What one resident thought was a human foot at the water’s edge in New Haven turned out to be the front flipper of a seal, according to police.

Police said the resident spotted part of a carcass at Fort Nathan Hale Park on Woodward Avenue on Thursday afternoon and reported it to authorities.

The caller said it appeared to contain a human foot, but investigators soon realized it was a seal’s pectoral flipper, which is similar in structure to the forelimbs of land mammals, according to police.

Police have not identified the type of seal but said the state’s gray seal population has recently increased.

They’re working to remove the carcass and said the city’s Department of Public Works or Parks Department may take over the responsibility of disposing of it.

It’s not clear why the animal died.

Ten days after a three-alarm fire destroyed his popular New Haven pub and five apartments upstairs, restaurant owner Peter Gremse is picking up the pieces.

Now Gremse and his wife are focusing their efforts on their second eatery, the Stone Hearth. It’s located just down the street from Delaney’s Taproom and Restaurant, now just a pile of rubble, and Gremse said he’s doing his best to keep Delaney’s customers happy.

“I brought my Delaney's menu over here immediately to try to keep my customers over there happy, while keeping my business alive,” he said.

Gremse said he’s also working to make sure his staff has a place to go. Three dozen employees have been without a job since last Monday’s fire destroyed the restaurant on Whalley Avenue.

“I was able to bring some of them over, but not all of them. I had 48 employees over there, and opening for lunch, I only really created seven new jobs, so I brought the guys that have been with me the longest,” he explained.

He said other restaurants have offered to take some of the Delaney’s employees and have been raising money for the fire victims.

O’Toole’s Irish Pub is donating funds from its September Undies Run, and Anna Liffey’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, at 17 Whitney Avenue in New Haven, will hold a fundraiser Saturday at 5 p.m.

“Some people came out of their house and they didn't have a dime in their pocket. Maybe one guy said he had a dollar in his pocket, and you have to go back and rebuild. You got to buy everything, socks shoes,” said Anna Liffey’s owner Patrick Mansfield.

Gremse says the support is overwhelming.

“I was just blown away. I mean, these guys are my competition, there's no two ways about it. We all have Irish names at the end, but we're competition, and for them, the outpouring, it's just unbelievable,” he said.

The Broken Umbrella Theater Company will hold a furniture, clothing and food drive to benefit tenants displaced by the fire Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 446A Blake Street. Gift cards are also welcome.

You can send donations to:

Community Action Agency of New Haven
419 Whalley Avenue, Suite 400
New Haven, CT 06511
ATTN: Adrienne Sanders/Delaney’s

For more information on the relief fund, call the CAANH at 203-785-7614.

The Plymouth Board of Education has voted unanimously to accept the resignation of a supertinendent accused of stealing $15,000 from her former school system.

Board members voted unanimously to approve the motion Thursday night as part of a settlement with superintendent Eleanor Cruz, whose resignation is effective Aug. 31.

The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed, but the decision was met with applause.

Cruz was arrested in August after allegedly stealing $15,000 from the town of Hebron while she was serving as the superintendent there. She was asked not to report to work in Plymouth while the school board investigates.

According to the warrant for her arrest, Cruz charged personal expenses to school district credit cards, including clothing, groceries, gardening supplies and pharmacy purchases.

She’s also accused of using taxpayer dollars to pay a private consultant for analyzing Plymouth Board of Education data shortly before she left Hebron for Plymouth, according to an audit conducted by the Hebron school board.

The Plymouth school board moved to terminate Cruz at a meeting Aug. 13 and appointed Raymond Engle to lead an investigation into her conduct.

Tonight the board appointed Mark Winzler interim superintendent while they search for a permanent replacement.

Winzler, who will assume the role Sept. 15, has served as interim superintendent in several school districts, including Columbia, East Hampton, Rocky Hill, Watertown, Berlin and Granby.

Plymouth business manager Michael Santogotta has been leading the school district since Cruz's suspension.

Cruz will face a judge Sept. 12.

A First Student school bus has been involved in a crash at the corner of Quinnipiac Avenue and East Ferry Street in New Haven.

Police said the bus was parked and no children were on it when a car slammed into the back of it.

No one was injured in the crash.
 

A Rhode Island-based sunglasses company on Thursday issued a recall of more than 200,000 sunglasses due to an excessive amount of lead in the paint.

The glasses are made by FGX and feature designs from Disney movies, TV shows and some comic book characters.

CVS and Walgreens stores were among those that sold the sunglasses from December 2013 to March 2014 for between $7 and $13.

