Multiple departments have responded to a brush fire at Schaghticoke Mountain in Kent.
Fire officials said both crews from Litchfield county and Dutchess County, New York are responding to the blaze, which is situated somewhere near the border of Kent and New York state. Smoke is visible from the Spooner Hill Road area, officials said.
No other details were immediately available. Check back for updates.
"Thank you very much. Thank you, John. (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you, and congratulations to the Class of 2017. Great job.
"And, General Kelly, I want to thank you for your leadership as the Coast Guard’s Service Secretary. You’ve really been something very, very special to us as a country, and to me and our administration. You’ve done throughout your entire life an incredible job defending your country. Thank you very much, John. (Applause.)
"And John and all of his folks are also doing an incredible job protecting our homeland and our border. And I’m thrilled that my first address to the Service Academy is the graduation ceremony for the United States Coast Guard. Believe me, it’s a great honor. (Applause.) I’ve been here before and it’s a very, very special place. Every cadet graduating today, as your Commander-in-Chief, it is truly my honor to welcome you aboard. (Applause.) And you should take a moment to celebrate this incredible achievement.
"Governor Malloy, thank you for being here. Governor, thank you. We’re glad you could join us. And I know how busy the governors are nowadays, and they’re out there fighting. It’s never easy. Budgets are a little tight, but we’re doing a job, all of us are doing a job, working together.
"I want to also thank Admiral Zookunft and his leadership. His leadership has been amazing. Today’s graduates will be fortunate to serve under such capable and experienced Commandant. He really is fantastic.
"Thanks also to Admiral Rendon, the Academy Superintendent. Admiral, I understand you come from a true Coast Guard family. Two brothers, a nephew, a cousin have all passed through these halls. That’s very impressive. I guess you like the place, right? (Applause.) Somebody in your family has been doing something right, I can tell you that. I’m sure they all are very proud, just as we are very proud of the fine young officers who are graduating today, Admiral, on your watch.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to all of the parents and the grandparents and family members who have supported these amazing graduates. Give your parents and everyone a hand. Come on. (Applause.) Because America has families like yours, and we’ll keep all of those families safe and very, very secure. You’re keeping your families safe now.
"If you are not already, you’re about to become military families. So, starting today, I hope you feel the full gratitude of our nation. These fine young cadets are about to take their rightful place on the front line of defense for the United States of America. Cadets, you deserve not only the congratulations but the gratitude of each and every American, and we all salute you. (Applause.) A proud nation. And you’re a part of a very, very proud nation which salutes the 195 199 cadets of the Coast Guard Academy Class of 2017. Good job. (Applause.)
"And I understand from the admirals that this has been a very special class. You’ve been trained here to handle the toughest of situations, the hardest of moments really that you can experience, and the hardest in people’s lives, and to help the weak in their hour of need. But even for the Coast Guard, this class has been exceptionally dedicated to public service.
"You served breakfast at the local food bank every single weekday. You rebuilt a home with Habitat for Humanity. Last year, you led cadets in donating a total of 24,000 hours -- a lot of time -- to community service. You’ve done amazing work. And in the true Coast Guard fashion, you had fewer people and fewer resources, but you accomplished the objectives, and you did it with skill and with pride -- and, I’d like to say, under budget and ahead of schedule. We’re doing a lot of that now in the United States government. (Applause.) We’re doing a lot of that.
"I won’t talk about how much I saved you on the F-35 fighter jet. I won’t even talk about it. Or how much we’re about to save you on the Gerald Ford, the aircraft carrier. That had a little bit of an overrun problem before I got here, you know that. Still going to have an overrun problem. We came in when it was finished. But we’re going to save some good money. And when we build the new aircraft carriers they’re going to be built under budget and ahead of schedule, just remember that. (Applause.) That will allow us to build more.
"Now, of course, there are always a few slip-ups from time to time -- you know that. For example, I understand that once or twice, First Class Cadet Bruce Kim -- where’s Bruce? (Applause.) Where’s Bruce? Oh, Bruce, how do you do this to yourself, Bruce? (Laughter.) As Regimental Parking Officer, might have accidentally caused a few tickets to be issued or a few of your cars to be booted. Bruce, what’s going on with you? (Laughter.)
"But, Cadets, from this day forward, we want everyone to have a clean slate in life. That includes Bruce, right? (Laughter.) And so, for any oversights or small violations that might have occurred this year, as tradition demands, I hereby absolve every cadet serving restrictions for minor offenses.
