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Naugatuck Little League Field Vying for Major League Upgrade

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Peter J Foley Little League Stadium in Naugatuck is one of six finalists for Major League Baseball’s “Little Field, Big Experience” contest.

Founded in 1949, Peter J. Foley Stadium is the oldest little league stadium in New England.

Director of the Stadium Michael Worobel submitted an essay on what the field means to the community and how the major they would benefit from the grand prize.

“Having the Big League Experience at Peter J Foley would not only be a great way to show everyone the amazing little league history that is still going strong in Naugatuck, but also a way to give back to a field that has given us so much more than just a place to play ball,” Worobel wrote in the essay.

The winner of the contest, which is sponsored by Scotts Lawn Care company, receives a complete field makeover, appearances by MLB mascots or ballpark food and music and entertainment at the stadium.

Voting is open at littlefieldbigexperience.com or mlb.com/scotts until July 4th at midnight.



Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

Celebrating Citizenship: 60 Naturalized at Ceremony in Hartford

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Sixty residents finally had the chance to take part in a Naturalization Ceremony Wednesday.

The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services hosted the ceremony at the Dunkin’ Donuts Park.

One by one, citizenship candidates received their certificate of naturalization.

The 60 candidates originate from the following 31 countries: Albania, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bosnia Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Congo Kinshasa, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ghana, Guyana, Honduras, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Montenegro, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine and United Kingdom.

USCIS will celebrate the Declaration of Independence and the birth of our country by welcoming about 7,500 new citizens in nearly 110 naturalization ceremonies between July 1 and July 5.

James Miller is originally from the United Kingdom and says the experience is a long time coming.

“It’s a very exciting time, I’ve been waiting for this moment for 12 years,” said Miller. “I’m pleased that I can finally become a citizen.”

Jennifer Sticco is lives in Westport and originally from Canada.

“I think it’s a great place and opportunity for my kids to see this happen,” said Sticco. “It’s thrilling to know my husband andson can see this happen.”

The U.S. citizens and their family were able to enjoy the Yard Goats following the ceremony.

U.S. Sen.Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, and Hartford Luke Bronin made remarks during the naturalization ceremony.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Meriden Artist Decorates City With Murals

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If you take a trip to downtown Meriden, you might be mesmerized by the new murals.

Animated characters and vibrant colors fill Barristers Court in the heart of downtown.

Eddie Rivera is the mastermind behind the brush. He’s utilizing his artistic ability to create unique murals throughout the town.

River’s first mural includes a large pink octopus with detailed eyes and water plants.

“A couple years back I did a mural in the back of our barbershop,” said Rivera. “Everybody liked it and it got a lot of attention.”

The attention and new-found spotlight created another opportunity for the life-long artist.

Rivera raised funds for a new mural with the help of a GoFundMe page. In his second mural, Rivera recreated Alice in Wonderland.

“A lot of my inspiration comes from the joy on kids faces, that’s what it’s all about,” said Rivera. “It lets kids know that they can accomplish whatever they put their minds to.”

On the side of Café Dolce is an array of different colors protruding from the patterned bricks.

Rivera plans to get together with other artist to continue beautifying separate buildings.

“As an artist, I appreciate exciting colors that entice the eyes,” said Rivera.

Evelyn Nieves is one of the spectators mesmerized by the gigantic canvas.

“It takes me back to the past when I was a little girl,” said Nieves. “These are the movies and things I use to watch.”

Nieves brought her granddaughter to enjoy the beautiful pieces.

“The colors are beautiful, they’re gorgeous,” said Nieves. “My granddaughter loves it and enjoys looking at the different characters.”

In the future, Rivera plans to create more murals for the town.

“The city does want it to happen,” said Rivera. “We’re all talking and trying to figure out ways to raise the money to do more murals.”



