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Pool Installation Crews Work Through Extreme Heat

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Wednesday’s 90-degree temperatures proved to be a challenge for Tanguay Pools installation crews. NBC Connecticut caught up with them installing a pool in Watertown.

They constantly battle the sun’s rays, because it gets even hotter in six-foot deep pit.

“Whatever temperature it is outside, it’ll be about 20-degrees warmer inside the pool because of the steel reflecting the sun rays back in. So if it’s a 90-degree day out here, it’ll be 110 in the hole,” said Rick Tanguay, the president of Tanguay Pools.

Their end goal is to provide the customer with a refreshing pool, something that can be an oasis on the hot summer days. But during the construction process, the workers are roasting.

“We just drink a lot of water, sometimes we just spray ourselves down with a hose if the sweat isn’t enough to cool us down,” said Tanguay.

It is these hot summer days that makes them work harder and attracts more customers.

“The hot weather definitely brings them in. Some people could have the pool on hold for a year's time. All of a sudden you get one day in the 90s and they want the pool installed yesterday. They don’t care what the cost is, [they’ll say] when can you do it,” said Tanguay.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Authorities Indict 25 Accused of Gun Violence in New Haven

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New Haven, state and federal authorities announced the indictment of 25 people they say are responsible for gun violence in the city.

Chief Otoniel Reyes said the action on Wednesday was meant to send a message that police will not stand for gun violence or any violence in New Haven.

The indictments were the culmination of efforts by New Haven police, the FBI, DEA, state police and police departments from surrounding towns, such as Milford, Hamden and East Haven, Reyes said.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Manchester Chooses Developer for Broad Street Parkade

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The Town of Manchester has chosen a developer for a project on the long-vacant Broad Street Parkade site.

Manchester Parkade I (MP1), one of three companies that submitted a proposal for the 23-acre town-owned property, has proposed a mixed-use development including office space, housing, retail and entertainment options.

MP1 also plans on improvements to Green Manor Boulevard and a greenway along Bigelow Brook, a microgrid to create self-sufficient electricity, heating and cooling, and to use sustainable building principles.

The project is projected to encompass 500,000 to 1 million square feet of space.

The town reached a memorandum of understanding with MP1. They will negotiate more detailed plans and the development agreement in the coming months.

“We are excited to work with the Manchester Parkade I development team to achieve our shared vision for Broad Street,” wrote Mayor Jay Moran in a statement. “There are many details to work out and still a long way to go, but we are optimistic that this partnership will result in a vibrant mixed-use district, additional economic activity, new jobs and additional tax revenue for the Town.”

This project is part of the town’s redevelopment plan, which was approved in 2009 and revised in 2013. For more information on the Broad Street Redevelopment Plan, click here. 



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Trump's July 4 Event Bankrupted DC Security Fund, Mayor Says

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President Donald Trump's "Salute to America" celebration drained a fund the D.C. government uses to keep the nation's capital safe, the city's mayor said in a letter to the president. 

Mayor Muriel Bowser asked for Trump's commitment to repay millions of dollars in federal expenses. The Fourth of July event and subsequent demonstrations cost the District an estimated $1.7 million, the Tuesday letter from the mayor said. 

"It is critical that the EPSF is fully reimbursed for these funds to ensure the District can uphold proper security and support during the remainder of the fiscal year without incurring a deficit for federal activities," Bowser said.

The Emergency Planning and Security Fund is used to cover security costs for public safety in events such as presidential inaugurations, rallies and visits by foreign officials, NBC News reports. 

After covering 2017 inauguration costs of $7.3 million, in addition to other events, the fund is set to have an overage of more than $6 million, according to the mayor. 

Factors contributing to the shortage include declining reserves and increased demand for heightened security. The one-time cost was compounded by Congress only appropriating about $13 million to cover security costs.

“Considering this accruing deficit, our projections indicate that the EPSF will be depleted following your additional July 4th holiday activities and subsequent first amendment demonstrations,” Bowser said.