"Now, Bruce -- stand up once again, Bruce. (Laughter.) They saved you, Bruce, because they all wanted me to do that, okay? Thank you, Bruce. Congratulations, Bruce. (Applause.) Good job. By the way, Bruce, don't worry about it. That's the tradition. I was forced to do that. You know that. Don't worry. (Laughter.)
"This is truly an amazing group of cadets that are here today for commission. You could have gone to school anywhere you wanted -- and with very, very few responsibilities by comparison. Instead, you chose the path of service. You chose hard work, high standards, and a very noble mission -- to save lives, defend the homeland, and protect America’s interests around the world. You chose the Coast Guard. Good choice. Good choice. (Applause.)
"You’ve learned skills they don’t teach at other schools right here on the grounds of this academy and also on your larger campus -- the open sea. That is a large, large campus, isn’t it? A beautiful campus. But the greatest lesson you’ve learned at this proud institution is the knowledge you've learned about yourself. It’s the knowledge that each and every one of you is something very special -- you are leaders.
"From the first stormy days of your Swab Summer to your final weeks as a first class cadet, you have been expected to take responsibility, to make decisions, and to act. And I -- like all leaders, that's exactly what you have to do. You have to act, and you have to act properly. And you have to learn how to act under great, great pressure. You're all going to be under great pressure. You have to learn how to respond and to act under great pressure.
"Just days from now, you will put this vital skill into the service of your ships, your sectors, and your country. You’ll serve as deck watch officers on our amazing Coast Guard cutters. You’ll bring law and order to the dangerous waters as boating officers. You will block illegal shipments of cash, weapons and drugs. You will battle the scourge of human trafficking -- something that people haven’t been talking about. One of the big, big plagues of the world. Not our country only -- the world. Human trafficking.
"Americans will place their trust in your leadership, just as they have trusted in generations of Coast Guard men and women, with respect for your skill, with awe at your courage, and with the knowledge that you will always be ready. You are Always Ready.
"Not only will our citizens trust in your leadership, your commanders will trust you as well. The Coast Guard is the gold standard in delegating decision-making down to chain command. So just as your instructors have at the academy, your Coast Guard commanders will explain their vision, and then they will trust you to get the job done. Just like I, as your President, will also trust you to get the job done.
"It’s amazing to think of the adventures that are about to begin for you. Across the country this month, millions of other students are graduating high school, college. Many others are wondering, just what am I going to do. They're saying to themselves, what are they going to do. You know what you're going to do. Many, many students are graduating from college right now. They're saying, what am I going to do? Where am I going to go to work? You know it. You picked a good one, by the way. You picked a beautiful one, a good one, and we're really proud to have you, I can tell you. (Applause.)
"Years from now, some of them may look back and ask themselves whether they’ve made the right choice, whether they’ve made the most of the opportunities they’ve been given. In the Coast Guard, you will face many challenges and many threats, but one thing you will never have to face is that question of what will I do. When you look back, you won’t doubt. You know exactly how you spent your time -- saving lives.
"I look at your admirals, I look at General Kelly, I look at some of the great people in service, and I want to tell you, they're excited about life. They love what they do. They love the country. They love protecting our country, and they love what they do. Is that right? Good. I didn't think anyone was going to say no. (Laughter.) That would have ruined our speech, right? (Laughter.) They're great people.
"You always know just what you’ll be: the leaders and officers of the United States Coast Guard. (Applause.)
"And when they see your uniform, everyone in the world will know exactly what that means. What standard -- and really if you think of it, when you talk about the great sailors, and the great sailors of the world, we have them. But what stranded sailor doesn’t feel relief when those red racing stripes break the horizon? What drifting soul at sea, with only a short time left to live, doesn’t rejoice at the sound of those chopper blades overhead, coming back and coming down to rescue them from death? What poison-peddling drug runner, the scourge of our country, doesn’t tremble with fear when the might of the Coast Guard comes bearing down on them? In each case, we know the reason --America's lifesaving service is on the way. The Coast Guard is truly vital to the United States Armed Forces and truly vital to our great country. (Applause.)
"Out of the five branches of our Armed Services, it's only the Coast Guard that has the power to break through 21 feet of rock-solid Arctic ice, right? You’re the only ones. And I’m proud to say that under my administration, as you just heard, we will be building the first new heavy icebreakers the United States has seen in over 40 years. We’re going to build many of them. (Applause.) We need them. We need them.
