come off and then we turn around into the gas station and then go up the road,” said Pugrab.

While many people admitted to doing the same thing, Ward said that is ill-advised because the intersection cannot handle the traffic and it’s not a safe area to make a U-turn.

Most of the work on the next exit will done off site and at night so the DOT does not expect construction to add to the delays.

Firefighters rescued residents trapped by fire and smoke at the Springwood Apartments on Allen Street in New Britain Friday.

Fire officials said crews were called out just after 3 p.m. When they arrived they found heavy fire in the back of the building, with people hanging out of windows looking for help.

One resident on the third floor described the tense moments.

"I go out the window, I see people outside and there's smoke so when I opened the door the black smoke pushed me back so I'm in panic mode trying to get out the third floor. How am I going to come out the window?" Joann Herrara said.

Herrara said witnesses brought ladders to try to help them down, but itw asn't untilf firefighters arrived that she escaped.

There are no reported injuries at this time.

The scene is still active and the fire remains under investigation.

The NBC Connecticut meteorologists are tracking scattered thunderstorms that could hit Friday night.

A downpour, lightning, and possibly some small/hail gusty winds are possible sometime between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.

There have been tornado warnings issued in upstate New York, though there is a low threat for severe weather here in Connecticut.

but a downpour, lightning, and possibly some small/hail gusty winds possible 8 p.m.-11 p.m.

The skies will clear up later tonight and make way for beautiful weather Saturday.

Track the storms using our interactive radar.

Get the latest forecast anytime here.

Connecticut’s residential and commercial solar industry has seen significant development in the past decade.

A combination of federal and state incentives has led more people opting to install panels on their roofs or on their property as a way to offset their utility bills.

One company that has reaped the benefits of the boom has been Earthlight Technologies, which is based in Vernon, Connecticut.

“We're hiring like 15 people a year it seems like. We thought 40 was a lot a few years ago and here we are at 70, 71,” said Tim Schneider, one of the owners of Earthlight Technologies, a solar installation and energy efficiency company based in Vernon.

Schneider started installing solar panels in 2013, a year after the state’s program that provided incentives for solar installation started. Since then, he’s hired 71 people, and opened offices in Oregon and Massachusetts.

He receives inquiries from a mix of customers. He says some customers are looking for ways to reduce their electric bill, while others want to be conscious about climate change.

"You can't get much cleaner than that,” Schneider said of the solar panel technology. “The sun is making it and it's running your entire home."

But Schneider sees storm clouds on the horizon. He says changes to the system that benefits consumers who install solar are threatening installers like Earthlight.

Last year, the General Assembly approved and Gov. Dannel Malloy signed legislation that would phase out what’s known as “net metering.” Net metering is the formula, of sorts, that calculates how much power is generated by solar panels, how much the consumer sells it back to the provider or utility company for, and the way the energy credits will be stored.

In most cases with current residential solar customers, they have utility bills that are either in the single digits or very low, and are mainly paying maintenance and utility fees. By going to what’s known as a “tariff” based system, which would essentially cap how much a consumer could sell back the energy they generate for. Currently, the rates for solar-generated power increase over time, which those opposed to net metering describe as unsustainable.

"I feel like net metering is picking a big winner,” said Elin Katz, the consumer counsel for the state of Connecticut who acts a watchdog for the utility industry on behalf of Connecticut residents. “But the net metering is also benefitting the solar installers at a very high level, too. Why are we picking them over offshore wind or battery storage or energy efficiency? Let's do things in a competitive manner which is how we started to do things in this state and then we can get things at a much more reasonable level.”

Katz argues that net metering is close to become too much of a net loss proposition for utility companies, which by extension is a net-loss for ratepayers. She says if too many consumers install rooftop solar arrays, then that will lead to more people paying higher electricity prices as a result. Ratepayers without solar would have to pay more to maintain the grid, prevent blackouts and brownouts, and ensure the infrastructure is ready for major storms. She says those solar customers end up not contributing to the maintenance of the power supply.

"The pot of money is only so big and it all comes from you and I, the people who pay electric bills,” Katz said.

