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Possible Sighting of Missing Newtown Man in Rhode Island

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A man missing from Newtown for more than a month may have been spotted in Rhode Island.

Rhode Island DOT workers may have spotted Robert Hoagland in the area of West Greenwich, RI along Route 165 on Tuesday. A man fitting Robert Hoagland's description was walking along Route 165 on the Rhode Island and Connecticut border. A passing driver called Newtown police to report the man was walking west along Route 165 into the Voluntown area. The man was described as looking like a hiker with a large backpack.

Newtown police notified state police in Montville, who searched the area but did not find the man.

Hoagland, 50, was last seen at the Mobil Gas station on Church Hill Road in Newtown around 5:30 a.m. on July 28.

Police received a report on Sept. 6 that a man with a backpack and fitting Hoagland's description was seen in West Warwick, RI.

He is about 6 feet tall and 175 pounds. Hoagland is bald and has blue eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to call Newtown police at 203-426-5841.



Photo Credit: Newtown Police

Silver Alert Issued for Glastonbury Teen

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Glastonbury Police have issued a silver alert for 17 year old Courtney Brown.

She was last seen at 4PM on September 14, 2013 wearing a t-shirt and jeans. Courtney is 5’4” and has long brown hair with a reddish tinge.

Anyone with information should call the Glastonbury Police at 860-368-9358.
 

Students Fear Yoga Pants and Leggings Will Be Banned

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On Monday, North Haven High School students, both males and females, walked the halls in yoga pants and leggings as a part of a student protest.

Student’s received word that a ban on yoga pants and leggings make take effect this week.

"If we've worn t hem this long and there hasn't been any issues then I think we should be able to continue to wear them," said student Christina Sanzari.

The school’s principal, Russell J. Dallai, told the Hartford Courant, “We want to work with our kids so they can understand that things need to be school appropriate.”

Parents agree that clothing should be appropriate but also believe it is unfair to ban anything clothing item that has been so popular and worn without problems in the past.

"They were spending a lot of their own money on their back to school clothes and they bought  yoga pants and if they can't wear them their wardrobe is limited," said parent Kelly Ross.

Many students have already signed a petition against the ban and one student, Nathaly Roman, told the Hartford Courant, “Right now it’s like a war between the students and the administration.”

A meeting for students, parents, and faculty will be held in the library after-school on Wednesday to discuss the ban.
 

Alleged Murderer Offered Plea Deal, Victim's Family Surprised

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The man accused of killing a father of six has been offered a plea deal, and the victim's family has been left in the dark.

"He give you the money. Why you kill him? Why you kill him?" asked Fapyo Ghazal.

It's the question that's haunted Fapyo Ghazal and his family for more than a year. And now Frankie Resto, the man accused of killing Fapyo's father, Ibrahim, has been offered a plea deal with no say from the victim's family.

"They kill him two times," said Fapyo. "They kill him with the early release program, and they kill him now with this thing."

The state's early release program allowed Resto to leave jail months before his sentence was completed, and in that time Ghazal was killed.

Now the family is hearing a plea deal is on the table but have no idea what's in the deal. They haven't even been told whether the prosecutor or judge offered it.

"They've given more deference to the criminal than they have the family that suffered from their father's murder," said Len Suzio, a former state senator who represented the district at the time the crime took place. Suzio is also a member of the Victim's Advocate Advisory Committee.

"If they're going to make this deal, there's no justice," said Ghazal.

While Resto's attorney said he could not comment on plea negotiations, he did say Resto will need to decide if he'll even accept the deal. And that before any final agreement is sought, the victim's family will be allowed to give their input. But the family wants the offer rescinded.

"In one second, I lost him," said Fapyo.

In surveillance video from June of last year, police say Ghazal gave Resto the money he demanded but then Resto shot him in the chest anyway.

Fapyo doesn't understand how a man who could do that could be given another break in the justice system.

"I'm going to see him in the street, this guy who killed my dad. That's what's going to happen," said Fapyo.

Resto's next court date is scheduled for October third.
 

2 Cars, 6 Skeletons Pulled From Oklahoma Lake

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Two cars, containing the skeletal remains of six people, not five as first reported, were pulled from an Oklahoma reservoir Tuesday and may close two cold cases that date back to the 1960s.

According to the Elk City Daily News, a test of new sonar equipment revealed two cars submerged near the marina in Western Oklahoma's Foss Reservoir.

When removed, the cars were revealed to be a green or brown 1950s-era Chevrolet and a 1969 Camaro.

