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

New Haven Launches Protect House of Worship Campaign After Mosque Fire

0
0

As local, state and federal investigators try to figure out who set a mosque on fire, New Haven public safety officials have started a new safety campaign for places of worship.

"Unfortunately, now we are talking about security measures," said Ceylan Özen Erişen, the Consul General of Turkey in Boston. "This is where we are now unfortunately."

There is still no break in the case following Sunday's fire at the Diyanet Mosque on Middletown Avenue. Both the FBI and ATF are supporting the New Haven Police arson investigation.

Fires at places where people gather to pray are not a new phenomenon, New Haven Fire Chief John Alston said.

“We saw them rise in the 60s during Civil Rights movement, saw a rise in the 90s,” he said.

Following the suspected arson at the New Haven mosque, the new city effort is focused on protecting houses of worship.

“This is one of the projects we wanted to get off the ground," Alston said, "but its just been expedited.”

This project is about promoting proactive measures to prevent fires, both accident and intentional, Alston explained.

That includes increasing lighting on the property, trimming shrubbery and removing excess leaves or vegetation that could fuel a fire, setting up a neighborhood watch and keeping doors and windows locked, and making sure smoke alarms and sprinkler systems work properly.

“It is very sad that we are talking about all these things because these mosques are supposed to be open houses of worship for everybody, ” said Erişen, who didn't expect her planned visit to New Haven during the holy month of Ramadan to come days after a destructive fire.

Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) checked out the damage Friday morning and he said he plans to share photos of the charred mosque with members of Congress.

"I hope that my colleagues in Washington will be inspired to double or triple the amount of federal resources going to the security and safety of places of worship, all non-profits across the country that may be susceptible to this kind of attack," Blumenthal said.

Sunday's fire has forced the Diyanet Mosque to hold services outside in trailers and under a tent.

The director of Muslim life at Yale University Omer Bajwa told NBC Connecticut he is encouraged by an online fundraiser that has already raised more than $155,000 to help rebuild the mosque.

“It's heartwarming to see the response from not just our community," Bajwa said, "but kind of globally, people that have heard about this on social media and as well of the fact that many of these people are not Muslim and they’re strangers, but they really deeply care about supporting the cause.”

During a visit by federal agents to the mosque Friday afternoon, the ATF announced it is offering $5,000 for anyone with information leading to an arrest in the mosque fire investigation.

There are now three rewards being offered totaling more than $17,000.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Dozens Arrested in Drug Raids in Waterbury

0
0

Waterbury police have arrested 41 suspected drug dealers and hold arrest warrants for 11 others as part of a large-scale operation to crack down on the sale of heroin in the city.

“Operation: Raw Deal” targeted mid-level narcotics dealers in the city, specifically those that sell heroin, and arose in response to an increase in heroin overdoses. The suspects face charges ranging from sale of narcotics to possession in a school zone, conspiracy at sale of narcotics, and firearms violations.

Police said on Wednesday morning multiple teams executed eight search warrants across the city, arresting 41 of the suspects. Investigators seized eight ounces of raw heroin, several thousand bags of heroin packaged for sale, over $15,000 in cash, two cars, two handguns, and a rifle during the raids.

The investigation is ongoing and Waterbury police are still searching for 11 suspects. They are identified as:

 

  • Craig Troxler, 36, facing charges of sale of narcotics
  • Daquan Dangerfield, 24, facing charges of sale of narcotics, conspiracy at sale of narcotics
  • Luis Santiago, 33, facing charges of sale of narcotics
  • Gilbert Gray, 29, facing charges of sale of narcotics
  • Tyreek Anthony Middleton, 23, facing charges of sale of narcotics
  • Jaden Schaefer, 23, facing charges of sale of narcotics
  • Yusef Rawls, 25, facing charges of sale of narcotics
  • Jaiquan McKnight, 23 facing charges of sale of narcotics
  • Javier Mercado, 30, facing charges of sale of narcotics

 

Daevoungh Aaron Ross, 19, facing charges of sale of narcotics, conspiracy at sale of narcotics, operating a drug factory, tampering with evidence and illegal possession of high capacity magazine

Alan Richard Newell, 33, facing charges of sale of narcotics

Anyone with information on any of these suspects is asked to contact Waterbury police at 203-574-6941.



Photo Credit: Waterbury Police Department

Worker Injured in Trench Wall Collapse in Westport

0
0

A worker was injured when a trench wall collapsed at a construction site in Westport Friday.