Net metering is set to phase out in the fall of 2019. And one place where Katz, the solar industry, and major utilities like Eversource agree, is that the fall is likely too soon for that to happen. It could create a shock to the utilities and the solar industry as a whole.

In a statement, a spokesman for Eversource told NBC Connecticut, “We believe replacing net metering with a tariff-based system would be fairer to all of our customers. A delay in the phase out will also mean additional time to develop a program that is more transparent than the process currently in place.”

Tim Schneider favors a proposal in the Connecticut General Assembly that would delay the phase out until 2021, and would conduct a study to determine how much residential solar power would be too much until Connecticut consumers are adversely affected.

Katz, Connecticut’s Consumer Counsel, said she was unsure of the exact cost non-solar customers pay to subsidize those with solar panels.

Schneider fears that if there is not a change to net metering to allow it to continue the way it has, or at least in a similar form, then he predicts the most of the industry in Connecticut would close.

“You'll see the big guys gone in months and guys like us we're going to find something else to sell. We're going to go back to the efficiency side,” Schneider said of what would happen to Earthlight, which will install solar on about 200 homes in 2019. “(Electric vehicle) Chargers are coming up big time. We do some of that stuff. We'll keep busy. We won't have 70 employees though, we'll probably be down to 35.”

Katz says the new arrangement, the tariff system, is fairer for the rest of the ratepaying public. She remarks that anyone who rents can’t install solar on their residence and many homeowners don’t have it in their budgets.

Katz says the new policy is a way to keep it reachable for those who want to use net metering and to keep rates down for consumers.

“What if you were just getting a very good deal? Isn't that still something that would make it important and you would consider doing?"

It may seem like common sense not to pack a 2-foot long machete in your carry-on, but the TSA said this is just one of many prohibited items they’ve seized at Bradley International Airport this year alone.

The dangerous, and sometimes strange items they’ve recently recovered include an ax hammer multi-tool, two saws, and a homemade metal pen device containing double-sided nails.

“I don’t pretend to know what’s going on in people’s minds. That’s why we have these awesome security people,” commented Debi Cappucci of Ludlow, Massachusetts.

All of those items were stopped by TSA before they made it onto plans. While most of the passengers were alarmed by the discoveries, one told us that just because something can be considered a weapon doesn’t mean it’s a threat.

“It depends on whose hands it was in,” said Patricia Clark of Deep River.

The TSA said that when items are prohibited but not illegal, the passenger trying to bring them on board is usually given the option to get rid of it, and won’t face any criminal consequence.

TSA says as a rule of thumb to never try to carry any kind of knife in your carry-on bags.

If you’re not sure if an item is prohibited, you can tweet at TSA and they’ll respond.

New Haven police are trying to track down a bank robber who jumped the counter at a local bank and demanded money from the tellers.

Police said the suspect above robbed the Wells Fargo branch at 391 Foxon Boulevard around 3:30 p.m. Friday. Witnesses said the man jumped the counter and grabbed at the cash draws, demanding money. He then shoved cash in his pants and left.

The suspect was last seen behind the bank where he climbed a fence facing Foxon Street. Investigators said they found money along the fence line.

The suspect was wearing a green hooded sweatshirt and a white mask. Police said someone with a similar description robbed the same bank on April 27. The picture above shows the suspect before he entered the bank in April. Surveillance from Friday’s robbery was not immediately released.

Anyone with information should contact the New Haven Police Department Detective Bureau at 203-946-6304.

Hartford was a sports haven Friday night.

For the first time, Hartford Athletic and the Hartford Yard Goats both had a home game on the same night.

While both teams lost, fans we spoke to are thrilled to have more teams in Connecticut to cheer for, after a long history of Hartford teams.

“I used to love the Rock Cats, but now they’re not a team, so it’s fun to have a team to go to,” said Colin, a Wethersfield little league player, cheering on the Yard Goats.

“Yes I enjoy it because I used to go to the Hartford Chiefs, 50 years ago,” said Charlie Lauf laughing.

