Connecticut news

• Group files complaint against judge over marriage sentence

  16-08-2015 23:45
  
  AUSTIN, Texas — A group that advocates the separation of church and state has filed a complaint about a Texas judge who ordered a man to marry his girlfriend as a condition of probation.
  The Freedom From Religion Foundation said Friday it filed the complaint against Smith County Court-at-Law Judge Randall Rogers a day earlier with the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct in Austin.
  On July 2, Rogers gave 21-year-old Josten Bundy 30 days to marry 19-year-old Elizabeth James or face 15
  
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• Getting a job saved this 19-year-old’s life

  16-08-2015 23:25
  
  COLUMBUS, Ohio – Elli Thatcher was the “safe” one in her family. One brother, Cameron, was born with a congenital heart defect. Another brother, Joey, has Type 1 diabetes. In the fall of 2014, her father received radiation for a cancer diagnosis.
  Thatcher was safe until it became clear that she never really had been, her mother, Kristin, said. When she was a sophomore in high school she experienced the first flicker of symptoms signaling that something might be wrong.
  Always so
  
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• 2 Shot After Rap Concert

  16-08-2015 23:03
  
  Two people were shot after a rap concert at the Palace Theatre in Waterbury on Sunday.Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com
  
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• Fallen Cable Wires Cleared in East Haven

  16-08-2015 22:38
  
  Cable wires that fell down on a road in East Haven Sunday have been cleared to the side.
  
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• Suspect posts apocalyptic Facebook message during standoff

  16-08-2015 22:37
  
  NEW YORK — A reputed gang member who allegedly shot a firefighter in Staten Island posted to Facebook during an ensuing standoff predicting his death.
  “Today I die,” Garland Tyree, posting as Garland Tyree, wrote.
  The message garnered several comments from concerned friends asking what was going on and urging him to be safe, according to WPIX.
  “They kicked in my door and it popped off,” Tyree wrote.
  Investigators said Tyree is a reputed member of the Bloods gan
  
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• Missing Hiker Located

  16-08-2015 22:35
  
  A missing hiker was located after a state police search in a Marlborough park Saturday night.
  
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• One lane re-opened on I-95 South in Stonington after crash

  16-08-2015 22:23
  
  STONINGTON – I-95 south is congested between Exits 92 and 90 for about 5 miles because of a one-car crash which closed part of I-95 south in Stonington.
  The crash happened just after 3 p.m. and since then one lane has re-opened.
  
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• Crash closes I-95 South in Stonington

  16-08-2015 22:23
  
  STONINGTON – A one-car crash has closed part of I-95 south in Stonington between Exits 91 and 90.
  The crash happened just after 3 p.m.
  The highway is congested between Exits 92 and 90 for about 5 miles.
  
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• Several state parks full, closed Sunday

  16-08-2015 22:00
  
  HARTFORD – With temperatures in the 90s, some Connecticut residents are heading outdoors.
  The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has announced that the following state parks are full Sunday afternoon:
  Pattaconk Lake recreation area at Cockaponset State Forest in Chester is full to parking capacity as of 3:15 p.m.
  Wadsworth Falls State Park in Middletown is full to parking capacity and closed as of 2:30 p.m.
  Bigelow Hollow State Park in Union is full to parking ca
  
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• Stonington Crash Closes I-95

  16-08-2015 21:24
  
  Interstate 95 south is closed in Stonington due to a crash.Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com
  
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• Lightning strike causes fire in multi-family home in Hartford

  16-08-2015 20:16
  
  HARTFORD — A lightning strike set off a roaring fire in the city’s South End Saturday night. It happened around 10:20 p.m. on West Preston Street. Fire crews first tried to battle the blaze on the third floor, but because it spread so quickly, they had to move to a defensive mode.
  Three families were displaced, including 6 adults and 1 child. Hartford Fire Department Special Services Unit and the American Red Cross assisted with the relocation of the families.
  Luckily, no one was inj
  
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• Rocky Neck and Other State Parks Reach Full Capacity

  16-08-2015 20:02
  
  Several state beaches and parks are closed because their parking lots have reached full capacity in the hot weather on Sunday.
  
