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Festival Gunman ID'd; Had Referred to Neo-Nazi Manifesto

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The gunman in the Gilroy Garlic Festival mass shooting has been identified as Santino William Legan, a federal law enforcement official confirmed to NBC News.

Legan had posted online about an 1890 racist manifesto, “Might is Right or The Survival of the Fittest.” 

“Read Might is Right by Ragnar Redbeard,” Legan posted on his Instagram page. He then used a slur against mixed-race people and complained about "hordes" or them "overcrowding" towns.

Police said the 19-year-old gunman on Sunday cut through a fence to avoid security and opened fire at the annual festival in Gilroy, California. Three people were killed, a 6-year-old boy, 13-year-old girl and a man in his 20s, police said. Twelve others were also hurt in the shooting.

Responding officers quickly made contact with the gunman, who police said was shot and killed.

Legan's since-deleted Instagram account says he is Italian and Iranian. It also shows a photo he posted earlier depicting Smokey the Bear in front of a "fire danger" sign.

Law enforcement, including ATF, early Monday searched Legan's family's home in Gilroy. Police and ATF agents were seen leaving the home with evidence bags.

Police on Monday said the gunman used an AK-47 type assault rifle purchased legally in Nevada on July 9.

A motive for the shooting remains unknown.

"This is a tragic incident for our community," Gilroy Mayor Roland Velasco said. "On behalf of the city and the Gilroy City Council our thoughts and prayers go out the victims and families."

There were reports that a second suspect may have been involved in the shooting. Police are still trying to determine if that is the case.

"We don't have any confirmation that any second suspect did any shooting, but we certainly are investigating all leads to try to determine who that potential second suspect is and what exactly that person's role was," Gilroy Police Chief Scot Smithee said Monday.

The festival, now in its 41st year, is a local tradition that attracts thousands annually. It was wrapping up its third and final day when reports of the shooting came in.

"We are heartbroken that senseless violence brought this year's festival to such a terrible and tragic end," Shawn Keck, president of the 2019 Gilroy Garlic Festival, said in a statement. "We are truly grateful to the Gilroy Police Department, who responded immediately to prevent further loss of life, and to the hundreds of other first responders from regional and federal agencies who have provided additional support. We are also thankful for the thoughts and prayers and outpouring of support from people all over the world."



Photo Credit: NBC Bay Area
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Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Litchfield County

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A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Litchfield County.

The hot temperatures and some instability in the atmosphere could cause some thunderstorms to pop up Monday evening.

The storms would be widely scattered and would likely move in between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.

While the risk for severe weather is low, an isolated severe storm can't be ruled out.

If a severe storm was to develop, it could contain small hail and gusty winds.

Track the storms with our interactive radar:



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
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When It Comes to Sports Spending at CCSU, Football is King

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Last week, NBC Connecticut Investigates reported a state audit on the Southern Connecticut State University’s athletic program. Earlier this year, a similar audit was performed on the Central Connecticut State University sports program, for which it received a clean bill of health.

The university spent equitably on men’s and women’s sports in total. Like SCSU, CCSU spends the most money on the football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams.

In the 2017 fiscal year, the football program had larger expenses when compared to the basketball programs in the following categories (totals rounded):

  • $57,000-60,000 more on travel costs
  • $62,000-66,000 more on equipment, uniforms and supplies.
  • $11,000-34,000 more on other operating expenses.

Coaching salaries provided the largest gap. The difference between the football and men’s basketball staff spending was almost $163,000. When comparing the football program to the women’s basketball team spending, the difference was $505,000.

The men’s basketball team, however, recorded the largest revenues with 18 percent more than the football team and 70 percent more than the women’s basketball team.

For more information on college athletics spending and funding, click here.

Person Trapped After Box Truck Crash in Hamden

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Firefighters rescued a person trapped in a box truck after a crash in Hamden Monday.

According to the fire department, one person had to be extricated after the truck rolled over on Route 40 inbound at Whitney Avenue.

Details on injuries were not immediately clear.



Photo Credit: Hamden Fire Department

Hidden In Plain Sight: Connecticut Roads to Nowhere

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I-84 Stack, Farmington:

The multi-stack highway interchange that towers over Interstate 84 in Farmington was part of transportation project that dates back to the 1960s. However, the project was never completed. Much of it is now off-limits, overgrown and tagged with graffiti. Many of the ramps have never used by vehicles.

