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Daughters To Honor Late Mother In Their First Closer to Free Ride

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Two weeks after the birth of her fifth grandchild, June Rice told her daughter Kim Crowley she wasn’t feeling quite right.

“In true mom fashion,” Crowley recalled, “she kind of brushed it off and said I’m probably fatigued so I called one of my best friends who’s a neurologist at Yale.”

An MRI at the Smilow Cancer Hospital last July confirmed that Crowley and Melissa Shepler’s mom had brain cancer.

“Two days later she had a brain surgery to do a biopsy and that’s when it was confirmed she had grade four glioblastoma,” Crowley said.

“Unfortunately, with the hard situation that we were going through I have to say that the care and support that we were given by those who work for Smilow was top notch,” Shepler said.

Surrounded by family, 63-year-old June Rice passed away in December.

“She loved like no other and she loved hard whether you were family or friends you knew it and you felt it,” Shepler said, “and every single day I just hope to carry that through with how I am with my family and just remember I want to love like she did.”

Near the end, Rice got to meet members of the NBC Connecticut family. She visited the studio to watch her favorite anchor team, Kevin Nathan and Kerri-Lee Mayland.

“And Kerri-Lee came to visit my mom in the hospital the last few days she was with us and came to the services and we feel a real special bond with them,” Crowley said.

Crowley’s husband is an owner of Stony Creek Brewery, which hosts registration and post ride parties for Closer to Free.

Nearly $15 million has been raised since 2011 from the bike ride in support of research and patient care at the Smilow Cancer Hospital.

"We decided to do the ride because obviously it’s important to the brewery here,” Shepler said, “but most importantly we want to honor my mom."

Rice’s daughters said they cherish their mother’s love for flowers.

“My mom just planted hydrangeas everywhere, hydrangeas made her so happy it was just her signature flower,” Crowley said.

That’s why they have named their team for the Closer to Free Ride “Petals for June.”

“A lot of what we learned is to go big, to try new things, to challenge ourselves and this is a new challenge for us,” Shepler said.

On September 7 and in years to come, they will be riding with family and friends in honor of their mom to make the world closer to cancer free.

“We owe it to her to help get one step closer to a cure for cancer,” Crowley said.

NBC Connecticut is proud to once again be a media sponsor for the Closer to Free Ride.



Photo Credit: Family Photo

Search at Trash Facility In Dulos Case Winding Down: Source

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State police have been investigating for more than two weeks at a Hartford trash facility in connection with the disappearance of Jennifer Dulos, a mom of five from New Canaan who has been missing for nearly a month, and a police source said the search at that plant is winding down.

Dulos was last seen on Friday, May 24 when she dropped her children off at school in New Canaan.

The search for her in the weeks since has spanned several communities, including New Canaan, Farmington, Avon and Hartford, and New Canaan police said Wednesday that they have received more than 800 tips related to the investigation and more than 80 submissions from surveillance cameras.

State police first arrived at Material Innovation and Recycling Authority, a trash-to-energy plant in Hartford, in connection with the disappearance on Monday, June 3 and the search has continued in the weeks since.

On Wednesday, the NBC Connecticut crew at the facility saw a state police vehicle enter the facility around lunchtime and a police source said the search at that facility is winding down.

“I think they would all agree that their efforts have been worth it,” Brian Foley, an aide to the commission of the state Department of Emergency Service and Public Protection, said Tuesday.

He declined to go into detail about the evidence that investigators might have gathered while sifting through piles of shredded garbage.

“Making that stuff public is not in the best interest of the criminal investigation,” Foley said.

State Police troopers have worked in 12-hour shifts at the trash plant and one employee who witnessed the search describes investigators combing for clues through mountains of trash shredded into eight-inch pieces. State police said they are using cadaver dogs to search for a human odor in the pile.

Police are going through garbage that would have been collected along Albany Avenue in Hartford in the days after Jennifer Dulos disappeared.

Court documents said a man matching the description of Jennifer Dulos’ estranged husband, Fotis Dulos, could be seen on city surveillance cameras throwing bags into bins along that street the same day Jennifer was reported missing.