"The Coast Guard stands watch at our ports, patrols our waterways, and protects our infrastructure. You defend America in a world of massive and very grave threats. Soon, some of you will be leading boardings of suspicious vessels, searching for the most deadly weapons, and detaining criminals to keep our people safe. Others of you will work with partners in scores of countries around the globe, bringing in the full power of the United States Coast Guard right up to those distant shores. And some of those shores are very far away.
"To secure our borders from drug cartels, human smugglers, and terrorist threats, Coast Guard Cutters patrol more than 1,500 miles below our southern border. A lot of people didn’t know that. When enormous pride hits your heart, you realize that it’s with this great skill and tremendous speed, our Coast Guard men and women interdict dangerous criminals and billions and billions of dollars' worth of illegal narcotics every single year. Your helicopters launch from the decks of world-class national security cutters, and they chase drug smugglers at speeds far in excess of 50 knots.
"In rough seas, at high speeds, our incredible Coast Guard snipers take their aim at the smugglers' engines. And time after time, they take out the motors on the first shot. They don’t like wasting the bullets, right? (Applause.) They actually don’t. Your slice through roaring storms, and through pouring rain and crashing waves is a place where few other people will ever venture -- exciting. Exciting. But you have to have it in your heart. You have to love it. You love it.
"In the Coast Guard, you don't run from danger, you chase it. And you are deployed in support of operations in theaters of conflict all around the world. But not only do you defend American security, you also protect American prosperity. It's a mission that goes back to the earliest days of the Revenue Cutter Service. You’ve read about that and studied that.
"Today, the Coast Guard helps keep our waters open for Americans to do business. It keeps our rivers flowing with commerce. And it keeps our ports churning with American exports. You help billions and billions of dollars in goods to navigate our country every day. You are the only federal presence on our inland waterways. You police the arteries we need to rebuild this country and to bring prosperity back to our heartland. And we are becoming very, very prosperous again. You can see that.
"Think of the glorious mission that awaits. You will secure our harbors, our waterways, and our borders. You will partner with our allies to advance our security interests at home and abroad. And you will pursue the terrorists, you will stop the drug smugglers, and you will seek to keep out all who would do harm to our country -- all who can never, ever love our country. Together, we have the same mission, and your devotion and dedication makes me truly proud to be your Commander-in-Chief. (Applause.) Thank you.
"Now, I want to take this opportunity to give you some advice. Over the course of your life, you will find that things are not always fair. You will find that things happen to you that you do not deserve and that are not always warranted. But you have to put your head down and fight, fight, fight. Never, ever, ever give up. Things will work out just fine.
"Look at the way I’ve been treated lately -- (laughter) -- especially by the media. No politician in history -- and I say this with great surety -- has been treated worse or more unfairly. You can’t let them get you down. You can’t let the critics and the naysayers get in the way of your dreams. (Applause.) I guess that’s why I -- thank you. I guess that’s why we won.
"Adversity makes you stronger. Don’t give in. Don’t back down. And never stop doing what you know is right. Nothing worth doing ever, ever, ever came easy. And the more righteous your right, the more opposition that you will face.
"I’ve accomplished a tremendous amount in a very short time as President. Jobs pouring back in to our country. A brand-new Supreme Court justice -- who’s going to be fantastic for 45 years -- (applause) -- a historic investment in our military. Border crossings -- thank you to our General -- are down more than 70 percent in just a short period of time -- a total record, by the way, by a lot. (Applause.) We’ve saved the Second Amendment, expanded service for our veterans -- we are going to take care of our veterans like they’ve never been taken care of before. (Applause.)
"I’ve loosened up the strangling environmental chains wrapped around our country and our economy, chains so tight that you couldn’t do anything -- that jobs were going down. We were losing business. We’re loosening it up. We’ve begun plans and preparations for the border wall, which is going along very, very well. We’re working on major tax cuts for all. We are going to give you the largest tax cut in the history of our country if we get it the way we want it, and we’re going to give you major tax reform. (Applause.) And we’re also getting closer and closer, day by day, to great healthcare for our citizens. (Applause.)