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Drawings by Children Detained at the Border Fuel Outrage

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A series of drawings by children recently released from U.S. Customs and Border Protection custody are fueling new outrage about the conditions in migrant detention facilities along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Professor Belinda Hernandez-Arriaga, from the Bay Area Border Relief, has been visiting a Catholic Charities facility in McCallen, Texas for the last year. As part of her work with families that had been detained at the border, she asked children to draw pictures of their experiences.

Those drawings are revealing and some say, disturbing. The 10- and 11-year-olds depict children behind bars, sleeping on the floor covered in aluminum blankets.

Hernandez-Arriaga said the children called one of the images "la perrerra," which means "the dog kennel."

"In the center there was another guard watching them, and so they would sleep with the aluminum blankets, and they were made to be quiet or else they would be punished," Hernandez-Arriaga said.

The professor also shared a picture of a toddler who was recently released from Customs and Border Patrol custody wearing hardly any clothes and mylar foil on his feet.

The American Acadamey of Pediatrics was also made aware of the drawings. The organization's incoming president, Dr. Sara Goza, took a firm stance against housing children in the detention facilities. 

"No amount of time spent in these facilities is safe for children," Goza told NBC News.

The Department of Homeland Security’s own inspector general further describes detention facility conditions in part writing, "Children had limited access to a change of clothes … two facilities had not provided children access to hot meals."

"I can guarantee you that within the next few years, the psychological effect that it will take on these children is, you can’t even explain," said pediatrician Carlos Gutierrez.

He has volunteers to treat minors when they’re released.

These new drawings come as a surge of migrants continue to arrive and be detained by immigration officials, 144,000 in May, the highest total in 13 years.

On Wednesday night, President Donald Trump pushed back tweeting, "If illegal immigrants are unhappy with the conditions in the quickly-built or refitted detentions centers, just tell them not to come, all problems solved."

For more information on the Bay Area Border Relief click here.



Photo Credit: Belinda Hernandez-Arriaga
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Boating Safety: Staying Safe During Busy Holiday Weekend

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The Connecticut shoreline is busiest on holidays and weekends, and Niantic Firefighter Wich Haylon says this 4th of July weekend, will be no exception.

“Going into the holiday weekend, we’re ready to keep everybody safe and respond as fast as we can to calls,” said Haylon. “A lot of people will be coming into town. The water will be very occupied, the launches will be occupied, the roads will be occupied.”

Haylon, who has served in Niantic for 12 years, says the water can be dangerous. His department is expecting to receive about 20 calls a day responding to incidents both on and off the water.

“We can run into all kinds of situations, from people running out of gas, people that are in distress, boat on fire, someone having a medical emergency,” he said.

But there are steps you can take to stay safe, beyond wearing a life jacket.

“Tell someone who’s on land what the plan is in case they don’t return, someone can go look for them and call the proper authorities.”

Noting water conditions before going out, is also important. “Know your limits, if the water is too rough don’t go out on the water,” Haylon said. “Also stay sober people on boats should stay sober and just use common sense!”

Haylon said the staying sober part is a big one when you’re on the water.

“Same thing on the road driving a car, it just it impairs your judgment.”



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

3-Year-Old Falls From Window in Hartford

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A 3-year-old child fell from a window in Hartford Wednesday.

Hartford Police are reminding residents to secure their screen windows and keep furniture away from them after the child fell three stories down on Webster Street. The child is currently hospitalized with broken bones, police said.

More information was not immediately available.

Police said it only takes a second for a child to push a screen and fall out a window.

Firefighter Injured Battling House Fire in Manchester

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A firefighter is injured after battling a fire at a home in Manchester early Thursday morning.

Firefighters were called to the home on Hollister Street shortly after 12:15 a.m.

When crews arrived, they said they found smoke showing and fire in a back bedroom. Firefighters believe the fire remained contained to the bedroom.

One firefighter was transported to the hospital to be treated for non life-threatening injuries.

The house is considered uninhabitable, fire officials said. The Red Cross is helping three adults who are displaced.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Man Seriously Injured in Griswold Crash

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A man was transported to the hospital with serious injuries after a crash in Griswold late Wednesday night.