Officials speculate the six bodies found in the cars are related to two separate disappearances that took place in the 1960s and 1970s.

Custer County Sheriff Bruce Peoples said late Tuesday three skeletal remains were found in the 50s Chevy, not two as first reported. Peoples had said the oldest case may involve a couple last seen in Canute who, in the early 1960s, were believed to be heading to Foss State Park and the reservoir, though were never seen again.

 

In the second case, three teens, 16-year-old Jimmy Allen Williams, 18-year-old Thomas Michael Rios and 18-year-old Leah Gail Johnson, were reported missing after they went for a ride in Williams' Camaro on Nov. 20, 1970. The trio, all from nearby Sayre, were believed to be headed to a football game in Elk City at the time of their disappearance.

Investigators said they have confirmed the name of at least one victim found in the Camaro, though they have not released that name to the public.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations is expected to release the names of the victims after identification and notification of family members.



Photo Credit: KFOR Chopper

Park Police Helicopter Crew Recounts Roof Rescue

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The members of the U.S. Park Police Aviation Unit helicopter crew sent to the Washington Navy Yard to lift a shooting victim out of harm’s way Monday aren’t comfortable being called heroes, saying they simply did what they are trained to do.

But the most dangerous mission for a medevac helicopter is to hover and hoist an injured patient. Add to that they were flying while rain was pouring down and a gunman was on the loose.

The Park Police helicopter Eagle 1 removed the woman wounded in the shoulder from the roof of Building 197 while police on the ground searched for the shooter inside.

"I found her to be a remarkable woman who showed a tremendous amount of bravery considering what she had just been through,” rescue technician Sgt. Dave Tolson said.

The crew put the danger out of mind as they hoisted the wounded woman into Eagle 1 and flew her to the hospital for treatment, Tolson said.

"Active shooter was definitely part of our thought process,” said Sgt. Ken Burchell, the pilot in command. “We were well aware that we were a big, fat, blue and white target."

Under the best conditions, the crew has just 5 minutes of hover time, but in an active shooter situation, it could become a target.

“But we also knew we had to get in there, so you kind of have to push that aside and just get the job done,” Burchell said.

Another rescue technician on Eagle 1 was armed.

“In case the active shooter decided to pop up on the roof and if possible need be return fire,” Officer Michael Abate said.

As they transported the wounded woman to MedStar Washington Hospital Center, where she is recovering after surgery Monday, Eagle 3 flew support missions patrolling the skies over the Navy Yard, helping police on the ground with command and control.

Eagle 1 returned to rescue the three men who had carried the wounded woman to the roof, taking them back to the Eagle’s nest: The headquarters of the U.S. Park Police Aviation Unit right across the Anacostia River from the Navy Yard. Its flag flies at half-staff in honor of those killed.

“I can tell you this is the first time I’ve been in an active shooter scenario where I’ve rescued someone from the top of a building,” Tolson said. “It was definitely one of the more satisfying moments of my career.”

It's what the Park Police medevac unit has been doing for 40 years: At the crash site of Air Florida in 1982, the shooting of two U.S. Capitol Police officers in 1998 and the Pentagon after the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001.

The current commander of the unit was just 16 years old when Air Florida Flight 90 crashed. He watched the rescue on TV.

“I saw the aviation unit on TV and I said, ‘I’d love to do that one day,’” Lt. Simeon Klebaner said.

He praised his team.

“The amount of coordination, and the amount of training and the amount of guts that it took to carry out those missions, I’m very incredibly proud my team did an A-plus job,” Klebaner said.

The crew said they only wish there had been more survivors to transport for treatment.

MORE COVERAGE ON NBCWASHINGTON.COM: 

 



Photo Credit: Chris Gordon, NBCWashington.com

Navy Yard Shooter Claimed to Hear Voices: Police Report

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The gunman who killed 12 people and injured eight Monday in a mass shooting at the Washington, D.C., Navy Yard said in a recent incident that he could hear people talking to him through the walls, floor and ceiling of his motel rooms, and believed persecutors were keeping him awake by talking to him and sending vibrations into his body.

Aaron Alexis, 34, of Fort Worth, Texas, displayed troubling signs of mental illness less than two months ago, according to a Rhode Island police report obtained by NBC New York's Jon Dienst.

While working as a contractor in Rhode Island, Alexis called police Aug. 7 to complain of harassment, saying he got into an argument with someone at the airport while traveling from Virginia to Rhode Island. 