"And we are setting the stage right now for many, many more things to come. And the people understand what I’m doing, and that’s the most important thing. I didn’t get elected to serve the Washington media or special interests. I got elected to serve the forgotten men and women of our country, and that’s what I’m doing. (Applause.) I will never stop fighting for you, and I will never stop fighting for the American people.
"As you leave this academy to embark on your exciting new voyage, I am heading on a very crucial journey as well. In a few days, I will make my first trip abroad as President. With the safety, security, and interests of the American people as my priority, I will strengthen old friendships and will seek new partners -- but partners who also help us. Not partners who take and take and take, partners who help, and partners who help pay for whatever we are doing and all of the good we’re doing for them -- which is something that a lot of people have not gotten used to and they just can’t get used to it. I say, get used to it, folks. (Applause.) I’ll ask them to unite for a future of peace and opposition opportunity for our peoples and the peoples of the world.
"First, in Saudi Arabia, where I'll speak with Muslim leaders and challenge them to fight hatred and extremism, and embrace a peaceful future for their faith. And they’re looking very much forward to hearing what we -- as your representative -- we have to say. We have to stop radical Islamic terrorism. (Applause.)
"Then in Israel, I'll reaffirm our unbreakable alliance with the Jewish state. In Rome, I will talk with Pope Francis about the contributions of Christian teachings to the world. Finally, I’ll attend the NATO Summit in Brussels and the G7 in Sicily -- to promote security, prosperity and peace all over the world.
"I’ll meet scores of leader, and honor the holiest sites of these three great religions. And everywhere I go, I will carry the inspiration I take from you each day, from your courage and determination to do whatever is required save and protect American lives. Save and protect American lives. We want security. You're going to give us security. (Applause.)
"In just one example, we see how priceless that gift of life is to the people you touch every day. A few years ago, a Coast Guard helicopter and rescue swimmer took off in the direction of three terrified fishermen who clung to their sinking and burning vessel. That day, our Coast Guard heroes did their jobs well. They flew over the sea, despite tremendous danger, and extended a helping hand at the moment it was most urgently needed. There was very little time left.
"But that’s not the most remarkable part of that story. As one Coast Guard swimmer put it, you do that stuff all the time. You do it every hour of the day. Something is happening all the time with the United States Coast Guard. You do an amazing job. A remarkable thing happened with that rescue, but when you think of it, you do those rescues all the time. There, the Vietnamese fishing captain grabbed the swimmer’s hand. He looked his Coast Guard rescuer in the eye, and said: “I was asking God to please let me live....I need to see my kids. Please, God, please, let me live so that I can see my kids. Then God sent me you.” That's what he said. (Applause.)
"To every new officer, and to every new Coast Guard member here today, or out protecting life around the world on some of the roughest waters anywhere, you truly are doing God’s work. What a grateful heart you must all have. Because it is with my very grateful heart, and America’s cheers for the Coast Guard -- and America cheers for you often -- but we wish you good luck.
"As your Commander-in-Chief, I thank you. I salute you. And I, once again, congratulate the Coast Guard Class of 2017. (Applause.) God bless you. God bless the Coast Guard. And God bless the United States of America. Thank you very much. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you very much. Thank you, everybody. Great honor. Good luck. Enjoy your life. (Applause.)"
A staff member at a New Haven school has been placed on leave after an incident involving a student.
A spokesperson for the City said an incident was reported related to a student in a classroom at the Wexler-Grant School.
The staff member was immediately put on leave and the matter was referred to the Department of Children and families, according to Laurence Grotheer.
It was not clear when the incident took place and officials did not reveal the nature of the reported incident.
"The safety and well-being of all students is a priority at NHPS and the district takes all allegations related to student safety seriously as it seeks to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment for students and staff alike," Grotheer said.
A spokesperson for DCF would not comment on the agency's involvement.
As NBC News reports, many children and pregnant women may need to get new lead tests because one of the most common lab tests may have given falsely low readings, the Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.
The blood tests were made by Magellan Diagnostics and it's the only FDA-approved test used in most doctor's offices, the FDA said.
Any adult or child who had blood drawn for a lead test since 2014 may have to be re-tested, the FDA said.
Studies have shown many U.S. public water supplies are contaminated by lead.
Lead kills developing brain cells and the consequences are permanent. That can include lower IQ scores, poor school performance, inattention, impulsive behavior, aggression and hyperactivity.
Maine is known for its lobster and Down East magazine in Maine has announced the 12 semi-finalists for the World's Best Lobster Roll Competition. Unfortunately, Connecticut did not make the list, but we know there are many places to get a good one here, so we have included some suggestions below the list.