“It’s absolutely amazing. I don’t go to New York to watch the Red Bull. I’m a Connecticut guy. We finally got pro football here in CT, excuse me, pro soccer here in Connecticut,” Myke Furhman, organizer of the Hartford Athletic supporters.

With both games starting at 7 p.m. Friday, fans has to decide what field to go too.

Sam Raynor of Glastonbury had his Yard Goats hat on at the soccer game, “Finally something to do in Hartford. The beat’s back.”

A few miles west we found fans who favor baseball.

The Laufs of East Hartford say they're the Yard Goats' greatest fans.

They look forward to the games after spending time in Florida. “You know we’ve been to games in Florida but it’s not the same as being home in Connecticut,” said Marilyn Lauf.

To help make sure you stay informed on the most shared and talked about stories, each Saturday and Sunday we'll revisit 5 stories from the previous week, including the most recent updates.

Police Commission Meeting Turns Chaotic

Activists interrupted a Hamden Police Commission meeting Wednesday, demanding an officer be fired and calling for justice after two people in a car were shot at by a Hamden officer and a Yale officer last month. The commission was forced to end the meeting when it was disrupted by protesters chanting "Fire the officer," "no justice, no peace," and "Do your job." See more on the chaotic meeting here.

Constitutional Crisis?

The House Judiciary Committee voted Wednesday to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress as President Donald Trump invoked executive privilege, claiming the right to block lawmakers from the full report on Mueller's probe of Russian interference to help Trump in the 2016 election. Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler of New York declared the action by Trump's Justice Department a clear new sign of the president's "blanket defiance" of Congress' constitutional rights to conduct oversight. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said neither the White House nor Barr "will comply with Chairman Nadler's unlawful and reckless demands." For more on the Constitutional standoff, click here.

End to Religious Exemptions For Vaccinations?

Connecticut's attorney general has given state lawmakers the legal go-ahead to pursue a measure that would keep parents from exempting their children from vaccinations for religious reasons. William Tong's formal opinion released Monday says Connecticut may "create, eliminate or suspend" the exemption. He says it is within the state's "well-settled power to protect public safety and health." Tong offered no stance on whether the General Assembly should scrap the state's religious exemption. See more on the formal opinion here.

Couple Files Lawsuit Over Nightmare Cruise

A Norwich couple is part of a class action lawsuit against Viking Cruises that claims the company sailed through dangerous waters off Norway in March despite advance warning of severe weather. Daniel and Shannon Flewelling both say they were injured on the Viking Sky when the ship became disabled in rough seas. Daniel has been in four different hospitals since just after the ordeal. For more on the lawsuit, click here.

Phil's Back

Five-time major champion Phil Mickelson has committed to playing in the 2019 Travelers Championship. It will be Mickelson's first time back at the tournament in 16 years. He won the tournament in 2001 and 2002. This year's Travelers Championship will be held June 17-23. See more on Mickelson's return here.

Route 15 southbound in East Hartford has reopened after a crash briefly closed it on Saturday afternoon.

The two-vehicle crash closed the three right lanes of Route 15 southbound between exits 90 and 86 around 12:30 p.m., according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation. The highway has since reopened.

It is unclear if there were any injuries.

The UConn women's basketball team and head coach Geno Auriemma announced the addition of guard Evina Westbrook as a transfer. Westbrook spent her first two seasons at Tennessee where she started all 64 games she appeared in. The 6-foot guard has two remaining years of eligibility.

In 2018-2019, she led the Lady Vols with 14.9 points and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 41.9 percent from the field.

Westbrook was named to the SEC Community Service Team in 2018-2019 and was an SEC All-Freshman Team pick in 2017-2018.

She won gold with Team USA at the 2016 FIBA Americas U18 Championship, where she was teammates with current Husky Megan Walker.

Westbrook joins freshmen Aubrey Griffin, Ania Makurat and graduate transfer Evelyn Adebayo as newcomers to UConn for the 2019-2020 season.

Police have recovered the vehicle seen in surveillance video damaging a field at a West Haven school earlier this week and suspects have been identified, according to officers.

Officers were called to a report of vandalism at the Alma E. Pagels School on Benham Hill Road around 5 a.m. on Sunday.