Contents that investigators recovered in that same vicinity tested positive for Jennifer’s blood, according to the arrest warrant charging Dulos with evidence tampering and hindering prosecution.

Fotis Dulos has been released on $500,000 bond after pleading not guilty.

His girlfriend, Michelle Troconis, was also charged with evidence tampering and hindering prosecution.

Court documents say a woman matching her appearance could be seen on that same surveillance video along Albany Avenue. She also pleaded not guilty.

NBC Connecticut reached out to her attorney and the state’s attorney again today but neither have responded to our requests for comment.

72 Philly Officers Now on Leave Amid Facebook Investigation

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An investigation into racist and insensitive Facebook posts allegedly made by active-duty and former police officers across the country has led to 72 Philadelphia cops being placed on administrative leave, Commissioner Richard Ross announced Wednesday.

“We’ve talked about from the outset how disturbing, how disappointing and upsetting these posts are and how they will undeniably impact police-community relations," Ross said. "We’re not naïve to the fact and nor are we dismissive of it."

The announcement comes as a local law firm hired by the city continues to investigate the social media posts of more than 300 Philadelphia police officers identified in a database from the Plain View Project, made public June 1.

The posts in question were uncovered by a team of researchers who spent nearly two years looking at the personal Facebook accounts of police officers from Arizona to Florida. They found officers bashing immigrants and Muslims, promoting racist stereotypes, identifying with right-wing militia groups and glorifying police brutality.

All the posts were public. The project's findings were picked up by news organizations and police departments nationwide.

A sergeant in Philadelphia commented that a young suspect should be "taken out back and put down like the rabid animal he is." Another sergeant posted a meme that read "Death to Islam."

"It's a good day for a choke hold," wrote an officer in Phoenix. In St. Louis, a police official shared a meme asserting that, "if the Confederate flag is racist, then so is Black History Month."

The Philadelphia Law Department, Philadelphia law firm Ballard Spahr and the Internal Affairs Unit of the Philadelphia Police Department are all investigating the posts.

Ballard Spahr is also reviewing each post to determine if the speech is constitutionally protected.

"An example would be an opinion on the matter of public concern that may be unpopular but does not include threats of violence or pejorative language against any protected class," Ross said. "If the speech is not protected by the First Amendment, the case will proceed with appropriate discipline."

Ross said that could range from a few days off to officers being fired.

"I'm not prepared to tell you at this point who's being disciplined and how many may be terminated, but I can tell you with a degree of certainty that there are some people who will meet with that fate," Ross said.

In addition to an internal investigation, every member of the Philadelphia police department will be required to watch a training video outlining social media and off-duty policies in regards to race, ethnicity, code and conduct, the commissioner announced.

"There’s no question that this puts us in a position to work even harder than we already do to cultivate relationships with neighborhoods and individual groups that we struggle to work with or struggle to maintain good relationships with now," Ross said.

The department will also develop a mechanism to inspect officers' social media posts and identify potential problems, work with outside groups dealing with anti-bias and anti-racism training and consult with the Anti-Defamation League.

John McNesby, the union president of the Philadelphia chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police, responded to Ross' press conference.

“It’s premature and irresponsible for the Commissioner to tell the public that police officers will be fired without a complete investigation into officers’ social media use,” McNesby said.  "Our officers are entitled to due process just like any other citizen."

McNesby also said FOP attorneys and leaders are working to protect their members' "rights under the contract and free-speech."

"We will support and represent those officers during this overly-broad social-media investigation," he said. "Far too many officers have been taken off the street during a time of increased violence in our city."

Protests by city residents and public attrition by the mayor and police commissioner followed the initial release of the national database.

"The thing that really angers me is that a vast overwhelming majority of our police officers are kind-hearted, decent people willing to put their lives on the line for fellow citizens," Mayor Jim Kenney said in an interview. "These knuckleheads paint them all with a terrible brush."

A church leader in Philadelphia, however, believes the issue is bigger than city leaders are willing to accept.

"Over 300 people, that is an incredible number," Rev. Mark Tyler of Mother Bethel AME Church in Philadelphia said. "You have to imagine that there are a considerable number of people who are like them, who hold the same beliefs who are just not crazy enough to put it on social media. This is a cultural problem within our department that has to be addressed."



