Quantcast
Channel: NBC Connecticut
Viewing all 57608 articles
Browse latest View live

Water Rescue Underway for Boat, Kayak Collision in Salem


Commercial Aircraft Outside Bradley Losses Power in 1 Engine

0
0

A commercial aircraft minutes from landing at Bradley Airport lost power in one of its engines, the airport operations said.

Airbus 319 commercial aircraft is less than eight minutes from landing at Bradley with loss of power to one engine. 

There at 133 people on board.

Officials said they are not concerned about the loss of power and feel the plane should land safely.

No other information was immediately available. 




Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Trump Told Russians About Firing 'Nut Job' Comey: Report

0
0

President Trump told Russian officials that firing the F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, had relieved “great pressure” on him, according to a document summarizing the meeting.

“I just fired the head of the F.B.I. He was crazy, a real nut job,” Mr. Trump said, according to the document, which was read to The New York Times by an American official. “I faced great pressure because of Russia. That’s taken off.”

The conversation, which took place earlier this month in the Oval Office, reinforces the notion that Trump dismissed Comey primarily because of the bureau’s investigation into possible collusion between his campaign and Russian operatives, the Times reported.  

Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary, did not dispute the account.

In response to the New York Times report, Spicer issued the following statement to NBC News:

"The President has always emphasized the importance of making deals with Russia as it relates to Syria, Ukraine, defeating ISIS and other key issues for the benefit and safety of the American people. By grandstanding and politicizing the investigation into Russia's actions, James Comey created unnecessary pressure on our ability to engage and negotiate with Russia. The investigation would have always continued, and obviously, the termination of Comey would not have ended it. Once again, the real story is that our national security has been undermined by the leaking of private and highly classified conversations."



Photo Credit: Andrew Harrer-Pool/Getty Images

Senior WH Adviser Is 'Person of Interest' in Probe: Report

0
0

A senior White House adviser has been singled out as a “significant person of interest” in the federal law enforcement probe of possible coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia.

A report published Friday by The Washington Post cites people familiar with the matter, who would not identify the individual under scrutiny by name. They did say that the senior adviser is “someone close to the president.”

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer responded in a statement: "As the President has stated before - a thorough investigation will confirm that there was no collusion between the campaign and any foreign entity."

The news comes as the FBI investigation appears to be entering a more active phase, with grand jury subpoenas being issued and interviews being conducted. Sources told the Washington Post that the intensity of the probe will probably accelerate over the next few weeks.



Photo Credit: Andrew Harnik/AP

Comey to Testify in Open Session on Russia Investigation

0
0

Former FBI Director James Comey will testify in open session before one of the legislative committees investigating possible collusion between President Donald Trump and Russia, committee leaders announced Friday.

Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C. and Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence will schedule the open hearing for sometime after Memorial Day.

“The Committee looks forward to receiving testimony from the former Director on his role in the development of the Intelligence Community Assessment on Russian interference in the 2016 US elections, and I am hopeful that he will clarify for the American people recent events that have been broadly reported in the media,” said Burr.

Earlier Friday, the AP reported that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein has told members of Congress he stands by a memo he wrote that preceded the president's firing Comey.

The Justice Department on Friday distributed prepared remarks that Rosenstein delivered to Congress in separate briefings.

In the remarks, Rosenstein said he learned a day before Comey's firing that Trump wanted to dismiss him. He says he thought that move was appropriate and produced a memo summarizing what he said were his "longstanding concerns" over Comey's handling of the Clinton email investigation.

He says he asked career Justice Department lawyers to review the memo.

He says his memo is not a finding of official misconduct and is not a statement of reasons to justify Comey's firing.



Photo Credit: Alex Brandon/AP (File)

Man Arrested After Allegedly Trying to Break Into Cockpit of LA to Hawaii Flight

0
0

A man was arrested Friday after he allegedly tried to break into the cockpit of an American Airlines plane from Los Angeles to Hawaii, officials said.

The man was escorted off American Airlines Flight 31, after it landed safely at 11:35 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time, according to a statement from the airline.

A government source confirmed that he had been loitering near the restroom, carrying a laptop. Flight attendants asked him to return to his seat and he refused, the source said.