He said the other person sent three more people to follow him, and they were keeping him awake by talking to him and sending vibrations into his body.

Alexis told authorities he'd moved hotel rooms twice, but could still hear them talking to him through the walls, floor and ceiling. He couldn't explain to police what they were saying.

According to the police report, Alexis said he'd never had an episode of mental illness and had no history of it in his family.

Officers thought he showed signs of some mental deficiency and didn't take further action. However, Alexis was treated for psychological issues at a VA hospital while working as a contractor in Rhode Island, multiple sources say.

Alexis died Monday inside the heavily secured Building 197 of the Naval Sea Systems Command Headquarters in Southeast D.C. Authorities say he was the sole person responsible for fatally shooting 12 civilians in the building and injuring eight others.

A motive remains unknown in Monday's shooting as officials work to piece together Alexis' history.

Moved to D.C., Stayed in a Hotel

Details of Alexis' life include some violent incidents, though friends described him as sociable and peaceful.

Alexis served on active duty in the Navy until 2011 and had moved to D.C only recently. Back in Texas, he volunteered at a Buddhist temple but also played violent video games, said a friend.

A brother-in-law said no one had any indication Alexis could do something like this.

Michael Ritrovato, a friend of Alexis who spoke with NBC Dallas Forth Worth, said Alexis may also have been upset that a contractor had been slow to pay him for several months' of work he'd performed in Tokyo.

"This company that he worked for said they were going to pay him and they didn't pay him," Ritrovato said. "...He called and he was very upset about it. This was several months ago."

Ritrovato said he couldn't remember the name of the company.

Alexis -- a New York native -- had most recently lived in Fort Worth, Texas, before moving to Washington about four months ago. He was working as a civilian contractor for The Experts, a subcontractor of Hewlett Packard that had been hired to work on computers at the Navy Yard.

He had a secret security clearance for his work on base, NBC News reported.

It's unknown how long he had planned to stay in the area, but Alexis had not put down permanent roots. He was still driving a rental car and had been staying in a Residence Inn in Southwest D.C. hotel with five other coworkers.

After Monday's deadly shooting, authorities searched both his hotel room and the rental car, and were in the process of interviewing his roommates.

"We are deeply saddened by today's tragic events at the Washington Navy Yard. Our thoughts and sympathies are with all those who have been affected," read a Monday statement by Hewlett-Packard in part. "...HP is cooperating fully with law enforcement as requested."

4 Years of Navy Service, May Have Served Overseas

Alexis enlisted in the Navy in New York in May 2007, and graduated from boot camp at Great Lakes, Ill., as an airman recruit.

He eventually became an aviation electrician's mate, a Petty Officer Third Class, and served four years of active duty based at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth.

While enlisted, Alexis received the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. The former is a medal awarded to anyone who served during a national emergency.

The latter was created by President George W. Bush for members of the military who served overseas in the War on Terror on or after Sept. 11, 2001.

It's unknown where or when Alexis may have served overseas.

He was honorably discharged in January 2011 despite a string of misconduct problems during his nearly three years in the military.

Alexis had bouts of insubordination, disorderly conduct and was sometimes absent from work without authorization, mainly when he was serving in Fort Worth, officials told the Associated Press.

They were enough to prompt Navy officials to grant him an early discharge through a special program for enlisted personnel. Officials said the bad conduct was enough to make it clear Alexis would not be a good sailor, but not enough to warrant a general or less-than-honorable discharge.

Arrested in Previous Gun-Related Incidents

Aaron Alexis had two previous brushes with the law over incidents involving guns in the past decade.

In September 2010, Alexis was arrested for discharging a firearm within Fort Worth city limits, a Class A misdemeanor. 

He wasn't charged, but officials said the incident contributed to his discharge from the Navy, although the incident wasn't severe enough for a dishonorable discharge.

Alexis told officers he was cleaning the weapon when it slipped and accidentally fired. Two bullets lodged in the floor and ceiling of his upstairs neighbor's apartment, and she called police.

According to a police report, the neighbor told authorities that Alexis had called the police several times on her for being too loud; "however the police always said they didn't hear anything and no action was taken. She said that several days ago Aaron confronted her in the parking lot about making too much noise. [The neighbor] told me that she is terrified of Aaron and feels that this was done intentionally," wrote an officer in the police report.

Alexis was not charged in that case because local prosecutors said it did not appear reckless.