The mayor asked the president to commit to reimbursing the District for public safety support to the federal government.

"As we continue to gather estimates for the next Inauguration, we ask for your help with ensuring the residents of the District of Columbia are not asked to cover millions of dollars of federal expenses and are able to maintain our high standards of protection for federal events,” Bowser said.

The White House did not respond to an inquiry about Bowser's letter. 

Even if the city is not reimbursed, D.C. will continue to provide security for federal events and protests, as well as for presidential motorcades, according to Christopher Rodriguez, director of the District's Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency.



Photo Credit: Al Drago

Manchester Preschool Teacher Accused of Assaulting Student

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A Manchester preschool teacher is accused of assaulting a student.

According to court documents, the investigation began in December 2018, when they were called to the Manchester Preschool Center on Washington Street.

The victim’s mother told police that she received a phone call from the school’s interim principal reporting that “Miss Casey,” identified as 49-year-old Angela Casey, may have pushed her child in class and that the child hit his head on a chair.

The victim’s mother told police that Casey was removed from the classroom and the situation was reported to the Department of Children and Families.

The victim’s mother also said when she took her child home he appeared fine but complained that his head hurt. The victim’s mother said did not see any visible injury on his head, but that night when she was giving her child a bath she noticed a small red mark on his lower back.

The court documents state that a paraprofessional working in the classroom made the initial report and confirmed to police that they witnessed Casey push the child because the child was refusing to behave. Administrators also told police that there were two other reports of “verbal and physical confrontations” between Casey and students reported by a different paraprofessional.

Casey was charged with third-degree assault and risk of injury to a minor.

Manchester Public Schools Superintendent Matt Geary confirmed Casey was placed on leave on December 5, 2018 and resigned on June 30, 2019.



Photo Credit: Manchester Police Department

Photos: Young Fans Rejoice at US Women's World Cup Parade

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Young soccer fans, some sporting U.S. flags and club jerseys, were among the thousands who lined Manhattan streets as the U.S. women's national soccer held a victory celebration for their historic fourth Women's World Cup title

As the team paraded down the Canyon of Heroes, we asked kids along the route how they felt being at the parade. Many had words of congratulations for their childhood heroes. Some said they came from as far away as California, Tennessee and Florida to be there. 

Click on each photo to see more. 


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Police ID Man Shot and Killed in Hartford

Former State Trooper Pleads No Contest to Assault, Kidnapping

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A former state trooper accused of beating a man for hours in a Wethersfield home pleaded no contest to three felony charges Wednesday.

Rupert Laird, 32, pleaded no contest to second-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping and cruelty to persons.

Laird, of Manchester, and former trooper Xaxier Cruz were both charged and suspended from the Connecticut State Police Department in 2017 after they were accused of brutally beating the victim because the man touched a woman the state troopers know. The troopers allegedly went as far as making the man kneel on a metal grater.

Both were eventually terminated from the department.

The assault happened at Cruz’s Wethersfield home when both state troopers were off-duty. 

Police began investigating on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017, after a nurse from Saint Francis Hospital reported that a man arrived there to be treated and said he’d been beaten on Saturday. 

After speaking with the nurse, police officers met with the victim, who was in pain and covered in dark purple bruises on his chest, back, thighs, stomach and buttocks, according to court documents. 

When police spoke with the victim, he provided a detailed description of the alleged attack and said Laird punched him at least 20 times, kicked him as many times and struck him with a police baton at least 15 times. 

According to court documents, Laird and Cruz targeted the victim because he flirted with a woman and grabbed her buttocks. 

Laird is scheduled for sentencing on October 2.

Cruz pleaded guilty to cruelty to a person, assault and unlawful restraint charges earlier this year. He is scheduled for sentencing on July 17.



Photo Credit: Wethersfield Police Department

Wilson-Gray YMCA in Hartford Closed After Threat

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The Wilson-Gray YMCA in Hartford closed early Wednesday after a phone threat.