The passenger then seemed to lunge towards the cockpit door, according to the source, and that's when several passengers subdued him.

He was arrested on the ground by the FBI, the government source said.

The flight, which originated from Los Angeles, was to arrive in Honolulu about noon. The flight departed from Los Angeles International Airport at 8:34 a.m. local time.

NBC News confirms the suspect is a Turkish national born in 1991. He was not immediately identified.

Law enforcement officials confirm to NBC News that the man was detained, arrested and released after being cited for misdemeanor trespassing early Friday when he set off an alarm by going through a unauthorized door.

The door was inside the secure area of the terminal and the man had gone through TSA screening.

Officials said the man had been drinking but was not drunk enough to meet the criteria for public intoxication under the law. After he was cited and released authorities said he was free to go home or get on a flight.



Photo Credit: KHNL
This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Flight Heading to Hartford Makes Emergency Landing in NC

0
0

An American Airlines flight heading to Bradley International Airport made an emergency landing at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. 

American Airlines flight 1889 made the emergency landing after leaving Charlotte due to a strong electrical odor on board, NBC-affiliate WRAL reports.

The plane landed safely, but medical assistance was requested for nine people and three people were taken by ambulance to the hospital.

Six other people were checked out by medical responders and declined going to the hospital, WRAL reports. 

Earlier today, an American Airlines plan carrying 133 people loss power in one engine before landing at Bradley. The plane landed safely and no injuries were reported. 

Toby Keith to Perform at Men-Only Concert in Saudi Arabia

0
0

American country music star Toby Keith is scheduled to perform at a men-only concert in Saudi Arabia — on the same weekend that President Donald Trump will be visiting the nation, NBC News reported.

Saudi entertainment website Lammt, which is marketing the event, said Saturday's concert would be free but open to men only.

Keith spokeswoman Elaine Schock offered "no comment" on the male-only aspect of the show.

Trump is scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia, Israel and the Vatican before attending attending the G7 and NATO summit in Taormina, Italy, and Brussels, respectively.



Photo Credit: AP Photo/David J. Phillip

Students Promote Coyote Safety in New London

0
0

People living on the south side of New London are getting a lesson in safety after a number of coyote sightings and two recent dog deaths.

Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School students and New London Police teamed up to make sure residents know what to do if they spot a coyote and how to protect themselves and their pets.

On Friday morning, more than 60 eighth graders went door-to-door with officers in southern New London neighborhoods stuffing fliers they helped design in mailboxes and distributing yard signs.

One side of the yard sign reads, “Live and let live. Coyote safety is coyote friendly.” The other side has the text, “This property is coyote safe, and therefore coyote friendly.”

“We’re actually keeping our community safe from all the wild animals,” eighth grader Maria Perez said.

“We need to try to keep ourselves safe but not hurt or injure the animals because they’re only doing what they know how to do,” said classmate Erica Anforth.

All the students are part of the middle school’s leadership academy. They helped research and create the fliers that have tips on how to haze a coyote safely, so it runs away, a coyote yard checklist that talks about cleaning up fallen fruit, trash and water sources, and ways to keep a pet safe.

“I challenged them. I said, ‘OK, let’s come up with some ideas. Let’s find out and learn some stuff about coyotes,’” Acting Police Chief Peter Reichard said.

Since the community expressed concerns about coyote sightings, he wanted community involvement with a solution, so his department teamed up with the students.

At one point Friday, the students ran out of their flier supply and needed to print more.

For residents who were home, the students gave the information first-hand. Some, like Carla Mazzi, are already practicing safe steps to protect her dogs.

“(They’re) on a leash! I have the fence in. It’s all fenced in, in the backyard,” Mazzi said, adding she doesn’t want to see the coyotes killed, but she wouldn’t mind seeing them relocated.

Until then, these students said knowledge is power.

“People and animals can get severely hurt if we don’t spread the awareness,” Anforth said.

A few takeaways from the flier include never feeding a coyote, never running from a coyote – because it might spark a chasing instinct, and keep pets close and on a leash that no more than six feet long.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Westport Man Accused of Enticing Minor Online

0
0

More than 50 images of child porn images and inappropriate conversations with a minor were found on a Westport man's devices, police said. 

