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Calif. Student Uses Snapchat's 'Gender Switch' Filter to Nab Cop Allegedly Looking to Hook Up With Teen Girl

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A San Francisco Bay Area college student used a Snapchat filter to pretend he was an underage girl online and take down a San Mateo police officer allegedly looking to hook up on Tinder.

Ethan, 20, told police he had a female friend who had been molested as a child and went online to create an undercover profile to identify possible pedophiles.

The student, who did not provide his last name because he fears retaliation, used Snapchat's gender-switch filter to take a picture of himself and posed as a woman named "Esther" on Tinder.

One man messaged him.

"I believe he messaged me, 'Are you down to have some fun tonight?' and I decided to take advantage of it," Ethan said.

He then texted the man on a different app that he was 16 years old and asked if that would bother him. Police said screengrabs of the conversation show it did not bother the suspect.

"We started texting on there, and it got a lot more explicit," Ethan said.

The person on the other line, investigators said, was Robert Davies, a San Mateo police officer. He was arrested last week by San Jose police on suspicion of discussing sexual activity with a minor on social media.

Davies also was recently recognized for his police leadership.

Ethan said Davies and him exchanged messages for over 12 hours. He sent screengrabs of their conversations to Crime Stoppers.

"I was just looking to get someone," Ethan said. "He just happened to be a cop."

Davies has been placed on paid administrative leave, according to the San Mateo Police Department. San Mateo police Chief Susan Manheimer released a statement about the arrest last week:

"This alleged conduct, if true, is in no way a reflection of all that we stand for as a Department, and is an affront to the tenets of our department and our profession as a whole. As San Mateo police officers, we have sworn an oath to serve and protect our communities. I can assure you that we remain steadfast to this commitment to serving our community with “Professionalism, Integrity, and Excellence."

Davies faces a charge of contacting a minor to commit a felony, police said.

Anyone with information about the incident or any similar incidents should contact Detective Michael O'Grady at 408-537-1397. Those wishing to remain anonymous may call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line, 408-947-STOP (7867).



Photo Credit: NBC Bay Area
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New NASA Program Will Give Us the 1st Female Moonwalker

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A new NASA program aims to put the first woman on the moon by 2024, NBC News reported.

The Artemis program, unveiled last month, takes its name from the twin sister of Apollo, the namesake of NASA's original moon landing project. The nation is coming up on the 50th anniversary of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin making the first moon landing in Apollo 11.

Artemis is already in the works, with its massive new launch system set for a debut next year. A manned test is planned for 2022, followed by the construction of a small space station to orbit around the moon and then the 2024 return to the lunar surface.

The program faces political, technological and budgetary hurdles, and accomplishing the landing by 2024 is a tall task, with plenty of doubters.



Photo Credit: NASA

UTC Plans to 1,000 New Hires at Pratt & Whitney in Connecticut: Governor

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Farmington, Connecticut-based United Technologies Corporation and Waltham, Massachusetts-based Raytheon are merging and Governor Ned Lamont released a statement Tuesday about the company’s plans in Connecticut.

This comes after announcements that around 100 positions would be moved to new headquarters in the greater Boston area.  Part of UTC’s plan includes 1,000 new hires at Pratt & Whitney here in the state, the governor said. 

Lamont said he has been speaking with UTC CEO Greg Hayes and UTC intends to make 1,000 new hires at Pratt & Whitney in Connecticut over the next few years, Otis will remain in the state upon spin-off and the company are already hiring new employees for its headquarters in Farmington. 

The governor said over the weekend that nearly all of UTC’s 190,000 employees will remain in Connecticut with around 100 moving to the new headquarters in the greater Boston area. 

“In our conversations, Greg commended our work in crafting an honestly balanced budget, delivered on-time, without raising income tax rates. To that end, I’m excited that UTC has agreed to do two things to reinforce their existing presence in our state,” Lamont said in a statement. 

“The first is that UTC intends to make 1,000 new hires at Pratt & Whitney in Connecticut over the next few years. The second is that Otis will remain in Connecticut upon spin-off and they are already hiring new employees for their headquarters in Farmington,” Lamont said.

Read the full news release here. 



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Summer Solstice 2019: What You Need to Know

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The summer solstice sets off the official start of summer as the Northern Hemisphere angles itself at the point in its orbit closest to the sun, causing the longest day and shortest night of the calendar year. Many cultures, both ancient and modern, celebrate the sunlight with rituals and holidays.

What Is the Summer Solstice?

The term solstice comes from the Latin words "sol" (sun) and "stitium" (still or stopped). It is used to describe the exact moment when the poles are tilted at their maximum toward or away from the sun.

The summer solstice occurs when the sun is directly above the Tropic of Cancer, which is the circle marking the latitude 23.5 degrees north, and which runs through Mexico, the Bahamas, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, India and southern China, according to the National Weather Service. For those living above the Tropic of Cancer, it is the longest day of the year.