A news release from the magazine says dozens of lobster roll restaurants and vendors from across the U.S. submitted applications and the entries were narrowed down based on the recipe, the success of their lobster roll to date and their statement on they deserved to be named the best in the world.
The 12 semi-finalists are:
The semi-finalists will bring samples to the DownEast Lobster Roll festival in Portland, Maine on Saturday, July 8. You can get tickets online.
Of course, Connecticut has a fair share of places to get a good lobster roll.
Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough in Noank sells lobster rolls with a quarter pound of pure lobster meat and melted creamery butter, mounded on a toasted bun.
Guilford Lobster Pound’s hot lobster roll comes with four ounces of fresh lobster meat for $17.
The Lazy Lobster in Walnut Beach advertises succulent lobster piled high on a fresh baked and buttered roll.
Lenny & Joe’s has locations in Westbook, Madison and New Haven, where you can get a hot buttered lobster roll. It’s listed for $17.95 in Westbrook and New Haven. $17.99 in Madison.
Shad Row in Rocky Hill sells a lobster roll hot or cold. You can get it hot with scampi butter or cold with lemon herb mayo.
If you need some help, check out the Lobster Gal blog, run by Sally Lerman, of Hartford.
Here’s the list of her reviews of Connecticut lobster rolls.
Let us know your favorite.
They’ve been together from the beginning and they’ll be together still - a set of quadruplets is about to graduate high school and head off to Quinnipiac University this fall.
The Ciacciarella siblings were the first set of quadruplets to be born at Yale-New Haven Hospital 18 years ago. Michael, Vincent, Sofia and Anna, who were born in that order, visited around 50 colleges and universities from coast to coast trying to find a good fit for each of them Eventually, they all came to the same decision about where to go.
“I think that’s the great thing about Quinnipiac is that it does offer something for each of them and they can grow here individually but also together,” said their mother Anne Ciacciarella.
The twins are sticking together for now, but they have a wide variety of academic interests.
“I’m planning on majoring in civil engineering,” Michael said.
“And I plan on majoring in communications,” Vincent explained.
“I’m majoring in biology,” Sofia added.
“They have an amazing English program and I’m helping them with a new environmental studies program,” Anna finished.
Anna, the youngest, was the last to settle on QU.
“There’s a lot of pressure. I wasn’t really sure it was a last minute decision but we came to campus one night and I just had a really good feeling,” she told NBC Connecticut.
The quadruplets said after 18 years of living together at their home in Naugatuck, when they arrive on campus in August they plan to live in different dorms.
Mom is just thrilled they’re sticking together, not too far from home.
“If I go the long way and I go slow it's 28 minutes,” Anne said.
“I think they always wanted us to be close to home and they always wanted us to be together,” Michael commented.
“But we made it clear that we’re in Hamden, they stay in Naugatuck, we stay in Hamden,” Vincent added.
A Wolcott man said he was waiting for his gun permit in order to carry out a "mass shooting", police said.
Glenn Pelletier was arrested on Mother's Day after a woman called 911 and said the 34-year-old man had choked her until she blacked out, according to Wolcott Police.
When police arrivednto Pelletier's home on Todd Hollow Road, they found the distraught woman with visible injuries. Pelletier threatened an officer and said "all of the people you care about are in jeopardy," police said.
Pelletier smelled of alcohol and slurred his speech while cursing at officers. He was initally handcuffed for interfering with police and placed in the cruiser, where he looked for a way to escape by banging his head against the window, Wolcott Police said.
During this time, Pelletier said he had applied for a gun permit and was going to carry out a mass shooting when he obtained it. However, Wolcott's police chief said Pelletier had submitted the permit application with the local police department and was denied the same day.
Several long guns were found locked in a cabinet in Pelletier's bedroom, according to police.
The victim underwent a CT scan at a hospital but the extent of her injuries is not clear, police said.
Pelletier was charged with felony assault and strangulation. It is not clear what gun-related charges he faces. His bond was set at $75,000 Sunday but that increased to $95,000 by Judge Gerald Harmon.
Regulators have recommended a denial of Bridgeport's mayor Joe Ganim attempt to access public funds for statewide office.
The State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) recommended on Wednesday that Ganim can't qualify for public assistance in his run for a statewide office.