According to the company website, the recall includes: 

Style# Brand Colors

• S00014SVS999 -- Marvel Spider-Man Red, blue
• S00014SVSBLU -- Marvel Spider-Man Blue
• S00014SVSRED -- Marvel Spider-Man Red
• S00021LKC999 -- SK2 Sears /Kmart Private Label Blue
• S00021SVS999 -- Marvel Spider-Man Red/black, silver/blue
• S01551SDB999 -- Disney Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Red/white, silver/black
• S02964SJN440 -- Disney Jake and the Never Land Pirates Blue
• S02964SJN999 -- Disney Jake and the Never Land Pirates Blue
• S03683SDC999 -- Disney Cars Blue, black, red
• S04611SDC001 -- Disney Cars Red/black
• S04611SDC080 -- Disney Cars Red/Silver
• S04611SDC400 -- Disney Cars Blue/teal/yellow
• S04611SDC999 -- Disney Cars Blue/teal/yellow, red/black, red/silver
• S07786SMS500 -- Disney Doc McStuffins Purple/pink
• S07786SMS650 -- Disney Doc McStuffins Pink/blue
• S07786SMS999 -- Disney Doc McStuffins Purple/pink, pink/blue
• S07840SDC999 -- Disney Cars Red/black
• S07841SDC001 -- Disney Cars Black/silver
• S07841SDC440 -- Disney Cars Blue/red
• S07841SDC999 -- Disney Cars Blue/red, black/silver, black/red

Customers can contact FGX International toll-free at 877-277-0104 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to arrange a replacement or refund.

Starting this weekend, you will not have to pay to park in the Crown Street Garage in New Haven on Saturdays.

Parking at the garage will be free between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

“This is really something that we’re glad to be able to do for our downtown retailers,” Acting Executive Director of Park New Haven, David B. Panagore. said in a news release. “Our goal is to have as many folks as possible experience everything that is so great about the Elm City, whether that is a daily visitor to New Haven, or someone who is making their first trip to our city.”

The regular rate for the garage is $4 for the first hour and $3 for each additional hour.   

For more information on Park New Haven and the innovative Free Parking Saturday program, go to the Park New Haven Web site.
 

The Hampton Inn hotel on Plains Road in Milford was evacuated on Friday morning because of a strong gas odor.

The fire chief is leaving the scene and the NBC Connecticut crew at the scene said firefighters are walking  away too.

No additional information is available.

Three people were taken to the hospital after a crash in the 2700 block of Dixwell Avenue in Hamden just before 9 a.m. on Friday.

A 24-year-old New Haven resident lost control of a white Nissan sedan while heading south on Dixwell Avenue, crossed the northbound lanes and hit a traffic box, which is no longer in use, as well as a utility pole, police said.

The impact of the crash knocked the traffic box loose and it hit a 48-year-old Hamden woman who was walking her bicycle on the sidewalk, police said.

The woman's leg was cut and she was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital to be treated.

The driver of the Nissan was transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital, as was the 72-year-old passenger who injured his nose, police said.

One northbound lane of Dixwell Avenue was closed for about an hour and has reopened.

No charges have been filed. Police are investigating.

The crash happened close to Hamden Plaza and Hamden High School.

Dozens of mourners came together tonight to remember a teen who was gunned down on Prospect Street in Enfield.

“It’s crazy for a father not to see his son get married,” said a reverend at the vigil for 18-year-old Jonathan Torres. “We all deserve to die, but after living a long, long, long life.”

Torres was pronounced dead at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield after he was shot around 9 p.m. Wendesday. Police have taken four teens into custody, one of whom was spotted running from the scene with a gun, witnesses said.

Community members gathered Thursday night on Prospect Street at the same stoop where Torres was sitting when he was killed.

“The wounds are always going to be there. There is never really any closure, but when you have friends and family coming together, it eases some of the pain,” said the reverend.

Neighbors said Torres had a kind heart and playful sense of humor. They carried candles in his memory and wrote messages in chalk.

“There's nothing else we can do for him. He's gone," said his father, Sergio Torres. “I’m sure is up there looking at us.”

None of the arrested teens has been charged with murder, but police said additional charges are possible.

Route 262 in Watertown is closed after a crash involving three cars.

The road is closed between Park and Buckingham roads, according to an alert from the state Department of Transportation.

Police did not have any additional information.
 

Bluehills Avenue in Bloomfield has reopened after a fire that started in a storage shed spread to a tractor-trailer parked outside early Friday morning.

