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Civil Rights Groups Demand More Transparency for Police Taser Use

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Brandon Lane wonders if his father, 37-year-old Thomas Lane, would still be alive had a Connecticut State Trooper and West Haven Police Officer not deployed their Tasers while trying to rescue him from a car crash early Tuesday morning on I-95.

“The cops that were there to help him they actually ended up hurting him,” Lane said. “Maybe he would still be here recovering from his injuries, I’ll never know.”

The 20-year-old suffered a significant head injury from the crash, police said.

In the wake of Lane’s death, the Connecticut chapters of both the NAACP and ACLU are demanding more transparency and oversight for Taser use by police departments in the state.

“There’s no way in the world that an officer should be pulling out a Taser and shooting an individual they are supposed to be saving,” said NAACP of CT President Scot Esdaile at a press conference in New Haven Friday.

State Police are investigating the use of force by officers involved in Tuesday's incident. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has not yet released autopsy results and that could take several weeks.

The NAACP wants Taser use of force reports to be made public immediately when there is a fatality.

Since 2005, according to the NAACP, 12 of 18 fatalities in Connecticut from police use of Tasers were African American or Latino.

“Taser use has become the lazy man’s approach to controlling people,” said Darnell Crosland, an attorney representing the Lane family.

Troopers said after Lane injured a West Haven firefighter trying to free him from the wreckage, he “continued to be combative and attempted to cause further harm to himself and others.”

A State Police source said Lane was using pieces of glass to cut himself before police deployed Tasers on him.

“In this case the combativeness cannot in any way be misconstrued to be an attack on a police officer,” Crosland said.

Both the NAACP and ACLU of Connecticut are calling on Governor Malloy and state lawmakers to require that police Tasers be equipped with cameras.

“Unlike body cameras that need to be manually activated by the police officer, these automatically start recording in HD video and audio when the Taser is pulled from the holster,” said David McGuire, the legislative and policy director for the ACLU of Connecticut.

The Lane family is asking for donations to be mailed to Brandon Lane at 777 Summer Street, Suite 403, Stamford, CT 06901.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Stop & Shop, National Grid Strikes Loom

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If you stop and shop at Stop & Shop this weekend in Connecticut, Massachusetts or Rhode Island, there's a good chance you'll see some of their 34,000 employees outside, greeting employees with flyers.

The reason: Their contract expires at midnight Saturday going into Sunday, and members of United Food and Confectionery Workers local are looking for support as they head to a possible strike.

Not just the grocery business but the gas business could face labor strife and disruption as well. National Grid’s contract with 800 natural gas utility workers around Boston expires 24 hours later, at midnight Sunday going into Monday, and those workers have already unanimously authorized Steelworkers Local 12003 leaders to call a strike if they see fit.

Both situations involve some issues unique to each company but a common theme, the same theme that dominates so much of the presidential campaign debate this year: Income inequality and a middle class losing ground as corporate America and its leaders seek to grow ever richer.

At Stop & Shop, "We're asking them to call the company, say they stand with the workers," said Jim Carvalho, political director for UFCW Local 1445, which represents workers at Stop & Shops in the Boston and Worcester areas and Essex County, Massachusetts. It's negotiating alongside four other UFCW locals – 328, 371, 919, and 1459 – across southern New England.

Carvalho said union negotiators have been facing proposals from Stop & Shop to set up a two-tier wage system offering lower pay and benefits to new employees.

"They're looking to have cuts to the pensions, increased costs to the health care, inadequate wage increases" and other contract givebacks, Carvalho said.

Stop & Shop has already been advertising to hire replacement workers if there is a strike.

Stop & Shop said it’s confident there will be a deal, not a strike. In a statement, the company said: "We have always reached a fair agreement with these unions, and do not expect this time to be any different. To be very clear, and contrary to the leaflets being distributed by the unions, Stop & Shop is not proposing to freeze wages. In fact, Stop & Shop is offering to give all of our Associates increased pay."