State police said a 28-year-old man from Griswold was driving westbound on Roode Road when he went off the road and flipped his vehicle around 11:15 p.m.

The man was taken to Hartford Hospital by LifeStar to be treated for serious injuries, authorities added.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.


Railroad Engineer Finds Twin Babies Near Train Tracks

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A railroad engineer was in the middle of his overnight shift when he spotted twin 9-month-old babies alone near the tracks in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Police responded around 12:15 a.m. Wednesday after the baby boys were found in the area of railroad tracks near Cambridge Street and Kansas Street.

"I saw the little baby wave at me," said Eric Martell, the Providence and Worcester Railroad engineer who found the children. "I saw his little arm, he started sucking his thumb, and I was like, 'Oh my God, there's a baby in there.'"

Martell says his train was only moving a few miles an hour. He told the conductor that they were stopping immediately.

"Got off the train, yelling, looking for parents," said Martell. "No one was around."

When the men got close, they realized it was a double stroller with two babies inside.

"They seemed healthy. They actually had shoes on, they were a little bit chubby, like a baby's supposed to be," said Martell. "They were left with bottles and one of them even had a little binky, they were in a nice carriage."

The babies had been abandoned on the site of a trash and recycling facility.

The men called 911 and rocked the stroller to keep the children calm.

"One of the little guys looked up to me, gave me the biggest little smile and I was like, 'it's going to be alright, buddy. It's going to be alright, I got you,'" Martell recalled.

Police say the boys were not hurt. Investigators have been able to identify the children. They are now in the care of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families.

"I'm very happy and grateful that I was able to be there and help them in their time of need," said Martell.

Police have not said whether the children's parents are in custody or if they're facing any charges.



Photo Credit: NBC10 Boston

State Police Identify Man Involved in Derby Crash

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Connecticut State Police have identified a man who was involved in a crash in Derby on Wednesday.

Troopers said the man was a passenger in a serious crash on Route 8 southbound at exit 17 around 3 a.m.

Police released a photo of the man's tattoos on Thursday and said he was identified a few hours later.

This man and the driver of the vehicle are not able to speak with investigators at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to contact State Police Troop I-Bethany Barracks at (203) 393-4200.



Photo Credit: Connecticut State Police

Boom Boxes, Not Bands, Highlight Willimantic Parade

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A Connecticut town's Independence Day parade is featuring boom boxes instead of bands for the 34th straight year.

More than 5,000 people were expected for Willimantic's annual Boom Box Parade. In what's become an offbeat tradition, participants and spectators will carry radios all tuned to the same local station, which will provide traditional marching music.

The parade dates to 1986, when the town couldn't find a marching band for its annual Memorial Day parade. Organizers approached radio station WILI-AM for help. Station officials said it was too late to organize and publicize an event for that holiday, but began planning for July Fourth, and the tradition was born.

Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont planned to march on Thursday.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Man Accused of Stealing Computer Equipment From Hamden Business

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A Norwalk man who is accused of stealing computer equipment from a Hamden business last summer has been arrested.

Police responded to Wooster Street Travel Agency on Whitney Avenue in July 2018 after getting a report of a burglary.

Investigators said they determined that 58-year-old Albert Pelletier, of Norwalk, forcible entered the business and stole $3,000 worth of computer equipment.

Authorities believe Pelletier used a cement footing to shatter the back door of the business.

Detectives conducted an investigation and applied for an arrest warrant for Pellieter, which the court then approved, police said.

On Tuesday, Hamden Police arrested Pelletier at Meriden Superior Court.

He is facing charges including burglary, larceny and criminal mischief.

Pelletier was detained on $25,000 bond and was arraigned later in the day.

Coast Guard Searches for Owner of Unmanned Kayak Found Near Guilford

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The United States Coast Guard is searching for the owner of a kayak that was found unmanned off Guilford Thursday morning.