Police said two people were working in a trench installing a water line on Newtown Turnpike when a trench wall collapsed, trapping one of them from the waist down.

Other workers were able to free the victim before first responders arrived. The victim was taken to a local hospital with what fire officials described as non-life-threatening injuries.

The Newtown Turnpike was shut down but has since reopened.

An OSHA representative was called in to investigate.

No other details were immediately available.



Photo Credit: Westport Fire Department

2 Dead After Suspected Overdose in Hartford: Police

0
0

Two people are dead suspected overdoses in Hartford Friday night.

Police said they responded to a medical call on Maple Avenue and found three victims suffering from apparent drug overdoses. 

Two people have died, according to police.

No other details were immediately available.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Yale Commencement Means Busy Weekend in New Haven

0
0

Graduation season is upon us.

Yale students are gearing up to do just that, which means a busy weekend in New Haven.

Lots of proud parents and other loved ones are packing into New Haven. Rain or shine , Yale’s commencement will be outside Monday so they can host the more than 15,000

“At commencement I will have 13 people here, not including myself,” explained graduating Yale student Sonny Stephens.

Supporters are flying in from Texas.

“I’m really excited to show them what Yale and New haven is all about,” he said.

Businesses and city officials bracing for the extra guests in town.

“We’re going to have a few extra police working with the Yale police so that will be a bit of a cost but we’ll make it back through the way in which people enjoy our city,” said New Haven Mayor Toni Harp.

While the city doesn’t keep specific statistics, they know this weekend packs an economic punch.

Hotels are booked, restaurants reserved.

While it’s “Te Amo Tequilla’s” first commencement weekend, they say Yale students and staff always keep them busy.

“They’re a major part of our business and a part of this city of new haven,” said Karen Bertini, a hostess.

As for parking...good luck finding it.

“Yale graduation is. It’s unbelievably crowded. You can’t. You’re not be able to get a parking spot,” warned Seymour resident Joan Thomas.

Despite the chaos, this Connecticut resident would risk the crowds to witness commencement.

“I would come back. you know it’s like the excitement,” she said.

The city’s director of transportation is reminding locals to be patient and drive slow with so many strangers making their way around the city…

There will be road closures near bigger venues on Sunday and Monday. He said parking garages will be the best option.

Albertus Magnus commencement is also this weekend, on Sunday. They expect around 5,000.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

New Britain Police Build Relationship With Kids Through Basketball

0
0

A new program is getting kids and police teaming up on the basketball court.

The New Britain Police Athletic League, or PAL, is a nonprofit youth organization backed by the police department. In May they started a new program called Midnight Basketball.

"It's very interesting," said participant Elijah Bryant. "It's something I usually don't see a lot."

"We want to bridge the gap between police officers and the youth in New Britain, and a great way to do that is to have academic activities, athletic activities, just different programs that we can all interact in a positive way," said Officer Barry Hertzler, the Officer in Charge of PAL.

Middle and high school students come out on Friday and Saturday nights from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. to shoot some hoops during the warmer months. Along with giving kids something fun to do, it's a chance to continue to build good relationships between officers and the community.

"The next thing you know we might see them when we're in uniform and the relationship has completely changed. We can trust one another, we can have laughs with one another, high fives," said Hertzler.

And by attending Midnight Basketball, kids might become interested in another program like Police Explorers. Travis Brown takes part in Police Explorers to learn about law enforcement. Brown came out to help Friday night's event at Osgood Park and says it's a great way to bring kids together.

"We get to meet a lot of the people in different neighborhoods around here that we really don't see on a day to day basis," said Brown.

Costco and Whitsons Food Services donate food for the games.

To learn more about New Britain PAL and if you'd like to donate, click here.

You can also go to the New Britain Police Department and drop your donation off at the front desk.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

In Case You Missed It Weekend Digest: May 18

0
0

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.

Parents Arrested

Milford police have arrested two parents after launching an investigation into a video posted online in which it sounded like an adult was screaming at and hitting a child, according to a news release from police. Police said they began the investigation after getting complaints about the video from several people. The children have been placed in DCF care. See more about the video and the arrests here.

