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Restored Videos Show James Earl Ray on Trial

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Newly digitized videos of James Earl Ray's return to Memphis where he stood trial for Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination were released on Wednesday, the 45th anniversary of the civil rights leader's death.

In one video, a sheriff reads Ray his rights on a plane after his arrest in London. There is footage of him arriving at Tennessee's Shelby County Jail, where he was searched, stripped and examined by a doctor. There are several videos, released by the Shelby County Register's office in Tennessee, of the court proceedings from the 1968 trial. 

Some of the tape is inaudible and blurry, as the camera operators were still "learning how to operate this technology as they recorded," Shelby County Register Tom Leatherwood said in a statement.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office used a Sony Videocorder and Video Camera to document the arrest and court proceedings, he said. He added that he found the tapes about a year ago and sent them to a production company in New York where they were restored.

King was shot on April 4, 1968, while standing on a balcony at the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis.

 


2 Killed in Helicopter Crash in Miami Suburb

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Two people were killed after a helicopter crashed in a Miami suburb on Wednesday just after take-off, authorities said.

The crash was located at SW 124th Ave and SW 130th Street in Three Lakes, Fla., about two miles east of Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport. Footage showed that the helicopter crashed into a parking lot near warehouses. No one on the ground was injured.

The Federal Aviation Administration said that at about 4 p.m. ET a Robinson R44 helicopter crashed. It had just departed from the airport.

VIDEO: Watch as the helicopter that crashed was consumed by flames.

Marc Henderson, spokesman for the Miami-Dade Aviation Department, confirmed the fatalities.

It wasn't immediately known how many were aboard the chopper.

Aerial footage showed that the registered owner of the helicopter is Bravo Helicopters LLC in Miami. A telephone message left at the company seeking comment wasn't immediately returned.

The FAA is investigating.

Stay with NBC6.com and NBC 6 South Florida for updates.

This is a photo of the helicopter that crashed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 More Local Stories:

Malloy's State Capitol Appearance Cancelled Wed.

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Gov. Dannel Malloy did not attend an autism awareness event he was scheduled to attend at the State Capitol on Wednesday.

The appearance was scheduled on the same day Connecticut lawmakers voted on a comprehensive gun control measure that expands a ban on assault weapons and would prohibit the sale or possession of magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds.

Hundreds of gun rights advocates protested at the State Capitol Wednesday to voice their opposition to the proposed law.

The Governor's security detail decided to cancel the appearance, according to a spokesperson for Malloy. The spokesperson did not say the cancellation was related to the protests.

"When the Governor's security makes a decision on an event, we don't question that determination," Andrew Doba said.

Malloy supports the gun control legislation and has been criticized by gun rights advocates and gun manufacturers for his position.

Lt. Paul Vance, of the Connecticut State Police, said there was no specific threat against Malloy, but the security detail deemed the situation "unsuitable."

The autism event went on as scheduled without Gov. Malloy.

Connecticut's State Senate passed the measure 26-10 Wednesday evening.  The bill moved to the House, where a vote was expected later Wednesday night.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Police Investigate Homicide in Bristol

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A 29-year-old mother of four was found dead inside a home on Cypress Street in Bristol early Wednesday morning and police have charged her boyfriend with murder.

Mario Rivera, 24, of Beths Avenue in Bristol, has been arrested, charged with murder and is being held on $1.5 million bond.

Police responded to the home at 2:56 a.m. when the Bristol Police Communications Center received a 911 call reporting that a woman was injured at a home on Cypress Street.  

Responding officers found the victim, Shenia Walker, in a second-floor apartment. The official cause of death has not been released, but police believe she was stabbed several times while her children were in the home.

"My grandkids said, 'He stabbed my mommy, he stabbed my mommy,'" Walker's mother, Ramona Brooks, said. "I just want to see my daughter for one last time. It's sad, it's sad."

Shenia and Mario had two children together, a 2-year-old and a 1-year old, according to her mother, who said the couple had a volatile relationship.

Shenia called her grandmother for help, but it was too late.

"She called my mother for help and, by the time my mother got up here, it was too late," Brooks said.

Rivera was also charged with four counts of risk of injury to a minor. The children were not injured.

Walker lived on Cypress Street and neighbors said the victim is a mother.
 



