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LeBron's Nose Is Broken

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LeBron James passed a concussion test Thursday night, but an X-ray on Friday confirmed that he has a broken nose, according to NBA.com.

James was injured while going up for a dunk in the fourth quarter of the Miami Heat's victory on Thursday. Oklahoma City Thunder power forward Serge Ibaka hit James on the nose and it led to the Heat star profusely bleeding on the court.

Before falling to the floor, James did complete the thunderous dunk but it was immediately evident something was very wrong. James, who so often gets up after hard hits, stayed down with his head buried in his hands.

"I'm like everybody else. You're used to seeing him like Superman, get up and sprint back even after tough hits and tough falls. So we knew something was up," Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra told the Sun-Sentinel after the game.

James will likely need to wear a mask due to the broken nose as is the norm for this type of injury.  This would not be the first time James had to play with a mask so he should have a moderate comfort level.

Back in 2004 while with the Cleveland Cavaliers, James broke his left cheekbone after a hit from Dikembe Mutumbo. Following the hit, James donned a similar mask to one that has since been seen on several players including Kobe Bryant.

James didn't speak to the media after the game but he did take to Twitter in the early morning hours. James made reference to wearing a mask in the form of Batman villain, Bane.

James is currently listed as questionable for Sunday's game and will be a game-time decision according to the NBA.com report.  After an extended road trip, Miami will be playing at home for the first time since February 3rd and will take on the Chicago Bulls.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Injured New Britain Officer Makes First Public Appearance

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There was a packed crowd in New Britain theater Friday night, all to support Officer Brett Morgan, who is still recovering from his injuries he sustained in the line of duty last month.

Officer Morgan sat front and center with his family, a cast visible on his arm.

He laughed along with the crowd as various stand up comics took the stage for "Stand Up for Brett"- The Chaz & AJ Benefit Comedy Show for Officer Brett Morgan

Morgan was hurt when Jaheem Snype, 19,struck him with a stolen car and dragged him several yards across the pavement on January 19th.

Snype was taken into custody at an apartment in Barton, Vt., close to the Canadian border, days later.  He was then extradited to Connecticut.

Morgan is still receiving outpatient care for his injuries. New Britain Police Chief James Wardell says Officer Morgan made it a priority to come to the benefit.

"He set a personal goal for himself several weeks ago when Chaz and AJ first started to plan this. He set it as a goal to be here tonight and its just typical of the way he's been recovering, he set a goal and he achieved it," said Wardell.

Snype is facing several charges, including criminal attempt to commit murder, first-degree assault and assault on a police officer.

The benefit for Officer Morgan raised about 7,000 dollars.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

The Most Memorable Sochi Moments

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The Sochi Games were peppered with moments of triumph and despair that will be remembered long after the Games move on to the next host city. Here are nine of the most unforgettable:

Historic Victory Uplifts Struggling Figure Skating Team
When Meryl Davis and Charlie White laced up their skates for the Olympic ice dancing competition, the U.S. team was sorely in need of good news. Two figure skating pairs and two men's skaters had already failed to make the podium with none getting farther than 9th place. The women's skaters hadn't yet competed but none was a shoo-in for the gold. If the U.S. was to salvage any part of its fraying reputation as a strong figure skating competitor, Davis and White would have to uphold theirs as the top skaters on the team.

And they did with a pair of stunningly flawless gold medal performances that finally pulled the Sochi favorites from the shadow of their training partners, Vancouver gold medalists Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. 

A Tear Jerker at the Finish Line
Alpine skier Bode Miller made history when he won the bronze in the Super-G. The 36-year-old became the oldest skier to win a medal in the event and the most decorated American Alpine skier. But it was what happened after his run that will most likely stick in the minds of those who saw it. In a finish line interview, Miller broke down in tears remembering his late brother, who had recently passed away. 

A Jaw-Dropping Tumble Silences an Arena
One of the more unfortunate moments of the Olympics came in the men's figure skating competition when American Jeremy Abbott, who had fallen during a team competition, wiped out again, crashing into the ice, then into the boards in the worst figure skating spill of the Games. He remained down on the ice for an excruciating few seconds before finally standing up and responding to rallying calls from the audience to finish his routine. The spectacle continued at a press conference following the event, where he told critics that he'd like to put his "middle finger in the air" and "say a big F-you to them."