[[509939422, C]]

Abortion Law

Alabama lawmakers passed the most stringent abortion legislation in the nation Tuesday, making performing an abortion a felony in nearly all cases. The law would make performing an abortion at any stage of pregnancy a felony punishable by 10 to 99 years or life in prison for the provider. The only exception would be when the woman's health is at serious risk. Alabama's governor signed the bill into law on Wednesday. For more on the reaction to the new law, click here.

[[509951012, C]]

Prison Call Costs

Connecticut is considering legislation that would make it the first state in the country to make telephone calls free for prisoners. One obstacle in Connecticut is the potential loss of the revenue generated by the calls. Currently, inmates or their families pay $4.87 for phone calls of up to 15 minutes. That's the second-highest rate in the nation. See more on the proposal here.

Tornadoes Anniversary

Wednesday marked one year since four tornadoes and a line of dangerous thunderstorms caused massive damage in towns through western and central Connecticut. The tornadoes, macrobursts and microbursts left a path of destruction from places like Winsted, Newtown, and Southbury, to Bethany, Beacon Falls and Hamden. For a comprehensive look back at the tornadoes and the damage they left behind, click here.

[[509975732, C]]

Tribute to Teen

A 15-year-old Indiana boy who passed away after a social media challenge that “went horribly wrong,” was given a touching tribute by hospital staff and his family as he was escorted to surgery to donate his organs. Mason Bogard, of Evansville, was critically injured earlier this month after attempting what is known as “the choking challenge,” his family said. See more on the tribute here.

[[509854201, C]]



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut/Milford Police

NYPD Cop Sought Hitman to Kill Ex and Child: Prosecutors

0
0

An NYPD officer was arrested after she tried to have a hitman hired to kill her ex-husband as well as a child, prosecutors say.

Valerie Cincinelli, 34, tried to get her current boyfriend to hire a hitman, a police official told NBC 4 New York. Cincinelli was arrested Friday by the FBI following a sting operation. NYPD Internal Affairs assisted in her arrest.

A source familiar with the investigation tells NBC 4 New York the child was her current boyfriend's 14-year-old daughter. 

The officer's father spoke out late Friday night, defending his daughter saying he doesn't believe she did it.

"I haven't seen anything, and until I do I really shouldn't be saying anything," Lou Cincinelli said at his Long Island home. "But I guarentee you my daughter is innocent of this."

The officer previously worked out of the 106th Precinct in Queens, before being placed on modified duty in 2017 for an unrelated domestic incident, the police official said.

Before that though, she was an award-winning officer, including a "cop of the month" award from the Jamaica Rotary in June 2017.

Cincinelli, who joined the NYPD in 2007, was most recently in a unit known as VIPER that monitored security cameras.

Cincinelli was ordered held without bail at hearing federal court on Central Islip Friday afternoon. NBC 4 New York reached out to her lawyer who had no comment.

According to a complaint filed against Cincinelli by federal prosecutors, she made a cash withdrawal on or about Feb. 18 of $7,000 from a bank to give to a cooperating source, identified to NBC 4 New York as her current boyfriend, who would in turn give it to the hitman. 

On or about May 8, the complaint says, Cincinelli told her boyfriend "to have the hitman kill Jan Doe over the weekend and then wait a week or a month to kill John Doe."

A review of the boyfriend's cell phone and text messages between the him and Cincinelli confirms that they communicated using cell phones multiple times between about February 2019 and the present in furtherance of this murder-for-hire plot, some of which calls and texts were made to or from Oceanside, New York, according to the complaint.

At about 10:10 a.m. Friday, at the direction of FBI agents, Cincinelli was notified in person by a Suffolk County Police Department detective at her home, that her estranged husband had been murdered, according to a detention memo filed by prosecutors. The boyfriend was present with Cincinelli at the time of the notification, outfitted with a recording device at the direction of law enforcement, the memo says. After the detective left the home, Cincinelli allegedly began to discuss her alibi.

Then, at approximately 10:48 a.m., an FBI agent, posing as the hitman, sent a text message to the boyfriend, which included a photograph of the alleged crime scene in which Cincinelli's estranged husband appeared dead in his car, and a demand for an additional $3,000 to kill Jane Doe, the memo said. In response, Cincinelli allegedly instructed her boyfriend to delete the text messages and photographs, citing her fear that law enforcement could subpoena the phone.



Photo Credit: Twitter: @NYPD106Pct

Annual Kids Health and Safety Day Kicks Off in Middletown

0
0

There's all kinds of fun for kids in Middletown on Saturday. It's the annual Kids Health and Safety Day.