"In addition," the company said, "Stop & Shop has offered to continue to provide associates generous paid time off and rich health care benefits with Associate premiums that are significantly less than market averages. Our offer will also maintain our current contribution level to their industry leading defined-benefit pension plan. We look forward to reaching an agreement that reflects the economic needs of our Associates and the competitive realities facing our company."

At National Grid, one of the most bitterly contested issues is the company’s desire to outsource more maintenance work, both on its gas distribution network and inside customers’ homes, to lower-paid contract workers. Local 12003 is also trying to undo past agreements to have non-union workers mark gas line locations under Dig Safe for construction work, a move they say has compromised safety.

"They have a CEO that makes over $7 million a year, and they’re worried about the cost of keeping the public safe – they think it’s too expensive to keep the public safe," Local 12033 president Joe Kirylo said in an interview Friday afternoon during a break in contract negotiations.

"Nobody wants a labor dispute. We don't want a labor dispute. We want to work through this," Kirylo said. But the union - which went through a six-month strike in 1993 against predecessor Boston Gas Co. – has unanimously voted to authorize leaders to call a strike, which is not uncommon in utility contract negotiations.

National Grid spokeswoman Mary-Leah Assad said: "The company is committed to bargaining in good faith and looks forward to reaching a fair and equitable contract for all parties. The safety of our employees, customers and communities is our first priority and will continue throughout this process."

Besides safety questions, as with Stop & Shop, good union pay and benefits in an era of wage stagnation and soaring health-insurance costs are on the line at National Grid.

"It's a fight for ourselves, it's a fight for the public, and I'll be honest with you, it's a fight for the middle class in general," Kirylo said.


With videographer Aaron Strader

Military Sedates, Shoots and Stabs Animals for Training

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Former military doctors and veterans say they want the military to stop using animals during medical training. New technology makes it unnecessary they say. They addressed the issue during a briefing on Capitol Hill, organized by PETA.

There a lot of sides to this ongoing debate.

It's called live-tissue training. In the military, animals are put under anesthesia and then shot, stabbed or wounded to mimic war injuries on the battlefield.

For training purposes, military members then administer trauma care in the field before the animal is euthanized. Congressman Ted Lieu from San Diego says “To me it’s really barbaric we are having this kind of practice for some of our medics in the military." Lieu and other opponents, including PETA, say they believe the practice is inhumane, there are more modern, effective options available that don't use animals.

Lieu is co-sponsoring a bill which would eliminate the use of animals during military medical training exercises. It's called the Battlefield Excellence Through Superior Training, or Best Practices Act. Anahita Duha, a surgical resident at the Medical College of Wisconsin explains “…the best training, is not training on animal models is to buy the simulators we know are tried and trusted , train them properly, put the time and investment and effort so they are proficient."

Advocates of using animals in the training say it is essential to prepare troops on the front lines for the stress and medical emergencies associated with war. In November 2014, the U.S Department of Defense announced it was scaling back the use of live animals for medical training but didn't eliminate the practice completely. U.S. Army spokeswoman Lt. Dawn Fitzhugh says “The feedback we get from our medics was the animal patients provide them with very realistic training before they deploy and that is critical to our success in our mission."

According to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, the U.S. military uses more than 8,500 animals every year in its combat trauma training courses. Lt. Fitzhugh adds, the U.S. Army says it has transitioned to using human simulators when possible, but the system hasn't been perfected, “Our concern that status simulation is just not ready yet ..simulators don’t replicate basic human anatomy. They are not capable of modeling human psychology, they are not capable of bleeding like we do"

The Best Practices Act was reintroduced to Congress last year. The House Armed Services Committee is now considering it.

Opening Ceremonies Kick Off 2016 CT Special Olympics

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 "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

That was the oath taken by nearly 1,000 athletes Saturday, as they kicked off the Special Olympics of Connecticut Winter Games.

As athletes and their coaches proudly took their place for the opening ceremonies, they kept their eyes to the skies to watch the parachutists dive in for a landing.

Cross country skier Natasha Cole of Torrington carried this year’s Olympic flame. Serving as torch bearer is the first of what will undoubtedly be a year full of highlights, as she gets set to compete on the world stage at the 2017 championships in Austria.

“It is challenging and it’s really energetic and it really makes me go faster,” said Cole.