Photo Credit: AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File
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Former East Haven High School to Become Apartments

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It has been an eyesore in East Haven for decades, but new life is finally coming to former East Haven High School.

The building will become an apartment building. NBC Connecticut got an exclusive look inside at the work already underway.

“It’s been an albatross around our neck for a very long period of time,” explained East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo.

But since the 90s East Haven mayor Joseph Maturo will tell you the business behind what to do with the historic former East Haven High School has been nothing but.

“It was probably sold two or three times but got bogged down in politics,” he explained of plans to redevelop the building, which has been sitting since the 90s. “Probably lost one of my elections because of the school.”

And now, after five years in the making, Boston-based WinnDevelopment will convert the historic school building into its next chapter.

Local and state leaders along with WinnDevelopment announcing today the start of the $21.5 million project to transform the building into 70 mixed-income apartments for seniors.

WinnDevelopment President Larry Curtis says the project is an example of how public and private partnerships in Connecticut drive development but state and local leaders today say the process in the state must be streamlined in order to see similar projects get off the ground.

“It shouldn’t take five years to get these kinds of things done. Anything that we can do to speed the things up to keep business here in attract more business those are the things that we need to be looking at,” Curtis said.

School staples like the lockers and former classroom doors will be preserved, and soon this former high school will turn a new page for good.

The apartments will be housed in the front half to the building. The back half will include an upgrade to the school’s pool, auditorium and basketball court which will be open to the community, along with creating town council chamber The apartments are expected to be completed in a little more than a year.

Injured Woman Found Inside Store Compactor: New London PD

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A woman was rescued from a commercial compactor at a New London supermarket Wednesday.

Police said crews were called to the NSA Supermarket on Frontage Road around 3:19 p.m. and found the woman, who was severely injured, inside the compactor. The woman had been inside the compactor while it was operating “for a period of time,” police said.

The victim was taken to L&M Hospital for treatment. Her condition was not immediately clear.

The woman was not an employee, police said.

The New London County States Attorney’s Office and OSHA have been notified and detectives are investigating.

Anyone with information should contact the New London Police Department at 860-447-5269 ext. 0. Tips can be sent anonymously to the New London Tips 411 system by texting NLPDTip plus the information to Tip411 (847411).



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Celebrities Tee It Up With Pros at Travelers Pro-Am

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It was a great turnout to watch celebrities play with professionals at the annual Travelers Championship Pro-Am Wednesday.

“One of the most fun things I’ll do all year and one of the most nerve-wracking things,” said NHL player and Farmington native Nick Bonino.

“Nervous? Sure but anytime you’re in some form of competitive environment, the nerves are good,” added former UConn quarterback Dan Orlovsky.

Jim Calhoun has been playing in the pro-am in Cromwell for nearly three decades.

“My wife and I figured it out the other night, 53 years married, 33 years in Connecticut so this is our hometown,” said Calhoun.

UConn football head coach Randy Edsall always looks forward to this event.

“It’s just a chance to come out and support a great cause with the Travelers Championship and what they do with the community,” Edsall said.

George Lopez kept the crowd laughing and explained why this event means so much to him.

“I think my first year was 2007 and you know Paul Newman was here and you know he had the hole in the wall gang and at that time, I started my foundation. I come back in part to honor how great Paul Newman was to me,” said Lopez.

“I’m honored to be a part of it and I’m proud of it,” added former ESPN broadcaster Chris Berman. “I’m proud of what this event and now 13 years of Travelers has become. Every year it gets better and better.”



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Mickelson, Watson and Keopka Look Forward to Round 1 of Travelers Championship

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Phil Mickelson is back to compete in Cromwell for the first time since winning the event in back to back years in 2001 and 2002.

Mickelson will be playing with Mark Leishman and Jordan Speith on Thursday. Their tee time is set for 1 p.m.

“This is one of my favorite courses along with Harbour Town and yet I haven’t played them very much because they followed the week of the majors,” said Mickelson. “This new schedule has opened up the possibilities to come back to some sites like Hartford that I’ve really enjoyed and I’m looking forward to having a good tournament and it’s fun to be back here.”

