Connecticut news

• After 9 years, the Old Newgate Prison in East Granby is back open

  14-07-2018 23:06
  EAST GRANBY — From the moment you step inside the mine at the Old Newgate prison in East Granby, you’re transformed back to the 18th century.
  “You go under the guardhouse where they were stored in cells and then you can go in the mine,” says the museum’s assistant, Morgan Bengel.
  Part of the history is in the copper mine. There are so many stories of prisoners trying to escape and not making it out, like this one:Abel Starkey was trying to climb out of the well on a
  
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• New London Woman Charged in Groton Stabbing

  14-07-2018 22:11
  
  A New London woman has been charged with assault after a stabbing in Groton.Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
  
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• Federal judge rules child separations unconstitutional

  14-07-2018 21:27
  BRIDGEPORT — A federal judge ruled Friday that two children separated from their parents at the southern border had their constitutional rights violated.
  U.S. District Court Judge Victor A. Bolden ordered the children’s parents be brought to court July 18, to discuss a plan to address the children’s acute PTSD that was a result of them being separated.  However Bolden did deny the parents immediate reunification with their children due to the parents other pending cases.
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• CT Judge Rules Immigrant Family Separation Unconstitutional

  14-07-2018 20:02
  
  A Connecticut judge has ruled that the federal government’s separation of two immigrant children from their families is unconstitutional.Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
  
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• Lakewood Park in Waterbury Closed to Swimming, Again

  14-07-2018 19:31
  
  Swimming is once again off-limits at Lakewood Park in Waterbury due to high bacteria levels in the water.Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
  
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• Man dies in New Haven motorcycle crash

  14-07-2018 18:32
  NEW HAVEN – A motorcyclist lost control of his vehicle and died in crash early Saturday morning, according to police.
  The crash happened just after 3 a.m. on Farren Avenue near Chamberlin Street.  According to police spokesman Officer David Hartman, Angel Gonzales of New Haven was in a group of riders when he lost control at a curve on Farren Avenue. The motorcycle struck a stone wall and Gonzales was ejected from the bike, with the motorcycle landing on top of the wall. Gonzalez was
  
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• Trump’s walk with the Queen causes a stir

  14-07-2018 18:20
  Watch VideoLONDON — The British public does not appear amused with President Donald Trump walking in front of Queen Elizabeth II on Friday, with one royal commentator describing the awkward stroll as reminiscent of “wandering up and down a golf course.”
  Trump ruffled feathers on social media after momentarily walking in front of the Queen during a reviewing of the troops at Windsor Castle.
  In the encounter, Elizabeth appears to gesture Trump forward before he walks ahead and pr
  
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• Farmington police: local man missing since yesterday morning

  14-07-2018 17:33
  FARMINGTON – Farmington Police are requesting your help in locating a missing man.
  48 year old Bryan Canto was last seen at his  Farmington home about 9:30 yesterday morning. Police say he appears to have left there on foot.
  In a press release, police said “Bryan has never done this before and the behavior is completely out of line for his character. The Farmington Police Department is concerned for his safety and well being .”
  Bryan is bald with blue eyes,  5’1
  
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• Bieber pitches into 8th, Indians hang on to beat Yankees 6-5

  14-07-2018 17:11
  CLEVELAND — Following another strong start from Shane Bieber, Indians closer Cody Allen managed to hit the brakes just in time during yet another tense ninth inning.
  Allen overcame Giancarlo Stanton’s leadoff homer in the ninth and retired pinch-hitter Didi Gregorius with the tying run on first to close out Cleveland’s 6-5 win over the New York Yankees on Friday night.
  Allen, making his first appearance since allowing a career-high six runs in the ninth inning against Cincinnat
  
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• Police Concerned for Safety of Missing Farmington Man

  14-07-2018 17:07
  
  Police said 47-year-old Bryan Canto was last seen at his home in Farmington around 9:30 a.m. Friday and appears to have left home on foot.Photo Credit: Farmington Police Department
  
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• Blue Jays win 13-7, snap Red Sox win streak at 10 games

  14-07-2018 16:44
  BOSTON — The streak had to end some time. Rick Porcello just didn’t want it to be his fault.
  Justin Smoak homered and Kevin Pillar hit a two-run double as the Toronto Blue Jays chased the Boston right-hander in a five-run third inning on Friday night, beating the Red Sox 13-7 to snap their 10-game winning streak.
  Pillar had four of Toronto’s 14 hits and Smoak had three, including another homer in the eighth. They drove in four runs apiece.
  “This one’s completely on
  
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• New Haven Man Killed in Motorcycle Crash

  14-07-2018 16:21
  
  A New Haven man was killed in a motorcycle crash on Farren Avenue early Saturday morning.Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
  
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• Brooklyn Man Seriously Injured in Plainfield Dirt Bike Crash

  14-07-2018 15:34
  
  A Brooklyn man was seriously injured in a dirt bike crash in Plainfield Friday.
  