Squandered Chance Leaves Team With Heavy Hearts
Team USA was minutes away from finally beating Canada for the first time for gold — and blew it. Those final moments that saw a 2-0 U.S. lead evaporate and the team suffer elimination in overtime will go down as one of the biggest American disappointments of the Games.

Russian Figure Skating Icon Shocks the World From Center Ice
Russia's legendary figure skater Evgeni Plushenko stunned his country when he announced his withdrawal from the men's figure skating competition — and retirement — seconds before he was supposed to take the ice and cap off his illustrious career with a fifth Olympic medal. He was the only Russian in the men's competition and his last-minute departure over an injury left the home crowd stunned. 

In Plushenko's absence, pressure mounted on 15-year-old Julia Lipnitskaya who was suddenly anointed as Russia's best figure skating hope for a medal. Yet it was someone else, a 17-year-old with an inconsistent record, who wound up clinching Russia's gold. Fans in the Iceberg Skating Palace roared for Adelina Sotnikova as she approached the end of her free-skating routine and it became clear that Russia was destined for the podium, after all.

A Little-Known Snowboarder's Impromptu Run for the Gold
Sage Kotsenburg, a 20-year-old from Park City, Utah, won one of the most unexpected and exhilarating Sochi golds. On a final run down Rosa Khutor's heavily criticized slopestyle course he decided to try out a new move — a quadruple-rotation jump he called the "Holy Crail." He nailed the landing and won the first gold medal of the Games in the debut Olympic event. The victory set the tone for the rest of the snowboarding competition and emphasized that the U.S. would not need snowboarding star Shaun White, who had withdrawn from the event, to win.

An Embattled Icon Shows a Human Side
Snowboarding star Shaun White, under a barrage of criticism for withdrawing from the slopestyle event, took a moment to step away from the competition and give a few fans a memory they will never forget. After qualifying for the halfpipe final he leapt a barrier to give out hugs and high fives to 10-year-old Ben Hughes and 19-year-old Kaitlyn Lyle, who had fought cancer and were in Sochi courtesy of the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

A Redemptive Final Act for Japanese Figure Skater
Though Japanese figure skater Mao Asada never made it to the medal podium in women's figure skating, the 23-year-old's stunning and redemptive free skate will go down as one of the most memorable performances of the Sochi Games.

Asada entered the Winter Olympics under massive pressure to outdo her 2010 silver medal before skating into retirement. But her priorities quickly changed after she blew her signature move, the triple axel — which only she has landed in a women's competition — in both a team event and on the first night of the women's individual competition in Sochi. Practically overnight her Olympic task transitioned from winning the gold to saving face and proving she was still one of the best. She did just that, resuscitating her fading reputation with a masterful triple axel and routine that NBC commentators Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski said was among the best Olympic acts they'd ever seen. Asada knew it too and was crying before she skated off the ice.

An Epic Shootout Win Over an Old Rival
The Russians suffered their own game-end disappointment in a shootout against their top "Miracle on Ice" rivals. The Russians lost to the Americans on home ice, in front of President Vladimir Putin and a roaring crowd that gave the preliminary match-up the feel of a gold medal game. American T.J. Oshie dominated the shootout round by scoring four of six attempted goals, and become a household name.

His team couldn't rally against Canada to make the finals, though, which leaves open the possibility of a U.S.-Canada hockey re-match in 2018 when the Winter Games kick off once again.

Get more on NBCOlympics.com:



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Icy Conditions Lead to Crashes, Road Closures

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State police warned drivers to watch out for icy conditions this morning and said black ice has led to rollover crashes and road closures around the state.

Interstate 691 westbound was closed for several hours between exits 6 and 4 in Meriden following a tractor-trailer crash. The highway reopened around 10:45 a.m. There has been no word on injuries.

Police are also investigating a serious accident on Route 8 southbound in Trumbull. Route 8 was shut down between exits 7 and 5 and has since reopened, according to the state Department of Transporation. State police said troopers are still at the scene.

Part of Interstate 384 eastbound was closed earlier this morning in the area of exits 3 and 4 in Manchester is also shut down due to a three-car crash. It's not clear if anyone was injured.

Police said conditions were icy at the scene of a fatal crash on Route 44 in Barkhamsted late Friday night.

State Department of Transportation crews have been out in full force treating the roads.

Temperatures are rising but slick spots are still possible. Today will be unseasonably warm, with highs reaching into the upper 40s or lower 50s, according to Meteorologist Darren Sweeney.