The National Center of Missing and Exploited Children reported the uploaded images to the Westport Police Department in March 2016.

An investigation found that Daniel Krulewitch had uploaded images exploited children in a sexual manner and a search warrant was executed to his home in April 2016. 

Police found electronic devices in Krulewitch's home with more than 50 images of child porn.

In addition, police also found an instant messenger application with conversations the 52-year-old had with underaged people, which included, images and nude "selfies" of the minors in sexually explicit positions. 

Krulewitch turned himself into police on Friday and has been charged with possession of child porn, enticing a minor and risk of injury. His bond was set at $100,000. 

Former CT Bank Employees Recovering Thousands of Dollars

0
0

Nearly a dozen former bank employees have recently been reconnected with benefits stashed away in their names for years.

A non-profit has been working to track down pension money belonging to former Connecticut Bank and Trust employees. A complicated set of circumstances left some former employees, like Judith Williams, confused and unsure if they were getting a pension when CBT's parent company failed in 1991.

Williams worked at the bank for more than a decade.

After the NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters first aired a story about the CBT Alumni Club's efforts to recover pensions for former employees, Williams' close friend alerted her to the possibility she could see money.

Williams contacted the CBT Alumni Club, which led her to the financial institution which was holding her money.

“I gave them my Social Security and right away she said 'yes,' I just have to spell my name last name and she asked also where did I live you know at the time when I was at CBT? I gave her that address and just 'yes, you’re here,'" Williams said. "I was like 'wow!' I was like 'this made my day!'”

Williams can take distributions right away, to the tune of more than $100 a month for the rest of her life. Williams says she will use the money to help her travel more.

Geneologst Noreen Cullen is leading the charge with the CBT Alumni Club to connect former employees with pensions.

“This is justice, for people to be receiving the pension money they have been owed,” Cullen said.

In all, the club has recovered $3 million worth of pensions for more than 600 former bank employees.

Williams encourages other former co-workers step forward like she did.

The CBT Alumni Club has already heard from people far and wide -- from California to Puerto Rico. They also hope to advise people who worked for other failed Connecticut companies like Caldor, who are owed pensions.


Group of About 15 People Caught Fighting in New London

0
0

A group of about 15 people were caught fighting in New London on Thursday.

New London Police said they received several reports at 2:40 p.m. about a group of young men walking in the area of Robinson and Shaw streets carrying sticks, bats and bottles while making references to assault someone. Officers were also notified that the suspects may be carrying firearms. 

Responding officers immediately observed about 15 young men actively fighting and upon seeing police, the suspects fled the location on foot and in vehicles. 

One vehicle matched the description a 911 caller provided and that car was stopped by police.

Three men and two juveniles were arrested and police seized a large knife. 

Mario Vargas, 19, of New London, was charged with breach of peace, interfering with police and carrying a dangerous weapon.

Marven Medena, 20, of Norwich was charged with breach of peace and interfering with police. 

Kenny Noel, 18, of Taftville, and Khijemh Miller, 19, of Norwich, were charged with breach of peace.

The two juveniles were also charged with breach of peace. 

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who has information concerning this incident is encouraged to contact the New London Police Department at (860) 447-5269 ext. 0 or anonymous information can be submitted via the New London Tips 411 system by texting NLPDTip plus the information to Tip411 (847411).



Photo Credit: New London Police Department

'I Was There for Democracy': Woman Beaten at Turkish Embassy Speak Out

0
0

Protesters who said they were beaten by the Turkish president's security detail in Washington are speaking out about the incident.

A protester who says she was beaten by the Turkish president's security detail outside the Turkish ambassador's residence in Washington is speaking out about the attack.

Video shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's bodyguards violently breaking up a protest outside the Turkish ambassador's residence in Washington following Erdogan's meeting with President Trump Tuesday.

"I was there for democracy and for human rights, it was a peaceful demonstration," protester Ceren Borazan said.