For those who live in the Southern Hemisphere, this is the shortest day of the year and marks the arrival of winter. The longest day of the year for those south of the equator occurs between Dec. 20 and 22, when the sun is directly above the Tropic of Capricorn. This marks the winter solstice where the Northern Hemisphere will experience the shortest day of the year.

When Is the Summer Solstice?

The summer solstice usually falls between June 20 and 22 each year. This year, the solstice will occur on June 21 at 11:54 a.m. ET.

What Are the Traditions of the Summer Solstice?

The summer solstice has been observed by humans since as early as the Stone Age, and was a significant holiday for many ancient cultures.

In the past, summer solstice traditions included spreading ashes from bonfires across one's garden to bring a bountiful harvest, to wearing protective garlands of herbs and flowers to ward off evil spirits, according to History.com.

"The significance of the summer solstice to ancient cultures had many aspects, including calendaring, crop planting and agriculture, moving their camp or housing location for nomadic peoples, and annual cultural ceremonies,” said Aparna Venkatesan, an associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of San Francisco.

Ancient Romans celebrated the arrival of the summer with a religious festival in honor of Vesta, goddess of the hearth, according to History.com. Women would enter temples named for the goddess to leave offerings with the hopes of receiving good blessings for their families.

In Ancient Greece, the summer solstice sometimes marked the new year and became a time to hold a festival for Cronus, the god of agriculture. Even slaves were allowed to break social codes and participate in the festivities.

The alignment of Ancient archaeological structures such as the Great Pyramids of Kufu and Khafre on Egypt’s Giza plateau suggests Ancient Egypt observed the summer solstice as well. That's because if you're standing directly in front of the Sphinx, the sun sets precisely between the two pyramids on the summer solstice. Stonehenge, the 5,000-year-old ring of standing stones in southwest England, aligns with the direction of the sunrise on the summer solstice. And while History.com notes that there is little archeological evidence to suggest the location was used for prehistoric rituals, thousands of visitors, many in colorful costumes, gather around the monument annually to watch the sunrise.

Many Native American tribes performed solstice rituals. According to History.com, the Sioux took part in a "ceremonial sun dance around a tree while wearing symbolic colors." Researchers believe that Wyoming's Bighorn Medicine Wheel, an arrangement of stones that has been found to align with the rising sun at the summer solstice, was the site of the tribe's annual dance. Remaining tribes still take part in solstice rituals, according to History.com.

How Is the Summer Solstice Celebrated?

In Sweden, the summer solstice is marked with Midsummer celebrations, as citizens enjoy the end of a long winter with assorted pagan traditions, according to the Swedish Institute. People start the day by picking flowers and making wreaths to hang on maypoles, which are then used for traditional ring-dances. Unmarried girls who place flowers under their pillows before going to bed will dream of their future husbands, according to local superstition. Modern Swedes believe it is a magical time for love; many weddings and christenings are held around the solstice. 

Followers of modern-day Wicca, a nature-based pagan religion based on pre-Christian traditions, celebrate the Sun God on the longest day of the year with fruitful picnics on floral-adorned altars. According to Liza Chamberlain, author of "Wicca for Beginners: A Guide to Wiccan Beliefs, Rituals, Magic, and Witchcraft," the Wiccan Sabbat celebration of midsummer, or "Litha," marks the "pinnacle of the Sun's power to fuel the growing season."

And in southern California, the city of Santa Barbara hosts a three-day festival for the summer solstice, featuring street vendors, music, lots of food and a parade. The Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Celebration, which is in its 45th year, will take place on June 21 through June 23

Each year, thousands of yogis from around the world flock to Times Square in New York City to celebrate the summer solstice with free yoga classes. The annual yoga fest, "Solstice in Times Square: Mind Over Madness Yoga," was launched in 2003 and designed to keep urban-dwellers centered, focused and present, according to the event's organizers.

"As the sun climbs to its highest point and is suspended in the sky for the longest period, it provides us with a vital force that sustains all of life, giving us a focal point and uniting our purpose to achieve our highest ambitions," wrote Douglass Stewart, the event's co-founder, on the event's website.

Those looking to find zen in the busiest neighborhood in Manhattan can sign up for one of the seven classes scheduled throughout the day.

Is there a full moon on the summer solstice?

No, this year's summer solstice does not coincide with a full moon. June's full moon will actually land on Father's Day, June 16. 

It's rare that a June full moon, also known as the Strawberry Moon, lands on the solstice. The last time that happened was in 2016 and before that it occurred in 1948. 



Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Three Rare Lobsters Found in Lobster Tank at Supermarket in Cromwell

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Three rare yellow/orange lobsters wound up in lobster tanks at the Stop & Shop in Cromwell recently and have been moved to an aquarium in Rhode Island. 

Stop & Shop said another yellow/orange lobster wound up in the tank in a market in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. 

The three lobsters found in Cromwell are now living at Beavertail State Park's aquarium in Jamestown, R.I. 