“I think they missed the mark on what this is about. It’s a clean election fund and they’re barring people from being allowed to use," Ganim told NBC Connecticut on Wednesday. "How do you give one candidate millions and another candidate zero? And expect for the process to be fair?"
The ruling is now open for thirty days of public comment, during which Ganim is expected to respond to the recommendation.
The commission is expected to make a final ruling on the petition during its June meeting.
Last month, Ganim, who won his old job as mayor in 2015 after a more than ten year absence, filed paperwork April 27 forming an exploratory committee for a governor run.
Ganim points to recent successes, like closing a $20 million city budget shortfall, and the more than $1 billion in private investment in the city.
However, Ganim’s past won’t escape him as he tries to raise his profile, and reintroduce himself to voters. He was removed from office, and disbarred after he was convicted on 16 counts related to public corruption.
The mayor spent seven years in federal prison and was released in 2010.
He says that experience is something that would help him in running a struggling state like Connecticut.
"Having taken a major fall and understanding the challenges of people that are down and out and making some terrible mistakes and recognizing that and humbly coming back and saying I still think I have something to offer in the world of public service," Ganim said last month.
High temperatures broke records in parts of the state today. Inland areas of the state surged into the low 90s.
Temperatures were even warm along the shoreline where most locations reached the low 80s.
Here's a look at recorded high temperatures for Wednesday. The high temperature record for the Hartford area which is recorded at Bradley International Airport was broken. The high reached 94 degrees which exceeded the previous record of 93 which was set in 1977.
The warm weather and lack of winds have lead to an Air Quality Alert for the entire state with the exception of Litchfield county. The alert is in effect until 10 p.m. this evening.
Temperatures will be even warmer on Thursday. We're forecasting another day of record high temperatures. Inland areas of the state are forecasted to reach the middle 90s.
Here's a look at forecasted high temperatures for tomorrow.
The high temperature record for the Hartford area tomorrow is 90 degrees which was set back in 1936. The high temperature record for southern Connecticut is 84 degrees which was set in 1998. Official records for southern Connecticut are recorded at Sikorsky Airport in Bridgeport.
Two people in a red minivan tried luring an elementary school girl who was dropped off at her bus stop on Tuesday.
The Stepney Elementary School student was dropped off at her normal bus stop at 4 p.m. when she saw the minivan.
The woman driving, accompanied by a male passenger, tried to get the girl to come inside the minivan. The girl ignored the woman and ran back to her house, police said.
Police described the woman as being in her late 40s, slender build and short bright red hair with dyed green ends. The man is also described as being in his late 40s, overweight and dyed green hair.
When police responded to the area, they were not able to locate the red minivan.
If anyone has any information about this vehicle or the driver or passenger please contact the Monroe Police Department at (203) 261-3622.
Rescuers who spotted a distressed mother duck in West Hartford Wednesday quickly jumped into action to save her ducklings, which had fallen down a storm drain.
West Hartford Animal Control said that the mother duck was spotted pacing across New Britain Avenue near the West Farms Mall Wednesday. Animal Control, police and two passers-by all responded to get the ducklings out of the drain.
Officer J. Mahon was on scene protecting the anxious mother while rescuers did their work.
All the ducklings were safely removed and returned to their mother.
A man driving erratically at the University of Connecticut (UConn) campus in Storrs tried striking officers with his vehicle Wednesday, the school said.
UConn Police said they got a report about a driver yelling at pedestrians from his car near Mansfield Road on the Storrs Campus.
When officers on foot located the vehicle, the driver sped at them and tried to strike them with the car, UConn officials said.
Police were able to get out of the way and were uninjured.
The driver struck a tree before fleeing the scene.
Afterward, more reports came in of a someone driving erratically on several nearby Mansfield residential roads.
The man was found and stopped a short lime later and taken into custody. Officers learned that the man has a history of mental illness.
Charges are expected, police said.
A registered sex offender in Norwich was arrested on Wednesday morning for failing to verify his address three different times, police said.
Tamir Dixon was charged with three counts of sex offender registry failure when he failed to verify his address in August 2016, November 2016 and February 2017.
Dixon is on the sex offender registry after he was convicted of first-degree sexual assault in August 2007. The sexually violent offense requires a lifetime on the registration and Dixon is required to report his current address every three months.
In addition, Dixon was convicted of second-degree assault in 2007 for his involvement in the beating death of 43-year-old William Derose on Fourth Street in 2004.