Cole and her teammates have made many friends at these games, and her coach says more than winning it's seeing those friends that brings her athletes back year after year.

“I have some athletes that remember people that they raced against ten years ago,” said LARC Coach Robin Pedone.

The winter games are pretty weather-dependent, and as you can see on the cross country course, Mother Nature didn’t exactly cooperate this year.

“That thunderstorm and the warm temperatures, well it’s made it very interesting for our snow makers,” Mitch Gross, a spokesman for Eversource which has sponsored the games for 25 years.

As snowshoers raced through the slush to grab gold, his crews did their best to keep the course intact. Hundreds of volunteers were on hand to help make the games a success.

“It’s really good to be around people who give of themselves to other people. It’s just a phenomenal feeling. That’s the best part of Special Olympics,” explained Special Olympics CT President Beau Doherty.

“The reaction, their smiles, the overall excitement. That’s why we do it, that’s why we all come together,” added Gross.

Ice skating, alpine skiing, hockey, and gymnastics were also held in the greater Hartford area Saturday. The competition concludes on Sunday. Spectators are encouraged to attend and cheer on the athletes for free. Click here for a list of events and times.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

'Freak Accident': Snow Buries 3 Kids in Idaho, Killing 2-Year-Old

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An avalanche of snow slid off a cabin roof in Idaho on Friday, burying three young girls, one of whom has died, officials said Saturday.

The "freak accident" happened around 5:30 p.m. local time in Macks Inn, a winter recreation community in Island Park, part of Idaho's Caribou-Targhee National Forest, said Fremont County Sheriff Len Humphries.

A pair of 7-year-olds and a 2-year-old, all sisters, were under the snow for a half hour, Humphries told NBC News.

The 2-year-old died of injuries after she was rushed to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. 



Photo Credit: EastIdahoNews.com

Shoreline Gym Closes Saturday Without Warning to Members

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Two shoreline gyms closed abruptly on Saturday, leaving members wondering the status of memberships and pre-paid services.

Shoreline Fitness, with locations in Clinton and Old Saybrook, shut its doors after selling its assets to new ownership, the gym said on Facebook and in an email to members. 

Dear Members,As you may be aware, Shoreline Fitness has sold its assets to Todd Pozefsky and John Giannotti. You may...

Posted by Shoreline Fitness on Saturday, February 27, 2016

The email was sent on Saturday, the day the gym closed. Many didn’t realize the disruption in business until they showed up to work out and saw two notes on the door. The first, from Shoreline Fitness, notified members that the company had gone out of business and sold assets. It advised members in need of refunds to contact the Department of Consumer Protection at (860) 713-6101 or to fill out the "Health Club Guaranty Fund" form online.

The second note, left by the new owners, informed Shoreline Fitness members that both the Clinton and Old Saybrook locations would reopen under new ownership as Funktion Fitness after a remodel. 

The lack of notice left many frustrated.

““I think it’s pretty crooked, corrupt,” said member Joan Davies of Madison. “Somebody is in trouble, but I think it’s being taken over by another gym so I think it’s going to be okay. I’m very optimistic.”

Shoreline Fitness responded to many similar comments on Facebook Saturday. "We were totally caught off guard as well," a Shoreline Fitness representative posted. "We are truly sorry for the inconvenience. We hope to hear from the new owners soon to clarify their plans."

NBC Connecticut spoke to Sam Spector, owner of Funktion Fitness. 

Spector says a gap in service between Shoreline and Funktion was always anticipated and was needed to handle licensing, equipment issues, and remodeling. Members will have to sign new contracts by April 4. He says he intends to honor all pre-existing paid memberships and services. He also said that while there will be some restructuring, most employees will be able to keep their jobs.

The Clinton location is scheduled to reopen on March 7, and the Old Saybrook location on April 15.

Spector said that Shoreline was responsible for notifying members of the assets sale and transition to new ownership. He released the following statement to members:

“I’m sorry. This was by no means the way we wanted things to take place. We’ll do everything in our power to comfort everyone and earn their trust back.”