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• Trump outlines immigration specifics

  16-08-2015 19:44
  
  Republican frontrunner Donald Trump said Sunday he would overturn a law that grants citizenship to people born in the U.S. and put stricter limits on legal immigration, offering his most detailed account yet of how he would handle a policy issue that has become a cornerstone of his campaign.
  Trump, who has repeatedly been pressed for specifics on his immigration plan since the issue rocketed him to the top of the polls, also explained for the first time how he will force Mexico to pay for a wall
  
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• A guide to seeing the pope in Philadelphia

  16-08-2015 19:21
  
  Pope Francis will spend about two days in Philadelphia next month but visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of the pontiff will have to make every minute of their planning count.
  His two big public events will both be on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, home to the city’s museum district. He’ll attend the closing ceremonies of a Vatican-sponsored international gathering of families Saturday night, and celebrate Mass late Sunday afternoon.
  Many details are still being worked out, but here&
  
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• Cape Cod race lets runners compete virtually from treadmills

  16-08-2015 19:15
  
  FALMOUTH, Mass. — While thousands of runners descended upon Cape Cod for the New Balance Falmouth Road Race this weekend, an additional 100 are competing from the comfort of their home or gym.
  Whether they failed to snag a coveted bib or are serving overseas in the military, the displaced runners grabbed a tablet computer, hopped on the treadmill and took off while watching video of the actual course of Sunday’s race.
  Falmouth is among the first races to let runners compete virtually
  
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• Girl, 4, Killed in Crash

  16-08-2015 18:55
  
  A 4-year-old girl was killed when an SUV carrying eight people crashed on Interstate 91 northbound in New Haven on Saturday night.
  
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• 2 people shot after rap concert in Waterbury were unintended targets: Police

  16-08-2015 18:41
  
  WATERBURY — Two people were shot Saturday night  after a rap concert at the Palace Theater in Waterbury. It happened near Phoenix Avenue and East Main Street.
  A 23-year-old woman was shot in the leg and a 27-year-old man was shot in the arm. Police say they do not believe the victims were the intended targets of the shooting.
  The shooting happened after the Luis McClain presents Future and Fabolous rap show at the Palace Theater.
  Police say this is an active investigation in whic
  
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• Officials: Trespasser Struck, Killed by Train

  16-08-2015 18:39
  
  A person was struck and killed by an Amtrak train in Mansfield, Massachusetts.Photo Credit: necn
  
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• 4-year-old girl killed in rollover crash Saturday night in New Haven

  16-08-2015 18:16
  
  NEW HAVEN — An SUV carrying 8 people rolled over on I-91 Northbound in New Haven Saturday night, killing a little girl. It happened just after 9 p.m.
  The Mercury Mountaineer was the only car involved. Police say it veered right, struck the concrete barrier on the right shoulder, then veered left and rolled onto its side. Then it struck the concrete barrier on the left shoulder of the highway, spun out, and stopped.
  There were three children in the car, ages 8, 4, and 5 months. Police say t
  
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• Tax Free Week Starts in Connecticut

  16-08-2015 17:58
  
  Parents took advantage of the first day of Connecticut’s tax-free holiday, which kept the cash registers busy at the New Britain Target.Photo Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images
  
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• 1 killed, 1 hurt in small plane crash on Long Island railway

  16-08-2015 17:33
  
  HICKSVILLE,  NY— One person has been killed and another person injured in a small plane crash in Long Island that shut down service on one branch of the nation’s busiest commuter rail system.
  Metropolitan Transportation Authority spokesman Salvatore Arena says the plane came down at a railway crossing in Hicksville. It was unclear where it had been coming from or where it was headed when it came down shortly before 8 a.m. Sunday.
  Hicksville Fire Department First Assistant Chief
  
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• Police ID 2 Women Killed in Old Lyme Crash