In May 2004, Alexis was arrested for shooting out the tires of another man's car in a dispute about parking near a construction site, Seattle police said.

Alexis told authorities he shot at the car in "a blackout" fueled by anger and didn't remember pulling the trigger until about an hour later, according to a police report.

At the time, he was living in Washington state with his grandmother.

He was charged with malicious mischief. The outcome of the case is currently unknown.

Alexis told authorities after the 2004 incident that he had been was an active participant in rescue attempts on 9/11 and had post-traumatic stress disorder.

His father later confirmed those facts to police.

"Those events had disturbed him," he said.

On Tuesday, authorities said they were uncertain if Alexis was a first responder in an official capacity.

He was a part-time clerical worker at the nearby Borough of Manhattan Community College from February 2001 until February 2003, according to college records.

A spokesperson from the school said Alexis worked there and was not enrolled as a student. He said he didn't know if Alexis was working there on Sept. 11, 2001, but that it was possible.

The building where he worked, 199 Chambers St., is about half a mile from Ground Zero.

According to Kristi Suthamtewakul, a friend in Fort Worth, Alexis said he saw the World Trade Center collapse and was upset that terrorists had taken innocent lives.

Investigators say that people had begun noticing Alexis' potential mental health problems around the time of 9/11, the New York Times reported Tuesday.

Alexis had applied for a shotgun permit while living in Flushing in October 2000. The permit was canceled in 2003 because he failed to renew it. It's not clear whether Alexis actually bought a weapon, reported NBC New York.

Alexis purchased a shotgun in Lorton, Va., during the past week or so, NBC News correspondent Pete Williams reported.

Practicing Buddist, but Played Video Games

During his time in Forth Worth, Alexis reportedly became close with a family who owned a Thai restaurant near the air base and began working as a waiter there.

The family remembered Alexis as a peaceful man who helped out at a nearby Buddhist temple, where he was said to be a practicing member.

Kristi Suthamtewakul, whose husband, Oui Suthamtewakul, owns the Thai Bowl Restaurant in Fort Worth, said Alexis seemed to change after a work trip to Japan. He seemed frustrated and unhappy, and felt slighted as a veteran, she said.

"He had a lot of frustrations with the government," Suthamtewakul said. "He felt a lot of discrimination, racism from white people especially."

But she said she saw no signs of mental illness.

"Buddhism is a religion of peace, which is why this makes no sense," she said.

Michael Ritrovato, a friend who spoke with NBC Dallas Forth Worth, said Alexis was fluent in Thai and conversed with customers at the Thai Bowl. Ritrovato said Alexis had expressed an interest in moving into management for the restaurant.

Although Alexis was good-natured, Ritrovato said he spent a lot of time playing violent video games.

"I saw the video games just the one time, and when I did, I was like, 'I can't believe you play that stuff.' It was like shooting, you know, where you're shooting them, they're shooting you," Ritrovato said.

Suthamtewakul said Alexis had a small circle of friends that included her, her husband, Ritrovato, and two people who ran the barbershop next door.

Roots in New York

Alexis' family is "very distraught," his brother-in-law, Anthony Little, told NBC New York.

"It's a shocking experience; nobody expected this," Little said. "No one saw it coming, no one knew anything. So all of this is just shocking." 

Little -- who is married to Alexis' 32-year-old sister -- said he'd never met the alleged gunman and had never had contact with him.

He said Alexis was not close with the family and that it had been years since his wife had last spoken with her brother. 

"From what I know, he was a regular guy," said Little. "Went to school, was in the service, from what I know, he was in the Navy."

Little and his wife; Alexis' mother, and Alexis' 34-year-old brother live in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Little told NBC New York. Another sister, in her late 20s, lives elsewhere.

The NYPD and the FBI visited Cathleen Alexis' home Monday to gather information in the wake of the shooting, reported NBC New York.

"I didn't really hear anything that would make me feel like, as a newcomer to the family, that somebody should be watching him," Little said. "No one mentioned anything about him being aggressive or being this type of way or anything like that."

Alexis lived in Flushing, Queens from at least 2000 to 2002, where he was last registered to vote, according to public records.

A neighbor who had lived below Alexis and his family in Flushing said they were "very quiet" and that she couldn't recall "any problems" with them.  

"You really don't know who you live next to," said Wendy Lopez, a neighbor. "I'm shocked." 

MORE COVERAGE ON NBCWASHINGTON.COM: 

 

FBI Seeking Victims of Convicted Sex Offender

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The FBI is asking the public's help to identify possible additional victims of a sex offender charged with repeatedly sexually abusing a minor.