New Britain Man Killed in Crash on Route 44 in Barkhamsted

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A New Britain man has died following a two-car crash on Route 44 in Barkhamsted late Friday night, state police said.

According to state police, 33-year-old Erik Bass of New Britain was driving northbound on Eddy Road near Route 44 when he lost control and skidded out into the intersection, striking Mohamed Amer Almasoudi’s car, which was traveling eastbound on Route 44.

The road was covered with black ice at the time, police said. Bass was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger, 50-year-old Kenneth Cyr, of Barkhamsted, was taken to St. Francis Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Police said they believe Cyr’s injuries are not life threatening.

The crash happened on Cyr’s birthday.

Almasoudi, 29, and a passenger, Jamal F. Jahmee, 26, both of Winsted, were not injured.

Police are investigating to determine the cause of the crash.

Players Disappointed in Outcome of Bronze Medal Game

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The U.S. Men’s Hockey Team failed to medal after falling to Finland 5-0 in the bronze medal match-up on Saturday, despite Connecticut native Jonathan Quick’s 24 saves in goal.

Quick, a 28-year-old Stanley Cup winner from Hamden, made a valiant effort, but wasn’t satisfied with his performance – or with his teammates’.

“My job is to stop the puck, and I didn’t do that very well,” he said after the game. “Team effort. We weren’t good.”

Quick was joined on the ice by Greenwich-born defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, who played 18:57 and made five shots, and forward Max Pacioretty, of New Canaan, who fired off one shot in his 10 minutes of playing time.

Finland came back from a scoreless first period and pulled ahead quickly. Teemu Selanne and Jussi Jokinen racked up two goals just 1:27 into the second period, setting the tone for the rest of the game.

Quick and his teammates said they were disappointed and even embarrassed by their performance.

“It should be too hard,” Quick said, of playing tough teams two days in a row. “We do that all year long. We’re professionals. We play back-to-backs all year long.”

“I am not proud at all right now,” Pacioretty told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “I don’t think anyone is. We were playing for a medal and didn’t show up.” 

It’s the second in a set of tough losses for Team USA. The men’s team fell to Canada 1-0 on Friday.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Sochi Day 15: U.S. Hockey Agony

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After such lofty hopes, American hockey has taken a beating at the Winter Olympics.

The slide culminated Saturday with a humilating loss to Finland on Satuday, the second-to-last day of the Sochi Games.

That put the Americans' out of contention to win the Winter Olympics medal race -- a disappointment after winning the most medals in Vancouver four years ago.

Things might be different if the Americans had Vic Wild on their side. But he's winning golds for Russia now.

A U.S. bobsled team is the last American squad with a shot at a medal.

Here are Saturday's highlights.

Hockey agony

A couple days ago, the U.S. men’s hockey team seemed to have a legitimate shot at a gold medal.

The team was stacked with National Hockey League stars in their prime.

Those dreams have been dashed, with the final blow coming Saturday, when the Americans lost 5-0 to Finland.

That defeat, in the bronze-medal consolation game, followed a 1-0 semifinals loss Friday to defending champion Canada. It left the U.S. off the podium completely.

With that, the Americans wasted a chance to earn medals in consecutive Olympic hockey tournaments for the first time since winning gold in 1960 and silver in 1956.

Bobsled hopes

The four-man bobsled remains the U.S.'s last hope for a final medal in Sochi.

The U.S. 1 sled, led by Steven Holcomb, part of the gold-winning team in Vancouver, ended Saturday a hundredth of a second behind the third-place German team. Russia is in the lead.

There are two more heats on Sunday that will decide the medals.

American wins snowboarding golds — for Russia

Saturday was a big day for American-born snowboard racer Vic Wild, who won his second gold medal.

But it’s the Russians who benefited.

Wild is from Washington state but married a Russian snowboarder, moved to Moscow and joined his adopted country’s Olympic team after a lack of support in the U.S.

That decision led to validation in Sochi, where he won the parallel giant slalom on Wednesday, and then the parallel slalom on Saturday.

His Saturday win was an upset of Austria's Benjamin Karl and drew praise from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said Wild proved that "sports fate smiles on the most talented, driven and strongest in spirit,” according to the Associated Press.

Ligety falls short in slalom

American Alpine skier Ted Ligety, who won gold in the giant slalom earlier this week, failed to medal in his final event in Sochi.

He didn't finish his second run in the men’s slalom on Saturday after losing control and going off course.