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• Tracking bobcats: Researchers need help finding GPS collars

  14-07-2018 15:04
  HARTFORD — In a couple of weeks, collars on cats across the state will be falling off.
  But it’s not some prank or devious experiment — it’s one of the largest studies of its kind on bobcats.
  The GPS collars were placed on 50 bobcats last fall as part of research by wildlife biologists at the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to track the movements of one of the Northeast’s most ferocious predators.
  The agency is asking for the public’s he
  
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• Humidity returns this weekend and sticks around for the beginning of the week

  14-07-2018 13:47
  This weekend will feature more humidity and then soupy and tropical air by early next week!
  Today will be partly cloudy and humid with highs in the 80s. There is a chance for a shower or storm Saturday night as a weak disturbances moves by. The timing of this is critical for Riverfest, outdoor concerts and Sailfest. While showers will start to develop at night they will be hit-or-miss. So we’re holding out some hope for now but we’ll need to watch the radar carefully at tonight.
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• Nancy Sinatra Sr., first wife of Frank Sinatra, dies at 101

  14-07-2018 13:35
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nancy Sinatra Sr., the childhood sweetheart of Frank Sinatra who became the first of his four wives and the mother of his three children, has died. She was 101.
  Her daughter, Nancy Sinatra Jr., tweeted that her mother died Friday and a posting on her web page said she died at 6:02 p.m. but didn’t indicate where she died.
  “She was a blessing and the light of my life,” her daughter said.
  Attempts to reach representatives for Sinatra Jr. late Friday were u
  
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• British diver recalls Thai cave rescue: ‘Are we heroes? No’

  14-07-2018 13:07
  LONDON– A British diver who first discovered 12 schoolboys and their coach stranded on a ledge in a flooded cave in Chiang Rai, in northern Thailand, has described the moment he first saw them — and played down suggestions he was a hero.
  Retired fireman Rick Stanton and fellow diver John Volanthen found the children deep within the cave nine days after they went missing.
  Stanton was speaking at a news conference at Heathrow Airport outside London Friday, alongside fellow British dive
  
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• The Stan Simpson Show: Republican race for governor

  14-07-2018 12:33
  The CT Republican primary is Aug. 14 and on this segment we'll take a look at the contenders for the governor’s seat.
  Former CT GOP Party chairman Chris DePino and Hartford Courant Capital Bureau Chief Chris Keating joins the Stan Simpson to discuss.
  
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• The Stan Simpson Show: Potential influence Trump, Malloy have on upcoming governors race

  14-07-2018 12:31
  Former CT GOP Party chairman Chris DePino and Hartford Courant Capital Bureau Chief Chris Keating discuss the potential influence of Donald Trump and Dan Malloy in deciding this highly anticipated governor race.
   
   
  
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• The Stan Simpson Show: Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanagh

  14-07-2018 12:30
  Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanagh has a strong CT connection through his extensive educational experience at Yale.
  Will he be confirmed or derailed?
  Former CT GOP Party chairman Chris DePino and Hartford Courant Capital Bureau Chief Chris Keating joins the Stan Simpson to discuss.
  
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• Alligator caught on video eating shark off South Carolina coast

  14-07-2018 12:28
  HILTON HEAD, S.C. – An alligator has been caught on video eating a small shark off the coast of South Carolina.
  The Island Packet reported that Kristen Poillon captured the video, which shows a 7-foot alligator chomping on the bonnethead shark at Skull Creek.
  The alligator was out of its normal habitat and swimming in the saltwater of Skull Creek, a part of the Intracoastal Waterway, according to the paper. Locals have reportedly given the alligator the name “Charlie.”
  “
  
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• Hartford food truck festival and ConnectiCon kicks off for the weekend