YMCA officials confirmed the facility on Albany Avenue received a phone call threat, but did not provide details on what was said. Police responded to investigate and the building was secured for the investigation.

The branch is closed Wednesday evening and all classes and programs canceled.

An after-camp program for Camp Dakota was moved to a different location and parents informed of the change.

“We are coordinating with the authorities to ensure that everyone is safe, and will evacuate the people who are already in the branch when law enforcement determines that it is safe to do so. We will make a determination on operations for Thursday when more information is available,” company officials wrote in a notice.

More information was not immediately available.

New Life Coming for Former Waterbury Factory Site

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A $3 million state grant is set to help rejuvenate a neighborhood and provide a safe haven for kids in Waterbury.

It’s a part of Mayor Neil O’Leary’s 313 Mill Street project.

The site of the new park was previously occupied by various manufacturers that dyed, bleached, washed and/ or printed textiles, including the American Mills Company, Princeton Knitting Mills Inc., Ecco, Inc., Fleisher Finishing, Inc. and the Nova Dye and Print Corporation.

In 2012, Nova Dye and Print Corporation burned to the ground, leaving behind a pile of rubble and an unpredictable future.

Homeowners say the improvements are needed. For the last seven years, metal fences and overgrown bushes have occupied the burned out factory site.

Ashley Bezaras is happy about the changes brewing just steps away from her home.

I think it will improve the community,” said Bezaras. "They're knocking down all these buildings and they make it look better too."

Bezaras says the new addition will add a little excitement for kids and a green space in the city

"It will give kids something to do because there's really no parks around this area," said Bezaras.

The project Is spearheaded by Mayor Neil O’Leary.

“The south end community has been neglected for decades,” O’Leary said.

The mayor says a $3 million state grant will help with property remediation and create a better lifestyle for residents.

"DEEP has ground environmental concerns,” he said. "It's been a focus of this administration over the last eight years to infuse capital into the south end."

Many residents like Okechuku Nolism are noticing the changes.

"They started developing the Southside of Waterbury a lot now,” said Okechuku Nolism..

Nolism says the empty lot on Mill Street is the perfect place to build a park and play with his two-year-old son.

"It gives the kids a safe place to go and that's the most important part,” said Nolism. "We need things like that for the kids."

O’Leary says construction for the project is set to start at the end of the calendar year.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Bear Wanders Into Mudroom of Norfolk Home

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Tuesday morning was very eventful for Virginia Ann Coleman and her neighbors off of Grant Street in Norfolk.

Shortly after Coleman’s son ran into the house, she heard a commotion coming from the entrance to her home.

“I open the front door and there’s literally a bear in my mud room with a bag of garbage in its mouth pulling it outside,” Coleman said during an interview Wednesday.

She said the bear was about 4 feet tall, and it did not enter the rest of the home.

Coleman says she thinks she knows what the bear smelled once he got close to her home with the door open.

“He dragged the bag outside and then he opened it up more, took the bag, because I always double bag the chicken bones and he dragged it across the neighbor’s yard.”The bear never went further into the home than the mudroom, and he spent the next 10 minutes devouring whatever food scraps were left in the bag. Another neighbor, John Rorabach, then saw the bear after he was done with the garbage.

He said, “I heard this commotion and the clanging bat banging and everything and then I looked outside and saw the neighbor driving his van through the yard and finally I saw the bear in the yard and it all made sense.”

A neighbor drove his minivan all over the lawns and yards of the neighborhood to scare the bear into running off. Rorabach said it worked.

“He was kind of nibbling at the trees and everything and not really minding the neighbor with his van right there honking at him, but he kind of scooted along eventually and went on over in that direction.”

He added that bears are part of life in their neighborhood which is close to some densely wooded areas. He says they need to adjust their own habits for their own safety and for the bears.

“We got to coexist with them. They’re not bad but we’ve got to learn how to live with them.”