In August, federal prosecutors in New Jersey charged Joseph Caracciolo with crossing state lines to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. The alleged abuse occurred between May 2012 and August 2012, according to federal authorities. The girl was under the age of 13 and Caracciolo traveled between New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania to sexually assault the girl, authorities said.

Caracciolo may have lived in Connecticut at one point, so the FBI is asking for help identifying possible victims here. He may have also spent time in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Florida and California.

He is a registered sex offender, but has been in violation of the sex offender registration requirements since 2005, according to authorities.

Caracciolo has represented himself to be a chef, pediatric dentist, electrician's assistant, sales person and a business owner. He has also claimed to be suffering from cancer, federal prosecutors said.

He has several distinctive tattoos, including a chef's hat with the words "Top Chef" on his forearm and a cancer ribbon with boxing gloves on his forearm.

Anyone with information about Caracciolo is asked to call the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI.



Photo Credit: FBI

House Explosion in Stamford

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A house exploded in Stamford on Tuesday and the homeowner was taken to the hospital as a precaution, according to officials.

Firefighters from Greenwich and New Canaan are assisting Stamford firefighters, according to the mayor's office.

The explosion and fire happened around at 305 Webbs Hill Road,

According to assessor's records, this was a $1.1 million 6,000 square foot single-family house with six bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms. Guiseppe Cardillo is listed as the owner of record.

No injuries were initially reported, but the homeowner was out by the pool house when the explosion happened and was taken to the hospital as a precaution, city officials said. He was alert when he was transported from the scene.

Officials have not released the name of the person transported.

A firefighter was later taken to the hospital to be treated for a minor injury, fire officials said.

City officials held a news conference and said a 500-gallon underground propane tank is burning.

Firefighters cannot put it out and it might take hours tfor the fire to burn itself out in a control burn.

There is no water supply near the scene, so tankers are being filled with water.

The house was destroyed. Chopper footage from WNBC earlier showed a massive amount of smoke billowing over the remains of the demolished house.

Neighbors who were home at the time of the explosion said they had no idea what was happening.

"All of the sudden there was a massive explosion. The whole house shook right down to the foundation," said Peter Gow, who lives just a few yards away.

Gow was the first on the scene and rushed to call 911 after seeing the demolished home.

"I ran through the woods where the alarm was thinking someone's boiler had exploded but it was much worse," Gow said.

There was only one fire, despite some earlier reports, but two other houses were damaged by the explosion.



Photo Credit: Colin Maclennan

Thieves Steal Wedding Gifts Shipped to Newlyweds on Staten Island

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A pair of Staten Island newlyweds say they recently returned from their honeymoon to find out that some of the wedding gifts shipped to them had been stolen right off their front porch. 

Danielle and Louis Coluccio say their home security camera captured a thief casually stealing a large package from the front of their Rosebank home, then returning minutes later with an accomplice to steal more packages.

The boxes contained wedding china, a meat slicer and 3-D glasses to watch movies. 

"I was shocked," said Louis Coluccio, who works as a financial adviser. 

"You just feel violated," said Danielle Coluccio, a teacher. 

"It's scary, living in your neighborhood, knowing somebody has the audacity in broad daylight to come on your porch and do that," she said.

The Coluccios filed a police report and got their wedding registries to replace the items. Now they want the thieves caught. 

"Next time maybe somebody will think twice before they do something like this," said Louis Coluccio.

Inability to Sweat Contributed to UC San Diego Professor’s Death: ME

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A UC San Diego professor and avid hiker collapsed and died along a trail in San Diego's North County two months ago. Now, officials say her death was caused, in part, by a rare condition that made it impossible for her to sweat.

A report from the office of the San Diego County Medical Examiner obtained by NBC 7 rules the July 5, 2013, death of UCSD professor Ellen Comisso, 65, accidental due to hyperthermia.

But, conditions that contributed to her death included a skin disorder called ichthyosis and a condition called anhidrosis, which results in the inability to sweat normally.

According to the report, Comisso’s daughter told officials that her mother had a medical history of anhidrosis and would “reportedly always overheat during hikes, and would seek shade underneath trees or bushes to cool off.”

Pediatric endocrinologist Sherry Franklin, MD, of the San Diego Medical Society, did not treat Comisso, but is familiar with anhidrosis in other patients.

Franklin told NBC 7 the condition is rare, but can be fatal.