Officials said the yellow Hobie kayak was reported by a Good Samaritan to be unmanned and adrift shortly before 9 a.m.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Sector Long Island Sound Command Center at 203-468-4401



Photo Credit: U.S. Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound

Hot and Humid Weather Continues, Possible Heat Wave

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NBC Connecticut Meteorologists continue to track the heat and humidity as we head through the holiday weekend.

Temperatures Thursday are expected to reach or exceed the 90 degree mark for many cities and towns away from the shoreline.

Shoreline communities should expect warm weather as well with high temperatures climbing into the middle 80s by afternoon.

Humidity will increase as we head through the weekend with moderate to high humidity on Thursday and Friday and oppressive humidity on Satuday.

If high temperatures reach the 90 degree mark Thursday and again on Friday, that would create our first heat wave of the year.

 

A heat wave is when temperatures reach or exceed 90 degrees for 3 consecutive days. 



Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Serious Motorcycle Crash Closes Route 20 in East Granby

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A serious motorcycle crash has closed Route 20 in East Granby on Thursday afternoon.

The crash happened around noon and Route 20 is closed near Grainger Circle, according to the state Department of Transportation. 

Police expect Route 20 at Canal Road to be closed for several hours as officers investigate.

Authorities did not release details about if anyone was injured in the crash.

This is a developing story. NBC Connecticut will update this story as details become available.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

6.4 Earthquake Rattles Southern California

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A 6.4 earthquake rattled Southern California Thursday morning, with residents reporting feeling it from the high desert to Laguna Niguel.

The earthquake was centered in Searles Valley, near the high desert town of Ridgecrest and was reported at 10:33 a.m.

Multiple aftershocks were reported after the main temblor, ranging from magnitude 2.8 to magnitude 4.2.

There is a high likelihood of an aftershock larger than a 5.0 magnitude Thursday afternoon among the expected swarm of aftershocks, according to Dr. Lucy Jones, a prominent seismologist and Southern California earthquake expert who works with the USGS and Caltech.

The earthquake was 5.4 miles deep, which is considered moderate. The closer to the surface an earthquake is, the more it is usually felt.

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There were widespread reports of heavy shaking near the temblor's epicenter outside of Ridgecrest, and some damage. There were reports of several fires and broken gas lines.

Evacuations were underway after noon at Ridgecrest Regional Hospital, according to the Kern County Fire Department.

Members of the Los Angeles County Fire Department were headed to Kern County to assist, according to a tweet from its main account.

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Are You Prepared? Here's What to Have in Your Disaster Kit

The quake was in the same area that was struck by a magnitude-5.4 quake in 1995. That Aug. 17 earthquake, centered north of Ridgecrest, was followed by more than 2,500 aftershocks during the following five weeks.

On Sept. 20 that same year, a second large earthquake struck the region. At magnitude-5.8, it was likely on the same fault system as the earlier quake. More than 1,900 aftershocks followed the September earthquake.

In October 1999, one of the largest earthquakes recorded in Southern California was centered in the region. The magnitude-7.1 Hector Mine quake produced shaking throughout SoCal and in parts of Arizona to Nevada from its epicenter in the Mojave Desert. It was in such a remote location that it was named after an open quarry pit and caused little damage, aside from a surface rupture in the Twentynine Palms Marine Base.

There were no immediate reports of damage in the Los Angeles area.

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Local Artist Creates American Flag From Egg Cartons

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On the 4th of July, people express their patriotism in various ways.

For one local artist, moved after the events of 9/11, he took something people usually throw away and turned it into art.

It was all because he wanted to show his love for our country, and he did it in a public way.

“America is a blessing to me,” explained Robert Carley as he stood before his work of art on the lawns of the state Capitol Thursday.

Carley is a background actor by trade, but art is one of his true loves.

“I've lived in Connecticut for a long time and I thought what better place to set up a flag than the Capitol.”

He graduated with a degree in fine arts and political science, so his artistic form of the American flag in egg cartons is a perfect blend of both.