Possible Poisoning of Dogs Under Investigation in New Haven

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New Haven police are investigating suspicions that someone may have poisoned dogs in an East Rock neighborhood.

The investigation began when a resident in the area reported he believed his dog ate contaminated cat food that someone put in his back yard on Clark Street.

The caller said it began last month when he took his dog and a neighbor’s dog outside for a walk. He told police he let the dogs free in a fenced in area of the rear yard, where the dogs found and ate cat food out of containers left in the yard. The caller said he took the food from the dogs immediately, but the next few days, he noticed his dog appeared sick. He took the dog to the veterinarian, who treated the animal as if it had been exposed to rat poison. The vet told the caller that the neighbor’s dog had also been treated for similar symptoms.

According to the neighbors, the cat food had been left in Tupperware containers in the area and had some kind of foreign material in it. Police seized samples of the cat food found in the yard and it will be tested for poison.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information should contact Officer Joseph Manganiello at the Robin I. Kroogman New Haven Animal Shelter at 203-946-8110.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Second Judge Hands Trump Census Defeat

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A second federal judge is refusing to let Justice Department lawyers withdraw from a lawsuit over the government's plan to put a citizenship question on the 2020 census form that goes to every household, NBC News reported.

Federal District Court Judge George Hazel of Maryland said in an order Wednesday that he "cannot fathom" how a change in the government's entire legal team could avoid having some effect on the proceedings in his court unless the Justice Department can assure him of an orderly transition.

Hazel is overseeing a lawsuit, separate from the case that went to the Supreme Court, in which opponents say that putting the question on the form would amount to discrimination. That case is now in the discovery phase, in which lawyers for both sides are gathering evidence.



Photo Credit: AP

Dillon Stadium Construction Down to the Wire for Saturday's Game

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Hartford Athletic is expected to debut at the renovated Dillon Stadium Saturday, but construction crews will be working down-to-the-wire to have Dillon ready for kickoff.

Capital Region Development Authority Executive Director Mike Freimuth says the field will be playable, but renovations won’t be complete.

“Nervous, nervous. Want to get it done. We’re T-minus 48 hours or maybe 72 I’ve lost count, but we’ll need every one of them.”

Wednesday, about 75 crew members worked hard in the heat to get things done.

“We’ll have the concessions working, the bathrooms working, the field working, and the seats are in,” said Freimuth, about what will be ready Saturday. “The job was way more complex than anyone had envisioned. We thought it would be a simple rehab. Turned out to be a reconstruction.”

Hartford Athletic’s season was supposed to start at Dillon, but construction delays moved play temporarily to Rentschler Field in East Hartford.

“We’re $14 million in, it’s public money, some private money. The funding got hung up into the fall and that delayed us and we’ve been racing all the spring rains ever since,” said Freimuth.

The hope is that Dillon will soon feel like home to Hartford Athletic and local teams.

“Dillion Stadium really is a historic stadium in Hartford and it had completely fallen apart and had been unusable for years,” said Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin.

Not many teams can say they’re playing their second home opener of the season.

“Rentschler Field was great for us, but now we get to see the fans packed into a more tight environment and I think it’s going to be really special,“ said John Ponziani, marketing and communications manager of Hartford Athletic.

As heat rises from the turf, the next couple of days there will be a lot of cheering for the team wearing hard hats to get to their goal before game time. “We have a man of the match at the end of every week. Maybe we give it to these guys,” said Ponziani, about the workers sweating in the heat.

Freimuth remembers watching the Beach Boys perform at Dillon.

This last minute stress, another chapter in Dillon Stadium’s long history in Hartford.

“We plan on being here Saturday afternoon. And if fans show up and we’re not ready to play we’ll give them hard hats and put them to work,” Friedmuth said.