Borazan said one of Erdogan's bodyguards put her in a headlock. The headlock she described is visible in the video. She said it caused the blood vessel in her left eye to pop.

Borazan and the other protesters showed up to the ambassador's residence to demonstrate against Erdogan and bring attention to repression in Turkey, she said.

Several others were injured during the violence.

"They were beating me in the head," Lucy Usoyan, a protester, said.

Mehmen Tankan, another protester, said that a Turkish bodyguard attacked him.

Sen. John McCain of Arizona said Thursday that America "should throw their ambassador the hell out of the United States of America." Borazan agrees with with McCain's statement. 

"There should be something," she said. "All I want is justice."

Fire Damages Two-Family Home in New Haven

0
0

Flames heavily damaged a home on Maple Street in New Haven Friday night, but thankfully the families that live there escaped safely.

Firefighters said everyone, including two children, escaped the two-family home at 112 Maple Street unharmed.

The building was heavily damaged and a nearby home was also burned.

“High winds, for a summer night, significant wind pushed the fire and that’s what exposed the other building and caused damage to the side,” explained Chief John Alston of the New Haven Fire Department.

One firefighter did have to be checked out but it expected to be okay.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.




Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Blumenthal Non-Committal on Lieberman as FBI Director

0
0

Despite expectations that President Donald Trump would nominate someone for the job of FBI director before he left for a long foreign trip, no announcement came.

On Friday, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) remained noncommittal when asked who he would support as the FBI's next director.

"I'm not ruling anybody out, and I'm not ruling anybody in," said Blumenthal to reporters.

Knowing that former Connecticut US Senator Joe Lieberman is leading the pack doesn't sit well with many Democrats.

"My sense of the Democratic Caucus is they share my view that the most important qualification is criminal justice expertise and experience rather than political background," said Blumenthal.

The senator stayed away from directly criticizing Lieberman, someone he's known for years, or any other of the president's top picks.

"Joe Lieberman isn't unqualified, but he isn't as nearly qualified for the position of FBI director, which is not the kind of position where former politicians usually get the nod," said CCSU Political Science Associate Professor Jerold Duquette.

Duquette says it's not shocking Democrats aren't thrilled with Lieberman as an option and that political past certainly plays a part.

"In the last decade of his political career, Joe Lieberman was the Republican's favorite Democrat, so it's not surprising his former colleagues are not thrilled with the pick," said Duquette.

As far as Lieberman's ties to the president, specifically that President Trump has been a client of the firm where Lieberman works, Duquette says it's not an objection he takes seriously.

"I think Trump might miscalculate if he thinks Joe Lieberman is going to be cooperative with him. In fact I think Joe Lieberman would be fairly aggressive in doing his job with regards to investigating the president," said Duquette.

Blumenthal would not say whether he would vote yes or no if Lieberman received the nod. He said he would want to have a discussion with the former senator first. 



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Hartford Union Rejects Contract Offer

0
0

It's not the news city leaders hoped to hear on Friday. With the votes tallied from one of the biggest unions in Hartford, a contract that would have saved the city $4 million is now dead after members said no.

"This was a fair, responsible agreement that had been reached after long, good-faith negotiations," said Mayor Luke Bronin.

AFSCME represents around 400 city workers. The contract, which retroactively covered 2015 to 2021, included things like wage freezes and structural changes to healthcare and sick time.

"This is the second agreement that had been negotiated with the executive committee and supported by the executive committee and rejected by the members," said Bronin.

In a statement, the Local 1716 President Kenneth Blue wrote, "Local 1716 members have spoken and rejected the tentative agreement with the city. It was simply too much pain without job security. We are assessing the next steps to take. We want to protect the vital services our members provide to Hartford residents and businesses."

With the city facing a $14 million shortfall this year and $65 million next year, the mayor says organized labor concessions are a must. So far only one union has made a deal.

"We reached a very significant deal with our Hartford Firefighters Association. I don't think you'd find a deal anywhere in the State of Connecticut in the last 30 years that did more than that labor deal did. But we need our other unions to step up and be part of that solution as well," said Bronin.

In all likelihood, this will now go to arbitration.

Bronin says negotiations are ongoing with other unions in the city.