Anyone with questions should contact Funktion at info@funktionfit.com
 

Editor's Note: The Shoreline Fitness email and Facebook post stated that the business sold its assets to John Giannotti and Todd Pozefsky. Online records confirm Giannotti and Pozefsky are owners of the properties where Shoreline Fitness was located. However Spector confirms that he is the person taking over ownership and management of the gyms, and that Giannotti and Pozefsky are the landlords. 

NBC Connecticut reached out to Giannotti and Pozefsky directly for comment but did not hear back.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Retailers Leap on 'Leap Day' to Offer Deals

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When you are born on Feb. 29, you are a "leapling," and you only get to celebrate your birthday every four years. So when your day does finally roll around, you probably want to celebrate. A lot.  

This year, many companies are going out of their way to help with the celebration. And, in some cases, you don't even have to be a leapling to get a treat.

But first, why do we have leap year? Mostly to stay in line with the Earth's movement around the sun, according to history.com, and that requires the addition of 24 hours to the Julian Calendar every four years.

But don't worry about history. Go ahead and enjoy a dessert and a margarita. Here are some of the deals to look for on Monday. 
 

  • Great American Cookies giving one free Individually Yours Cookie Cake to people with a Feb. 29 birthday.
  • Hat retailer Lids will give free shipping on orders of $50 or more on Feb. 29.
  • Athletic clothier Foot Locker is offering 15 percent off purchases of $70 or more on Leap Day
  • For those out West, Dog Haus is offering a free upgrade from a single to a double burger 
  • Travelocity will give discounts of up to 30% on hotels until Feb. 29. 


Photo Credit: UIG via Getty Images

Berlin Library Damaged by Pipe Burst Needs Donations

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The Berlin-Peck Memorial Library needs donations after a ceiling pipe busted and flooded the building earlier this month. 

The flood primarily damaged the children section including around 1,400 kids books, puppets, toys and dress-up items, according to the library's GoFundMe page

While insurance is expected to cover the nearly $100,000 worth of damage, there will be extra ancillary costs.

The water also trickled down into the Community Center and both the library and community center were closed earlier this month as crews dealt with the problem and brought in at least 100 fans to dry the carpet upstairs.

“We’re going to need a lot of physical help getting things back on the shelf so if people would like to help us that way, we’re not saying no to any offer,” Helen Malinka, the library director, said.

You can drop donations off at the library or mail them to:

Berlin-Peck Memorial Library
234 Kensington Road
Berlin, CT 06037



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

3 Stabbed at Calif. KKK Rally

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Police said three people were stabbed, and 12 were arrested, in separate incidents at a Ku Klux Klan gathering that turned violent in Anaheim on Saturday.

Police were still searching for one man believed to be involved in the melee late Saturday.

The stabbings broke out about 11 a.m. near the site of an planned afternoon rally at Pearson Park located in the 400 block of North Harbor Boulevard, according to Sgt. Daron Wyatt with the Anaheim Police Department.

Police had said Friday that the department was aware of a KKK "walking protest" planned at the park for 1:30 p.m. Saturday, and that the group had held similar rallies before in Orange County. "APD will be monitoring the situation for any violations of law," the department said on its Facebook page.

The attacks began when a group of Klansman pulled up in a vehicle near the corner of Cypress Street and Harbor Boulevard where a group of counter protesters had gathered, Wyatt said.

A Klansman stabbed a counter-protester in the chest with an eagle figure at the end of the flag, according to Wyatt. The protester was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.

About one block away, another protester was allegedly stabbed by a Klansman, who was later taken into custody. The protester's condition was unknown.

Counter-protesters stomped on Klan members, injuring them, Wyatt said.

Police said six Klan members and seven counter protesters were arrested following the brawl.

Ultimately, seven were booked, four were released and one detained was a juvenile.

Firefighters also treated another protester who suffered a minor stab wound.

Tyler Matias-Lopez, 16, was in the park with his family watching as the violence ensued.

"There was one guy that got kicked in the face. But there was around 10 people that just started hitting the guy," Matias-Lopez said.

According to the Anaheim police Facebook post, the KKK rallies typicaly involve literature being passed out – a process that is protected under the First Amendment.