  14-07-2018 05:25
  HARTFORD – A lot is taking place in Hartford this weekend – the Riverfront Food Truck Festival as well as the ConnectiCon where people can dress up as their favorite cosplay characters.
  There were people who traveled for miles out-of-state just to attend the events and there was good food and music all around.
  “The song they have from that genre of music that brings you back to a certain place,” said Melissa Heredia of Waterbury.
  “I like listening to the music and
  
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• Food truck fest, ConnectiCon kick off weekend in Hartford

  14-07-2018 05:25
  HARTFORD – A lot is taking place in Hartford this weekend – the Riverfront Food Truck Festival as well as the ConnectiCon where people can dress up as their favorite cosplay characters.
  There were people who traveled for miles out-of-state just to attend the events and there was good food and music all around.
  “The song they have from that genre of music that brings you back to a certain place,” said Melissa Heredia of Waterbury.
  “I like listening to the music and
  
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• Middletown Mayor Calls GOP Chair Racist in Facebook Post

  14-07-2018 05:20
  
  A Facebook post and an accusation of racism have left the Democratic mayor of one Connecticut city and the leader of its Republican party in a heated back and forth.Photo Credit: Contributed Photo/NBC Connecticut
  
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• Connecticut Airman Dies After Incident at Overseas Air Base

  14-07-2018 05:16
  
  A Waterford airman has died after an incident at Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates.
  
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• Sailfest starts in New London

  14-07-2018 05:15
  NEW LONDON --  If there is one place to be this summer, it is the Sailfest in New London.
  “The people, the music, you’ve got good food, everything,” said Anthony Basilica of New London.
  The three day fair in New London is one of Southern Connecticut’s most popular summertime events and attracts people from across the state and country.
  “It is me and my siblings first time coming to Sailfest so we wanted to check it out,” said Ontasia Perry of Norwich. &l
  
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• Sailfest in New London

  14-07-2018 05:15
  NEW LONDON --  If there is one place to be this summer, it is the Sailfest in New London.
  “The people, the music, you’ve got good food, everything,” said Anthony Basilica of New London.
  The three day fair in New London is one of Southern Connecticut’s most popular summertime events and attracts people from across the state and country.
  “It is me and my siblings first time coming to Sailfest so we wanted to check it out,” said Ontasia Perry of Norwich. &l
  
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• Propane Tank Leak in Avon Prompts Emergency Response

  14-07-2018 04:41
  
  Waterville Road in Avon was shut down for around two hours Friday night due to a propane tank leak.Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
  
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• Devices Calculate Sunburn Risk Using Strength of UV Rays

  14-07-2018 03:51
  
  Local health departments are turning to new technology this summer to help prevent sunburn.Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
  
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• Why banning plastic straws upsets people with disabilities

  14-07-2018 01:58
  Daniel Gilbert uses plastic straws to drink his coffee in the morning. For much of his life, the 25-year-old has carried them with him everywhere. He’s had to, because all plastic straws aren’t the same.
  Gilbert needs them to be the right length, and they have to be able to handle hot temperatures. And many restaurants don’t offer what he needs.
  The Owensboro, Kentucky, resident was born with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder that causes the muscles to progressive
  
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• Waterford Airman Dies After Incident at Overseas Base

  14-07-2018 01:30
  
  A Waterford airman has died after an incident at Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates.Photo Credit: AFP/Getty Images
  
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• Stratford Bans Fishing Along Beach Drive Seawall

  14-07-2018 00:52
  
  Town officials in Stratford voted last week to ban fishing at the seawall along Beach Drive for safety issues.Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
  
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• Hayes Says Race a Factor in 5th District Contest

  14-07-2018 00:50
  
  Jahana Hayes, a newcomer to the political scene, says race is an issue that’s at the forefront of the election for the vacant Fifth Congressional District.
  
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• ConnectiCon 2018; All dressed up and someplace to go

  14-07-2018 00:48
  HARTFORD -- It is a cast of characters that flood the Connecticut Convention Center each year,  the summertime phenomenon known as ConnectiCon.
  This year is the 16th ConnectiCon that has descended on the capital city, bringing thousands of cosplayers and fanboys and girls to explore the more than 500,000 square feet of the convention center.
  "We like to refer to this as a multi-genre convention," said Rob Roman, the press manager from ConnectiCon. "We're all here to enjoy the fandom, enjoy
  
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• NBC Connecticut Investigates: 'At a Price!' Community Forum

  14-07-2018 00:42
  
  Join us July 31 at the Mark Twain House for a stimulating discussion on what it means to be a taxpayer in Connecticut moderated by NBC Connecticut Chief Investigative Reporter Len Besthoff.
  