  16-08-2015 17:30
  
  State police have identified the two women killed in a fatal crash on the northbound side of Interstate 95 in Old Lyme that shut down the highway for several hours.Photo Credit: Joe Cox
  
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• Sales Tax Holiday Week Is Here

  16-08-2015 17:28
  
  HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) _ Connecticut’s annual sales tax holiday week is under way.Beginning Sunday and continuing through Saturday, Aug. 22, most items of clothing and footwear priced under $100 are exempt from the state’s sales and use taxes.
  The tax holiday, timed for the back-to-school shopping season, is in its 15th year.
  Department of Revenue Services Commissioner Kevin Sullivan says since retailers often plan sales and discounts for the week, he hopes shoppers will take advantage
  
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• Wallingford, Chinese students study global trade together

  16-08-2015 17:24
  
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  Missing AttachmentHARTFORD — Three dozen high school students from Wallingford and China are working together to learn how trade boosts the economy, supports business and links the two countries.
  Junior Achievement, which educates students about workforce, business and financial issues, brought the students together in Connecticut this week. The 16- and 17-year-old students were to visit Otis elevator’s test
  
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• DMV Computer Upgrade Completed

  16-08-2015 17:22
  
   WETHERSFIELD, Conn. (AP) _ Connecticut’s Department of Motor Vehicles has completed a major computer upgrade a few days early and says online services are available again.
  Branch offices have been closed for a week for the upgrade, and Commissioner Andres Ayala Jr. warns there will be long lines on Tuesday when offices reopen for registration-related services.
  He asked people to be patient and consider waiting a week or more before they visit a branch office. A 60-day extension on ex
  
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• Driver Hospitalized After Crashing Into Pole

  16-08-2015 17:17
  
  A driver was injured after crashing into a utility pole in Wilton early Sunday morning, causing wires to fall on his car.
  
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• The Real Story: CT’s commitment to helping vets

  16-08-2015 16:32
  
  HARTFORD –  Al speaks with Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman and Veterans Affairs Commissioner Sean Connolly on the state’s commitment to helping unemployed/homeless military veterans.
  
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• The Real Story: House Minority Leader Themis Klarides

  16-08-2015 16:31
  
  HARTFORD – The Connecticut Supreme Court’s death penalty decision and Speaker Sharkey’s op-ed piece, “Republican negativity is hurting Connecticut” are discussed with Al’s guest: Derby State Representative and House Minority Leader, Republican Themis Klarides.
  
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• The Real Story: Family-run business needs

  16-08-2015 16:30
  
  HARTFORD – What owners of family-run businesses need to do right now, to prepare for the day when they’ll pass it on to their children, with guest: Carl Johnson, Managing Partner at Blum-Shapiro.
  
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• Hartford officers searching for man who stole car with sleeping child inside

  16-08-2015 16:18
  
  HARTFORD — Police are searching for a man they say stole a car early Sunday morning while a little girl was sleeping in the backseat. It happened just before 1:30 a.m. Sunday in front of Sam’s Food Store on Capitol Ave.
  A woman, whose husband manages the store, called police to report her car was stolen with her 5-year-old daughter in the back seat. The woman told police the man forced her out of the passengers seat, then drove off.
  Witnesses say the car stopped just up the street an
  
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• State Police ID Bank Robbery Suspect Shot

  16-08-2015 16:17
  
  A suspect was hospitalized after a police-involved shooting and tasing incident in the Bolton Notch area stemming from a South Windsor bank robbery that led to a police chase, according to Tolland County...Photo Credit: Storm Parker
  
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• I-95 Reopens After Fatal Crash, Tractor-Trailer Fire

  16-08-2015 16:04
  
  I-95 has reopened after a fatal crash on the northbound side and a fiery truck crash on the southbound side.Photo Credit: Joe Cox
  
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• 571 Pets Adopted for #CleartheShelters!

  16-08-2015 15:59
  
  Hey, NBC Connecticut viewers and pet lovers! 571 pets were adopted at our Clear the Shelters event.Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.comThis story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.
  