"It is not uncommon for these groups to place their literature in yards and driveways in the surrounding area prior to or immediately following their gathering. This dissemination of literature is not illegal," the post says.

Editor's Note: Police initially told NBC4 that a KKK member was stabbed, but later said a counter-protester was the stabbing victim. This story has been updated.



Photo Credit: Brian Levin

High School Faculty Parodies 'Hello' for SAT

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A high school librarian decided to go a unique route when it came to SAT prep this year.

"Hello from your faculty, at least we can say that we tried."

Janet Kenney and other Bristol Eastern High School faculty members came together to parody Adele's hit song "Hello."

The video starts with faculty bickering over the stipulations revolving around the college-entrance exam. While staff is arguing, Kenney goes over to start playing Adele's pop melody. One faculty member starts by singing about how it wasn't too long ago that they were in the same position the students were: preparing for the SATs.

Multiple teachers and staff donning wigs akin to Adele's hairstyle parody different verses in the song that apply to their specific discipline. 

Like the math teachers:

"Hello, from the math side. You must recall a simpler times. Because we are sorry, your calculator is gone. But don't worry, it's only for a few small portions."

"And it won't matter because it won't lower your score anymore."

On her Twitter page, Kenney described the video as a parody of Saturday Night Live's parody of the song. In the skit, a family starts to fight on Thanksgiving but stop when they break out into song. 

Bristol Eastern faculty didn't forget about the reading and language side.

"Hello from the language side. You read, interpret, analyze."

There's even a portion of the song telling students to get a good nights sleep and eat before the hours-long exam. 

"Hello how are you it's so typical for us to talk about your scores, we're sorry. We hope, you sleep well. Will you remember to make it out of your house with something in your belly? It's no secret, that for both tests, you can run out of time."

The SAT is scheduled for Mar. 5. Students have three hours and 45 minutes to complete three different sections: math, reading and writing.

Students need to remember: "But it don't matter, it clearly, doesn't hurt if you guess, anymore...don't leave blanks."



Photo Credit: AP
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Kansas Gunman Looked 'Evil': Shooting Survivor

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To Kansas shooting survivor Melissa Torres, her co-worker who stormed inside their workplace and indiscriminately opened fire with an assault rifle looked "cold" and "evil," NBC News reports.

Torres, 21, was in gunman Cedric Larry Ford's line of fire when he burst into Excel Industries Thursday. She got a quick look at him before she made a run for it, but was shot through the hand and suffered back and hip injuries.

Ford was killed by the first police officer on the scene, Harvey County authorities said. The violence he unleashed — ending with three dead and more than a dozen injured — is now seared in Torres's memory.

"He looked like he was ready to go do damage," said the mother of two, who also told NBC News about his behavior the day before the shooting.



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Hartford Police Seek Suspect in 30 Car Break-ins

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Hartford, Connecticut police are searching for a man they say is behind roughly 30 car break-ins in 30 days, all in the West End neighborhood.

The suspect was caught on surveillance at 598 Farmington Avenue around 5:45 a.m. Wednesday morning. Police say he is breaking into mostly unlocked cars, but some windows have been smashed, and he is getting away with valuables.

“It’s scary because if he’s breaking into cars right here, who knows what else he is going to do,” resident Kevin Routhier said.

The owners of the apartment building on Farmington Avenue where it happened put up a sign warning tenants to be on alert. Hartford police are stepping up patrols and asking residents for help.

“We need our residents, if they have their own private security cameras, to turn them to the street and let us access them if they find something,” Deputy Chief Brian Foley said.

Residents say cars have also been hit on Tremont Street and Oxford Street.

The suspect was last seen walking north on Tremont Street towards Cone street while carrying a bag of stolen merchandise.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Hartford Police Detective Phil Fuschino at 860-757-4234.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Police Caution Uber Passengers After Sexual Assault

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Hamden police said a woman thought she had jumped in an Uber car for a safe ride home but she was horribly wrong.

Instead police said the man behind the wheel would soon viciously sexually assault her.

