Connecticut State News

Westport's Oliver Bub to row in men's pair finals on Friday

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 07:50:30 +0000

Oliver Bub, 26, of Westport, came in last in the semifinal 1 of men’s pair rowing in the 2024 Paris Olympics on Wednesday morning.

You could say rowing is in Bub’s blood. His parents rowed at Boston University and he started rowing in 2012 when he joined the novice program at the Saugatuck Rowing Club.

Bub rowed with William Bender, of Norwich, Vermont.

They will row in the final b for men’s pair on Friday morning.

Former Chelsea Piers swimmer Kate Douglass finishes first in her heat in Paris 2024

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 07:37:26 +0000

Kate Douglass, an Olympic swimmer who swam for the Chelsea Piers Athletic Club in Stamford, came in first in her heat in Paris on Wednesday morning and will compete in the semifinals on Wednesday afternoon.

She finished the women’s 200m breaststroke competition at 2:23:44.

Douglass, 22, from Pelham, New York, swam for the Chelsea Piers Aquatics Club from 2017 to 2019.

She is a two-time Olympian and has won two medals.

Douglass won a bronze in the 200m women’s individual medley in Tokyo in 2020 and a silver in the women’s 4 x 100m freestyle relay in Paris.

She will be competing in the semifinal for the women’s 200m breaststroke on Wednesday afternoon, at 4:11 p.m. ET.

Scattered rain and storms throughout the day Wednesday

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 07:14:53 +0000

We will have some scattered showers and on-and-off downpours and thunderstorms all day on Wednesday and into this evening.

There will be some hazy sunshine too and high temperatures will be in the lower 80s.

Wednesday night will be partly cloudy with fog.

Thursday will bring plenty of sunshine and it will be somewhat hot and humid with highs near 92 and a feel-like temperature near 98.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be partly sunny and we will have scattered thunderstorms each day.

Drier air moves in by Tuesday.

Watch: Women's triathletes become first athletes to swim in the Seine at 2024 Olympics

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 06:17:45 +0000

The Seine is officially open for swimming.

Organizers said Wednesday that water quality tests complied with standards, so the women’s and men’s triathlon events went off with athletes competing in the iconic yet polluted river.

Here’s a look at the women swimming to become the first Olympians in the Seine:

There were significant doubts about whether or not the Seine would be safe for triathletes to compete in. Training in the river was canceled on both Sunday and Monday due to failed tests before the men’s triathlon was postponed from Tuesday to Wednesday (after the women’s event).

The Seine didn’t seem to bother French triathlete Cassandre Beaugrand, who won gold in her home country and became the first French woman to win a medal in the event. Switzerland’s Julie Derron and Great Britain’s Beth Potter rounded out the podium with silver and bronze, respectively.

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Live updates: 4 Americans compete in BMX finals, Triathletes swim in Seine River

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 01:50:24 +0000

What to Know

After days of water-quality concerns caused by heavy rains last week put the swimming portion of the Olympic triathlons in doubt, the women dove into the Seine River early Wednesday, followed by the men a few hours later.
Two stars of the United States men’s gymnastics team will be competing in the men’s all-around final on Wednesday in Paris. Watch live here beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET.
Katie Ledecky will be among the Team USA swimmers back in the pool Wednesday afternoon. She’ll be competing in the 1500m, by far her strongest individual event. Nineteen of the fastest times in the event history belong to Ledecky.
Wednesday afternoon, the star-studded U.S. men’s basketball team will face South Sudan, which it nearly lost to earlier this month during an exhibition game. Watch live here beginning at 3 p.m. ET/Noon PT.

Follow along below for the latest updates from Day 5 of the 2024 Paris Olympics and watch live on Peacock or stream here.

Quinnipiac University women's rugby team celebrates former player's Olympic bronze medal

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 23:15:10 +0000

The women’s rugby team at Quinnipiac University is also celebrating Team USA women’s rugby team winning the bronze medal.

That’s where Ilona Maher played for several years.

Her former coach remembers all the extra work Maher put into rugby, on top of being an excellent student.

And we’re told that’s what helped propel her to the podium.

“It’s an incredible day for Ilona. It’s incredible day for Team USA,” said Becky Carlson, Quinnipiac University Women’s Rugby Head Coach.

Carlson was thrilled a former player was part of the U.S. Women’s Rugby team winning a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday.

Coach Carlson got to see video of Maher’s comments moments after the match about what playing at Quinnipiac meant to her.

“My coach I think set me up for this. Coach Carlson said it was a very hard program and I had to work very hard but she believed in me and she let me do anything. I did nursing and she you know let me do all the things and it was just it allowed me to succeed because I wanted to and I wanted to be great at both,” said Maher.

“I think about the game and I think about our time and I’m like what hasn’t Ilona Maher done for the game? Like what hasn’t she done for the game, right?” said Carlson.

The coach was proud of Maher’s messaging – including on social media – about body positivity and the importance of vulnerability, on top of being an incredibly powerful and lasting figure in the game.

Maher and Team USA are helping to promote the sport and be role models for younger players, including current ones at Quinnipiac.