She said that when the body is unable to sweat, it can’t cool itself, which can lead to overheating and symptoms of heatstroke, especially during exercise or in hot weather.

“Anhidrosis can lead to dizziness, weakness, muscular cramping, nausea, blurred vision and flushed skin,” explained Franklin. “There are different levels of anhidrosis. It can affect a few specific areas on the body or be diffused all over the body, which is more dangerous.”

Franklin said anhidrosis can be a primary condition inherited at birth or can develop later in life.

She said certain skin conditions, including ichthyosis, can cause anhidrosis. Comisso had a clinical history of ichthyosis, which can cause thick, dry skin that can build up and impact sweat glands.

Franklin said anhidrosis treatment involves curbing the heat-related side effects that stem from the condition by cooling down the body with rest, shade and fluids.

Comisso would often go hiking with her husband, Mladen Soic, who suffers from advanced dementia, the couple’s daughter told investigators back in July.

On the morning of July 5, hikers found Comisso’s body in the brush just off the 4-mile-long San Pasqual Clevenger Canyon Trail near the San Dieguito River Park in Ramona, Calif.

The hikers called 911, and responding officials confirmed Comisso’s death at the scene. There was no evidence of foul play, investigators said.

The report says investigators later learned that a person placed a 911 call to police on July 4 reporting an elderly, confused man in a car in the parking lot near the trailhead.

The man – who was later identified as Comisso’s husband – was taken to Palomar Medical Center. Due to his advanced dementia, he was unable to provide his name or any information.

When Comisso’s body was found on the trail the following day and her daughter was contacted by officials, investigators determined that Comisso had gone hiking with her husband on July 4, but collapsed and died while on the trail.

Soic walked back to their car in the parking lot, but was unable to report that his wife was in distress due to his advanced dementia, the report says. Comisso was found about a half-mile from the parking lot at the trailhead.

On the weekend of Comisso’s death, temperatures in the Ramona area where the trailhead is located ranged from 61 to 91-degrees, according to weather data from Wunderground.

Being that Comisso was an avid hiker, the report says she was found appropriately dressed and prepared for the activity. Her vehicle contained a backpack, hats and sunscreen. On her person, Comisso carried a backpack and fannypack containing water bottles.

Following her death, Comisso’s brother, Sid Turkish, spoke with NBC 7 and fondly remembered his sister as an educator and scholar who loved to hike and walk trails.

Comisso was a longtime professor for UCSD’s department of political science and had been teaching at the university for the past 30 years. She was a Yale graduate and an expert on eastern European economies, and had written a number of books on the subject.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Dramatic Images: Kenya Terror Attack

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Gunmen stormed a crowded shopping mall frequented by Westerners in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, leaving at least 68 dead, according to Kenyan police.

Photo Credit: AP

Security Worker Set 8 Manhattan Hotel Fires: FDNY

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A security worker is charged with setting eight fires in two Manhattan hotels where he worked, FDNY officials said.

Mariano Barbosa Jr., 30, allegedly set three fires between 2009 and 2010 in downtown's Soho Grand, where he was a security officer, and five fires between 2011 and this year in midtown's Yotel Hotel, where he was the director of security. 

Officials said the fires were set in hallways, stairwells and in front of exit doors in order to block people from escaping and impede firefighter access. All of the fires were quickly brought under control, the FDNY said.

Information on a lawyer for Barbosa was not immediately available.

A spokeswoman for Yotel said the hotel was cooperating with the FDNY and NYPD and that the hotel was "deeply concerned by the allegations" against Barbosa.

Soldiers Come Home After a Year in Afghanistan

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Tearful reunions and hugs marked the scene of a happy homecoming as dozens of soldiers returned this afternoon from a year-long tour in Afghanistan.

About 60 members of the Connecticut National Guard 2nd Battalion, 104th Aviation Regiment were greeted by their friends and family at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Windsor Locks.

“I’m very proud of my son,” said Frank Intino, who made the trip from Florida to be reunited with Sgt. Anthony Intino.

The soldiers also got a special greeting from Gov. Dannel Malloy and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, who welcomed them off the plane and thanked them for their service.

Soldiers said they appreciated the support.

“That made me feel at home—seeing everybody here,” said Sgt. Intino.

“You really can’t put words into it. It…wrenches your heart,” said Staff Sgt. Alicia Balli.

Now that she’s home, Sgt. Balli said she’s looking forward to some time off.