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com and Family Photo

William Shatner Spreads Word About Taylor Swift Prom Invite

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Captain Kirk is trying to help a Canton teen get a date for the prom with Taylor Swift.

As we posted yesterday, Kyle Mullins, a senior at Canton High School, wants Taylor Swift to go to his senior prom with him and he’s using Facebook to spread the word.

Kyle has not heard from the Grammy-winning recording artist yet, but William Shatner somehow found out about the story and shared it with his 1.4 million Twitter followers.

He is the Priceline Negotiator, after all, so maybe he can make something happen.

If not, he has a suggestion for Swift’s next hit song: "We will never ever go to Prom together."

Kyle was on KISS 95.7 this morning and talked about Taylor, William Shatner and his back-up plans for prom.

“William Shatner and I are not really on like a first-name basis just yet, but apparently he Tweeted something about it, so that’s pretty good, I guess,” Mullins told the morning crew at the radio station. 

Mullins' second choice for a prom date is Selena Gomez.

His third is Betty White.

 

You can listen to the radio interview here:


 

 

 



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Sailors Return from 6-Month Deployment

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Sailors from the USS Alexandria had an emotional homecoming on Wednesday after a six-month deployment.

Eighteen officers and 129 enlisted sailors walked off the Los Angles-class attack submarineand were greeted by smiles and hugs from spouses and children. 

Being away for six months was not easy for newlyweds Crystal and Mack Easley.

"It's tough. You really realize the little things add up and they stress you out. I'm happy it's over," Crystal said.

They reunited with an embrace and a dozen roses and plan to celebrate with a bottle of champagne and a home-cooked meal.

"I haven't been able to sleep in two days. I lay in bed and can't sleep,” Mack said. “I've been too excited.”

The Norwich Free Academy Wildcat Marching Band welcomed the crew home and that was a special treat for Lt. Commander Neil Steinhagen, the father of Tanner and Sierra, who play in the band.

"The band's here to welcome my dad home from a very long deployment," Tanner Steinhagen, a sophomore at Norwich Free Academy, said.

Neil Steinhagen‘s wife, Rebecca, said deployments never get easier, but days like today make it all worth it.

“Proud band mom; proud wife. It's just a great day," she said.

The ship was deployment to the U.S. Africa Command and European Command areas of responsibility, where it supported national security interests and national security operations.
 



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Man Admitted to Stealing Chainsaws: Cops

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Police arrested an Oakville man in connection with the theft of chainsaws from a Wolcott store.

Raymond Petro, 34, is the man captured by surveillance cameras at Wolcott Power Equipment on Wolcott Road, stealing two chainsaws from the store shelf, according to police.

He was arrested Wednesday after images from the surveillance cameras were shown on news broadcasts and social media.  Wolcott police received several tips identifying Petro as the man who committed the crime, police said.

According to police, Petro walked into the store around 2:20 p.m. on Monday, grabbed two Husqvarna chainsaws from a display and ran out the door.

"I figured he was the typical younger kid going to start a landscape business and was looking around to get prices," said store owner Jim Cosgrove.

He jumped into a waiting getaway car, which sped off, nearly hitting a tractor-trailer.

"He had the two chain saws under this arm, he flipped the door open and turned around and jumped into the car backward and his legs were hanging out," Cosgrove added.

Petro admitted to the thefts after his arrest, police said.  He told officers he sold the stolen merchandise to support his addiction.   Petro also confessed to committing larcenies in Rocky Hill and Newtown, according to police.

Petro is being held on $25,000 bond.

A female wearing a brown jacket was driving the getaway car.  Police did not say if they have identified the driver.



Photo Credit: Wolcott Police

New Haven Police Investigate Homicide

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New Haven police are investigating a homicide that happened on Wednesday evening.

Police were called at 6:13 p.m. to the area of 145 Wolcott Street near Lloyd Street to investigate a shooting.

Within a minute of arriving, police found Asdrubel Bernier, 32, of New Haven, who had been shot multiple times. He was rushed to Yale-New Haven Hospital, but died as a result of the gunshots.

“I heard pow, pow, pow, pow, pow,” said Clara Payne, who  ran out the front door when she heard the gunshots. 

Payne said she watched paramedics try to save Bernier just feet away from her home.  

“They were all over him, working on him,” Payne said.

Payne was worried because her grandkids live in the area. 

“I don’t want anything like that around, not around my kids,” Payne said. 