"There's something that they were going to do that they didn't do," said Richard DeLuca, a former civil engineer who is now an author and transportation historian. DeLuca said the unused ramps over Interstate 84 were supposed to be for the I-291 Beltway, which was planned to run around the city of Hartford. The planned highway was to run through portions of MDC Reservoir lands in West Hartford.

"Public opinion in Connecticut sort of took a stand," said DeLuca.

Potential environmental impacts and the projected cost kept the plans from fully coming to fruition. Decades later, only the ramps leading to and from Route 9 are carrying cars.

"It's a visual reminder of that history," DeLuca said.

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CT Route 11, Salem:

NBC Connecticut's DroneRanger also flew over the abrupt end of Route 11 in Salem. The state highway was supposed to be a lot longer than it is, which is why some people refer to Route 11 as “Route 5 ½.”

The project was supposed to create a more direct route from Colchester down to Interstate 95 in Waterford.

The two bridges that were built over Route 82 in Salem are clear signs that the project that was never completed. Beyond the spans are two deep cuts into the earth where construction for Route 11 was under way in the early 1970s. Since then, attempts to lengthen the highway have been unsuccessful.

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Banton Street, North Haven:

A neighborhood in North Haven that was thriving decades ago is no longer in existence. Three dozen homes lined what used to be Banton Street in an area tucked away in the woods behind a rest stop on the Wilbur Cross Parkway.

"The history of Banton Street is extremely unique," said Holly LaPrade, whose father and grandparents grew up on Banton Street until they and their neighbors were told that they had to leave.

Banton Street, which was constructed in the 1920s along the banks of the Quinnipiac River, was prone to flooding. With upstream development, the flooding became exponentially worse, according to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. It became too dangerous to stay.

"When the floodwaters came up to high, it was flooding into their homes," said LaPrade.

By the 1970s, the state bought out all of the residents and removed the buildings. Foundations and fences are all that remain in what eventually became Quinnipiac River State Park. 

LaPrade's family has moved on, but they have honored the past with the name of the family business; Banton Construction Company.

"It's a piece of my family history that I take a lot of pride in," said LaPrade.

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Do you know of other spots in our state that are 'Hidden In Plain Sight'? Share your ideas by clicking here or by e-mailing dan.corcoran@nbcuni.com.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Safety a Priority for North Branford Potato & Corn Festival

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North Branford is generally a quiet town, but one weekend a year it welcomes tens of thousands of people at its Potato & Corn Festival.

On its 18th year, festival coordinator Gayle McMillan says the festival has something for everyone.

“We have food vendors, we have craft business, non-profit vendors, we have a great amusement company ,we have a petting zoo, we have a traveling circus,” she said.

With over 20,000 people expected to show up to throughout the weekend, safety is a priority.

“We will have security drones in the air from the police department,” McMillan said. “We also will have a lot of security on site—some seen and some not seen.”

Deputy Police Chief James Lovelace says all of the station’s officers will be onsite.

“We also work closely with the fire department and the emergency operations center,” the Deputy Chief added. “We combine our plans and we sit down and we review and we carry out a safe festival each and every year.”

The deputy chief says he understands why some festival-goers may be concerned, especially the recent shooting at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in California.

“Those concerns are real, we share those concerns with our residents here and also the people that come from around the state.”

But, he says they’re working to make it a fun and safe weekend for everyone.

“We’re putting every safety measure in place, we evaluate those incidents from around the country, we learn what was done right what was done wrong and what we can do better. And it’s going to be a great fun event and come out and enjoy the festivities with us.”

The festival goes ‪from August 2 to August 4.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Puppies Reported Missing From Danbury Pet Store

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Danbury police are investigating after 20 to 30 puppies went missing from the Puppy Kisses pet store on Federal Road.

According to police, management reported the puppies missing on July 27 and believed them stolen. Investigators determined that store employees sold the animals under “false pretenses” for $100 each. More details were not immediately available.

Police are looking to speak with anyone who bought a puppy or other items from Puppy Kisses on July 27. Anyone with information should contact Detective Collins at 203-797-4667.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

3 Tornadoes Hit Cape Cod Last Week, NWS Says

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A third tornado hit Cape Cod last week, the National Weather Service confirmed Monday, this narrow one briefly touching down at the same time as another tornado.

Officials had previously said that two tornadoes tore through part of the region on July 23.