Defending champion Bubba Watson is trying to win his fourth championship in Cromwell. Watson will be playing alongside Brooks Koepka and Tony Finau on Thursday and their tee time is at 7:45 a.m.

“I feel really good, I hit the ball nice today, getting back here, having the energy flowing, having sugar going through your body. It’s always fun to get back here and I always get pumped up for it,” said Watson.

Brooks Koepka is making his fourth appearance at the Travelers Championship. Koepka finished second at the U.S. Open last week. TPC River Highlands is quickly becoming one his favorite places to play.

“Who doesn’t like shooting a bunch under par? It’s fun for us and I know that’s why you see some of the best players in the world come back year after year,” said Koepka. “It’s one I’d like to keep on my schedule for a long time.”



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Lamont Unveils New Toll Details, No Special Session Set

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Low and middle income residents would see lower taxes and credits to pay for an EZ-Pass under the latest proposal floated by Gov. Ned Lamont.

His latest proposal, laid out in a more than 50-slide Powerpoint presentation to top members of the General Assembly, included a cut of the lowest income tax rate to two percent from three percent. Those same residents would also receive credits on their EZ-Pass.

“We thought if I could reduce the income tax for those folks, plus a credit on the EZ Pass for working families we could make this affordable, make this doable, and get us going,” Lamont said following the two hour meeting, Wednesday.

The meeting was meant to be a critical opening moment for the Lamont administration as it met with the top leaders in the House and Senate about a way forward on infrastructure investment, and when to hold a Special Session on the issue.

Democrats in the House and Senate did not meet with reporters following the meeting.

Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano insinuated that he couldn’t help but feel slightly insulted by being included in this meeting, but not others.

“We are in that room because the governor couldn’t get his toll vote through. Period,” Fasano said. “They didn’t ask us to have a meeting on the budget. They didn’t ask us to have a meeting on Paid Family Leave, they didn’t ask us to have a meeting on minimum wage and they didn’t ask us to have a meeting on their single payer system. We’re in that room because he didn’t have the votes.”

The Lamont administration did lay out some priorities, like the widening of I-95 in spots from New York to Bridgeport, and the replacement of exit ramps. Some improvements, Transportation Commissioner Joseph Giulietti said, could shave off 22 minutes from a morning rush hour commute.

Lamont said he’s hopeful for a vote later in the summer.

“I’ve been trying to do deals a long time,” he said. “This one’s a tough one.”



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
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Hamden Considers Public Input in Search for Next Chief

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Residents in Hamden are getting their chance to weigh in on who will lead the town’s police department.

Over the next weeks, a public committee will hear their thoughts before making recommendations to town leaders. The first meeting was Wednesday.

Hamden hasn’t had a full-time, permanent police chief since Chief Wydra stepped down last fall.

A lot has happened since them and the mayor said he wants to make sure he hears the opinions of the citizens before deciding who the next chief will be.

“I think this is fantastic. This is exactly what our town needs and has needed for a long time,” Karlen Meinsen of Hamden said.

Meinsen offered up her thoughts on who should be the town’s next chief. She was among several dozen residents who came to the meeting.

“We know what’s going on. We know the problems. We know the issues. They need to know what we think and feel,” Meinsen said.

“I want the person to have integrity. That’s the number one thing he has to have,” said Sherri Roberts.

The Hamden Police Chief Community Input and Transparency Committee was formed by Mayor Curt Balzano Leng to give residents a say in who the town’s next top cop will be. The committee also comes in response to a series of protests following a shooting of an unarmed couple involving a Hamden officer.

“Made it more important to get that community input and to try to work on building that trust back,” Leng said.

The committee is set to submit a list of changes it wants made to the job description of police chief before applications for the position will be accepted.

Once there’s a list of candidates, the committee will review those and offer suggestions to the mayor, who says he’s leaving this is the hands of the committee, with the hope they can find the right person for Hamden.

“I want someone with top quality integrity. I want a strong leader and I do want someone that has a focus and experience in community policing. Beyond that I want to hear what the committee has to say and gives to me,” Leng said.