The event was won by Mario Matt of Austria, who at 35 became the oldest Alpine champion in Olympic history.

Teammate Marcel Hirscher won silver, a one-two finish that gave the Austrians nine Alpine medals, a remarkable turnaround from Vancouver four years ago, when they won four.

The Americans, which won seven Alpine medals in Vancouver, finished with five in Sochi.

U.S. loses medal lead

America ended Saturday, the second-to-last day of the Sochi Games, with 27 total medals, nine of them gold.

That put the U.S. in second place in the overall standings, with no realistic chance of winning the final medal race.

Host Russia leads with 29 total medals, 11 of them gold.

Only Norway has as many golds as Russia. It is in third overall with 26 total medals.

There are only three eventsleft to be played on Sunday: The four-man bobsled, in which the Americans have a shot at a podium finish, the men’s hockey finals, which does not include the U.S., and the men’s cross country 50km free master start, where America is not considered a contender.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Flight Makes Emergency Return to SD

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A Delta Airlines flight en route from San Diego to Salt Lake City was forced to make an emergency return to the San Diego International Airport Saturday morning after experiencing some sort of pressure issues in the cabin.

Delta Flight 978, a Boeing 737-800 twin-jet aircraft, took off from Lindbergh Field at 6:15 a.m. as planned. However, 15 or 20 minutes into the flight, things quickly changed, leading to a frightening ordeal for approximately 140 passengers and crew aboard the plane.

Passenger Melinda Wing was traveling with her husband to visit her kids in Salt Lake City. They were sitting near the emergency exit when, suddenly, she said their oxygen masks dropped from above their seats without warning.

“The pilot came on [the loudspeaker] and announced that we were losing pressure,” she told NBC 7. “He told us to put on our masks.”

Wing said the plane then began turning around and heading back to San Diego, where it safely landed without incident about 20 minutes later.

While she and her husband tried to remain calm, Wing said there was some panic on the plane as the aircraft dropped to a lower altitude and made its way back to San Diego.

“There was a little bit of hysteria; babies crying, losing pressure in their ears. Condensation coming out from under the seats as we were landing, which was a little scary, because people thought it was smoke,” she recalled.

Fortunately, once the airplane landed back at Lindbergh Field, Wing said everyone on board seemed okay. The aircraft was towed in and passengers eventually disembarked.

As they landed, Wing said she texted her kids to let them know they weren’t going to make it to Utah as planned. She also texted them photos of her and her husband wearing their oxygen masks and told her kids she loved them.

“We landed safely and all is well. But now that it’s over, that we’ve landed, it all sets in,” added Wing.

Michael Mishko was also a passenger on Delta Flight 978. He said he was sleeping when, about 20
minutes into the flight, he was suddenly awakened to the sounds of oxygen masks dropping and the pilot making an announcement.

Mishko, who was sitting toward the rear of the plane, said he heard a loud noise behind him, “like a big rush of air.”

He then said he heard some passengers and crew saying there was smoke in the cabin.

Though some people around him were panicking, Mishko said he wasn’t all that frightened.

“I wasn’t too afraid, as long as the engines are running, we’re okay,” he said. “But, it was definitely an experience.”

Passenger Kipp Gstettenbauer said the incident was a bit surreal. He’s never experienced anything like it before.

“It was really weird. Not a lot you can do up there, you just see what happens,” he told NBC 7. “I thought it was a prank at first. It was just weird.”

Gstettenbauer said he believes the oxygen supply unit shorted out on the plane, causing some smoke throughout the cabin. He said a lot of people aboard the aircraft were shaken up, with some screaming. He also said some passengers fell ill due to the sudden drop in altitude.

Gstettenbauer said that once the plane returned to Lindbergh Field, passengers could see fire engines, police cars and ambulances waiting on the runway.

After disembarking, the airline re-booked him for a later flight, he said.

Paula Knight, also aboard Delta Flight 978, said she became very frightened once the oxygen masks dropped and the pilot made his announcement.

“It was just frantic. I couldn’t get the mask on right,” she recalled.

Knight said the cabin then experienced some changes in temperature, pressure and altitude, with it becoming hot and then quickly very cold. She then saw condensation and possible smoke making its way through the cabin.

“It scared the crap out of me. I thought I was in a movie. It freaks you out. I thought I was going to die. [It was] seriously scary,” she told NBC 7.