The Department of Justice announced Wednesday the appointment of former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel to oversee the investigation into Russian involvement in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
"Special Counsel Mueller will have all appropriate resources to conduct a thorough and complete investigation, and I am confident that he will follow the facts, apply the law and reach a just result," Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said in a statement.
Many members of Congress had a positive reaction to the appointment.
"Mueller is a great selection. Impeccable credentials. Should be widely accepted," Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-UT, said on Twitter.
"A special counsel is very much needed in this situation and Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein has done the right thing. Former Director Mueller is exactly the right kind of individual for this job. I now have significantly greater confidence that the investigation will follow the facts wherever they lead," Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-NY, said in a statement.
"Former Director Mueller is a respected public servant of the highest integrity. The Trump Administration must make clear that Director Mueller will have the resources and independence he needs to execute this critical investigation," Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said in a statement.
"I look forward to hearing from Deputy AG Rosenstein about his decision to appoint a special counsel when he briefs the Senate tomorrow," Sen. Bob Corker, R-TN, said.
Democrat Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Maryland, says Mueller is a "solid choice." He urged Mueller to follow the facts with "integrity and independence," according to The Associated Press.
Former Trump aides Michael Flynn and Paul Manafort have emerged as key figures in the FBI's investigation into Russian campaign interference, which has just been taken over by a special counsel, four law enforcement officials told NBC News.
Officials say multiple grand jury subpoenas and records requests have been issued in connection with the two men during the past six months in the ongoing probe into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russian attempts to influence the election, an inquiry that will now be overseen by former FBI Director Robert Mueller.
The FBI, with the help of the Treasury Department, the CIA and other agencies, is examining evidence of possible contacts, money transfers and business relationships between a variety of Trump associates and Russian officials, the sources say.
A recent poll shows almost 60 percent of Americans check their work email outside of working hours. But because that actually makes people more stressed and less productive, some companies are forcing employees to unplug.
On the same day as 15-year-old Jayson Negron’s funeral, the passenger in the car who survived after being shot twice during a Bridgeport office-involved shooting is sharing his account of what happened.
"I’m still here, the whole time I’m thinking, 'what if I wasn’t here? how would things be then?'," Julian Fyffe, 21, said in an interview with NBC Connecticut.
Eight days after being shot by Bridgeport Police Officer James Boulay, Fyffe is home recovering with bandages on his back and around his arm.
"That wasn’t supposed to happen," Fyffe said. "I felt like they could have came about this a different way."
Fyffe said he had been friends with Negron for about a year.
"I look at him like he’s my little brother," Fyffe said.
Fyffe said he had no clue he got into a stolen car when Negron picked him up at his home on May 9 to go to a recording studio in the late afternoon. He said they pulled into the Walgreens parking lot after noticing a police car following them.
"And I could see him kind of looking nervous stuff and I’m like you got park it up and we got to get out," Fyffe said.
The car moved slowly toward the ramp onto Fairfield avenue before turning the wrong way on the one-way street, Fyffe said.
"I’m like, 'wrong way you got to back up'," Fyffe said recalling what he told Negron. "He’s like, 'alright,' throws the car in reverse but before he gets to move or anything two cops, they run down to the car and they both have guns out one is at his window and one is at mine."
Next, Fyffe said an officer opened Negron’s door and tried to grab him.
"The operator put it on drive, moved forward tried to knock off the officer, then put it on reverse at a high rate of speed pinning the officer almost underneath the vehicle and hitting another car that was behind at that point the officer feared for his life," Bridgeport Police Chief AJ Perez said May 10 at a news conference.
Fyffe claimed the officer’s life was not in jeopardy leading up to the shooting.
"But no cops were like in front of the car behind the car getting pinned in or anything like that, I read something the cop was like almost under the car, how are you under the car and still shooting? Like what are you doing?" Fyffe said.
Boulay fired three shots, Fyffe said. The first hit Negron and the second struck Fyffe’s left arm.
"That third shot," he said. "Seen it come through my chest then the blood started coming out of my mouth."
After being handcuffed and slammed to the ground, Fyffe said he waited 15 to 20 minutes for medical attention.
"There was nobody to come by, put pressure on the wounds or even identify where we were shot at," Fyffe said.
Fyffe told NBC Connecticut he is speaking out to set the record straight.