The event on Main Street has activities for kids of all ages.

Kids have the opportunity to get health checks including dental, hearing, spinal, blood pressure, glucose and asthma and bike inspections will be available. There is also sand art, spin art and workshops for kids.

Snow Monster is also making an appearance at the event as well.

The Kids Health and Safety Day starts at 10 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m.

NBC Connecticut and Telemundo Connecticut are proud media sponsors of the event.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

I-84 East in Farmington Reopens Following Motorcycle Crash

0
0

Interstate 84 in Farmington has reopened after a motorcycle crash on Saturday.

The motorcycle crash happened on I-84 eastbound around 11:30 a.m. and closed the left and center lanes between exits 37 and 39, according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

The highway has since fully reopened.

The crash caused more than a mile of delays on the westbound side of the highway between exits 39 and 37.

State Police said minor injuries were reported.



Photo Credit: Connecticut Department of Transportation

I-91 in Cromwell Reopens After Motorcycle Crash

0
0

Interstate 91 in Cromwell has fully reopened after a motorcycle crash on Saturday afternoon.

The motorcycle crash was between exits 21 and 22 on the northbound side of the highway and the right and center lanes were closed, according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

The highway has since reopened.

There was also more than a mile of congestion between exits 20 and 22 due to the crash.

It's unclear if anyone was injured in the crash.

Israel Hosts Song Contest Amid Pro-Palestinian Protests

0
0

Millions across the world tuned into the Eurovision Song Contest in Israel on Saturday for their annual fix of the camp and colorful musical spectacle.

Israel is hosting because singer Netta won last year's instalment of the competition renowned for its inclusive message, while Tel Aviv is known as a popular destination for LGBTQ tourists.

But while Eurovision unfolds, an alternative show will be held at venues across the globe as part of an effort to protest this year's host and support Palestinian artists, NBC News reported.

The international Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement says the contest "distracts attention" from Israel's treatment of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. 

The competition comes just weeks after deadly exchanges on the border, with a cease-fire bringing a temporary halt to mounting tensions.

Daily life for most of the Gaza strip's 2 million residents has become increasingly difficult, with almost no clean water and unreliable access to electricity.

"Eurovision in apartheid Tel Aviv is cynically used by Israel's far-right government to artwash, or whitewash through art, its decades-old regime of occupation, colonialism and apartheid against the indigenous Palestinian people," said Omar Barghouti, a co-founder of the BDS movement, in an email to NBC News. 

Activists are instead encouraging music fans to tune into Globalvision — a performance highlighting Palestinian musicians, filmmakers and comedians — that will be broadcast at the same time as Eurovision on Saturday.



Photo Credit: Faiz Abu Rmeleh/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Billboard in Flames in Times Square: FDNY

0
0

An electronic billboard went up in flames in Times Square on Saturday afternoon, firefighters said. 

Flames were seen on the side of an electronic billboard between 42nd and 43rd streets in the heart of Times Square. 

No one was injured and there wasn't any damage to the building, the FDNY said. 

Water from the firefighter's hoses was seen streaming over Seventh Avenue and onto the billboard. Bits of smoking debris fell to the ground below. 

The sign's power had been turned off, the FDNY said. 



Photo Credit: @Mia_TheBlessed/Twitter

Child Hit by Car in East Hartford

0
0

A child was struck by a car and critically injured in East Hartford on Saturday evening. 

According to police the six-year-old was hit by a car in the area of 154 Hillside Avenue and suffered severe injuries. 

The operator of the vehicle remained on scene and is cooperating during the investigation, police said. 

The road is shut down, but is expected to reopen shortly. 

The child was transported to an area hospital and remains in critical condition. 

No other information was made immediately available.

NBC Connecticut will update this story if more information becomes available. 



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

1,700 Additional Separated Migrant Children Identified

0
0

The Trump administration has identified at least 1,712 migrant children it may have separated from their parents in addition to those separated under the “zero tolerance” policy, according to court transcripts of a Friday hearing.

U.S. District Court Judge Dana Sabraw ordered the Trump administration to identify children separated before the zero tolerance policy went into effect in May 2018, resulting in the separation of over 2,800 children. Sabraw previously ordered those migrant families to be reunited, but the additional children were identified more recently when the Inspector General for Health and Human Services estimated “thousands more” may have been separated before the policy was officially underway, NBC News reports.