The lobsters, now named Larry, Moe and Curly, were picked up from the Cromwell Stop & Shop on Saturday and are fine, according to Stop & Shop. 

The lobster that ended up at the North Attleboro store is with Biomes Marine Biology Center in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.



Photo Credit: Stop & Shop

New Contract Gives CT Transit Drivers Better Restroom Access

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For the first time, a newly-agreed upon contract between CT Transit management and the union representing hundreds of local bus drivers includes specific language dealing with the lack of accessible restrooms on the drivers' routes. It's an issue that NBC Connecticut Investigates has been following for more than a year.

"We have a victory," said Veronica Chavers, who has been a CT Transit bus operator for 27 years. "We did it," she said.

Chavers is also president and business agent of the Amalgamated Transit Union (Local 443) in Stamford, one of the local union groups that has worked to address the restroom issue over the last several months. "I'm so proud of that," Chavers said. "I'm glad that the company saw what we meant, because we meant business."

Longtime CT Transit operator Mike Wendus was the first driver to speak out publicly. Wendus told NBC Connecticut Investigates in June 2018 about the embarrassing “accident” he had while behind the wheel.

"Mother nature came calling and rather quickly," Wendus recounted.

Some drivers had even resorted to wearing adult diapers on the job, the union said.

"You're just humiliated and embarrassed and it never should have come to this," said Wendus.

More drivers went public and even organized rallies which lead to the formation of “bathroom committees” in the Hartford, New Haven and Stamford regions. The committees were established to help identify safe, clean and accessible restrooms - often in businesses or in public buildings.

The new contract was ratified on Sunday June 9, according to union officials.

A copy of the contract provided to NBC Connecticut shows that CT Transit management would agree “to identify and ensure that there are safe, clean, accessible on all routes.” If a restroom does not exist, management would agree to make efforts to purchase, install and maintain “a secure, portable restroom.”

Any restroom-related incidents including drivers soiling themselves, restroom access denials, or any unsatisfactory conditions of bathrooms shall be documented, according to the copy of the contract provided to NBC Connecticut.

The new contract will remain in effect for the next three years, according to union officials.

“CT Transit is pleased to have worked collaboratively with the union on a new contract that addresses the concerns of our staff along with the needs of our customers," said Cole Pouliot, CT Transit general manager. CT Transit, which also operates under the name H.N.S. Management Company, Inc., is overseen by the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

"We look forward to continuing to provide the highest level of service and support to our customers in the future," said Pouliot.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Alabama Becomes 7th State to Approve Castration for Some Sex Offenses

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Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Monday signed into law a measure requiring anyone convicted of sex crimes with children younger than 13 to be chemically castrated as a condition of parole, NBC News reports. Under the new law, offenders required to undergo the reversible procedure must begin the treatment at least a month before their release dates and continue treatments until a judge finds that it's no longer necessary.

The bill was introduced by Rep. Steve Hurst, a Republican representing Calhoun County, who said that if he had his way, offenders would be permanently castrated through surgery."If they're going to mark these children for life, they need to be marked for life," Hurst told NBC affiliate WSFA of Montgomery.

The Alabama chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, or ACLU, opposed the measure as unconstitutional."They really misunderstand what sexual assault is about," Randall Marshall, the chapter's executive director, told WSFA. "Sexual assault isn't about sexual gratification. It's about power. It's about control."

Alabama is at least the seventh state allowing or requiring physical or chemical castration of some sex offenders, joining California, Florida, Louisiana, Montana, Texas and Wisconsin. 



Photo Credit: Butch Dill/AP

Cause of Death Released for Mom Found Dead on Subway Stairs

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The New York City Medical Examiner has ruled that the mother who was found dead at the bottom of subway station steps in January died from an irregular heartbeat that was complicated by an enlarged heart and an overactive thyroid.

Malaysia Goodson, a 22-year-old mom from Stamford, died inside the Seventh Avenue B D E subway station on Jan. 28, a stroller with her 1-year-old daughter Ryhlee in it still in her arms.

The official cause of death for Goodson was ruled "cardiac arrhythmia complicating hyperthyroidism with cardiac hypertrophy." The city's Chief Medical Examiner had previously ruled that Goodson had no signs of "significant trauma," and it appeared her death could be related to a "pre-existing medical condition."

Regardless of the cause, Goodson's death — at a station that does not have an elevator, just two escalators that go up —prompted mass calls for increased accessibility across the city's transit system, including from the mayor himself. 

At an MTA board meeting in March, MTA acting chair Freddy Ferrer acknowledged that neither he nor New York City Transit Authority president Andy Byford ever called the Goodson family to offer condolences, and said it was a mistake.

“It’s generally customary that police officials do that. Let me cut to the chase. Sorry that it didn’t happen. That’s regrettable," he said. "What happened with Ms. Goodson was unbelievably tragic...and that's why we're redoubling our efforts to make our system a lot more accessible."

At the time of the incident, Mayor Bill de Blasio said her death never should have happened. "The subway system is not accessible for everyone and that's an environment the MTA should not allow," he tweeted.