The crime was especially alarming because it happened a block away from John S. Martinez Elementary School.

The shooter is described as between 25 and 35 years old. He wore a dark-colored jacket over a white shirt. Police at the scene were told the shooter might have fled in a black pickup.

Detectives are in the process of interviewing witnesses as the investigation continues. Anyone with information is asked to call the Detective Division at 203-946-6304.
 



Photo Credit: Ilana Gold

Crews Begin Demolition of Reagan's Childhood Home

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Demolition on the childhood home of Ronald Reagan began Tuesday.

Crews from Heneghan Wrecking Co. began tearing down the apartment building on Chicago's South Side at 832 E. 57th St., where Reagan and his family lived for two years when he was two years old.

The University of Chicago bought the building in 2004 as part of a plan to buy all residential property north of their hospital. They plan to install a plaque to commemorate the site.

Preservationists have been trying to save the building, but the city and university didn’t find the site historically significant, according to DNAinfo.com.

The university has no immediate plans to begin construction on the site, but despite rumors, officials said the land will not be used for a Barack Obama presidential library.

The site is part of a construction staging area to be used for the new Center for Care and Discovery and a new parking garage for the medical center, according to DNAinfo.com.
 



Photo Credit: Dave Fraser, NBC Chicago

Big East to Be Called American Athletic Conference

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This summer, the Big East name will officially belong to the Catholic 7 -- those non-football-playing schools that bolted the conference amid the recent upheaval and took the name with them. Which meant that in the interim, we'd all have to refer to the Big East as "the conference yet to be named." On Wednesday, that all changed when the announcement was made that the old Big East would become the new American Athletic Conference.

According to a press release, the AAC will be "across all platforms, associations and media at the conclusion of the 2012-13 sports seasons."

"We worked with our institutions, sports marketing experts, media partners, and also solicited opinions and reactions from collegiate sports fans to create a compelling list of names," Big East (and soon to be AAC) commissioner Mike Aresco said in a statement emailed to the media. "Versions that included the word 'American' led every list.  American Athletic Conference represents a strong, durable and aspirational name for our reinvented Conference.

"We engaged our fans through social media and focus groups in multiple cities, and we conducted extensive quantitative research," Aresco added. "We also received terrific input from our partners at ESPN and CBS Sports. Our name is a nod to tradition, but at the same time makes clear our determination to be a Conference with national impact and appeal. The American Athletic Conference will represent core American values of optimism, energy, growth and innovation. We have a broad geographical footprint that represents unity as well as diversity."

Judy Genshaft, President of the University of South Florida and Chair of the Executive Committee said "Our exciting new name is the result of a thorough process that has energized our Conference. The American Athletic Conference brand will embody the values of competition and sportsmanship that our student-athletes have always exemplified."

More praise from those with a vested interest in the conference's success:

"The American Athletic Conference is a brand that suggests a national scope and quality membership. It is an exciting time for the new conference and ESPN looks forward to our future together."

- Burke Magnus, Senior Vice President, College Sports Programming, ESPN

"We congratulate the American Athletic Conference on the selection of a terrific new name for college sports. We look forward to partnering with The American as they introduce their new brand and increase their presence as a conference going forward."

- Sean McManus, Chairman, CBS Sports

For the 2014-15 academic year, the American Athletic Conference will include the University of Central Florida, the University of Cincinnati, the University of Connecticut, East Carolina University, the University of Houston, the University of Memphis, Southern Methodist University, the University of South Florida, Temple University, Tulane University and the University of Tulsa. The U.S. Naval Academy will become a football-only member in 2015. With 12 football schools in the fold by 2015, the AAC will host a football championship game.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Fire Destroys Vacant Waterbury Home

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A vacant Waterbury multi-family home was destroyed by fire early Thursday morning. 

The house is at 52 Dikeman Street, according to the Waterbury Fire Department. A sign attached to the front porch says the house was up for auction.

Fire officials said they believe it is a complete loss.

Crews are still there, but the fire seems to be out. The house was vacant at the time of the fire and there appears to be no injuries reported at this time.


 



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

$200,000 Reward for Killer of Texas DA, Wife

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Texas Gov. Rick Perry announced Thursday his office was adding $100,000 to the reward pool for the investigation into the shooting deaths of Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland, his wife Cynthia, and Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse.