“It inspires me a lot to keep going. I’m in the USA rugby pool. I’m currently working my way towards achieving that dream of playing for the USA team one day,” said Anna Van Dyk, Quinnipiac University Women’s Rugby player.

What to know about early voting in CT for the upcoming primary election

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 22:42:01 +0000

Beginning next Monday, Connecticut voters will for the first time have the option to cast their ballots before Election Day.

Connecticut’s upcoming state primary election will be the first in state history to incorporate early voting after Gov. Ned Lamont signed legislation last June expanding early voting access to the Nutmeg State — which, up until that point, was one of only four states that didn’t yet have it.

“I think we need more options, not fewer so that every single eligible voter feels they have a way to vote comfortably,” said Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas.

This is what state officials want voters to know about the election and the state’s new early voting process.

When is the state primary?

The Connecticut state primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024.

When does early voting start?

Early voting will begin eight days before Election Day, on Monday, Aug. 5.

When does early voting end?

The seven-day early voting period will end two days before Election Day, on Sunday, Aug. 11.

Do I need to vote in person?

Yes.

Can I cast my ballot over the weekend during the early voting period?

Yes.

What are the voting hours during the early voting period?

Monday, Aug. 5 — 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 6 — 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 7 — 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 8 — 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 9 — 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 10 — 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 11 — 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Do I need to be a registered party member to vote in the primary?

Yes.

I’m a registered voter, but I’m not registered with a party. Can I still enroll with a party and vote early?

Yes, if you do it by noon on Sunday, Aug. 4.

I’m not a registered voter. Can I still vote early?

Yes, if you register and enroll with a party by noon on the business day before you vote. For example, if you want to vote on Aug. 8, you must register and enroll by noon on Aug. 7.

How do I find my early voting location?

You can find a list of early voting locations here.

Where can I find out more?

The state has a voter fact sheet available here.

Killingly boy supports local police with Blue Line Care Packages

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 21:13:57 +0000

A show of support for our police officers on the front line. A young boy in Killingly is making care packages for those officers with help from the community.

“He’s all about helping people and his favorite just so happens to be police,” Amanda Vinal said.

When 8-year-old Hunter celebrated his birthday this past January, instead of presents, he wanted to do something nice.

“He told me that he wants to be a police officer and that he wanted to deliver bags of kindness to police departments,” Vinal, his mother, said.

That’s where Blue Line Care Packages started. Vinal says he’s helped make care packages for a number of local police departments near Killingly, including Connecticut State Police. She created a Facebook group and an Amazon wish list which got traction from the community.

“Everybody started flowing in with the donations and we were able to complete 50 bags for Montville,” Vinal said.

State police commended Hunter’s support saying, “his recognition and appreciation for his community first responders is truly remarkable.”

“They have red and blue, my favorite color,” Hunter said.

Vinal says her son is an inspiration with this effort, pushing through despite battling Lyme arthritis, which can cause joint swelling.

Still, Hunter has done lemonade stands to raise money to create more care packages.

While donations have slowed, Vinal says the community response has been wonderful.

“Nobody wanted it to stop. They all want it to keep going and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” she said.

Vinal hopes she and her son can create a nonprofit one day to distribute more care packages across the state.

Man killed in Hartford shooting; suspect arrested

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 20:45:23 +0000

A man has died after a shooting in Hartford Tuesday evening and police have arrested a suspect.

Hartford police said officers were dispatched to a shooting on Garden Street just after 7:15 p.m. Tuesday.

A department spokesperson said 43-year-old Randi Gunn, of Hartford, was discovered unresponsive on-scene with multiple gunshot injuries. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later died, according to police.

Gunn’s death is under investigation as the city’s 11th homicide of the year. Police noted that this is a significant decline from the 21 homicides recorded in Hartford by this time last year.

Authorities said private footage of the incident appeared to show two people engaging in a loud verbal dispute prior to the shooting.

Hartford police said they found the vehicle used in the homicide in Manchester shortly after the crime. The driver was nearby and police made an arrest.

Arnold Marcus, 53, of Manchester, has been charged with murder and criminal possession of a firearm.

Bond was set at $2 million.

Anyone with information pertaining to the incident is asked to call the Hartford police tip line at (860) 722-8477.

Aerospace, defense company working to ‘restore normal operations' after cyber breach

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 19:28:51 +0000

A TRIUMPH employee tipped NBC CT Responds off about an unauthorized cyber “incident” at a worldwide company that overhauls and repairs aerospace and defense systems and components.

TRIUMPH Group’s Systems, Electronics and Controls business has locations in West Hartford and Windsor, which specialize “in design, development, certification, manufacture and repair of fuel pumps, fuel metering units, fuel controls and electronic engine control systems for helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft servicing military, commercial, regional and business jet market sectors,” according to its website.

TRIUMPH is based out of Pennsylvania.

Kyle Beeson, the director of communications, for Triumph Group says the “cyber incident” was identified on July 27^th.

He says the company has been working with third-party cybersecurity experts for remediation efforts.

We’re told those experts and law enforcement are investigating.