NBC 7 reached out to Delta Airlines for comment on the incident but have not heard back from the company. Delta was working to get Flight 978 passengers booked on other flights following the incident. Officials at the San Diego International Airport said the flight was canceled for the day and the plane is currently out of service.



Photo Credit: Melinda Wing

Children Honored for Acts of Kindness in Newtown

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The Charlotte Bacon Act of Kindness Awards has grown tremendously in its second year.

Inside Newtown's Edmond Town Hall contained a room full of bold kindness. From Lauren Brown, who shaved her head and raised thousands to support her friend with brain cancer, to Aidan Walker, who saved his younger sister from drowning.

On Saturday night dozens of children from 14 states and two countries were recognized for their extraordinary work, all in honor of Charlotte Bacon, a victim of the tragedy at Sandy Hook. Many acts of kindness even inspired by Charlotte, who would have turned eight today.

"It brings hope on a day that certainly can bring a lot of sorrow," said Aaron Carlson, Chairman for Newtown Kindness, an organization created in honor of Charlotte.

"I'm really happy that I could be a part of her memory and to celebrate her," said Lizzie Penna, who came to the ceremony from Philadelphia.

Penna was recognized for starting Peace for Puppies when she was in third grade. Five years later she raised thousands of dollars.

"We collect supplies and money for shelters and rescues for animals all over the country," said Penna.

If you’d like to donate to Peace for Puppies, you can go here: www.peaceforpuppies.org.

NBC Connecticut was with Lucia St. Lorenzo when she brought Thanksgiving supper to on-duty Newtown Police Officers, and she was honored at the ceremony for that unexpected act of kindness.

In less than two years, organizers says Charlotte's kindness has reached more than 10,000 children, and they hope even more will think kindly and act boldly.

"We saw so much goodwill coming towards our community, and that's really what inspired us to take action," said Carlson. "We saw so much good in the world in the face of the worst tragedy."

Organizers want to hear from more kids about the good acts they're doing. You can tell them about it at NewtownKindness.org.
 



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Driver Arrested in Fatal Crash that Killed Toddler

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State police have arrested the driver responsible for a fatal crash that killed a child in Oxford back in September.

Garrett L. Baker, 30, of Waterbury, is charged with negligent homicide, distracted driving, reckless driving, and failure to drive right.

The head-on collision occurred on Route 188/Quaker Farms Road  around 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 11 when a car driven by Baker, crossed over the center line and crashed into an oncoming Subaru Outback, according to police.

Five people were injured, including 3-year-old Lilly Brooks who died from her injuries.

Authorities said Baker received neck abrasions and his passenger, Nicole Bahr, 28, also of Waterbury, suffered arm injuries.

Baker was released on a $75,00 bond and is scheduled to appear in Derby Superior Court on March 3rd.

 



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Smashed Aquarium, Suspicious Fire Could be Linked: Police

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Police have taken a 14-year-old into custody in connection with two suspicious incidents involving a smashed glass aquarium and a fire that broke out moments later.

West Haven police responded to 375 Elm Street around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, where they said someone had destroyed the aquarium and glass was strewn about the road. The teen reportedly admitted to police that he was responsible.

While on scene, officers noticed smoke coming from behind a home at 122 Clark Street and arrived to find the garage engulfed in flames.

The fire was contained to the garage. Firefighters worked quickly to battle the flames to keep them from reaching railroad tracks nearby.

Trains were slowed for about an hour while crews worked to put out the fire.

When firefighters later entered the garage, one fell into a pit used to repair cars, injuring his shoulder. He was taken to the hospital and is expected to be OK, according to Deputy Fire Chief Scott Schwartz.

Police are investigating to determine whether the incidents are connected.

According to West Haven Police Sgt. David Tammaro, the teen’s footprints were visible in the snow near the scene of the fire. The teen denied involvement and said he had taken cellphone video of the flames.

Firefighters said there was no power supply to the garage and it was not immediately clear what might have sparked the fire.

Authorities are investigating to determine the cause of the blaze. West Haven police detectives and state police K-9 units are assisting the investigation. 


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Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Crash Closes Route 286 in Ellington

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Route 286/Pinney Street is closed in the area of Windermere Avenue in Ellington following a crash, state police said.

According to police, one car struck a telephone poll causing power lines to topple on the road. 

There were no injuries, authorities said.

The road has been shut down since before 3:30 a.m. Sunday, according to the state Department of Transportation, while crews work on fixing the power lines.

No additional information was immediately available.

Check back for updates. 