Photo Credit: News 4

Store Dedicated to CBD Products Opens in Milford

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CBD products are becoming more popular in Connecticut, and the state's first store completely dedicated to them has opened in Milford.

These items can already be found on shelves in stores across the state. But Your CBD Store in Milford is the first and only dedicated CBD store exclusively selling hemp products in Connecticut.

“It’s amazing. We’ve had an unbelievable response from the customers and the community here,” said General Manager Clayton Percy.

CBD is short for cannabidiol, a non-intoxicating chemical compound found in the cannabis plant and industrial hemp plants. One customer we spoke with says he uses it for chronic pain.

“I can sleep through the night, the pain is diminished and I actually feel so much better not taking the medication,” said Jeff Cianciolo of Prospect.

While marijuana is also a variety of the cannabis plant, hemp is different. By both federal and state law, hemp cannot contain more than 0.3 percent THC on a dry weight basis. THC is the psychoactive component of marijuana, which gets you "high.”

“We carry Broad Spectrum,” explained Percy. “We choose not to carry any products with any type of THC which is the euphoric end of the marijuana plant.”

Under the Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Hemp Research Pilot Program, licenses have also been issued to farms to grow hemp.

The industry is expanding. Another Your CBD Store is opening later this month in Southington.

“I think (the CBD business) is definitely heading up. Like big time,”” said Scott Zabka, president of the “Your CBD Store” franchise scheduled to open June 22 in Southington. “The projections where it’s going to go is pretty incredible.”

One of the owners of the Southington store acknowledged there are people who associate hemp with marijuana but asserts their product is non-intoxicating.

“I think knowledge is power so I just tell people you know, don’t pre-judge us until you start reading about us because we’re so different, unique,” said Amphone Zabka, owner of the Your CBD Store, Southington. “You get the health benefits without getting the high.”



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Power Restored for 2,000 in Milford

Search for Missing New Canaan Mom Enters 19th Day

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The search for Jennifer Dulos is now in the 19th day and her estranged husband, Fotis Dulos, is free on bond after being charged in connection with her disappearance. On Wednesday, he went to the judicial branch offices in Hartford and had no comment as he was leaving.

Jennifer Dulos, a mom of five from New Canaan, has been missing since May 24 and her family released a new statement on Tuesday. 

Fotis Dulos, 51, and his 44-year-old girlfriend, Michelle Troconis, appeared in court Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to charges in connection with Jennifer Dulos' disappearance. Fotis Dulos had been in custody since his arrest on June 1.

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The prosecutor in the case against Dulos said the state has new evidence against Dulos. According to prosecutors, Fotis Dulos' DNA was found mixed with Jennifer Dulos' blood on the kitchen faucet of her New Canaan home.

Pattis countered this new evidence saying Fotis was at Jennifer’s home the Wednesday before she disappeared. The state’s attorney objected, saying witnesses report he was only in the backyard, not in the house.

Pattis said Dulos can account for his whereabouts for most of the day his estranged wife went missing. Pattis said in court that Dulos voluntary handed over his cell phone to investigators but that the state refused to give it back.

The judge in Stamford Superior Court on Tuesday kept Fotis Dulos' bond set at $500,000. The state's attorney wanted the bond number set at $850,000 while Dulos' attorney requested the bond be lowered to $100,000.

“We deny the charges. We don’t know where Mr. Dulos’ ex-wife is. We’re resolute in determined to try this case and we believe fully that our client will be exonerated,” Pattis said outside court Tuesday. “I would ask everyone to put aside the easy narrative here that an angry ex-spouse took matters into his own hands as a result of a custody dispute. That didn’t happen.”

READ THE COURT DOCUMENTS HERE

Following his client's release on bond, Pattis sent the following statement:

“I am not sure what the delay was in posting the bond. We were retained over the weekend and were able to assemble a bond package in short order. Obviously, we’re happy to see him head home. We are also looking forward to the forthcoming trial. Mr. Dulos had no motive to kill Jennifer. A recent court-ordered recommendation was that Mr. Fotis share custody 50/50 with Ms. Fotis. We will soon address how he is best able to resume his relationship with his children.”

Jennifer Dulos' mother, Gloria Farber, has filed for custody of her grandchildren and Fotis Dulos appeared in family court Tuesday, hours after pleading not guilty to charges connected to the disappearance.

Dulos' attorney said in court that his client was preparing to post bond today and will get a GPS monitoring device. According the attorney, Dulos will turn over his passport and will be unable to leave the state.

A person who was standing with the defense team was seen leaving Fotis Dulos' Farmington neighborhood Tuesday afternoon. When asked if he had the passport, he gave the NBC Connecticut crew at the scene a thumb’s up.

Andrew Bowman, Troconis' attorney, had some strong words outside court Tuesday about some media reports.