It was an EF-1 tornado, the same rating as the other two, that packed 90 mph winds.

It traveled a quarter mile in West Yarmouth from Yacht Avenue and Schooner Street to Egg Harbor Road and lasted one minute, causing mainly damage to trees.

The update from the NWS comes after TV meteorologists, area residents and amateur radio observers reported additional information, according to the weather service's report.

Last week, NBC10 Boston Chief Meteorologist Matt Noyes documented tornado damage on the ground at that location. (See video atop this story.)

The NWS update noted that, before Tuesday, there had only ever been three tornadoes documented touching down on Cape Cod: in 2018, 1977 and 1968.

The tornadoes caused heavy damage in a concentrated part of Cape Cod but no deaths or major injuries.



Photo Credit: NBC10 Boston

Capital One Says Data Breach Affected 100 Million Customers

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Capital One Financial announced late Monday it had learned of a data breach that it says involves the personal information of more than 100 million customers.

In a statement to news media, the credit card giant said it learned of the problem on July 19, and acted quickly to prevent further exploitation.

"Capital One immediately fixed the configuration vulnerability that this individual exploited and promptly began working with federal law enforcement," the company said in its statement. "The FBI has arrested the person responsible and that person is in custody. Based on our analysis to date, we believe it is unlikely that the information was used for fraud or disseminated by this individual. However, we will continue to investigate."

The story was first reported by Bloomberg News, which cited court documents indicating the suspected hacker is a Seattle woman. The Bloomberg report said federal prosecutors determined the woman illegally accessed Capital One data between March 12 and July 17.

Capital One said it estimates at least 100 million Americans are affected by the breach, with 6 million more customers in Canada also involved.

The company said most of the stolen information was taken from credit card applications filed by individuals and small business owners between 2005 and 2019. It said the stolen data includes names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, and income. Capital One also said about 140,000 customers' Social Security Numbers were accessed, along with 80,000 linked bank account numbers.

Capital One said it will directly notify affected customers of the breach, and it will offer free credit monitoring and identity protection.

Capital One established a website for customers with questions or concerns, which can be found here: https://www.capitalone.com/facts2019/



Photo Credit: LightRocket via Getty Images

Officials Release Body Cam Footage in Deadly Hartford Police Shooting

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WARNING: The videos below contain graphic footage that some may find disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.

The Tolland State’s Attorney has released body camera footage from a deadly police-involved shooting in Hartford on Friday.

Hartford Interim Police Chief Jason Thody said a traffic stop took a dangerous turn after the suspect, later identified as 41-year-old Alphonso Zaporta, drove off, attempting to get on Interstate 84 West on the on-ramp off Capitol Avenue.

Thody said Monday that the case involved more than a routine traffic stop, it was part of an investigation into gun-related activity.

Police said officers were eventually able to stop the car using stop sticks during construction traffic congestion.

Once stopped, police said they approached the vehicle on foot and the only passenger in the car exited and surrendered.

The officers were in plainclothes, but were identifiable, according to the police chief. Five officers were on scene when the shooting occurred and three of those officers had body cameras, which were recording, according to police. All three videos were released, though the state’s attorney said parts of the footage were edited out of respect for Zaporta’s family.

The cameras do not recall audio until one minute in, officials noted.

The videos appear to show Zaporta struggling with police. During the struggle, Zaporta gained control of one of the police officer's firearms, police said. In the video the officer can be heard shooting “he’s got my gun, he’s got my gun.”

A different police officer, identified as Detective Zack Sherry, then fired multiple rounds at Zaporta. Zaporta later died from his injuries, according to police.

Sherry has since been placed on paid administrative leave. He has been a police officer in Hartford for 14 years and has no sustained citizen complaints and no disciplinary history, according to police.

Police said a separate loaded firearm, which was reported stolen from Springfield, Massachusetts, was located on Zaporta's driver's side floor.

Connecticut State Police and Tolland State's Attorney are now in control of the investigation.

Zaporta's family said they are still coming to grips with what happened and that they believe his life was taken in vain.

”I really, really want answers as to why my son was shot down...so, I am here right now to, hopefully, seek those answers," Olivia Richard, the victim's mother, said.

According to state judicial records, Zaporta had one conviction for operating a motor vehicle while suspended in 2014.

”Like any normal child, teenager, man, they all have problems. My son had run ins with the law several, many times, plenty times, but overall my son’s heart was bigger than life itself," Richard said.