This soccer match is just one of many events happening in downtown Hartford this Saturday night. If you’re planning on attending any of the activities, plan on coming into the city early.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

50 for Father: 50 Courses in 50 States in 50 Days

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Pete Crozier played 18 holes at Lyman Orchards Golf Club in Middlefield on Day 45 of Fifty for Father. The Ohio resident is playing 50 golf courses in 50 states in 50 days to honor his father and raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

“My dad died 20 years ago and I've always wanted to do something to honor him, remember him and even get to know him a little bit better,” said Crozier. "As I turned fifty years old this year, I decided to combine those three memories of my dad as a planner, a traveler and a golfer.”

The journey started on May 27 in North Carolina, and Pete has traveled more than 10,000 miles in the last six weeks.

“I never thought this would happen,” said Crozier. “I played a lot as a kid but never 50 days in a row.”

50 for Father is not just about Pete’s dad but also about his son Gavin, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

“I really wanted it to be hard, I wanted it to be tired because I think I'll be a better dad at the end of this, and feel what my son and more than a million Americans face every day.”

Pete has raised $40,755 for JDRF so far.

“I get to do something I love, with people I love, for people I love and make the world a better place,” Crozier said. “How lucky am I?”

Crozier will conclude 50 for Father on Monday in Worcester, Massachusetts on the same course his father learned to play the game.

Visit https://fiftyforfather.com/ to follow his journey or donate.


High Court Overturns Conviction in Norwich Murder Case

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The Connecticut Supreme Court has ruled that a Haitian immigrant who was convicted of killing a Connecticut woman in 2015 should get a new trial.

Jean Jacques was sentenced in 2016 to 60 years for the stabbing death of 25-year-old Casey Chadwick on June 15, 2015 in Norwich. 

Officials said he killed her just months after being released on parole after an attempted murder conviction.  

On Wednesday the state Supreme Court overturned that conviction, saying Jacques' right to privacy was violated.

The victim's mother, Wendy Jo brown, said the ruling opens up wounds once again.

"You have to learn to live with the pain because it'll never go away," Brown said.

She said the decision makes it feel like she's back at square one.

"I'm always thinking about Casey. Always thinking about her, and this just infuriates me."

It was a unanimous decision by the court, and it came down to a warrantless search inside the apartment.

That search turned up incriminating evidence, including the victim's cell phone.

Prosecutors has said Jacques was no longer living at the apartment at the time, and he made no attempt to have family members extend the lease.

But the court ruled it violated Jacques' rights because the apartment was still his home and he had a right to privacy.

Brown feels like the justice she had for her daughter was taken away by the ruling, and says she worries about a plea deal, because she wants Jacques to spend the rest of his life behind bars.

“Go ahead and throw that out. It's not going to make a difference. There's so much overwhelming evidence against him,” Brown said.

A written opinion by one of the justices agrees, saying prosecutors had an overwhelming case. But because the state didn’t argue it was a harmless error to the overall case, the court had to reverse it.

Brown said while it’s upsetting, she’ll be at any new trial, fighting for her daughter once again.

“I'm not the little crying mom that lost her baby. I'm a strong mom that is the voice of her baby. And for the rest of my life I'll fight for her.”

Brown also continues to fight for Casey’s Law, a proposal that would crack down on counties that refuse to delay attempts by the US to deport dangerous criminals – something she says would have prevented her daughter’s murder.

NBC Connecticut reached out to the state’s attorney for comment Wednesday night but has not yet heard back.



Photo Credit: Norwich Police

Thunderstorms and Heavy Downpours Thursday Night into Friday

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NBC Connecticut meteorologists are tracking showers and thunderstorms that will move into the state late Thursday night and continue into Friday morning.

We have issued a First Alert for the threat of scattered strong to severe thunderstorms and an isolated flash flooding threat.

The storms that develop will move through the state rather slow this could cause heavy downpours for a long period of time resulting in scattered flash flooding.

Thunderstorms that do develop will have the ability to create gusty winds, lightning, and small hail. 

While this doesn't look appear to be a major severe weather threat it's still something were keeping a close eye on.

Showers and thunderstorms will develop Thursday night between 8 p.m. and midnight. 