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• Photographer uses iPhone to bring movie characters into the real world

  16-08-2015 15:54
  
  FRANCE — Photographer Francois Dourlen has a unique way of looking at things. You might see a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. But he sees Patrick Star, best friend to SpongeBob SquarePants. Dourlen uses his iPhone to bring those television and movie characters into the real world.
  His Instagram account, which he uses to post the unique images, has more than 70,000 followers. Even his daughter gets in on some of the action.
  Here are a few of our favorites. Can you name all of the charac
  
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• Julian Bond, civil rights leader and former NAACP chairman, dies at 75

  16-08-2015 14:31
  
  Julian Bond, a lifelong civil rights leader and former board chairman of the NAACP, has died. He was 75.
  Bond died Saturday night after a brief illness in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which he served as founding president in the 1970s.
  “Not only has the country lost a hero today, we’ve lost a great friend,” the legal advocacy group said in a statement.
  The Tennessee native was on the forefront of the 1960s civil rights movement and w
  
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• Villagers saw missing Indonesian plane crash into mountain, officials say

  16-08-2015 14:20
  
  JAKARTA, Indonesia — [Breaking news update at 9:45 a.m. ET]
  The Trigana Air plane that went missing Sunday has been found, Indonesia’s director general of air transportation, Suprasetyo, said during a news conference. Details were still being verified, he said, but villagers reported seeing the plane, which was carrying 54 passengers and crew, crash into a mountain.
  [Original story published at 8:24 a.m. ET]
  An Indonesian domestic flight with 54 people on board lost contact with
  
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• Indonesian plane goes missing with 54 people on board

  16-08-2015 14:20
  
  JAKARTA, Indonesia — An Indonesian domestic flight with 54 people on board lost contact with air traffic control in Papua province Sunday afternoon, the nation’s search and rescue agency said on Twitter.
  The Trigana Air Service flight left Sentani Airport in Jayapura at 2:22 p.m. and was scheduled to land in Oksibil at about 3:16 p.m., officials said.
  The plane lost contact at about 2:55 p.m., Transportation Ministry spokesman JA Barata told CNN Indonesia.
  Barata said there was no in
  
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• Sunday Forecast: Hot today, more heat on the way

  16-08-2015 12:29
  
  It looks like we’re in the midst of a heat wave here in Connecticut.
  A heat wave is defined as having three consecutive days as highs temperatures reaching 90 or higher.
  Expect the hot temperatures to continue Sunday into next week before a weak front moves through the region late in the week with showers and thunderstorms.
  High pressure centered over the eastern half of the nation will dominate our weather with plenty of sunshine today through at least Tuesday and possibly into Wednesday
  
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• Connecticut Man, Canadian Woman Win Bike Race Up Mt. Washington

  16-08-2015 09:26
  
  PINKHAM NOTCH, N.H. (AP) _ A Connecticut man and Canadian woman are the winners of the 43rd annual Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb.More than 600 bicyclists competed in the 7.6-mile-climb up the highest peak in the Northeast on Saturday.Thirty-nine-year-old Eneas Freyre of Norwalk, Connecticut, finished the race in 53 minutes. Thirty-five-year-old Veronique Fortin of Gatineau, Quebec, took the top spot for the women at one hour, five minutes and 58 seconds.Freyre was one minute ahead
  
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• 95 North backed up after a rollover accident

  16-08-2015 05:34
  
  NEW HAVEN – I-95 North is congested from Exits 46 to I-91 North exit 3 for about a mile because of a rollover accident between Exits 2 and 3.The 3 left lanes are closed.
  
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• Pirates Beat Mets in 14 Innings

  16-08-2015 05:28
  
  NEW YORK (AP) _ Pinch-hitter Chris Stewart singled home the go-ahead run in the 14th inning and the Pittsburgh Pirates once again beat the New York Mets in extras, 5-3 Saturday night.
  A day after the Pirates won 3-2 in the 10th at Citi Field, they took advantage of shaky fielding decision to stop the NL East leaders.
  Francisco Cervelli hit a leadoff double in the 14th and Starling Marte followed with a chopper. First baseman Daniel Murphy grabbed the grounder, but made a late throw to third tryi
  
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• Rock Cats beat Binghamton Mets

  16-08-2015 05:23
  
  NEW BRITAIN – The New Britain Rock Cats defeated the Binghamton Mets 3-1 in baseball action Saturday night. The Rock Cats got on the board in the first inning and never looked back.
  