Police said the last deadly officer-involved shooting in the city was in 2012.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 860-896-3230.



Photo Credit: Hartford Police Department

Silver Alert Cancelled for 1-Year-Old, Mother, Missing From Middletown

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The Silver Alert for a missing a 1-year-old boy and his mother has been cancelled.

Authorities issued a Silver Alert for 1-year-old Evans Santos Monday and said he was with his mother, Brenda Santos.

Later Monday night police cancelled the alert. No other details were immediately available.



Photo Credit: Connecticut State Police

Dominican Baseball Players Chase Dreams to Connecticut

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Baseball is one of the most important sports in the Dominican Republic.

“It’s our life, we can’t live without baseball,” said Wilber Jesus-Reyes, a young Dominican baseball player.

No matter where he plays, a strike is a strike and a hit is a hit. But 1,500 miles from home, few other things are familiar. He says things were tough, coming to America last year with little understanding of the English language. It’s high stakes for a high school junior.

“If we don’t make it at baseball, there’s nothing else for us to do so that’s why many people sometimes go into drugs and things like that,” Jesus-Reyes said.

He’s playing baseball for a better life. That goal taking him to Connecticut. That’s where Michael Spradlin, owner of Connecticut Elite Baseball works with Christ the King Baseball Ministry in the Dominican Republic. The partnership helps create opportunities for players to train in the US.

"I mean we work on it all winter to get one kid here. And then we start doing it again and doing it again,” said Spradlin.

That’s because their dream isn’t just a game. Jesus-Reyes’ father died when he was just 7 months old. His mother raised him and his seven other siblings on her own.

That’s a matter of fact for Jesus-Reyes. Just as it is for his teammate, Juan Abreu, whose mother passed away when he was 10, the same year he learned to play baseball.

Both of them hoping success in baseball can relieve some of the stress for the people who have given them so much.

"I miss them a lot,” said Jesus-Reyes. “That's basically my biggest dream is to give my mom everything she wants."

"I always live with my grandma,” added Abreu. “That's like my gift to her, you know make her proud of me."

And they're just grateful they've found a family in the U.S. going to bat for them.

“Basically love everything,” said Jesus-Reyes. “There are many great people who want to help us. I guess, I just love the game, I love everything about it."

Ruffled Feathers: Chickens Swelter in the Heat

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It’s not always easy for us to stay cool in these hot temperatures. Now imagine trying to survive the heat while basically wearing a winter jacket all the time.

For chickens in Suffield, they’re panting their way through another sizzling stretch this summer.

“It’s really difficult for the chickens in the high heat,” said Kathy Shea Mormino, the self-described "Chicken Chick."

Kathy showed us the chickens that enjoy a nice setup in her backyard.

But the flock isn’t really well suited for this "fowl" weather.

“Chickens have a high core body temperature that ranges between 104 degrees and 107 degrees. So it’s like a full 10 degrees hotter than you and I,” said Kathy.

On top of that, Kathy points out chickens are basically wearing a down jacket and do not have sweat glands.

The key is trying to keep them cool. There are fans and lots of windows in the coops.

Plus they can spend plenty of time in the shade and drink from an icy special mixture.

“You want to keep them hydrated. So to stave off heat stress or heat stroke we will put vitamins and electrolytes in their water. Same as you might have Gatorade or similar,” said Kathy.

From appearances the chickens seem better equipped for winter.

Though it’s hard to find out which season they like better.

“I do talk to my chickens. They don’t talk back. They actually fare quite well in cold temperatures,” said Kathy.

It turns out chickens lay fewer eggs in high heat.

We’re told that’s because their focus is on survival not reproduction.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Epstein Handed a Lawsuit a Day Before He Was Found Injured

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The day before accused pedophile and wealthy Manhattan financier Jeffrey Epstein was found injured in his jail cell, he was handed a lawsuit from a woman who says he raped her when she was just 15 years old, court documents obtained Monday showed.

A New York Deputy Sheriff, Qin Zhang, last Monday personally handed Epstein documents accompanying Jennifer Araoz's lawsuit against the 66-year-old at the Metropolitan Correctional Center where he has been jailed after he was arrested and charged with sex trafficking and conspiracy.

The day after Epstein received Araoz's lawsuit, he was found inside his cell, semi-conscious in a fetal position with marks on his neck, two sources told News 4.