"Although I generally don't comment outside of the court proceedings, I am deeply disappointed and disturbed to read how some of you, and I repeat some of you, have been, in my opinion, unfair and inaccurate in your reporting," Bowman said. "I don't need to remind you that Michelle Troconis is presumed innocent and when you put inaccurate information in the electronic and print media, it prejudices her right to a fair trial. I assume that none of us want to do that so I would appreciate it if some of you could verify the reporting that you put in the paper."

An NBC Connecticut crew witnessed Fotis Dulos returning to his Jefferson Crossing neighborhood in Farmington Tuesday evening and then head to the probation office in Hartford on Wednesday morning.

He is due back in court on Aug. 2. Michelle Troconis is due back in court on July 18.

Fotis Dulos and Troconis have been charged with evidence tampering and hindering prosecution in connection to the disappearance of Jennifer Dulos.

Jennifer Dulos, who moved from Farmington to New Canaan after filing for divorce, was last seen while dropping off her children at school in New Canaan on Friday, May 24.

She was reported missing later that night after she missed several appointments and her friends became concerned when they could not reach her.

When police searched Jennifer’s home, they found blood in her garage and suspected she was the victim of a serious assault, according to court documents.

As the search continues, police have dedicated a website, FindJenniferDulos.com, and an email address, FindJenniferDulos@newcanaanct.gov, to the investigation.

Police have been searching places in several locations across the state, including in Hartford, Farmington and New Canaan looking for evidence related to her disappearance.

One of the places state police have been focusing their search is at a trash plant in Hartford.

City surveillance cameras captured a man matching the appearance of Fotis Dulos throwing away bags of garbage along Albany Avenue in Hartford the day Jennifer Dulos disappeared.

A source tells NBC Connecticut that troopers are specifically looking for evidence that might have been picked up by a garbage truck and shredded inside the facility days after Jennifer Dulos disappeared.

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NBC Connecticut drone footage taken on Friday showed police walking out of the woods and through the backyard of Fotis Dulos’ Farmington home.

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After they spent around an hour at the home, NBC Connecticut captured video of a woman resembling Troconis leave the property in a silver BMW with a man who appeared to be her attorney, Andrew Bowman, behind the wheel.

The vehicle matched the one that Troconis was seen leaving in after a court appearance last Monday. NBC News has confirmed that Troconis and her attorney met with investigators last week.

She is out on bond and has been ordered to wear a GPS monitored ankle bracelet.

Pattis' law firm released a statement on Saturday saying in part, “I caution the world at large that things are rarely as they appear early on in a sensationalized investigation like this one. The rush to judgment stops now as does the conviction by innuendo. If necessary, we’ll let a jury decide what happened here."



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Family of Missing Mother Jennifer Dulos Releases New Statement

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The family of Jennifer Dulos has released a new statement and photo of her on the 18th day in the search for the missing New Canaan mother.

“Jennifer Farber Dulos, mother of five, daughter, sister, cousin, and friend, has now been missing from New Canaan, CT, for more than two and a half weeks. The towns of New Canaan, Farmington, and Avon have responded to Jennifer’s disappearance with a steady stream of love. These gestures of empathy and kinship have helped keep us going,” the statement from family spokesperson Carrie Luft read.

“As the news cycle propels the story of Jennifer’s disappearance forward, we must not lose sight of the enormous human cost of this tragedy: five young children have not seen their mother in 18 days. Jennifer is the constant presence in their lives. She has sole physical custody and has devoted her full energies to their care and happiness.

“Jennifer’s family, friends, and above all her children are living in limbo—missing her embrace, her lilting laugh, her bedtime backrubs, her gentle strength. Please know that the children are safe and loved and supported in every respect. But more than anything in the world, they long to know where their mother is.

“Someone has information about Jennifer’s disappearance or her whereabouts. The New Canaan Police Department has created a website, FindJenniferDulos.com, and a dedicated email address, FindJenniferDulos@newcanaanct.gov. If you have any information at all, no matter how small, please email or call the New Canaan Police tip line at 203-594-3544.

“Our deepest thanks go out to the forces of the New Canaan and Connecticut State police for their ongoing and exhaustive efforts to locate Jennifer. Thank you also to every single person who has called in a tip. Keep the information coming. Please help us find Jennifer.”

Jennifer Dulos, who moved from Farmington to New Canaan after filing for divorce, was last seen while dropping off her children at school in New Canaan on Friday, May 24.

She was reported missing later that night after she missed several appointments and her friends became concerned when they could not reach her.

When police searched Jennifer’s home, they found blood in her garage and suspected she was the victim of a serious assault, according to court documents.

Her estranged husband Fotis Dulos and his girlfriend Michelle Troconis were arrested on June 1 and have been charged with evidence tampering and hindering prosecution in connection in connection with her disappearance.

READ THE COURT DOCUMENTS HERE

Fotis Dulos was released on bond Tuesday and has returned to his Farmington home. Troconis has been out on bond since June 3. Both have been ordered to wear GPS-monitored ankle bracelets.