A woman told police she left Toad's Place in New Haven in late January and thought she would take an Uber home. What the woman didn't know when she got picked up was the 29-year-old Ahmad Bahjat was masquerading as an Uber driver, police said.

"I think it was clear that his motive was to commit a sexual assault," said Captain Ronald Smith, Hamden Police Department.

They said Bahjat stopped in a parking lot and attacked the woman.

"He viciously sexually assaulted her," said Smith.

After the assault, Bahjat left the victim near her home.

At Yale-New Haven Hospital in the early hours of Jan. 31, the woman was treated and told detectives the horrifying story.

Soon police said they zeroed in on their suspect but Bahjat had already fled to Toronto, then Turkey and finally Jordan.

It was not until he flew back to the U.S. about two weeks ago, Customs and Border Protection stopped and held Bahjat.

"(Friday) morning our detectives went to New York where we arrested him and transported him to Hamden Police headquarters," Smith said.

Bahjat faces charges including sexual assault and kidnapping.

He’s being held on a $500,000 bond and is due in court on Mar. 11.

Police said Bahjat is a refugee from Iraq who has been living in this country for a few years.

Police and Uber warn potential passengers to only take rides you’ve requested and double check the driver’s information.

Riders said generally they feel safe.

"Yes I do as long as you’re with a group of people and you check the license plate number and the driver’s picture," said Emily Buyak of New Haven.

"Especially if I’m going by myself I’ll have my friend walk out with me," said Kara Sitnik of Wethersfield.



Photo Credit: LightRocket via Getty Images

Retailers Leap on 'Leap Day' to Offer Deals

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When you are born on Feb. 29, you are a "leapling," and you only get to celebrate your birthday every four years. So when your day does finally roll around, you probably want to celebrate. A lot.  

This year, many companies are going out of their way to help with the celebration. And, in some cases, you don't even have to be a leapling to get a treat.

But first, why do we have leap year? Mostly to stay in line with the Earth's movement around the sun, according to history.com, and that requires the addition of 24 hours to the Julian Calendar every four years.

But don't worry about history. Go ahead and enjoy a dessert and a margarita. Here are some of the deals to look for on Monday. 
 

  • Great American Cookies giving one free Individually Yours Cookie Cake to people with a Feb. 29 birthday.
  • Hat retailer Lids will give free shipping on orders of $50 or more on Feb. 29.
  • Athletic clothier Foot Locker is offering 15 percent off purchases of $70 or more on Leap Day
  • For those out West, Dog Haus is offering a free upgrade from a single to a double burger 
  • Travelocity will give discounts of up to 30% on hotels until Feb. 29. Save 29% when you book select hotels worldwide through the Expedia mobile app on Feb. 29.
  • Leap into savings with a sale on hair products at Folica.com. Through 11:59 p.m. Pacific time on Feb. 29, use code LEAPYEAR16 to get 25% off Solia, Theorie, Nth Degree and AbsoluteHeat products or 30% off Sedu products.
  • Pizza Hut is giving a free personal pizza to Leap Day babies on Monday.
  • Get a dozen original glazed doughnuts from Krispy Kreme for $2.29 with the purchase of any dozen regularly priced doughnuts at participating locations.
  • On Feb. 29, save 29% when you book select hotels worldwide through the Expedia mobile app.


Photo Credit: UIG via Getty Images

Broad Brook Man Arrested For Machete Attack

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Enfield Police have arrested a man for attacking another man with a machete.

 

East Windsor police were called to the Liedertafel Singing Society-German Club on Depot St. When they arrived, they learned that a man that had caused an altercation had fled the scene, possibly to Enfield.

An investigation revealed that Zchacorey Pouncey was locked out of the bar due to his erratic behavior. Pouncey reportedly took out a machete and broke glass at the building.

Pouncey left the scene and got into a second altercation in Enfield armed with his machete at 339 Abbe Road .

When police arrived in Enfield, they found a 36-year-old male with deep cuts to his hands.They say those cuts were caused by a machete yielded Pouncey, who also had a cut on his head.

“I got a phone call about 11:30 from my roommate saying there was someone bleeding all over the place on our porch," said David Crawford, who lives on Abbe Rd. "His hands were all messed up and bloody. He said his pants were covered in blood. He looked like he had a head wound also.”