“I want to relax, kick my feet up…not have to get in a uniform to walk into a bathroom,” Balli said.

Meanwhile, Frank Intino says he's just happy to have his son back safe and sound.

“We saw him being born. We saw him coming back, and it was sort of like he’s coming back to us again, and we thank god that everybody came back safe,” he said.

The battalion left for Fort Hood, Tex. in October of last year, and from there headed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The unit flies helicopters to transport supplies, equipment and military personnel.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Neighbors Mourn West Haven Teen Killed in Crash

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Those who knew 18-year-old A.J. Cedillo describe him as a kind young man with a bright future, and are still coming to terms with the fatal crash that took his life on Friday.

Cedillo, who graduated just months ago from West Haven High School, died Saturday after losing control of his car and slamming into a utility pole in Orange on Friday.

He was traveling with three female passengers, all under the age of 18, two of whom are still in the hospital. The third has been treated and released, police said.

Neighbors said they can't believe Cedillo is gone.

"My stomach dropped," said Lynette Akey, who used to live across the street from Cedillo. "I'm still thrown back."

Printed next to Cedillo's senior yearbook picture are the words, "Always remember to live while you're young, because you only have one life."

It's a haunting phrase.

"That's one kid that should seriously have a life, because he's what you call one of the rare breeds," Akey said.

A neighbor who spoke anonymously said her daughter grew up with Cedillo, and that he loved playing soccer. She called him a respectable young man.

"He's a good kid," she said. "He helps around the neighborhood. He helps with yards in the summertime and helps shovel in the wintertime."

The deadly crash happened just before 4 p.m. Friday while Cedillo was traveling westbound on Indian River Road. Investigators haven't determined a cause, but witnesses said they heard squealing tires and wonder if speed might have been a factor.

However, people who knew him said Cedillo was responsible and trustworthy.

"I don't see A.J. doing anything to endanger him or his friends intentionally, so something had to happen, something had to go wrong," Cedillo's neighbor said.

Friends said Cedillo has a younger sister at West Haven High School.

Authorities are still investigating the crash. Anyone with information about what happened is urged to contact Orange police.


Pickup, School Bus Collide in Canton

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A pickup collided with a school bus on Route 44 and Secret Lake Road in Canton and the truck driver and a passenger were both injured.

The school bus was transporting 13 students from the Canton Intermediate School when the crash happened at 7:34 a.m. No children were seriously injured, officials said.

Endrit Kurti, 34, of Canton, was driving the pickup and was transported by LifeStar helicopter that landed nearby at the Shoppes at Farmington Valley. An ambulance transported the passenger, a 2-year-old boy.

Police identified the driver of the school bus as Scott Patterson, 63, of Winsted.

Police said no injuries appear to be life-threatening.

Police are investigating and ask anyone with information about the crash to call Canton Police at 860-693-0221.

Man Who Approached Child Was Family Friend

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Police are no longer looking for the person who approached a child at a bus stop in New London on Thursday morning.

After investigating, police determined that the person who approached the child was actually a family friend.

The people who reported it overheard the conversation thought it was suspicious and called police, police said.

However, police are continuing to investigate two incidents that happened earlier this month.  The two incidents are similar and police have increased patrols during school bus pick up and drop off times, police said.

On Monday, Sept. 9, a man approached a 13-year-girl as she waited at the bus stop at Montauk Avenue and Mitchell Court at 6:40 a.m. and offered her money to go with him, according to police.

If you have information about the incident, call the New London Police Department at (860) 447-5269.

Police ask residents to be aware of your surroundings and remind your children about safety. 

They offered the following tips to relay to your children:

  • Never respond to strangers when they are alone.
  • Stay with their friends.
  • Report suspicious incidents to trusting adults.
  • Never accept gifts/food/candy.
  • Never accept rides.
  • Be alert to similar incidents, especially in areas that have been identified.
  • Never go with anyone without parent or guardian permission.
  • Always tell someone where they are going.

 



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

San Diego Woman Among Victims Injured in Kenya Mall Attack

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A 26-year-old woman with ties to San Diego was among the many victims injured in Nairobi, Kenya, Saturday when a group of gunmen stormed a crowded shopping mall and began firing shots, killing at least 68 people and wounding 175 others.

According to a tweet posted by a La Jolla-based organization called the New Leaders Council, local Elaine Dang was injured in the mall shooting in the Kenyan capital, but is expected to survive.