Police have been searching places in several locations across the state, including in Hartford, Farmington and New Canaan looking for evidence related to her disappearance.

One of the places state police have been focusing their search is at a trash plant in Hartford.

City surveillance cameras captured a man matching the appearance of Fotis Dulos throwing away bags of garbage along Albany Avenue in Hartford the day Jennifer Dulos disappeared.

A source tells NBC Connecticut that troopers are specifically looking for evidence that might have been picked up by a garbage truck and shredded inside the facility days after Jennifer Dulos disappeared.



Photo Credit: Family Photo
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Maryland Town’s First Black Mayor Says She’s Target of Racist Attacks, Resigns

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The mayor of a small Maryland town announced she is resigning and says she has been the victim of racist attacks and bullying. Residents say it wasn't until she resigned that alarming incidents came to light, which included her tires being slashed and a former town commissioner doodling swastikas during a town meeting.

Upper Marlboro Mayor Tonga Turner said the racist attacks are not the reason she is stepping down, though she alluded in her resignation letter to the town's "dark history and past."

“I am writing to inform you that effective Friday, June 21, 2019, I will no longer be serving as mayor and president of the board of commissioners for the town of Upper Marlboro," Turner wrote in the letter, which cited progress in having secured $800,000 in grants, legislation that advanced economic development and the establishment of "an outreach team that is focused on diversity and inclusion." 

"It is no secret that the Town of Upper Marlboro has been plagued with a dark history and past, but my hope is that in the past two years under my leadership, each of you has seen the great promise for our future," Turner's letter said.

Turner, the town’s first African-American mayor, said the attacks began after she first took office, according to people who were in Monday night's town hall meeting. 

“She explained a lot about receiving threatening emails and being called certain words from her constituents,” Upper Marlboro resident Angel Saules said. “Her tires have been slashed, from what I understand. And then kind of like the kicker and I think what made it be a part of the meeting is that someone who attends very regularly had been sketching swastika signs.”

“No one as a whole, as an entire community, knew these things were happening until last night when she just resigned,” resident Monica Wilson said.

Wilson took a photo after noticing a man at Monday's meeting -- a former town commissioner, multiple sources confirm -- drawing swastikas in a yellow legal pad. 

“And I look over and see him scribbling swastikas over and over again,” Wilson said. “He flips the pages, continues to scribble additional swastikas.”

“There have been some things that have happened during her year and a half as mayor that she did talk about at the town meeting last night,” town spokesman Ray Feldmann said. “There have been some incidents that she's had to deal with, but those were not incidents that had anything to do with her resignation.”

Feldmann said that while the racism has been a challenge, Turner resigned so she could spend more time with family. He acknowledged the mayor's progressive thinking got some pushback.

“She is about not accepting the status quo, shaking things up, and that has not been acceptable to a lot of people,” Feldmann said.

Very little has changed in the small historic town, which has 657 residents as of the 2008 census. It's the Prince George's County seat, a now predominantly African-American county. Turner was proposing plans for economic growth and expanding the town's limits. Upper Marlboro is just one mile across and a half mile wide. 

“If you look at the county, everything is being developed except for the county seat,” Wilson said. “We’re no longer even the county seat other than geographically. Everything has moved out of here because they have had a long history of being difficult working with the county officials."

Tonga concluded her resignation letter by saing she was "truly excited about what the future holds for the town and what the future holds for me as we both embark on new journeys."



Photo Credit: Upper Marlboro

No Students Injured in New Haven School Bus Crash

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No students were injured when a car hit a school bus at Church and Elm streets in New Haven Wednesday morning, but the driver of the car was transported to the hospital for a medical evaluation, according to police. 

Police said the crash was minor. 

No additional information was immediately available.

Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting 5-Year-Old in New Britain

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New Britain police have arrested a man who is accused of sexually assaulting 5-year-old.

New Britain police said 22-year-old Lazaro Alonso Centeno-Delgado is accused of sexually assaulting a 5-year-old around six months ago and he was arrested Monday on an outstanding warrant.

Police said the victim was known to him.

Centeno-Delgado was charged will illegal sexual contact with a victim under 16 and sexual assault in the first degree.

He was arraigned on Tuesday and held on a $250,000 and remains in custody, according to the online court document.

No attorney is listed for him.



Photo Credit: New Britain Police

Rain Tomorrow, Thunderstorms Possible

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Weather across Connecticut will be beautiful Wednesday, but a storm system has its sights set on us for tomorrow.

Low pressure moving through the Great Lakes will interact with moisture along the Mid-Atlantic coastline and a rainy day is expected Thursday. Rain will be heaviest from the morning commute time to around noon and a few embedded thunderstorms are possible too.

 Severe weather is not expected, but some poor drainage and/r basement flooding can’t be ruled out.

Generally, 1 inch of rain is expected with higher amounts in any thunderstorms that form.

Northeast winds will increase tomorrow with gusts as high as 30 mph, especially along the shoreline.