Pouncey, of Broad Brook, was taken to the hospital and placed under arrest. He is charged with carrying a dangerous weapon, second degree assault and breach of peace.

Pouncey has a police record dating back to 2006, including previous convictions for assault and breach of peace.


SC Gives Clinton Her Most Important Win Yet: Analysis

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Hillary Clinton dealt Bernie Sanders a bruising defeat in South Carolina's Democratic primary Saturday, with early returns showing her crushing the insurgent senator by a 3-to-1 margin, NBC News reported.

While the win was no surprise, it was still one of the best nights of Clinton's second attempt at the presidency thus far because it proved the basic electoral theory of her campaign: That a strong advantage among minority voters would carry her to her party's nomination — and potentially all the way to the White House.

The resounding victory makes it clear that Sanders, despite his best efforts, has been unable to address his fundamental weakness with black voters.

African Americans represented 61 percent of the turnout in the sate's Democratic presidential primary — up from 57 percent in 2008 — and Sanders lost the group 84 percent to 16 percent, according to NBC News exit polls.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

East Windsor Police Searching for Missing Mother and Son

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East Windsor Police are asking for the public's help in locating a mother and her son that have been not been heard fom since Saturday night.

Police say that Alexandria Smith and her one-year-old son Logan were last seen when she took a cab to Union Station in Hartford from the Mill Pond Village Apartment Complex  in Broad Brook Saturday night.

Police say that she took the cab under a false name.

Police are concerned for Alexandria's welfare though they believe she left on her own accord. They say she left her apartment with no clothing for her and Logan and no money of transportation.

Family have told police that Alexandria does not know anyone in the area and may be suffering from depression.

Alexandria was scheduled to be in New York with her mother, but never arrived and her mother has not heard from her.

If anyone has any information on their whereabouts, they are asked to notify East Windsor Police at 860-292-8240
 

Christie Campaign's Finance Co-Chair: Reject Trump

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Meg Whitman, the CEO of Hewlett-Packard who served as National Finance Co-Chair for Gov. Chris Christie's now-suspended presidential campaign, called his endorsement of Trump, "an astonishing display of political opportunism," NBC News reported.

"Trump would take America on a dangerous journey. Christie knows all that and indicated as much many times publicly," Whitman wrote in a statement.

Whitman joins a chorus of conservative commentators who have called Christie's move "irresponsible" and a "disgrace."

"The Governor is mistaken if he believes he can now count on my support, and I call on Christie's donors and supporters to reject the Governor and Donald Trump outright," she added. 



Photo Credit: AP

DNC Vice Chair Resigns to Support Bernie Sanders

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Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders in his bid to become President of the United States, NBC News reported.

Gabbard made the announcement on "Meet the Press" Sunday morning and also resigned as Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee. Just last month, she said she couldn't take sides due to her position with the DNC.

"As a veteran, as a soldier, I've seen firsthand the true cost of war. … As we look at our choices as to who our next Commander-in-chief will be is to recognize the necessity to have a Commander-in-chief who has foresight," she said, adding that it's important to choose a president that "exercises "good judgement" so that "we don't continue to find our selves in these failures that have resulted in chaos in the Middle East and so much loss of life." 



Photo Credit: AP
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One Person Dead in Clinton Fire

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One person is dead after an early morning fire in Clinton.

Officials say the fire department was called to a home on Spruce St. at 7:57 a.m. This is part of a mobile home part located at 229 Killingworth Turnpike, lot #57.

According to Clinton Police Sergeant Jeremiah Dunn, the fire was completely engulfing the home when crews arrived. Fire personnel entered the home and found an elderly man unconscious on the floor. He was found near a door that was blocked by debris.

Firefighters removed the victim and began performing CPR in an attempt to revive him.

The victim was transported to Shoreline Clinic in Westbrook where he was later pronounced dead.

The victim has been identified as Robert Sliby, 85, the only resident of the home. Sliby’s dog also perished in the fire.

Officials say it did not appear the home had working smoke detectors. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
 

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