The final say on who will be the next chief will go to the mayor and then has to be ratified by the council.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Manchester High School Considers Changing Mascot

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The Indians have been the Manchester High School mascot since 1949, but a group of current students is spearheading a proposal to change that.

"I just think that having that word is inherently divisive and hateful," said Katherine Miner, an incoming Manchester High School Senior.

Miner and several other students did some research into the topic and also polled students. They say they found about 57 percent want the change, 14 percent want to keep it the way it is, and 28 percent don't care. The students presented an alternative mascot, the Red Hawks. At a public forum they hosted at the high school Wednesday night, they found that not everyone is thrilled with the idea.

"I do not think it's disrespectful that Manchester High School has an Indian mascot because I think it's honoring the Indians," said Ed Berggren, who graduated MHS in 1947.

"The Podunk which we named our Indian after was a great tribe," said Wally Irish, who graduated MHS in 1965.

Irish says it's important to respect the past.

"I feel that what's happening here is a good interchange of youth involvement, but I think, as I said, our class motto was to respect the past, live in the present, and look to the future. And I don't think enough of the past was respected in that the Podunk Indians who occupied this area did a tremendous job of maintaining it," said Irish.

Other alumni say this is something that's been discussed for several years and it's about time the change was made.

"They're not looking to erase anyone's memories I don't think. They're just looking to move on from what has become an unfortunate and hurtful stereotype," said Tom Breen, who graduated MHS in 1996.

Despite the differences, everyone at the forum praised the students for hosting it and for starting a discussion. Everyone hopes to find some more middle ground.

"I do think that definitely getting some alum involved in trying to honor the indigenous people's heritage in this community, in this school, would be something I'd definitely be interested in helping with," said Miner.

A district spokesperson says that if the mascot changed, the cost would be minimal. The Board of Education is set to discuss the proposal at its next meeting next week.

Regarding the proposal, Superintendent Matt Geary sent this email to the Manchester school community:

"At last Monday’s Board of Education meeting, six students from Manchester High School gave a presentation about the high school mascot, advocating that the school drop its “Indians” nickname in favor of “Red Hawks.” The Board of Education will consider this proposal, and potentially vote on the matter, at their next meeting, which is Monday, June 24 at 7 p.m. at Lincoln Center. I’m writing to share a few thoughts and some background.

"First, the student activists, many of whom are from our junior class, spent months researching the topic, work that included surveying their classmates and the high school staff. You can see the report by clicking here. For members of the community who are interested, students from Manchester High School have scheduled a forum on Wednesday, June 19 at 6 p.m. to get feedback and input from residents about the proposal to drop the high school’s “Indians” nickname in favor of “Red Hawks.” The forum will be in Room 293 of the Freshman Center, which is on the Summit Street side of the high school.

"High schools, colleges and even professional sports teams throughout the country have for years wrestled with issues related to team nicknames that some people consider offensive and divisive. The debates are often emotional because of factors that include an institution’s traditions. This is proving to be the case in Manchester, as just in the past few days there has been a lot of passionate dialogue on social media and elsewhere about the students’ proposal.

"I am not surprised that students are pushing for this change given the increasing diversity of our community and the significant efforts of the town to promote inclusion and community engagement among its diverse residents. In addition, the Board of Education is focused on building equity and understanding in order to close the existing achievement and opportunity gaps and uphold our mission to create safe, inclusive schools where equity is the norm and excellence is the goal.

"Like many of you, I have a personal opinion on this issue. I believe that the use of American Indian mascots as symbols in schools can be derogatory and harmful. Even where well intended, these mascots promote stereotypical and often insulting images of American Indians. Multiple well respected national organizations, including the National Congress of American Indians (1968), the American Psychological Association (2005) and Anti-Defamation League (2013) have taken positions against the use of American Indian mascots based on research on the impact of these mascots.

When I became principal of the high school in 2012, we de-emphasized the mascot by not including the Indian name or associated images on new sports uniforms, apparel, and signage. Instead we emphasized the word Manchester, which to me is a community that values diversity, inclusivity, and equity, none of which are symbolized by a controversial mascot. There remain prominent signs in and around the building that feature the Indian name and imagery and I believe strongly that changes to those kinds of prominent symbols should only be made when the school community deems that they should be.