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Brighter weather is expected on Friday, but gusty winds will continue, as will the chance for a few scattered showers.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
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Is the Keto Diet Safe? Everything You Need to Know

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An estimated 45 million Americans go on diets each year to improve their eating habits or lose weight. And while there's no shortage of diets to choose from, the latest weight-loss trend gaining an increasing number of followers is the ketogenics diet.

Halle Berry, Katie Couric and Al Roker are among the growing list of celebrities who stand behind the "keto" diet. They have attributed their weight-loss success to its low-carb formula. After losing 50 pounds following the keto plan, Vinny Guadagnino from MTV's "Jersey Shore" became one of the diet's biggest advocates. The reality star even launched a second Instagram account, @KetoGuido, which boasts over 700,000 followers, to document his new meaty lifestyle.

But what exactly is keto? Its popularity aside, is the keto diet healthy and sustainable? Here are some answers to your top questions about keto:

What is the Keto Diet?

The keto diet is a low- to no-carbohydrate diet that helps the body to burn fat by forcing it into a state of ketosis, a metobolic process where the body uses fat instead of carbs as its fuel source. Keto is intended to be a short-term diet, according to Ruth Frechman, a registered dietitian nutritionist, targeting rapid weight loss while reportedly curbing food cravings and boosting mood, mental focus and energy.

The diet was originally introduced in the 1920s as therapy for children suffering from epilepsy after several studies indicated that the ketone chemical produced during the breakdown of fat for fuel could help to reduce their seizures.

It was developed for weight loss decades later by Dr. Gianfranco Cappello, a professor of surgery at the University La Sapienza in Rome. Cappello tested the diet in a study that spanned between 2006 and 2011, and found that it helped more than 19,000 participants lose an average of 22 pounds in 25 days. 

"The treatment is safe, fast, inexpensive and has good one-year results for weight maintenance," he wrote in the study’s findings published in 2012.

What Foods Can You Eat on the Keto Diet?

Keto is similar to other low-carb, high-fat diets like Atkins and South Beach.  The standard keto meal plan calls for consuming 75% of daily calories from fat, 20% from protein and 5% from carbohydrates. 

According to Franziska Spritzler, a registered dietician and certified diabetes educator, these are some of the foods you can eat on the keto diet:

  • Meats
  • Fats and high fat oils like butter, olive oil and mayonnaise
  • Low carb vegetables like avocado, spinach and broccoli
  • High fat dairy like cheese, heavy cream and sour cream
  • Nuts
  • Seafood
  • Eggs
  • Spices
  • Berries (sparingly)
  • Artificial sweeteners like Stevia and sucralose (sparingly)

What Foods Can't You Eat on the Keto Diet?

  • Fruits
  • Grains and starches
  • Breaded or cured meats
  • Root vegetables like potatoes, carrots and beets
  • Legumes
  • Sweeteners
  • Sweets like candy and chocolate
  • Some oils: canola, sesame, sunflower
  • Sweetened drinks
  • Low-fat dairy items, which often have added sugar 
  • Sweetened sauces and dips like ketchup, barbecue sauce, some salad dressings
For a more comprehensive list of foods you can and can't eat on keto, click here.

Can You Drink Alcohol on the Keto Diet?

While the keto diet does not ban alcohol specifically, alcoholic beverages that contain carbohydrates and more calories, such as beer, cocktails and mixed drinks, should be avoided. However, hard liquors, dry wine and champagne all fall within the guidelines of keto if consumed in moderation. Women shouldn't drink more than one drink per day, while men should stick to no more than two.

Is the Keto Diet Safe?

Some doctors and nutritionists say following a keto diet is considered safe for people who are healthy and eat heart-healthy fats. Studies have shown that it is able to accelerate weight loss in some dieters, reduce seizures in children with epilepsy and improve blood sugar control for patients with Type 2 diabetes. Many who follow a keto plan also noted an improvement on their mental focus. 

But restricting one's carbohydrate intake doesn't come without side effects. For some dieters, this restriction can cause "keto flu." Common symptons of the keto flu include fatigue, dehydration, brain fog, dizziness and insomnia.

Ruth Frechman, a registered dietitian and author of "The Food Is My Friend Diet," told NBC that ketosis is not a "pleasant experience." The rapid weight loss it causes from the burning of fat calories is a result of water loss from muscles. From there, according to Mary Jane Detroyer, a New York-based nutritionist and certified dietitian, the body goes into survival mode, which means that it holds onto fat while losing muscle. When the diet is over and the person goes back to eating normally, their body begins rebuilding muscle, thereby making it much easier gain back the lost weight, Detroyer added. 

"In my opinion, Keto is another fad diet setting a person up for failure,” said Frechman. “Who can sustain a diet of 80% fat that was originally meant for child epilepsy? I have had clients on keto, and their cholesterol levels have gone up."

According to Dr. Lisa Young, private practice nutritionist and adjunct professor of nutrition at New York University, most scientists reject the keto diet because it is both too limiting and deprives people of healthy foods.