"Why was shooting us the first thing, you know?" he said. "I just ask myself that, but for the most you know, I feel we’ll get justice."
Fyffe’s attorneys have filed a federal lawsuit naming the City of Bridgeport, Perez and Boulay that is seeking more than $6 million in damages.
Rowena White, the spokesperson for the City of Bridgeport and the Police Department had no comment on the lawsuit. She said Mayor Joe Ganim did attend Negron’s funeral.
Officer Boulay remains on paid administrative leave while State Police and a Waterbury State’s Attorney continue their use of force investigation.
State Police want anyone with photos or videos of the shooting to contact them at (203) 696-2569 or text “TIP711” with any information to 274637.
Former Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman is among those being considered to be the next FBI director.
White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Lieberman is one of four candidates for the job that will be meeting with President Trump on Wednesday afternoon.
The other three were the current acting director, Andrew McCabe, former Oklahoma governor Frank Keating and Richard McFeeley, a former executive assistant director in the FBI.
Lieberman served 24 years as a Connecticut senator before retiring in 2013 after his fourth term.
He was the Democratic Vice-Presidential nominee, running with Al Gore in 2000. The pair lost the election to George W. Bush and Dick Cheney in a result that needed to be decided by the Supreme Court.
Lieberman, who also served as Connecticut's Attorney General and spent 10 years as a state senator.
NBC Connecticut has reached out to Lieberman for comment but has yet to hear back.
At least three houses are on fire in Waterbury on Lousbury Street, the mayor said.
Four fighters have been injured; three from smoke "issues" and another from a cardiac "issue", the fire department told NBC Connecticut.
It is not clear if anyone else has been injured or how many people are inside of the homes.
Traffic is blocked off on Lousbury Street.
People in homes on Southview Street have been evacuated as a precaution.
NBC Connecticut has reached out to the fire and police departments for more information.
Please check back for updates on this developing story.
Stephanie Almada was a functional addict.
"I didn't really use the drugs to get high for many years, I was just using them to maintain," Almada said.
The Newington mom took prescription opioids, but held down a long-term job at a hospital, until her second daughter was born and she sought treatment for postpartum depression.
Almada's opioid use accelerated and started taking over her life. She told the NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters she spent thousands of dollars buying prescriptions to feed her habit.
"I worked 2 jobs. One of my jobs paid for drug use and the other job paid for my bills, at first. Then both jobs started paying for my prescriptions," she said.
Jessica Smith, director of Adult Outpatient Services at Wheeler Clinic, says the face of the opioid crisis has changed over the past decade and the number of addicts in suburban areas has risen exponentially.
"People are seeing their friends, family, neighbors, loved ones, family suffer with opioid use disorder where they might not have thought it would be present in their own neighborhood or family," Smith said.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tell the same story. The most recent statistics show about two-thirds of opioid users who visit Connecticut emergency rooms have incomes in the top half of their communities and more than half are between 25-44 years old.
"All ages, races, ethnicities and people from all communities across Connecticut. Addiction just doesn't discriminate," Smith said.
Wheeler Clinic's opioid patients include teachers, police officers, doctors and nurses, and hospital admins, like Stephanie.
"I was in denial. I was not an addict because I did not smoke crack and I didn't do heroin. You get to a place where it's no longer a choice, it's a need," Stephanie said.
That need is showing deadly results in alarming numbers in our state.
In 2012, Connecticut was ranked 50th in the nation in terms of opioid deaths, with just 2 per 100,000 people.
By 2015, that number spiked 5-and-a-half times, and Connecticut's ranking climbed to 12th.
The story for heroin death rates is equally disturbing. Between 2012 and 2015, the state's ranking rose from 12th to 2nd in the nation.
The latest numbers just released by the Office of the Chief State's Medical Examiner show the trend continued in 2016, with a 21-percent increase in deaths involving opioids in a year.
Jessica Smith says there are several factors at play.
"There's easy access, there's over-prescribing, then there's transition to heroin and here in the northeast, it's riddled with fentanyl," Smith said.
The threat of losing her children scared Stephanie straight.
"DCF knocked on my door and that was the beginning of my treatment. That was a wake up call," she said.
Stephanie entered treatment at Wheeler Clinic. She is now five years clean and "in love" with recovery. She works as a peer counselor at Wheeler, focused on providing patients with a sense of hope.
"It feels phenomenal. Phenomenal," she said.