When police arrived, they said they saw tire marks in the field area and damage to a chain link fence.

Investigators said they later obtained surveillance videos showing the vandalism. According to police, one of the videos shows a four-door pickup truck with overhead running lights and a utility box mounted in the bed driving on the field then through the fence line. The vehicle's exhaust noise can be heard as it exited the field.

On Saturday, officers said they found the vehicle seen in the surveillance video damaging the field. Police have recovered the 2004 Chevrolet-Silverado and it is now in the custody of West Haven Police Department. The vehicle had previously been reported stolen out of East Haven, police added.

The suspects responsible for driving the vehicle and causing damage to the school property have been identified and multiple arrests are expected at the end of the investigation, police said. Since the suspects are juveniles, their identities are not being released at this time, officers added.

The investigation is ongoing.

It was no ordinary 5k. Thousands gathered in New Britain, Saturday, pounding the pavement, attempting to stomp out breast cancer.

Now in its 26th year, “Race in the Park” has raised nearly $4 million applied toward research and support projects.

“I keep pinching myself every race day saying, 'wow, look what we’ve done,” said Joyce Bray, the President of the Connecticut Breast Health Initiative.

The day included a 5k for adults and a 1-mile run for children. There were also raffles and silent auction items. All of the money raised stayed here in Connecticut.

“Connecticut is known for a lot of its firsts,” explained Bray. “Breast cancer is a very complicated disease. There’s not one silver bullet that’s gonna be found. So I believe truly, one of the answers to breast cancer will be found in the state of Connecticut.”

Thirty-six-year survivor Peggy Asal was one of hundreds of survivors in attendance, hoping her presence will provide inspiration.

“It makes (current patients) realize they can last longer,” said Asal, “Because unfortunately when it happens, you don’t think you’re gonna last.”

For those currently being treated, Saturday’s event had profound impact.

“It really has a meaning to me,” said Cherie Costa who participated by walking the 5k. “My mom had breast cancer. My sister in-law has it and now me. So, we have to do everything we can to raise funds to get rid of this awful disease.”

Sue Rivard has been singing the National Anthem at this event for 25 years. It has always had special meaning but even more so when when she was diagnosed 9 years ago.

“There’s a lot of emotions. There’s a lot of love here. There’s a lot of strength here,” said Rivard.

“Just take a look around you. love in the masses. That’s it, that’s the key to life, really. That will get you through.”

The race winners themselves ran in tribute. Ann Marie Tuxbury, the first female finisher, said she raced in memory of her grandmother. Overall winner, Mario Vazquez, who has run this race each of the last 16 years, says he runs on Mother’s Day weekend to honor his mom who passed away in 1999.

For more information about Race in the Park, click here.

A pedestrian was taken to the hospital after a hit-and-run in Madison on Saturday morning.

The pedestrian, later identified as a man in his 50's, was hit by a dark-colored Jeep around 9 a.m. at the intersection of Middle Beach Road and West Wharf Road, police said. The vehicle involved in the incident should have front-end damage on the passenger side.

The man who was hit was taken to the hospital, but is expected to be fine, officers added.

Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to give them a call.

The investigation is ongoing.

Three sets of remains were found in the rubble of a gas station explosion in Rockbridge County, Virginia, state police said and NBC News reported.

Matching the remains to identities could take several days, Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation Sgt. Rick Garletts said in a statement Saturday afternoon.

The explosion at the fuel stop, called South River Market, was reported about 9:30 Saturday morning, and rescue crews have been combing through the rubble in an initial search for three to five people who might have been at the site before the blast.

State police initially said in a statement on the explosion, "At this time it does not appear suspicious in nature."

Four injured in the explosion were taken to Carilion Stonewall Jackson Hospital hospital.

More rain is coming and it will make for a wet, dreary, and cool Mother’s Day.

Rain will start moving in overnight into Sunday morning with periods of light to moderate rain and otherwise cloudy skies throughout the day. Highs will be much cooler in the 50s.

More rain develops Monday and may be heavy at times, especially Monday night into Tuesday. There is a chance of more showers on Tuesday.

Get the latest forecast anytime here.