"Although there is no school board policy covering school mascots, I have asked that board members add the students’ request for a name change as an ‘action item’ on the June 24 agenda. Members of the public will have an opportunity to make public comments at the outset of the meeting, and also can contact board members in advance. (Here’s the contact information.) Board members will have an opportunity to discuss the item during the meeting. Any decision about the mascot would be made by a formal vote by the nine elected officials who govern the Manchester Public Schools.

"I am so proud of the work done by the students at the high school who are advocating for change. They have thought deeply about the impact of the mascot, conducted research on this issue, worked to get input from fellow students and staff, and handled themselves with dignity and class. They are a shining example of the bright, thoughtful, articulate young adults that attend Manchester High School and their efforts should be commended.

"Sincerely,

Matt Geary"

Accident Causes Road Closure in Bristol

Crash Closes Part of Farmington Avenue in Bristol

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Part of Farmington Avenue in Bristol is closed as police investigate a crash.

Police said the road is closed until further notice from Brook Street to Stafford Avenue.

No additional information was immediately available.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Police Investigating Shooting at New Haven Home

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New Haven Police are investigating a shooting at a home early Thursday morning and said the victim has life-threatening injuries. 

Police said officers responded to reports of a shooting at 2:36 a.m. at a residence on Irvington Street near Townsend Avenue in the Annex neighborhood of the East Shore and an ambulance transported the victim to the hospital. 

Investigators are at the scene. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the New Haven Police Department Detective Bureau at 203-946-6304.

Police Investigate Armed Carjacking in South Windsor

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South Windsor police are investigating an armed carjacking and they are looking for the two men who stole the car. 

Police said the carjacking happened just after 2:30 p.m. Wednesday on Chapel Road in the St. Marc Circle condominium complex. They said a man got out of a black four-door Acura sedan, approached the woman, demanded her car and drove off in that car as another man followed in the Acura. One of the carjackers had a silver handgun, according to police. 

The victim’s car sustained a flat tire as the carjackers drove off and police found the vehicle on Interstate 291 a short time later. 

The Acura has heavily tinted windows, a smaller spare tire on the right front wheel and rear passenger door damage, according to police. 

Police said the victim is in her 60s and it does not appear that she was targeted. 

Investigators retrieved surveillance video from nearby homes and they are also asking anyone with information to call Detective David Gesualdi at (860) 644-2551 or email david.gesauldi@southwindsor.org.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Trees and Wires Down, Transformer Damaged in Tolland

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Trees and wires are down on Alfred Drive in Tolland and transformers are damaged as well, according to Tolland Alert. 

They said the fire department is at the scene and the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection was called because there is a spill from the transformer. 

No additional information was immediately available.



Photo Credit: Tolland Alert

Two Men Were Stabbed During Argument in Torrington: Police

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Police are investigating a double stabbing in Torrington. 

Police said the stabbing happened just before 11 p.m. Wednesday in front of a gas station on South Main Street when two men got into an argument. 

The initial information police obtained was that the men do not know each other. 

One man went to Charlotte Hungerford Hospital and was released. The other has serious but not life-threatening injuries and went to Waterbury Hospital, police said.



Photo Credit: Strngr.com

Parents Throw Punches in Brawl at Kid's Baseball Game in Colorado

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A wild fight broke out among adults at a children's baseball game in Colorado this weekend, leading to at least five people being cited, NBC News reported.

The brawl was caught on video, and police in Lakewood are asking for the public's help in identifying more of the people involved after citing people aged 24 to 55.

The free-for-all apparently broke out when some parents became angry at the 13-year-old umpire, who warned parents on both sides over foul language. That led to a complaint that there were no ejections, NBC affiliate KUSA reported.

"You know, you have 7-year-olds playing a baseball game and it's the parents that need to grow up," Lakewood police spokesman John Romero told NBC News Wednesday.