The details of the lawsuit weren't immediately clear but Araoz has been vocal about how the well-connected businessman allegedly sent a woman to her New York City school to recruit her to perform sexual favors for him.

Speaking to NBC News, Araoz said Epstein showed her his Manhattan townhouse where she told him about her dream of becoming a Broadway actress. He also showed her a room with a massage table and a painting of a nude young woman where she said he described as his "favorite room."

Over the year, he manipulated her into giving him massages that ended with him pleasuring himself sexually and her leaving with $300, now 32-year-old Araoz said. And in 2002, he raped her in that room.

"He raped me, forcefully raped me," Araoz told NBC News in the exclusive interview. "He knew exactly what he was doing."

Investigators are still trying to piece together exactly what led to Epstein's injuries, saying details remain murky.

Two sources tell News 4 that Epstein may have tried to hang himself, while a third source cautioned that the injuries were not serious and questioned if Epstein might be using it as a way to get a transfer. 

A fourth source said an assault has not been ruled out, and that another inmate was questioned. The inmate who investigators have talked to in Lower Manhattan facility has been identified as Nicholas Tartaglione, according to two sources. Tartaglione is a former police officer in Westchester County who was arrested in December 2016 and accused of killing four men in an alleged cocaine distribution conspiracy, then burying their bodies in his yard in Otisville in Orange County, according to court records.

Epstein and Tartaglione were cellmates, two sources tell NBC 4 New York. Tartaglione's attorney confirmed they shared the same cell block.

Last Thursday, a senior official reiterated that all three theories -- attempted suicide, try for transfer and attack by inmate -- are still in play.

Sources told News 4 investigators questioned Tartaglione, and the former cop claimed not to have seen anything and insisted he did not touch Epstein, sources said. The attorney for Tartaglione denied all the claims that his client attacked the financier, saying his client and Epstein get along well.

Epstein is now on suicide watch inside MCC, according to two sources. Attorneys for Epstein did not immediately return calls for comment.

Most recently in the sex trafficking case against Epstein, the wealthy financier had been denied bail on July 18 following a bombshell search-warrant revelation that Epstein had a fake passport and piles of cash and diamonds stashed in a safe inside his $77 million Manhattan home. 

U.S. District Judge Richard Berman cited risk of flight and danger to the community in his decision against Epstein, a registered sex offender and private-island owner who faces new federal charges of exploiting dozens of underage girls in New York and Florida in the early 2000s. That meant Epstein would remain behind bars pending trial (a date for the start of which has yet to be set).

Epstein has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and sex trafficking charges brought by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan. The financier's next court date is set for July 31.



Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Couple Who Confronted Festival Shooter Were Shot at Close Range: Family

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A couple wounded in the Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting Sunday confronted the gunman before he shot them at close range, NBC Bay Area has learned from family members.

The husband and wife were running a booth at the festival, according to the wife's sister Christine Sedillo. 

Sedillo said her sister spotted the gunman, identified as 19-year-old Santino William Legan, as he came through a fence on the edge of the festival grounds at Christmas Hill Park. She then confronted Legan, and he shot her at close range.

"The first thing she did was run and confront him," Sedillo said. "She got within 10 feet of him. She told him, 'You are not going to do this here.' He then shot her."

Sedillo said her brother-in-law came running, and the gunman shot him too. He also was in critical condition in Valley Med's intensive care unit Monday night.

What happened next seemed incredible to Sedillo.

She said Legan walked up to the couple lying on the ground, stood above them and asked them "Are you OK?" in a calm voice.

The couple played dead, Sedillo said, fearing he would try to finish them off. Then the suspected shooter’s gun jammed.

"He then dropped the gun magazine right next to her head, loaded another, then opened fire towards her booth and everywhere," Sedillo said.

The granddaughter of one of the workers likely saved the life of the couple’s 3-year-old son.

"Thank god for Madison," Sedillo said. "That 10-year-old little girl saw him running towards his parents on the ground, snatched him up, dragged him under the table and laid on top of him to shield him. That’s the bravest thing I’ve ever heard."

With the couple down, a friend tried desperately to stop their bleeding until paramedics arrived.

"I pulled my shirt off, tied it as a tourniquet around his upper thigh," family friend Denim Brandel said. "I started packing that wound with paper towels somebody was handing me at the time and put pressure on it."

The couple have undergone multiple surgeries and face many more, as well as a long recovery. Sedillo said her sister remained in critical condition Monday night.