The additional funds bring the reward total to $200,000 for convictions tied to tips from the public. The McLellands were gunned down at their home over the weekend. Hasse was shot as he arrived to work near the county courthouse on Jan. 31. No none has yet been arrested in either case.

During a news conference with officials from Kaufman County, the FBI and the Texas Department of Public Safety, Perry addressed reports that gangs, cartels or the Aryan Brotherhood may be connected to the killings.

"It is very premature to make any statements about who may or may not have been involved with this. There was a report by the DPS that said the greatest threat to Texans' safety were the drug cartels. Obviously that's part of the investigation," Perry said.

He vowed to "leave no stone unturned."

Perry deferred answering questions about the murder investigations, or connections between the investigations, to law enforcement working on the cases, though he did commend them for their work so far.

"We're not going to allow the lawlessness of a few to cause us a moments hesitation in our efforts to make a safer and more secure Texas," Perry said.

Perry, as well as dignitaries from Washington D.C. and law enforcement officers from as far away as Great Britain later attended a public memorial for the McLellands on Thursday, where a capacity crowd of more than 3,000 people was expected at the First Baptist Church of Sunnyvale in Mesquite.

Security was tight for the memorial and officials said there would be armed officers patrolling inside and outside the church.

A funeral for the McLellands will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church in Wortham. Burial will be at Wortham Cemetery. Wortham, where McLelland grew up, is 75 miles south of Dallas.

McLellands Remembered

A McLelland family representitive gave the following statement to NBC's Today show:

"On behalf of the McLelland family, we would like to thank everyone for all of the thoughts and prayers for our family during this tragic time. We would greatly appreciate the continued support for our family while we grieve the loss of these two special people. We sincerely appreciate the efforts of each and every law enforcement agency that is so diligently working on this case. We respectfully request that all news and media outlets respect our privacy as we grieve our loss."

Honor Guard organizer Chris Heisler said he regularly speaks with the family.

"They're heartbroken, and they're angry. This is something that happened here in North Texas. It's impacted them, and also citizens and communities around the country," Heisler said.

NBC 5's Jeff Smith and Scott Gordon contributed to this report.

 



Photo Credit: NBC 5 News

Mixed Reaction to Lawmakers Passing Gun Control Bill

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Whether you were for or against the gun reforms the General Assembly has passed and sent to Gov. Dannel Malloy, there was passion on both sides of the coin Wednesday night.

"Is it the best laws possible? No but it's a start and the rest of the country was watching," said Kate Mayer, who watched from the Senate balcony as the vote came through. "You can make the connections, you can make the phone calls and you can gather and Facebook and you can change your profile picture. At the end, it matters because history was made.”

Silvia Harper of Newtown said: "We set an example for the country and we have to stop fixating on the divisiveness of the issue and focus on what we can accomplish."

The bipartisan support makes all the difference," Harper added.

Critics of the bill remain concerned, like Arthur Tiede of Southington.

"The bipartisanship was worn probably as a badge but in theory, I think the Republicans in the Senate basically gave up," he said.

Tiede said he supports stricter laws but thinks some of the plan is completely unnecessary. He feels the Senate allowed too much emotion to affect their decision making.

"I don't think it's going to accomplish all they say it will," Tiede said.

Ron Pinciaro, of Connecticut Against Gun Violence, said the mood was difficult to deal with in the morning.

"It started off badly. There were a lot of them here," said Pinciaro, who added that he understands the passion against this bill, but feels they've done the right thing and it's something the rest of the country should learn from.

"And they understood that they had been honored in that way by the legislature and by the people of Connecticut," Pinciaro said.

It's just ridiculous to take something from you that's rightfully yours,” Twila Thibeault, of Ledyard, said.

“A majority of the people had recognized that a tipping point had been reached, that we were ready for rational common sense changes to our current gun laws,” Nancy Lefkowitz, of March for Change, said.

“Just throwing a ban at everything and taking away people's rights is not going to bring those poor kids back,” Marc Navaroli, of East Windsor, said.

"That's awesome. Can’t just get a gun these days, you’ve got to have credentials. No felonies no nothing," Leo Stephenson, of New Haven, said.

"It’s in infringement on to a certain degree,” Peter Flemister, of New Haven, said. “They’re gonna find a way to get it."