"We are continuing to work with all our unions to try to achieve the savings that will help us next year and in the long term," said Bronin.

The mayor says while dramatic changes are made locally, the city's fiscal crisis is not something that can be solved solely on the local level. With about half of the property in the city being nontaxable, they're also looking to the state.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Passengers on Texas 'Joker' Coaster Freed After 3.5-Hour Rescue

0
0

After a three-and-a-half-hour rescue mission, the passengers on a halted roller coaster in Arlington, Texas, have all been freed, according to a Six Flags spokeswoman.

A portion of the new Six Flags Over Texas roller coaster "The Joker" was stuck with eight passengers aboard early Saturday morning. Crews from the Arlington Fire Department were dispatched around 12:30 a.m. Once they arrived, they called for backup from the technical rescue team.

Early Saturday morning was high school senior night, where high school seniors could play all night long from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m., according the Six Flags Over Texas website.


Park spokeswoman Sharon Parker said the passengers were given water and items to keep themselves warm through the rescue process. 

"The safety of our guests is our highest priority," she said in a statement. "Our team will determine what triggered one of the safety features of the ride to stop the car during the cycle as soon as the guests have safely been removed from the ride."

"The Joker" is scheduled to open for the first time to the public later today. Six Flags Over Texas tweeted that the ride will open following a full inspection.

The park also said the ride stopped because of severe headwinds.



Photo Credit: NBC 5 News
This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Tractor Trailer Rollover on I-84 in Southington

0
0

A tractor trailer rollover caused lane closures on Interstate 84 in Southington Saturday.

The Department of Transportation reported a crash on the eastbound side of the highway, near exit 28, around 10:22 a.m. The exit 28 on-ramp is currently closed while crews work to clear up the truck.

There is no word on injuries at this time.

Check back for updates.




Photo Credit: CT Department of Transportation

Veterans' Graves Decorated for Memorial Day in East Hartford

0
0

The graves of military men and women buried at Hillside Cemetery in East Hartford were decorated ahead of Memorial Day.

Today, volunteers made sure those who’ve paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom aren’t forgotten.

The red, white, and blue now dot the grave stones of the military men and women buried in East Hartford’s Hillside Cemetery.

“I want them to remember the veterans who gave their all,” said Vinny Parys, a Vietnam veteran.

Parys organized several groups of volunteers who spent their morning giving back to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

“Every year we just talk about what all the veterans did to serve our country and what they’ve done giving us the freedoms we have,” said Brian Liss of Granby.

Liss brought his 11 and 9-year-old sons with him. It’s become an annual tradition for the family ahead of Memorial Day.

“They served us and they made us easier for us to live,” Brady Liss said.

A life lesson they’re also learning from their grandfather who served as a sergeant in the Army.

“We talk about it a lot. We talk about when they have the parades and I go to their school,” said Gary Castellani of Manchester:

Their father hopes the family outing gives the boys respect for those who’ve served.

“It’s important because we need to show them what they’ve done for us and show respect because if it weren’t for them today wouldn’t be today,” Patrick Liss added.

In less than an hour, 3,500 flags blanketed Hillside thanks to the efforts of more than 50 volunteers, a small commitment given the lifetime sacrificed by these military men and women.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

3 Teens Killed in Fiery Manchester Crash

0
0

Three teenagers were killed and others were injured in a fiery crash on Center Street in Manchester early Saturday morning.

The car hit a utility pole and burst into flames around 1:20 a.m., according to Manchester police. The crash happened in front of R&R Plumbing at 600 Center Street.

Two people who were sitting in the front of the car escaped the fire, but the three passengers in the back seat did not, police said.

The two survivors were taken to Connecticut Children's Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

Police believe all who were in the car are in their late teens. Though the names have not been released, Manchester Public School Superintendent Matthew Geary sent a letter to families identifying one of the deceased victims as a current student, and the other two as former students of the district.

The schools are offering support staff at Manchester High School until 3 p.m. Saturday. The district will also have extra support staff at prom, which is scheduled for Saturday night.

Police said they are looking at speed as a possible factor in the crash.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
Viewing all 57608 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images