Other potentially separated migrant children could still be identified. The government has reviewed the files of 4,108 children out of 50,000 so far.

The list of 1,712 children was sent to Customs and Border Protection for the “next phase of review,” said Commander Jonathan White, the Trump administration official who spearheaded the reunification of children separated during zero tolerance, as well as the current effort. White said the identification process started with the children most likely to have been separated, but their findings are not conclusive.



Photo Credit: Susan Walsh/AP

Not Just Party City: Why Helium Shortages Worry Scientists and Researchers

0
0

This month’s announcement from Party City that it’s closing more than 40 stores as it grapples with new challenges, including diminishing helium supplies, likely came as unwelcome news to customers who count on the store for their balloon and event planning needs. But for scientists like Mark Elsesser, the announcement was something of a relief, inflating hopes that the public, and the government, might start paying closer attention, NBC News reports.

“When it comes to helium, we’re at a tipping point,” said Elsesser, who is the associate director of government affairs at the American Physical Society, a nonprofit association of physicists. “Party City has made our job a little bit easier when it comes to getting helium on people’s radar. Helium is something we need to address.”

Liquid helium is like liquid gold to scientists, according to Sophia Hayes, a professor of chemistry at Washington University in St. Louis and one of the nation’s leading helium experts. Scientists have been issuing warnings for years about the world’s shrinking helium supply. This year, the American Physical Society said that addressing the helium crisis is one of its top priorities.

“The helium shortage has hit us really hard,” Hayes said. “The situation is urgent.”



Photo Credit: Maja Hitij/Getty Images

Recently Expelled Plainfield High School Student Arrested, Accused of Making Threat

0
0

Police have arrested a student who was recently expelled and is accused of making a threat to Plainfield High School on Friday.

Officers were notified of a threat to Plainfield High School around 7:40 a.m.

Investigators said the threat was made by a juvenile who had recently been expelled from Plainfield High School.

The threat had been made through social media and involved a post of the former student with a gun, police said. The post had been screen captured and was sent to other students.

Police were immediately dispatched to the high school where the former student was quickly located not on school grounds and detained, according to officers. He was arrested and charged with breach of peace.

After an investigation, police said the incident was brought before a judge of the Superior Juvenile Court in Willimantic who determined there was probable cause. The former student was ordered to be detained to the Hartford Juvenile Detention Center.

He will be in court again on May 21.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

First Alert: Tracking a Monday Storm Threat

0
0

Our team of First Alert Meteorologists are tracking the threat for strong, potentially severe, storms Monday afternoon and into the evening. 

Monday will start off partly sunny, warm and humid. High temperatures will reach the low 80s inland and stay cooler in the low 70s along the shoreline. 

There is still a bit of uncertainty to the strength, time, and location of storms, but enough instability to peak our interest. Any strong or severe weather does appear to be isolated with the greatest threat right now north of I84. 



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

33 People Displaced After Overnight Apartment Fire in Hartford

0
0

Fire officials are investigating the cause of an apartment fire in Hartford that displaced 33 people on Sunday morning.

An officer on patrol duty on Shultas Place was approached by a citizen who informed him of a building fire around 12:45 a.m.

The officer notified a dispatcher and assisted with getting residents out of the building until firefighters could arrive, police said.

Two people were transported by ambulance to Hartford Hospital to be treated for non-life threatening smoke inhalation related injuries.

The fire was contained to a first floor apartment, but the building was deemed uninhabitable by licenses and inspections personnel, according to officers. Thirty-three residents were displaced as a result of the fire and are being helped by the American Red Cross.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Man Suffers Serious Injuries After Crashing Moped into Vehicle, Building in Manchester

0
0

A man has serious injuries after he crashed the moped he was riding into a vehicle and then a building in Manchester on Saturday night.

Officers were called to Spruce Street and Maple Street shortly before 9 p.m. after getting a report of a serious crash with injuries.

Witnesses told police that a moped hit a vehicle and then ran into a building.

When police arrived, they said they found the male moped driver on the ground in front of the building.

According to police, the moped driver was in and out of consciousness and was bleeding from his head. He was later transported to St. Francis Hospital where he is being treated for non-life threatening injuries.

The driver of the other vehicle is cooperating with police and is not a suspect, officers said.

The incident remains under investigation by Manchester Police Department Traffic Unit and the Metro Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who has additional information should contact Ofc. Sargolini at (860) 645-5560.

Viewing all 57608 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images