“I've been taking photos of flags since 911...right after 9/11 I noticed beautiful flag tributes people painting fences even cars even homes,” he said. “My first flag was made out of paper clips and then water bottles and then going to the diner I noticed these great egg cartons.” 

He started collecting them, and began practicing in his backyard his plan for an American flag of srots that all could enjoy.

The only problem was hot to make the star.

“I thought eggs what more perfect image to put in than eggs than stars butt together?” he said. “There aren't exactly 50 but a little poetic license.”

Spray-painted egg crates and strategically placed eggs. an unusual concept for a flag, but Carley said “found art” as it’s called is a perfect way to artistically celebrate our unique country.

“I believe that America is the great country that has ever been and I think of all days we have to settle down and relax and enjoy our freedom enjoy America and be grateful for the founding fathers they are genius for creating a country that everyone wants to come to,” he said.

Curious onlookers took pictures and asked about his larger than life assembly of red, white and blue. He reveled in the fact that in its own way it was uniting people on the nation’s 243rd birthday. “Patriotism is alive and well with me,” he said.

“Whether you're a Republican or a Democrat, red state or a blue state, we are all red white and blue today.”



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Families Rush to Hammonasset State Park for July 4th

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Families rushed out on Thursday morning before the gates even opened at Hammonasset State Park with hopes of getting a good spot on the sand and a great place to barbecue.

Car load after car load of families flooded into the park ready to celebrate the Fourth of July.

"Have a good time. Get into that water, get some sun, right, relax, eat," said Lillian Graciani, of Middletown.

Graciani arrived with her family two hours before the gates opened, all in the hopes of beating the crowds.

"It is packed today, very packed and it's early," said Grisel Delgado, of Springfield, Massachusetts.

Delgado drove two hours with her family from Springfield. They said it was well worth the trip.

"It reminds me of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico has a lot of beaches so it reminds me of that. And today is a day we should spend with family together, enjoy ourselves,” she added.

They were joined by dozens of families on the beach, where kids were building sand castles, squirting water guns and having a great time.

"This is the first outing that we've had all summer so this is a good start," added Rachel Block, of Bristol.

Several families also staked out a good spot near the pavilions where they could relax in the sun and grill.

The park reached capacity around 11 a.m. on Thursday and is closed to new vehicles.

After a fun filled day at the beach, families plan on heading back to their hometowns across the state to catch the fireworks.

Rocky Neck, Hammonasset, Other State Parks Reach Capacity on Independence Day

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Multiple state parks including Rocky Neck in East Lyme have reached capacity on Thursday and are now closed to new vehicles as people celebrate Independence Day.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said the following parks are full:

  • Bigelow Hollow State Park in Union
  • Black Rock State Park in Watertown
  • Burr Pond State Park in Torrington
  • Gardner Lake State Park and Gardner Lake boat launch
  • Green Falls Recreation Area in Pachaug State Forest
  • Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison
  • Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford
  • Hopeville Pond State Park in Griswold
  • Indian Well State Park in Shelton
  • Lake Waramaug State Park in New Preston
  • Miller's Pond State Park in Durham
  • Mount Tom State Park in Litchfield
  • Pattaconk Lake Recreation Area in Cockaponset State Forest in Chester
  • Quaddick State Park in Thompson
  • Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme
  • Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield
  • Wadsworth Falls State Park in Middletown

Thursday's weather is partly cloudy with temperatures in the low 90s.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Suspect Charged in Waterford Stabbing

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One person was rushed to the hospital after a stabbing in Waterford Thursday, and a suspect was arrested.

Police said neighbors called 911 to report a stabbing on Thrush Street. Arriving officers found a victim with non-life-threatening injuries, who was taken to Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London for treatment.

A suspect, identified as 70-year-old David Luzietti, was arrested and charged with second-degree assault. He was held on a $100,000 bond and is due in court Friday.

Police said this was an isolated incident and there is no danger to the community.



Photo Credit: Waterford Police Department
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