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Scattered Snow Showers Heading Our Way

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We could be in for a little more snow overnight and on Wednesday, but the big focus of this week’s forecast is plummeting temperatures once again.

Rain and snow showers will move in later tonight. Many of us will wake up to between a coating and an inch of snow tomorrow, especially south and east of Interstate 84 Most of the storm is moving past us to the southeast and we’ll miss the worst of it, according to Meteorologist Darren Sweeney.

Snow will taper off by the morning commute but could leave a few slick spots on the roads through the morning commute.

We’ll have one more day of mild weather with highs reaching into the 40s, then temperatures will fall again to below freezing overnight. Highs will struggle into the teens by the end of the week.

A coastal storm could affect us Wednesday, but is likely to brush by without leaving much accumulation, Sweeney said.

The NBC Connecticut weather team is continuing to monitor that storm and will keep you updated as new data comes into the newsroom.

Send your winter weather photos to shareit@nbcconnecticut.com.

Check for closings and delays here.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Priests Accused of Child Sex Abuse

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Two priests have been removed from the Philadelphia Archdiocese following allegations of child sexual abuse.

Reverend James J. Collins, 75, and the Reverend John P. Paul, 67, are both accused of sexually abusing a 17-year-old over 40 years ago. Archbishop Charles J. Chaput determined that both priests are not suitable for ministry due to the substantiated allegations, according to an Archdiocese spokesperson.

Collins was placed on administrative leave in May of last year when the allegations first surfaced. He was ordained in 1964 and had served as a faculty member at Holy Family University since 1976. He retired from his position last year.

Paul was placed on administrative leave in December of last year when the allegations were first made against him. He was ordained in 1972 and most recently served at Our Lady of Calvary, Philadelphia before he was placed on leave. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Paul was allowed to work in his parish for nearly a year after the accusations against him first surfaced.

The allegations against both priests were reported to the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. Local authorities declined to pursue criminal charges because the statute of limitations had expired, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. The Archdiocese Office of Investigations began their own investigation

The results of the investigation were then submitted to the Archdiocesan Professional Responsibility Review Board (APRRB), comprised of 12 men and women, both Catholic and non-Catholic, with experience in child sex abuse investigations. The group then recommended that the priests be removed and Archbishop Chaput made the final decision.

Neither Father Collins nor Father Paul will have public ministry in the Archdiocese. Both men have the right to appeal. If they don’t appeal or if an appeal is unsuccessful, they could be removed from the clerical state or “live a life of prayer and penance,” according to an Archdiocese spokesperson.

The Archdiocese have not yet revealed specific details about the accusations against the two priests or the exact day they were removed.

Stay with NBC10.com for more details on this developing story.

 



Photo Credit: Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Bakery Holds Benefit for Injured Officer

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Plainville residents came together at Bolo’s Bakery on Sunday to raise money for an officer in need.

From pastries to pancakes, 25 percent of all of their sales went directly the Officer Brett Morgan Benefit Fund.

It was just over a month ago when Morgan was intentionally hit by a stolen car and dragged 100 feet, police say. He has since been released from the hospital but has a long road to recovery.

The community has stepped up to help, and the support crosses town lines.

The manager at Bolo’s knew she wanted to help as soon as she found out what happened.

“I think that what happened was really devastating and horrible,” said Cristina Abrantes. “We wanted to give back as much as we could.”

Her bakery was packed as New Britain police cars lined the outside. Customers who donated talked about the importance of appreciating all law enforcement.

“We just want to say you’re not forgotten. We take you for granted, but we do recognize your contribution and your sacrifice,” said Vic Fumiatti.

Bolo’s has had a donation box at the front of their cash register for weeks with Officer Morgan’s name on it. They have already raised a few hundred dollars, but they hope to raise even more and help the officer heal.

“Even though it’s not physical rehab, there’s a part of you inside knows you’re getting a lot of support and he’s certainly getting it,” said Betty Fumiatti.

Morgan made his first public appearance last week.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Caitlin Cahow Talks Hockey, Olympics and LGBT

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Branford native and two-time Olympic medalist Caitlin Cahow headed to Sochi for the 2014 Winter Games, but not to compete.

Cahow, a former U.S. women’s hockey player and openly gay athlete, was chosen to be a part of the U.S. delegation to Russia and attend the Closing Ceremony in Sochi. She also filled in during the Opening Ceremony when one of her idols, Billy Jean King, couldn’t make it.