"I think there are lots of components of the bill that are very good, particularly the background one," David Freedman, of the Newtown Action Alliance, said.

“That just means that the criminals are not going to follow the laws that they're passing.  Only the law-abiding citizens are gonna,” David Knutson, of Canaan, said.

Nicole Hockley, who lost her son Dylan in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting released a statement.

"I am grateful that the Governor and Connecticut Legislature took a bipartisan path to a strong gun responsibility bill. I particularly appreciate that the Legislature listened to us and strengthened the provision on large capacity magazine size.  As someone who is new to the process and here only out of necessity, I am pleased with what we accomplished without rancor, with love."

“What happened on the 14th sort of precipitated what we’re doing here -- rattled us to the core. Every one of us in our own way said we’d do everything that we can so that never happens again,” House Minority Leader Lawrence Cafero said.

“Hopefully, that is some measure of comfort to the victims of Newtown. I think we owed it to them to take this seriously,” House Speaker Brendan Sharkey said.

Gun control advocates hope the action taken in Connecticut will become an example for other states and Congress to follow.
 



Photo Credit: AP

Chicago Proposal Would Allow Private Sponsorship of Police

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A philanthropist or business could sponsor a police beat and put more off-duty cops on the streets under a plan being put forth by a downtown Chicago lawmaker on the City Council.

Alderman Brendan Reilly originally pitched the idea last October but is pushing it again following weekend incidents of teen mob activity on the Magnificent Mile, an upscale area of the city.

Under his plan, off-duty officers would work minimum six-hour shifts and make $30 an hour. The money would be paid by businesses, civic groups and churches at a time when city finances are stretched thin. The officers would be in full uniform and under the command of police supervisors.

"This is a way to make use of well-trained police officers who are moonlighting doing other things, bringing them back on the street to do what they do best, which is great police work,” Reilly said.

And he said his plan wouldn't just apply to the city's more affluent neighborhoods. There would be nothing in his proposal preventing an organization from sponsoring police protection anywhere in the city.

"You don't need to live in the ZIP code where you want to provide some additional stability and public safety," he said.

Still, he pressed that his plan is little more than a "creative tool" and isn't a long-term solution to the department's and the city's woes.

"This is a stop-gap measure," he said."A long-term solution is we need to add more on-duty cops to the police department."

More than two dozen teens were arrested Saturday night after dozens of mob groups began attacking pedestrians.

One community activist told NBC Chicago 300 to 400 teens were involved, with some of them "jumping" on people.

Supt. Garry McCarthy said incidents of mob activity like the ones that happened over the weekend occur every year as the weather gets warmer. But Reilly says police presence makes a difference.

"This is something that, unfortunately, the city's had to struggle with on a seasonal basis for the last several years. But you'll notice that those headlines went away just like that as soon as we saw a surge in police visibility," Reilly said.

He said he hopes the budget committee will pass his bill and put it before the full Chicago City Council in an upcoming meeting.



Photo Credit: Kim Vatis

2nd Teen Hiker Found Alive in Calif. Forest

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Searchers rescued Thursday an 18-year-old woman who had gotten lost with a friend on an Easter Sunday hike in a southern California forest.

A sound of a female voice led Orange County Sheriff's search and rescue teams to locate Kyndall Jack. Crews hoisted her out of a dense ravine in the Cleveland National Forest about noon on Thursday, four days after the ordeal began.

The rescue came hours after authorities found Jack's hiking companion Nicholas Cendoya. He was found "dehydrated and disoriented" in a ravine near where Jack and Cendoya had parked their car.

Searchers had to cut through thick brush to rescue Cendoya, Park said. Visibility was less than 10 feet.

About 40 rescue workers and volunteers had searched for Cendoya and Jack on Wednesday, Park had said. During the search, two hikers became lost and had to be tracked down and rescued.

Cendoya and Jack, both residents of Costa Mesa Calif., had called authorities at 8:25 p.m. Sunday to say they had gotten lost, said Gail Krause, an Orange County sheriff's spokeswoman.

The cellphone battery wore down, and authorities could not get an accurate GPS "ping" from the phone to pinpoint their location, prompting a massive search, said Sheriff's Lt. Erin Giudice.

Russ Jack, father to 18-year-old Kyndall, had spent two nights near the search area and was clearly emotional on Wednesday. He said he thought he had seen sparks of light on the hillside, but the searchers found nothing.