Photo Credit: Lakewood, Colorado, Police Department
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Route 4 in Harwinton Reopens After Crash

Mass. 'House of Horrors' Woman Found Not Guilty of Murder

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Warning: Some of the details in the story below are graphic and may be disturbing to some readers.

A Massachusetts judge found Erika Murray not guilty of second-degree murder in the Blackstone "House of Horrors" trial after three dead babies were found in her squalid home.

Murray, 35, initially faced two counts of second-degree murder, but Judge Janet Kenton-Walker tossed one of the charges after prosecutors failed to prove one of the babies born in Murray's squalid home was ever even alive. The judge ultimately decided the defendant was not guilty of murder for their deaths.

The defendant was also found not guilty of two counts of reckless endangerment of a child, charges she faced regarding the well-being of her 13-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son.

She was, however, found guilty of two counts of animal cruelty and two counts of assault and battery on a child causing substantial bodily injury. The assault charges were pertaining to the 3-year-old and 5-month-old girls found living in the squalor.

Kenton-Walker has reached a verdict Wednesday and made the announcement Thursday morning in court. 

Shocking details were revealed as witnesses took the stand during the trial and graphic photographs were shown in court, exposing the horrid and disturbing environment four of Murray's children lived in.

Murray's Blackstone home was filled with garbage, infested by maggots and insects, had feces-covered handprints on the wall and reeked of urine, according to several witnesses. 

One state police trooper said he needed to wear a hazmat suit to properly search the house and a police chief said after just 15 minutes in the house, investigators were covered in fleas and insects. Among the filth were three skeletal remains of Murray's babies.

Authorities found the bodies inside cardboard boxes in two of the home's closets. One of the babies' bodies still had the placenta attached and the body of a dead dog was found inside a bag near the first infant. Prosecutors said a second dead baby was found nearby, "diapered and fully clothed, but they were skeletal remains."

The third dead infant was found in another closet in another room. That child was also diapered and fully clothed.

The sqaulid conditions were discovered by a neighbor who responded to the house after her son asked if she could help him shush a baby.

Neighbor Betsy Brown testified that her 10-year-old son would play with Murray's 10-year-old son. When Brown's son went to Murray's house, he called his mother and said he needed help in getting a baby to stop crying. Brown testified that she didn't know of any babies in the neighborhood, but went responded to the house anyway.

There, she discovered the filthy conditions and found two girls in the home. The children, 5-months-old and 3-years-old, were covered in feces and prosecutors said they showed signs of severe neglect.

Dr. Heather Forkey of UMass Memorial Medical Center said the 3-year-old lacked the muscle tone you would expect of a preschool-aged child who would be running and playing.

"We were very concerned that this was a child who had experienced a profound amount of neglect," Forkey said. "When she would sit she would curl her legs into a fetal position that you would expect to see of someone in utero and again not typical of a 3-year-old who at this point normally has learned to walk."

Murray's lawyers raised mental illness as a defense.



Photo Credit: Alysha Palumbo

Accused David Ortiz Shooter Indicted in NJ Cocaine Case

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The man accused of shooting Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz in the Dominican Republic earlier this month now faces a federal drug indictment in New Jersey, alleging that he conspired to distribute heroin and cocaine.

Law enforcement sources said an indictment was handed up Thursday against Rolfi Ferreira-Cruz, 25, of Paterson. He faces multiple possession and conspiracy charges, as well as a firearms-related count, with maximum penalties of more than 40 years in prison on the various charges.

Even before the Ortiz shooting, Cruz was already reportedly wanted in Clifton for a pair of robberies in 2017. 

Ortiz was shot on June 9 while at a bar in Santo Domingo. Surveillance footage of the scene showed a gunman walking up to Ortiz and shooting at him at close range, causing chaos and sending patrons running from the area.

Doctors on the island removed his gallbladder and part of his intestines before he was flown to Boston for more treatment last week.

Dominican authorities have arrested 11 people in the case. On Wednesday, in a stunning development, the country's attorney general said Ortiz was not actually the target of the shooting.

Instead, he said, the shooter was acting on orders from an alleged drug lord to target the man's cousin, who was seated at the same table as Ortiz. 



Photo Credit: Dominican National Police
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