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• Massive mission work group descended on Wallingford this week

  14-07-2018 00:36
  WALLINGFORD --   Many volunteer groups choose to do relief work in other countries, but one massive mission group has come to Wallingford and surrounding communities this week to assist those in need of home improvements.
  42 of the 54 projects completed were carried out in Wallingford.
  Often times, adults accuse kids of burying their heads in their phones. But, this week, a group of kids from 11 different states and Ontario demonstrated selflessness, rather than selfishness.
  "It&
  
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• The 4th Annual MDA Benefit Ride and Concert Set for Sunday in Stafford Springs

  14-07-2018 00:29
  
  The 4th Annual MDA Benefit Ride and Concert is set to take place on Sunday, July 17 at Sun Valley Resort in Stafford Springs.
  
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• Sailfest Safety: A Priority for First Responders

  14-07-2018 00:26
  
  Around 300,000 people are expected to pour into New London this weekend for the 41st annual Sailfest. The multi-day event is “hands down” the busiest weekend of the year in New London, according to city...Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
  
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• Stemerman Wants School Choice Based on School Success

  14-07-2018 00:25
  
  Republican gubernatorial candidate and former hedge fund manager David Stemerman says the time has come to start rating schools based on certain criteria, and to dictate their funding.
  
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• ‘Trump Baby’ balloon takes flight in London protests

  14-07-2018 00:23
  Watch Video
  LONDON – A giant balloon of “Trump Baby” in a diaper took flight over Britain’s Houses of Parliament Friday, kicking off a day of widespread protests against the US leader’s controversial visit to the UK.
  The orange-hued blimp was inflated in Parliament Square at about 9.30 a.m. as a crowd of onlookers cheered. As the air filled the six-meter (20-feet) ballon, it rose slowly into the air.
  It flew at a height of about 30 meters (98 feet) for two hours, fl
  
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• They thought a squirrel was eating their tomatoes. But it was the mailman

  14-07-2018 00:22
  Watch Video
  When their tomatoes began disappearing, a family in Montreal assumed it was the work of a squirrel. But when they checked their security camera, they saw the tomato thief was none other than their mailman.
  Now, they want an apology.
  Rob Morin told CNN that he and his wife regularly grow fruit in hanging baskets outside their home in the Mount Royal neighborhood and said he expected the culprit to be a squirrel.
  “Each year we hang out tomatoes and strawberries in front of our ho
  
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• Arkansas man wants to stay in jail so that he won’t abuse drugs and alcohol

  14-07-2018 00:22
  ST. FRANCIS COUNTY, Ark.  — This may sound strange, but an Arkansas man actually wants to be in jail.
  That's because being locked up stops him from abusing drugs and alcohol.
  For most, jail is a punishment. For Shawn Henderson, it's a refuge.
  The 46-year-old was arrested Wednesday afternoon for throwing rocks through windows at Madison Elementary School. Henderson reportedly told a deputy he wanted to go to jail because he'd be safe and not able to abuse drugs and alcohol.
  "It's the
  
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• Obama, Biden now a crime-fighting duo

  14-07-2018 00:21
  Bill Clinton may have helped write a crime thriller this summer, but Barack Obama is now the hero of one—along with his trusty sidekick, Joe Biden.Author Andrew Shaffer is out with a new book called Hope Never Dies in which a fictional Obama and Biden team up to solve a mystery, and it’s billed as the first in a series featuring the crime-fighting duo, per this USA Today review.
  It is, in the words of Thu-Huong Ha at Quartzy, “a deeply silly p
  
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• Man arrested after huge boulder falls off truck, kills mother and daughter

  14-07-2018 00:16
  ROSEMONT, Minn. -- Two women are dead after an 800-pound boulder fell out of a dump truck along a Minnesota road Monday, WCCO reports.
  Joe Czeck, 33, has been arrested and police say he did not stop at the scene of the accident.
  Karen Christiansen, 67, and her daughter Jena Christiansen, 32, were traveling behind the truck when it went over a railroad crossing and the huge boulder came off, tumbled and struck the family's car.
  The women died at the scene.
  Authorities said the boulder was so hea
  
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