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• Clear the Shelters: More Than 17,000 Animals Find Homes

  16-08-2015 05:20
  
  Thousands of dogs and cats were available Saturday as part of the adoption drive sponsored by 11 NBC owned television stations, the New England regional news network necn, and 17 Telemundo owned stations.Photo Credit: NBCThis story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.
  
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• Hiker lost at Gay City State Park in Hebron

  16-08-2015 05:02
  
  HEBRON – A woman called state police out of Troop C in Tolland after she got lost on one of the trails at Gay City State Park in Glastonbury.
  The call came in around 8 p.m.
  She reported that she was uninjured but police were still looking for her late Saturday night.
  A rescue team has set up a staging area near Birch Mountain Road.
  
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• Hiker lost at Gay City State Park in Glastonbury

  16-08-2015 05:02
  
  GLASTONBURY – A woman called state police out of Troop C in Tolland after she got lost on one of the trails at Gay City State Park in Glastonbury.
  The call came in around 8 p.m.
  She reported that she was uninjured but police were still looking for her late Saturday night.
  A rescue team has set up a staging area near Birch Mountain Road.
  
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• Hiker found after getting lost at Gay City State Park in Hebron

  16-08-2015 05:02
  
  HEBRON – A woman called state police out of Troop C in Tolland after she got lost on one of the trails at Gay City State Park in Glastonbury.
  The call came in around 8 p.m.
  She reported that she was uninjured but police were still looking for her late Saturday night.
  A rescue team had set up a staging area near Birch Mountain Road.
  By Sunday morning, she was found.
  
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• Connecticut Comic-conn comes to Mohegan Sun for the first time

  16-08-2015 04:39
  
  UNCASVILLE – Chewbacca just one of the comic book, TV, and movie characters for thousands of fans to take in at Comic-conn at Mohegan Sun this weekend.
  In fact, today’s event was sold out and if you’ve never seen one, Comic-Conn is a convention for sci-fi fans who celebrate comic book creators, actors, film & television programs, pop-culture memorabilia, gaming, and cosplay.
  This year’s convention features a concert, magic shows, a costume contest and more.
  
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• Connecticut Comic-con comes to Mohegan Sun for the first time

  16-08-2015 04:39
  
  UNCASVILLE – Chewbacca just one of the comic book, TV, and movie characters for thousands of fans to take in at Comic-con at Mohegan Sun this weekend.
  In fact, today’s event was sold out but if you’ve never seen one, Comic-Con is a convention for sci-fi fans who celebrate comic book creators, actors, film & television programs, pop-culture memorabilia, gaming, and cosplay.
  This year’s convention features a concert, magic shows, a costume contest and more.
  
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• DMV computer upgrade finished early, some services online Saturday night

  16-08-2015 03:56
  
  WETHERSFIELD – The Department of Motor Vehicles completed the creation of several new online services ahead of schedule, as well as an overhaul of registration computer systems. DMV has been closed for many services during the last week for this upgrade.
  Work on installing online services went so smoothly officials were able to launch the new services Saturday night, vs. Tuesday night, according to DMV spokesman Bill Seymour.
  “The diligent work of staff, the planning and the preparat
  
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• Sharon Stone’s nude photos stoke controversy

  16-08-2015 02:57
  
  Actress Sharon Stone is drawing praise for baring all — emotionally and physically — in the September issue of Harper’s Bazaar.
  The spread, “Sharon Stone Reveals All,” features flawless images of the 57-year-old nude except for Jimmy Choo stilettos and designer jewelry. The images accompany an article in which she recounts her struggle to revive her career after a debilitating brain hemorrhage in 2001.
  She says the experience taught her to capitalize on aspects of h
  
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