The message posted to the group's Twitter page Saturday read:

“Prayers to @NLC_LA alum Elaine Dang, injured in Nairobi. She expects a full recovery. #muchlove #NLCFamily”

New Leaders Council Los Angeles Board President, Eric DeSob, spoke to NBC 7 San Diego about Dang on Sunday.

"Elaine is an incredibly strong and brave person," said DeSob. "I worked with her through New Leader Council Los Angeles which trains young progressive leaders like Elaine to impact the world in meaningful and positive ways. Her time and work in Kenya to date have done just that," DeSob added.

DeSob said that before joining the New Leaders Council, Elaine also taught high school students on a Native American reservation in New Mexico.

A tweet posted by another company called Eat Out Kenya also referenced Dang in connection with the deadly shooting spree.

That tweet read:

“Sadly @eladang was wounded in the incident. She's in hospital but so far we're hoping for the best.”

Later, another tweet posted to the Twitter page for Eat Out Kenya read:

"Our team who was at #westgate today are safe and recovering at hospital. RIP to all the victims. Thank you for all the messages."

Sunday morning, a Twitter account believed to be owned by Dang tweeted a photo of what appears to be her in a hospital. The accompanying text read, "Proof that I am OK - hanging out with some of my best friends in Nairobi."

Upon researching, NBC 7 learned that Dang currently serves as the general manager for Eat Out Kenya, a website that helps visitors and locals find the best restaurants and bars in Kenya.

A social media profile belonging to Dang indicates that she's worked for the company in Nairobi since June.

On Saturday, the company posted the following statement on their Facebook page:

"The EatOut Family is shocked and horrified at the incidents that have taken place today at Westgate Mall. We send our condolences to everyone who was in the Mall today, and to all the families of those who have been hurt and injured. Members of our team who were at the Mall are all stable and being looked after. We have lost friends today."

The company also said they would be "closed until further notice."

Address records indicate that Dang once lived in San Diego County. Her social media profiles say she graduated from Torrey Pines High School and then went on to graduate from the University of California, Berkeley.

Dang also appears to have worked for several humanitarian groups in California, including Teach for America and the National Leaders Council.

Meanwhile, NBC News reports that the U.S. State Department has confirmed that at least four American citizens were among the 150 victims injured in the shooting at Westgate mall in Nairobi. There have been no reports of American casualties, according to NBC News. The mall is a popular shopping destination and is frequented by Westerners.

NBC News reports that the Somali militant group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack and threatened additional strikes, saying it was in retaliation "for the lives of innocent Muslims" killed by Kenyan forces leading an African Union offensive against al-Shabab.

RELATED: 10 Things to Know About Somali Militants Al-Shabab



Photo Credit: AP

Wallingford Man Accused of Stealing From Neighbor

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A Wallingford man is accused of breaking into his neighbor’s house and stealing electronic devices, according to police.

Angel Estrella, 32, was arrested Saturday after allegedly smashing the bedroom window of a home on Mohawk Drive and stealing electronics from inside.

Police said Estrella lives nearby. He denied involvement in the burglary, but was arrested after investigators found stolen electronics and blood evidence connecting Estrella to the crime, authorities said.

Estrella was charged with third-degree burglary, third-degree criminal mischief and fifth-degree larceny.

He is being held on a $25,000 bond and is due in court Oct. 9.



Photo Credit: Wallingford Police Department

Report: Gale Sayers Denies Involvement in Concussion Lawsuit Against NFL

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Bears Hall of Famer Gale Sayers said Saturday that he did not consent to a lawsuit filed on his behalf Friday in the U.S. District Court in Chicago that alleges the NFL and helmet maker Riddell failed to prevent repeated head injuries to the former running back, according to a report from the Chicago Tribune.

Sayers told the Tribune he spoke with an attorney last Thursday after a request from former Bears safety Shaun Gayle, but that he did not agree to sue the NFL.

Sayers reportedly said the attorney is John F. Winters of Winters, Salzetta & O’Brien, LLC in Chicago.

The lawsuit filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Chicago claims Sayers, who played for the Chicago Bears from 1965 to 1972, suffers headaches, occasional short-term memory loss and other cognitive deficits. It says the affliction is caused by chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

A spokesman for the NFL did not immediately return a call seeking comment. Rosemont, Ill.-based Riddell declined to comment.

Last month, in a deal with the players association, the NFL agreed to pay more than three-quarters of a billion dollars to settle lawsuits from thousands of former players who developed concussion-related health problems.
 



Photo Credit: Getty Images
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