"After three days, you gotta say no water. The kids are dehydrated. Hopefully none of them are hurt," Russ Jack said. "At this point, everybody is still upbeat, optimistic about finding the kids in good shape and alive."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NBC4's Vikki Vargas contributed to this report.

 

 



Photo Credit: CA DMV

Governor Signs Bill on Sandy Hook Victim’s Birthday

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Today would have been Ana Marquez-Greene’s seventh birthday. Instead of celebrating with cake and presents, her family will be going to the cemetery to visit her grave and a moment of silence was held in Times Square in the little girl's memory.

Ana was one of the 20 students and six staff members killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, and her parents wrote a column in today’s U.S.A. Today. It is in remembrance of their daughter and also makes a plea for national gun control legislation.

“Today, the governor of our home state of Connecticut will sign historic bipartisan legislation designed by legislators to make our communities safer. Their cooperative spirit should be a model for Congress, when the Senate considers legislation next week to reduce gun violence,” Jimmy Greene and Nelba Marquez-Greene wrote in the column. “We must look to our elected leaders and demand that they act, with love, to protect every citizen from gun violence. There is no one easy solution. Our mental health system needs an overhaul, and that will take time. No one knows this more than I do, as a licensed marriage and family therapist. But there are several steps that Congress can, and must, take now to save innocent lives.”

On a Facebook page in Ana’s memory, her parents are asking people to honor their daughter with random acts of kindness.

“In honor of Ana's life, we invite you to celebrate with family or friends today. Reach out to a neighbor, coworker or classmate. Perform a random act of kindness. Wear something purple or sparkly. Read with a child. Crank up the music, eat second dessert, dance like nobody's watching. Call your leaders. Pray for our country. Pray for common sense solutions. Pray for a love revolution.

“Seven years ago I gave birth to the most amazing sweet caramel princess. Less than four months ago, she was executed in her classroom. This photo is our final picture together taken at dinner on December 13th.

“Thank you for loving and supporting us. Thank you for not letting Ana's memory fade away. Thank you for your cards and letters both to us and to Washington. Thank you for reminding us that love does win.

“Happy first birthday in heaven to our princess of peace. Our princess for 6 and 1/2 years. Jesus' princess for eternity.

“Nelba, Jimmy and Isaiah”

Jimmy Greene is also asking people to honor their daughter by being kind to others.

“That her spirit is eternally present with Jesus and no doubt dancing right this minute in heaven is my only source of comfort. In honor of Ana's beautiful life, please love your neighbor. Offer someone your time, your attention and your care. Be your brother's keeper. Hug your children and let them know that you love them - not by giving them whatever they want but by teaching them right from wrong. Pray for your kids. Also pray for those who mistreat you. Show mercy. Make choices based on love rather than money and demand that your elected officials do the same. Be a giver, not a taker. Love wins!,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

Mothers in the New York area who are affiliated with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America gathered in Times Square, with purple flowers in hand, for a moment of silence at 9:05 a.m.

Malloy signed the legislation during a ceremony at noon on Thursday and said Newtown First Selectwoman Pat Llodra was not at the bill signing because she was at a ceremony for Ana's birthday.

There is mixed reaction to the bill.

"I think there are lots of components of the bill that are very good, particularly the background one," David Freedman, of the Newtown Action Alliance, said.

Guns rights advocates, however, said the legislation will be a detriment to law-abiding gun owners.

"It’s in infringement on to a certain degree,” Peter Flemister, of New Haven, said. “They’re gonna find a way to get it." 
 



Photo Credit: AP

Restaurant Gives Discount to Gun-Toting Customers

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It's like happy hour with added fire power: "Open Carry Wednesday" at the Cajun Experience in Leesburg, Va., means patrons who pack heat get a 10 percent discount on their bills.

Owner Bryan Crosswhite said it's less about the discount and more about the statement.

"It's not about packing heat, he said. "We send a message that this is America and this is our constitutional right."

Crosswhite says patrons came up with the idea for the promotion. He said there have been no incidents in the restaurant since the deal began four weeks ago.

Many diners, including some who visit with their children, appreciate both the deal and the message, Crosswhite said.

"Right now I feel like I'm in safest place in Leesburg, Virginia," said Sterling resident Dana Quirk.

She said she was "absolutely" OK with having her son there.