The fire broke out at 1213 Bluehills Avenue and likely started in a wood stove belonging to a wood business, according to the fire department.

The fire consumed the shed and then spread to the truck.

Officials from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection responded because of the diesel fuel in the truck.

No injured are reported, but the shed and truck were destroyed.

The fire department remains at the scene to dealing with small hotspots.
.

A woman who was training to be an aide at an assisted living facility in South Windsor is accused of stealing more than $10,000 from one of the residents.

Jessica Solomon, 37, of East Hartford was arrested on a warrant at Manchester Superior Court on Thursday.  

Police started investigating in May because she was suspected of stealing a resident’s wallet and checkbook from an assisted living facility on Buckland Road. 

As police investigated, officers learned that more than $10,000 in forged checks had been cashed against the victim’s account. 

During an interview with police, Solomon admitted she was involved and told detectives that she was desperate, almost homeless and that the money was for rent and repairs, police said.

Solomon, who was briefly employed at the assisted living facility, cooperated with the investigators and was charged with five counts of identity theft in the first degree, five counts of forgery in the second degree, larceny in the third degree, larceny in the fourth degree, and several counts of larceny in the fifth degree and larceny in the sixth degree. 

She was held at court on a surety bond and was arraigned on Thursday morning.

It is not clear if she has an attorney. Solomon is due in court on Oct. 8. 
 

Ansonia police are investigating a string of commercial burglaries over the last week.

Three of the four commercial burglaries have been on the west side of town and one was on the east side of town, according to police. All are believed to have happened between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.

Super Tees, at 1 Riverside Drive, was robbed on Sept. 1. Police said the intruder caused $5,000 damage to several machines damaged and the alarm system.

CT Consignments at 61 Pershing Drive was robbed on Sept. 3 and intruders caused $500 in damage by breaking in through a glass panel door. No items appeared to be missing.

Subway at 350 W. Main Street was robbed on Sept. 4. The door locks were damaged and a plate glass window was broken. Damage was estimated at $500.

Duchess Restaurant, 60 Pershing Drive, was robbed on Sept. 5. The door was pried open. Police said the security camera system damaged and at least $1500 in cash was taken.

Police are investigating and have no description of the person or people who are involved.

Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to call the Detective Division at 203-735-1885.
Additionally, we are asking that anyone who sees anything suspicious near commercial areas to contact the department at 203-735-1885 or 911, if needed.

Power is out in downtown Madison and the fire department is urging people to avoid the area as they check on several electrical issues.

Fire officials said there is an issue at a Connecticut Light & Power substation.

CL&P's Web site says there are 1,137 power outages and crews are patrolling the area.

CL&P officials said they restored power for about 500 customers shortly after the outage occured and are working to identify the problem.

Ciao Bella Moda International, a shop at 698 Boston Post Road, posted on Facebook that they are closed until the fire department gives them the OK to open.

Shelton police have arrested a 28-year-old Stratford man who is accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl.

Police said the 15-year-old girl filed a complaint in 2008 and told police that she met Michael Capogrosso one night in Shelton, he brought her to his apartment and forced her to have intercourse with him.

Police were unable to find Capogrosso, who was suspected of leaving the state.

U.S. Marshals assisted in arresting him on a warrant on Thursday.

He was charged with second-degree sexual assault in the second degree. Capogrosso held on a $25,000 bond and appeared at Derby Court on Thursday.

It is not clear if he has an attorney.

Eight blood collection centers around the state have been shut down after authorities learned they were not licensed to operate.

The state Department of Public Health issued a cease and desist order Aug. 29 for collection centers affiliated with BioReference Laboratories, Inc., which is based in Danbury.

According to the order, eight BioReference facilities in New London, Norwich, Waterbury, Ansonia, Fairfield, Wallingford, North Stonington and Milford were uncertified and have been closed.

“BioReference admits that none of the blood collection facilities listed above have obtained a license and/or certificate to operate from the Department of Public Health,” the order says.

BioReference Laboratories in Danbury received its license in October of last year and will continue to operate, according to the DPH.

The cease and desist order is not subject to reconsideration or judicial review. The locations will remain closed until they are properly licensed.

The DPH said BioReference is cooperating with investigators.

Stamford police have arrested a woman accused of crashing into a 58-year-old woman who later died.

Police said Natalie Gainer was driving a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe, making a left turn off Summer Street around 12:45 p.m.on Monday, July 21, when she hit Janice Pielert, of Stamford, according to police.