“Any time your president gives you a phone call and asks you to represent him, it’s a pretty amazing opportunity and something I’ll never forget,” Cahow told NBC Connecticut’s Kevin Nathan.

President Barack Obama’s decision not to attend the Sochi Games only led Cahow to take her responsibility more seriously.

“We are not sending a major diplomat in the sense that we have in the past, so I think that puts a little bit more pressure on the rest of us and the delegation to represent the entire country and support our athletes,” she said.

Cahow explained that the Olympics are about more than sports and said she strives to be a leader and role model in all areas of her life.

“For me, [coming out] really wasn’t a question,” she said. “I knew when my hockey career was done… that I could be doing more for people out there. … It was in part motivated by some of the Russian LGBT policies that were becoming worldwide, and in part it was because I speak with a lot of young athletes all the time and I want to be honest with them.”

Cahow grew up in Branford and competed in the Torino and Vancouver games. She graduated from Harvard and is finishing a law degree at Boston College, but said no matter where she goes, she takes a little piece of Connecticut with her.

“My Olympic dreams started in my driveway playing street hockey with my friends on Short Beach [in Branford], so I always carry that with me wherever I go. When I walk out into the Olympic stadium again for the third time, I’ll be carrying the Nutmeg State with me in my pocket.”

She’s joined in Sochi by fellow Branford natives Alex Deibold, who brought home the bronze in men’s snowboard cross, and NBC Olympics executive producer Jim Bell.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Woman Found Shot in Hartford

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An investigation is under way after a 30-year-old woman was found shot in Hartford Sunday afternoon.

According to authorities, the woman was shot in the head and arm on Adams Street.

She was found alert and conscious when officers got to the scene.

Police said the victim was taken to St. Francis Hospital where she is listed in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery.

Major Crimes Detectives are processing the scene. 


 

 



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Drivers Injured in Suffield Head-On Crash

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Two people were injured in a head-on crash in Suffield Sunday afternoon.

According to officials at the scene, two cars collided on East Street North, near Overhill Drive at around 3:30 p.m.

Both drivers were extricated from their vehicle and transported to the hospital by ambulance, authorities said.

Police said the victims are in serious condition. There were no passengers in either vehicle.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Meriden Police Investigate Untimely Death

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Authorities are on scene conducting an investigation into an untimely death at the Meridian Inn.

According to police, a man in his mid-40s was found dead in one of the hotel rooms.

The cause of death has not been determined.

Meriden Police Major Crimes Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators are investigating.
 



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Sochi Games: Russia Wins

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Take a moment to remember what people were saying about the Sochi Games just days before they started.

Fears of terrorism. Anger over Russia’s anti-gay laws. Doubts about playing snow sports in a sub-tropical seaside resort. Mockery of the Olympic village’s incomplete construction. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Soviet-style insistence that nothing would go wrong.

Skeptics scoffed. But now that the Games are over, it seems that the old KGB man was right.

Yes, there were hiccups, inevitable for such a massive event. The springlike weather disrupted events. Halfpipes and ski courses required last-minute corrections. A whip-wielding Cossack confronted the anti-Putin group Pussy Riot. Stray dogs wandered all over the place.

But there were no significant security breaches, no violent attacks, no big gay-rights protests. The pre-Games griping about half-built hotels, broken elevators and brown drinking water went viral, but the problems were mostly fixed and forgotten.

Eclipsed by the Games themselves.

Which was the point.

Olympic ideals

The Olympics aim to highlight the purity of sport, to renew the promise that friendly international competition can rise above politics, and remind the world that we are all one big community. It’s an impossible ideal to live up to, with a global audience and bitter old rivalries, not to mention the dual specters of doping and game-fixing.

But the Sochi Games, in many aspects, came close.

Consider the host, a country with a deeply ingrained inferiority complex that is trying to overcome a reputation, deserved or not, of incompetence.

Russia spent $51 billion to build an Olympics complex on the coast of the Black Sea from scratch: ski and snowboard runs, sliding tracks, six arenas, highways, railways, hotels, restaurants. Organizers hoped to turn the modern-day Xanadu into a tourism resort, despite the Olympics’ long history of fallow former host sites.

Shedding old stereotypes

The events themselves ran smoothly, and there were no significant logistical issues within the park. The trains ran on time. Everyone got to where they needed to be.

“Now everyone can see that we are different from the stereotypes,” Dmitry Chernyshenko, who spearheaded the project, told the Associated Press. “We’re modern, we’re efficient and we welcome the world.”