“It is a poor choice — it eliminates entire food groups along with healthy food choices and nutrients in those groups,” Dr. Young, who has also written "Finally Full, Finally Slim" and "The Portion Teller Plan," told NBC. “[There is] no need to cut all carbs — fruits and whole grains are super healthy.” 

To reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer, experts say it is better to eat a balanced diet that also includes fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

"No diets are a good choice," Detroyer told NBC. "We don't need fad diets, we need to be connected to our body and what it tell us. No one can tell you how much to eat, even a dietitian. Only your body can tell you this."

Should You Take MCTs on the Keto Diet?

If you're a follower of the ketogenic diet, than you may have heard the words "MCT oil." MCT, or medium-chain triglyceride, is a type of fatty acid derived primarliy from coconut oil. It is very popular among keto dieters due to its crave-curbing abilities. MCTs pass from the stomach to the liver much faster than other types of fatty acids and are quickly converted into energy, thereby decreasing the likelihood that the body will store it as fat cells while giving the user an instant power boost.  

Another commonly used supplement is exogenous ketones, a synthetic type of ketone called beta hydroxybtyrate (BHB), which is created naturally by the body.

According to Michelle Milgrim, a nutritionist at Northwell Health in New Hyde Park, N.Y., these supplements reportedly help propel the body into a state of ketosis and stay there when you eat something that's not keto-friendly. But, Milgrim notes, there is little research on the long-term effects to support these claims.

"Only short-duration studies examining small samples have found that exogenous ketones can help achieve ketosis quicker and may decrease appetite," she told Women's Health magazine.

Jaclyn London, Good Housekeeping nutrition director and author of “Dressing on the Side,” reported that keto diet pills could be harmful to your health. According to London, supplements that contain MCT oil can mess with your digestion and many users experience nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhea. These supplements can also negatively impact your metabolism. While they initially help to decrease appetite, they have a reverse effect in the long term and ultimately can increase hunger cravings once the dieter stops taking the pills.

"I do not recommend [these supplements],” Young said. “They may give people external hope but as soon as you stop them, you can regain lost weight. I prefer lifestyle changes that people can sustain — choosing healthy foods, portion control, and exercise."



Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
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20 Dogs Found Dead, Nearly 200 Rescued From NJ Nightmare

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Nearly 200 dogs were rescued from a nightmare hoarding situation in New Jersey on Tuesday -- some pregnant, many sick and most having had only limited human contact. 

Law enforcement sources said the dogs were rescued from the home of a prominent breeder, whose dogs have won Best in Breed awards from the Westminster Kennel Club. It was not immediately clear if the breeder was facing charges. 

The Monmouth County SPCA said it was called to the undisclosed location in Hunterdon County on Tuesday, where it found 20 dogs dead and hundreds more living in a home and garage in squalid conditions. 

"All of these dogs seem to have had limited human contact and minimal to no veterinary care," the organization said in appealing for donations to help get the animals treated. As of Wednesday morning it had raised more than $12,000 for their care. 

Photos of the dogs released by the MCSPCA show emaciated animals with matted hair, clouded eyes and a variety of other apparent ailments. 

Given the amount of treatment and assessment required, the group said it would be weeks before any of the rescued dogs -- almost entirely terriers and dachshunds -- would be available for adoption.

This week's incident was the latest in a string of gruesome dog hoarding finds in New Jersey.

In June 2018, authorities charged a man who was living in squalor with more than 40 dogs. In late 2016, a couple plead guilty to charges after authorities found 276 dogs hoarded in their home



Photo Credit: MCSPCA

Police Search for Two Vintage Cars Stolen from Voluntown

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State police are trying to find two vintage cars that were stolen from Voluntown. 

Police are looking for a green 1966 Ford Mustang and an orange 1969 Chevrolet Camaro that were stolen from Sand Hill Road at some point between November 2018 and March 2019. 

The green Mustang has VIN 6R07T234185 and the orange Chevrolet Camaro’s VIN is 123379L525269. 

State police ask anyone who sees vehicles similar to the make, models and color that were stolen or if you has any information about the theft or where the cars are to call Trooper Josh Bowyer at State Police Troop E in Montville at 860-848-6500 



Photo Credit: Connecticut State Police

9/11 Bill to Compensate Victims Clears House Hurdle

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A bill that would prevent a fund to compensate victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks from running out of money passed a key hurdle in the House on Wednesday, NBC News reported. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urged his chamber's GOP leadership to take up the measure as soon as possible.

"We will reach the point soon, most likely this year, where more will have died from 9/11 related illnesses than from 9/11 itself," Schumer said. "Let's take care of them. Now."

Schumer's comments follow just a day after comedian Jon Stewart lambasted Congress for failing to show up to a hearing to review the bill.

Schumer spoke minutes after the House Judiciary Committee advanced the bill, which would provide funding for 70 years, in a unanimous vote. He predicted the full House will pass the measure "soon."



Photo Credit: J. Scott Applewhite/AP
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