"Because if someone [threatening] comes through that door, good luck!" she said, laughing.

While it's perfectly legal to openly carry guns in Virignia, some in Leesburg are leery of the dining discount.

"You're not going to hunt for your dinner," said Leesburg resident Anne Meyers. "So I don't know why you'd need a gun in a restaurant."

Lessburg Police Chief Joseph Price agrees, especially since Crosswhite's restaurant serves beer and wine.

"No, sir, I don't plan to go [to the restaurant]," he said, "and having carried a firearm for better part of my adult life, I clearly know alcohol and firearms do not mix."

Not to worry, says Crosswhite. Anyone carrying a weapon and over-imbibing will be cut off.

Man Pulled from Fire in Monroe

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A volunteer firefighter and three police officers pulled an unconscious man from a fire in Monroe early Thursday morning.

Fire broke out in a second floor bedroom at a 24 Squire Road in the Barn Hill section of Monroe around 2:30 a.m., according to the fire department.

The first volunteer firefighter to arrive and three police officers pulled the man downstairs and out to the front lawn, where Monroe paramedics and EMTs treated him. He fire regained consciousness before being transported to the hospital, but the extent of his injuries are unknown.

A woman and four children escaped on their own and another firefighter carried the family dog out to safety.

The fire was contained to the master bedroom and was put out quickly, but smoke filled the entire second floor of the roughly 3,500-square-foot home.

Paramedics also gave oxygen to a volunteer firefighter, who did not require hospitalization.
 
The scene was clear as of 4:15 a.m.
 
The family will likely be able to live in the house fairly soon, according to firefighters.

The cause of the fire is undetermined at the Monroe fire marshal's office is handling the investigation. 

 



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Home of Miami Heat's Chris Bosh Burglarized of $340K Worth of Watches, Rings and Purses

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Miami Heat player Chris Bosh and his wife returned home from his 29th birthday party to find they had been robbed of $340,000 worth of jewelry and purses, but his 2012 NBA Championship ring was left untouched, Miami Beach police said Thursday.

Police said they got the call about the burglary at 12:30 a.m.

Bosh and his wife had left their two children and a teenager at home with two babysitters at 7:30 p.m. and they headed out to celebrate his birthday at Briza on the Bay restuarant in Miami, according to the police report. The Moroccan themed party included belly dancers and fire breathers. And a camel named Henri greeted guests. The festivities started at 9 p.m.

When the Boshes got home, they realized their closet had been ransacked, police said. No one who was home heard anything, and apparently the thieves handpicked the items they were stealing, police said.

Bosh's Championship ring was spared, but they took what they wanted from jewelry box, including watches and rings, police said.

"We are leaning on the side of this being an inside job," said Miami Beach police spokesman Bobby Hernandez.

Chris Bosh: 'I've Been a Hall of Famer'

Hernandez said police are checking to see if there had been any contractors at the home recently. The housekeepers were also being interviewed, he said.

He added that authorities are checking to see if there is any surveillance video from inside the home.

Bosh joined the Heat in the summer of 2010 through a sign-and-trade deal with the Toronto Raptors, who drafted him in 2003. In his third season with the Heat, Bosh is third on the team in scoring and second in rebounding, averaging 16.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game on 53.4 percent shooting. He also leads the Heat with 1.4 blocks per game.

Bosh and his wife, Adrienne, have a son, Jackson. Bosh also has a daughter, Trinity, from a prior relationship.

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Photo Credit: AP

Man Charged with Human Trafficking

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A 44-year-old New York man was arrested in Windsor Locks on Wednesday, accused of organizing illegal activities at Century Spa in Windsor Locks, according to police.

Jie Li, of New York City, surrendered to police at about 5 a.m. on Wednesday and was taken into custody after an arrest warrant following an extensive investigation of the spa located at 5 National Drive.

This is the second arrest police have made after receiving complaints of illegal activity at the spa.

In December, Windsor Locks Police arrested the owner of Century Spa, 38-year-old Chun Lan Tam Wang, who was accused of holding another woman captive in the spa for two weeks.

Police say she ran the day-to-day activities of the spa.

According to Police, Li leased the property where the spa is located and hired the employees of the spa, promoting prostitution.

Li has been charged with one count each of human trafficking, promoting prostitution in the second degree and threatening in the second degree.


 



Photo Credit: Windsor
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