Friends and family have set up a GoFundMe account to help with medical bills. The campaign had raised nearly $37,000 of a $100,000 goal as of late Monday night.



Photo Credit: NBC Bay Area

Box Truck Rollover Crash Causes Delays on I-691 in Meriden

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A rollover crash involving a box truck is causing delays on Interstate 691 in Meriden on Tuesday morning.

The rollover crash happened on I-691 eastbound between exits 4 and 5 around 7 a.m., according to state Department of Transportation officials. The right lane is closed in the area.

State police said the truck went down an embankment.

There is more than 3 and a half miles of congestion due to the crash and traffic is extending into Cheshire.

No injuries were reported.

Authorities have not given an estimate for when the highway will fully reopen.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Police ID Woman Killed in Crash in Canterbury

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A 60-year-old Brooklyn, Connecticut woman died after a two-vehicle crash on South Canterbury Road (Route 169) in Canterbury Friday.

Crews at the scene reported one fatality in the crash near the intersection of Phinney Lane just before 3:30 p.m.

State police have identified the woman as 69-year-old Vivian Sanchez, of Brooklyn, Connecticut.

Three people in the Dodge Grand Caravan she was driving were injured and transported to Backus Hospital.

The other driver, 37-year-old Karin McAllister, of Thompson, sustained serious injuries and was also transported to Backus Hospital, according to state police.

Police are investigating and ask anyone with information to call Troop D at 860-779-4900.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Pole Fell Across Several Lanes of I-84 West in West Hartford

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There were delays on Interstate 84 West in West Hartford after a car took down a light pole, which was down across several lanes of the highway.

The pole has been removed from the highway and police said no injuries are reported.



Photo Credit: Connecticut Department of Transportation

Police Activity Closes Route 7 Exit Ramp in Danbury

NJ Couple Buys Out Payless Store & Donates Shoes to Shelter

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A New Jersey couple had a humble idea when they stumbled across a Payless store last month: buy all 247 pairs of shoes and donate them to women and children in need.

The shoe retailer filed for bankruptcy in February this year and most stores were expected to close by the end of May.

But Susan Cook and Patrick Riordan found a Payless store still open while shopping June 22 at the Hamilton Marketplace in Mercer County, New Jersey.

The posters plastered on the windows read: "Everything $3."

Then came an even better deal.

As the couple paid for some shoes for their grandchildren, the Payless cashier mentioned that the staff was hoping to close the store once and for all that day.

"You want to close today right? How much would it be if we bought everything in this store?” Riordan asked.

The store manager offered to sell the couple everything for $1 each.

Merchandise ranged from $40 kids' sneakers to $60 work boots, $5 water shoes, different tights, $30 slippers and more – all for $1 each.

"It took a while and a couple transactions,” Cook said of the multiple receipts it took. Not all the purchases could fit on one.

Cook and Riordan donated them to Womanspace, a shelter and rehabilitation program in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, that serves families affected by domestic violence and sexual assault.

"It’s a really wonderful organization and we were really blessed to be able to help them,” Riordan said.

The pair as well as Cook’s daughter, Rachel, needed two cars to haul all 11 bags of shoes home.

After they coordinated with the shelter, the two donated the merchandise July 10.

"Thank you to our 'Payless family,'" Womanspace wrote in a Facebook post on July 17. "It is generosity like that which allows us to provide for the hundreds of families that reside in our programs.”

The couple estimated that the original price of all the merchandise would be $5,000.

They hope that their donation will inspire other people to give back, too.

"You don’t have to spend $1,000. It doesn’t have to be a lot, just a little human compassion and consideration for somebody else," Cook said. "That’s what matters."

In May, an Arkansas mother of three also put her best foot forward and bought out all the shoes at a closing Payless store. Carrie Jernigan told NBC News she was at an Alma store's close-out sale when her daughter saw a pair she wanted to buy for a friend at school because she had noticed that his were too small.

Not knowing what size her daughter's friend wore, Jernigan jokingly asked how much it would be to buy out the rest of the store. Jernigan's ended up buying 1,500 pairs of shoes, in sizes ranging from infants to a men’s 13.

Word of the good deed spread and others stepped in to help. Now, the community is holding a back-to-school bash before classes begin, offering backpacks, free haircuts, eye exams and other things kids may need for the new school year.



Photo Credit: Susan Cook
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