Scattered showers and storms will continue through the morning hours as a cold front approaches from the west.

While the cold front wont result in cooler temperatures for the weekend it will result in a comfortable air-mass with dry air resulting in low dew point values.

Stay with the NBC Connecticut First Alert Weather team for continuous updates.


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1 Dead in Pair of Early Morning Shootings in Hartford

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Hartford Police are investigating two overnight shootings, including one fatality.

A man was shot around 12:30 a.m. on Earle St. in the city's North End, according to police. The 32-year-old victim was rushed to the hospital and died around 10 a.m., police said.

Police were also called to Wethersfield Avenue for another shooting. Police said a 24-year-old Manchester man was shot in the hand and thigh.

The two shootings are not related, police said.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

New Haven Alder Arrested on Domestic Violence-Related Charge

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A New Haven alder was arrested on a domestic violence-related charge on Thursday morning, according to police.

Officers were called to a home in the 500 block of Elm Street for an incident around 3:15 a.m.

They arrested 66-year-old Frank Douglass. Douglass represents Ward 2 on the New Haven Board of Alders.

He was charged with breach of peace (domestic violence), according to police.

It is not clear what took place at the home which led to Douglass' arrest.

He was held on $1,000 bond and is expected to be in court on Thursday morning.



Photo Credit: New Haven Police

You Could Be Risking an Infection With Dip-Powder Manicures

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Nail dipping, or dip powder nails, is a long-lasting manicure trend that's grown in popularity over the last couple years. It's not a new technique; it's been around since the 90s. But since 2017, nail dipping has seen a resurgence at salons across South Florida and around the country.

The process includes applying a bond, followed by a base and then dipping the finger into a powder. The manicure is said to last longer than the popular gel manicure.

But, it turns out there's a right way and wrong way to do it.

Well-known nail scientist Doug Schoon recommends that nail salons pour or sprinkle the powder onto nails.

"Dipping the same clients' finger, foot or hand into the same cosmetic product that other clients will also use, that's not supposed to be done," explained Schoon.

Schoon says nail techs that double dip nails are putting their clients at risk.

"If you're going to dip your client's finger into a powder, well that's going to expose your client's skin," warned Schoon.

He recommends nail techs get rid of any powder that has touched a client's skin to avoid cross contamination. But, there are many salons that don't do that.

NBC 6 checked with Dr. Martin Zaiac, the Director of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Zaiac is also Chairman of Dermatology at FIU's Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. 

"If someone has some type of infection and they stick it in the powder and it stays there and you're coming 30 minutes later and using the same canister, and you stick your finger in there, there's a chance," Zaiac said.

He adds the risk is low, because the powder is not a breeding ground for bacteria or infections.

"They need a little bit of moisture, they need a little bit of warmth in some other environment to be able to survive," explained Zaiac.

Still, Dr. Zaiac recommends to stay safe, you should bring your own powder jar to the nail salon.

Aspiring nail techs at the Hollywood School of Beauty in Florida learn a more sanitary way to dip nails. Students are taught to pour or sprinkle the powder instead of dipping the entire nail into the jar.

Belky Gonzalez is a nail instructor at the cosmetology school. She tells her students to use this technique to avoid cross contamination.

"The reason why I teach the pouring is because once I'm done, I don't have to reuse [the powder]," Gonzalez explained. She also advises to throw away any powder that has touched a client's skin.

Johanna, a student at the Hollywood school, said she many nail salons she's been to do not follow the recommended procedure.

"The way that they did it in the salon was much different from what I learned here, as far as the cleanliness and how to utilize the powder," Johanna said.

Gonzalez says some nail techs may avoid pouring the powder because they want the nail color to stand out. She says when it comes to color — it doesn't matter if you dip or pour.

"It's going to give you the same effect. You can go so many ways around it and you're still going to get the same results," said Gonzalez.

Nail experts add that salons shouldn't expose clients to UV light dryers when dip powder is applied. They say it's simply unnecessary, because the manicure dries within minutes.

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