The Games also reflected well on Putin, who used the Sochi Games as a way to boost his international persona. He was highly visible in Sochi, personally congratulating some of Russia’s medal winners and even dropping by the Team USA House. His Sochi budget, criticized as bloated and corrupt, may now set the standard for what's required of a modern, secure Games.

"What took decades in other parts of the world was achieved here in Sochi in just seven years," said IOC President Thomas Bach in declaring the games closed.

Olympic historian Robert Edelman said the Sochi Games may be the event that finally puts to rest the Soviet-era image of Russian obsolescence and ineptitude.

Edelman, who teaches at the University of California at San Diego, has spoken to Russian friends, many of them cynical old journalists, who have been delighted by the Games.

“It really has been without a hitch,” Edelman said.

Agony and victory

Russia’s hockey fans may not feel that way.

There is no bigger Winter Olympic sport than hockey, and the national team was expected, perhaps unrealistically, to win gold. But it was knocked out of competition early, a devastating letdown that included a gut-wrenching shootout loss to the Americans.

The distress was lightened by the home team's performance in figure skating, where it won five medals, including three golds. Legend Evgeni Plushenko and 15-year-old Yulia Lipnitskaya led the Russians to gold in the first-ever team competition, in which the U.S. won bronze. Plushenko pulled out of the men’s competition with a back injury, and Lipnitskaya fell in her individual routines, but a new star, 17-year-old Adelina Sotnikova, filled the void.

American-born snowboard racer Vic Wild, who married a Russian snowboarder, moved to Moscow and joined his adopted country’s Olympic team out of frustration with a lack of U.S. support, won two golds, and was cheered by Americans and Russians alike.

Russia ended the Games with 33 total medals, including 13 golds, topping the overall medal race.

America performs

The United States, which won the overall medal count with a record 37 in Vancouver four years ago, fell short of that mark in Sochi: 28 total medals, including 9 golds, second in the standings.

Still, not shabby. The 28 medals were the U.S.'s third-highest total. The nine golds equaled the number it won in 2010 and 2006, and were one short of its biggest haul, in Salt Lake City in 2002.

A remarkable thing about America’s Sochi performance was that most of the medals did not come from the highly touted veterans who were expected to lead the way.

Some of America’s most clutch performances came from lesser known athletes in events that were recent additions to the Olympic program. The U.S. won 12 medals in freestyle skiing and snowboarding, including six golds.

The breakout stars included snowboarder Sage Kotsenburg, who won the inaugural slopestyle competition, and slopestyle skiers Joss Christensen, Gus Kenworthy and Nick Goepper, who swept the podium. Snowboarders Kaitlyn Farrington and Kelly Clark won gold and bronze in the women's halfpipe.

Letdowns

The biggest U.S. goats by far were the speedskating team, which failed to reach the podium in long-track events for the first time in 30 years. They were dominated by the Dutch, who won a record 23 long-track medals.

The U.S. men’s hockey team failed to win a medal. The women’s team won silver, losing to Canada in a heartbreaking overtime implosion.

There were other letdowns. Skier Lindsey Vonn, defending downhill champion, was sidelined with an injury. Bode Miller and Ted Ligety, considered multi-medal threats, won just one each. Snowboarder Shaun White tanked in the halfpipe, the event he’d dominated in the prior two Winter Games.

The U.S. was shut out in the individual men’s and women’s figure skating events, although it won bronze in the team competition.

'Very good Games'

One of America’s bright spots were ice dancers Meryl Davis and Charlie White, who fulfilled every expectation of them and handily won gold.

Another American who lived up to the hype was 18-year-old Alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin, who at 18 became the youngest woman to win slalom gold.

Olympic historian Bill Mallon said Sochi was a “very good Games for us” overall.

Anyone who expected the U.S. to beat its Vancouver mark was bend wildly unrealistic, he said.

But he pointed out an important caveat: America can no longer count on the new “extreme” sports to fuel its medal haul.

America may have owned those events in their infancies, but now that they’re part of the Olympics, other countries will continue investing heavily in them, Mallon said.

“Once a sport is in the Olympics, they start funding it and they start to get good at it,” Mallon said. “That will start happening in snowboarding and freestyle skiing.”

This new generation of stars will help define future Winter Games.

And future host countries, particularly those building a Games from nothing, may look at Sochi as an Olympic model.



Photo Credit: Getty Images
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