Pielert, who was walking in the crosswalk on Summer Street at Hoyt Street, became trapped under the Tahoe and had to be extricated, police said. She was taken to Stamford Hospital where she died, police said. 

Gainer was also transported to the Stamford Hospital, where she was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Police obtained a warrant for Gainer on Friday and she turned herself in at the Stamford Police Department.

She was charged with negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, failure to grant right of way to pedestrians in a crosswalk and obstructed view. 

"It's a devastating tragedy for which Natalie is deeply sorry, as she offers her thoughts and prayers to the victim's family.  We will take a close look at the forensics over the next few weeks to see whether this was truly an accident or if the conduct justifies this homicide charge," Attorney mark Sherman said in a statement released on Gainer's behalf.

She was released on a promise to appear and is due in court on Sept. 19.

Two teens are facing charges after pretending to be hurt and asking a 52-year-old Shelton resident for a ride to the hospital, then assaulting him and stealing his car, according to police.

Police said 18-year-old Todd Skeens, of Derby, and a 17-year-old boy from Ansonia approached a man outside his home in Shelton around 12:30 a.m. Thursday and asked if he would bring them to the hospital.

The man agreed, but while they were driving, the teens asked to go to a home instead. According to police, the driver helped the purportedly injured person to the house, and as he was walking back to his car, the teens attacked.

Police said they ambushed him and knocked him to the ground, grabbing his cellphone and keys. The teens jumped in his car and took off.

The man suffered minor injuries and walked down the street to look for help. While he was walking, the teens circled back around in his car and honked the horn to taunt him, according to police.

Police said the victim used a passerby’s cellphone to call for help.

State police spotted the car about an hour later, but it sped off and troopers couldn’t catch it. Ansonia and Derby police helped identify the suspects and track them down.

Both were charged with second-degree robbery, second-degree larceny, third-degree assault and conspiracy to commit all three.

The 17-year-old was also charged with interfering with police and engaging police in a pursuit after running from authorities and struggling with them, according to police.

Skeens was held on $75,000 bond and was due in court Friday. The other teen was taken to a juvenile detention center.

Is it a phone, a watch, a wallet? All eyes will be on Cupertino Tuesday for Apple's next big announcement. Apple will also be live-streaming the "special event" on Apple.com starting 10 a.m. Sept. 9.

The Apple website already features a countdown clock counting down to the magic hour.

Announcements on both the iPhone 6 (with apparently a bigger screen) and the iWatch (or iBand?) are expected, reports indicate, but there's also the "what else" aspect.

Reports from both Re/code and Bloomberg indicate that the debut of a wearable device is in the cards. There are also reports that the tech giant might unveil its own mobile-payment system -- possibly an iWallet? Apple is also reportedly working on a new, taller iPad.

Apple's invitation to media last week didn't say much, except for a one-line teaser: "Wish We Could Say More." The company stock reached a new all-time high following the announcement and sent social media abuzz.

Apple opted to switch venues for the event, opting for the Flint Center for the Performing Arts in Cupertino, instead of its usual Moscone West venue in San Francisco.

On Friday, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced plans to add extra security to iCloud, following a celebrity photo hacking incident last week.

According to Apple, live streaming Tuesday's video from its website will require Safari 5.1.10 or later on OS X v10.6.8 or later; Safari on iOS 6.0 or later. Streaming via Apple TV requires second- or third-generation Apple TV with software 5.0.2 or later.

Follow NBC Bay Area on Twitter @nbcbayarea for live coverage of the event.

As Apple’s 9/9 event draws near, we must never forget #freejonyive pic.twitter.com/p8a2K9XqNb

— Craig Grannell (@CraigGrannell) September 5, 2014

Apple increases U.S. smartphone share ahead of iPhone 6 launch, says comScore. http://t.co/6vfhFgbYvf by @DawnC331 pic.twitter.com/L4EnCs7inq

— Re/code (@Recode) September 5, 2014

What's (most likely) coming from Apple next week: http://t.co/wZQH12PHY5 pic.twitter.com/eKxTm1wHee

— CNBC (@CNBC) September 5, 2014

A fugitive murder suspect in Virginia was arrested in West Haven on Friday a Community Resource Officer found a man acting suspiciously on the city green.

Police said William Henry Potts, 70, of New Haven, was “attracting attention to himself by his actions,” according to police.

When officers spoke with Potts, they learned he was wanted on a violation of probation for murder from Norfolk, Virginia, police said.

Potts was arrested and charged as a fugitive from justice.  He will be extradited to Virginia for his warrant.