Beeson says, “We are working on a methodical, systematic approach to bringing systems back online as quickly as possible with the utmost focus on long-term security.”

He says TRIUMPH is communicating with customers and partners and working to restore “normal operations as quickly as possible.”

Beeson’s statement continues, “We regret any inconvenience this incident may cause, and deeply appreciate the patience and understanding of our customers, partners, and employees as we continue working diligently to address this matter.”

In February 2024, the company announced that its business in West Hartford was awarded a five-year contract with the U.S. Army, according to PR Newswire.

The project is to upgrade “EMC32T Hydraulic Metering Assembly (HMA) fuel control on the T55 engines, supporting the CH-47 Chinook helicopter fleet,” per the site.

Enfield teen killed, 4 other CT teens injured in crash in Massachusetts

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 19:00:19 +0000

A teenager from Enfield has died and four other teens from Connecticut are injured after a crash in Massachusetts on Sunday.

Troopers from Massachusetts State Police responded to North Blandford Road in Blandford around 11:15 a.m. for a report of a serious crash.

According to Massachusetts State Police, the crash involved a Jeep Grand Cherokee being driven by a 17-year-old male from Enfield. There was also a 17-year-old female from Enfield in his vehicle.

The other vehicle reportedly involved in the crash was a Ford Fusion being driven by a 16-year-old male from Enfield. Investigators said the Ford Fusion had four passengers from Enfield inside including an 18-year-old male, a 16-year-old female, a 16-year-old male and a 17-year-old female.

Authorities said the 17-year-old female in the Ford Fusion suffered serious injuries in the crash. She later died at the scene. Her identity has not been released.

All of the other teens inside of the Ford Fusion were transported to the hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.

No one in the Jeep Grand Cherokee was believed to be injured.

The Collision Analysis Reconstruction Section and Crime Scene Services Section is investigating the crash.

Stop & Shop and Big Y temporarily close delis again after Boar's Head recall is expanded

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 18:45:18 +0000

For the second time in less than a week, Stop & Shop and Big Y have temporarily closed their delis due to a recall on Boar’s Head products.

Last Friday, Stop & Shop and Big Y closed its delis after a Boar’s Head meat recall that was prompted by listeria concerns. The recall impacted more than 200,000 pounds of liverwurst and deli meat.

The delis at Stop & Shop were deep cleaned and sanitized and potentially impacted products were destroyed. Big Y also temporarily closed its delis last week due to the recall.

On Tuesday, Stop & Shop temporarily closed the delis again when they were notified by Boar’s Head about the recall expanding to include additional products. The delis were then deep cleaned and sanitized again.

Stop & Shop has removed all impacted Boar’s Head products from sale and the store says it has discarded all other open deli meats and cheeses that could have come into contact with the recalled items.

Big Y said it also closed its delis again on Tuesday while it destroyed all potentially impacted products and deep cleaned and sanitized the departments. The departments were reopened in the early afternoon.

CT residents outraged over increase in electricity costs this summer

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 18:16:09 +0000

Many Connecticut residents are up in arms after seeing a spike in electric bill costs this July.

“This is gonna put a lot of people out of their homes and a lot of businesses out of business,” said Sheri Sala, of Berlin.

Part of the surge has to do with usage, particularly through the heat wave. That said, while supply rates have mostly decreased for both Eversource and United Illuminating customers, those using Eversource, like Sheri Sala, are seeing a significant increase in the public benefits portion of their July bill.

Eversource says that’s a price utility companies neither control nor profit from.

“In this particular case, the largest share of public benefits — like 77% of it is related to Millstone and the fact that in 2017 the legislature passed the bill to guarantee that we would be buying power from Millstone,” said Sen. Norm Needleman.

But Eversource says it warned the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority of a looming surge last year when they say PURA artificially set rates too low to cover costs.

“It’s easy for us to be angry at the electric companies, but we need to start bringing accountability to government,” said House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora.

Rep. Candelora also says a factor was the extension of a state-mandated moratorium, linked to COVID-19 relief, which ensured that power would stay on for customers, regardless of payment.

“There are a number of people that haven’t paid their bills. The state accumulated a lot of debt from that and now they’re going to turn around and tell the consumers that actually pay their bills, you have to foot it,” Rep. Candelora said.

Those payments are now part of the equation, but Sen. Needleman said they’re pennies on the total cost of the bill.

“You can’t not do shut-offs when people don’t pay their bill, but we extended that for one extra six-month period for hardship customers,” Sen. Needleman said.

Public benefit costs are expected to remain at the current rate for the next 10 months, but specific costs are linked to usage

PURA was unavailable for comment.

New Haven tackles CT housing demand with more housing units, multi-use commercial space for Downtown

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 17:59:21 +0000

The City of New Haven is taking on two new developments to address the housing demand in Connecticut.

On Tuesday, city officials held a conference along with the project developers to provide details on the 450 new housing units and 3,700 square feet of retail and commercial space coming to George and State Street in Downtown New Haven.

“The State of Connecticut needs around 90,000 new units to be able to support the demand for housing and New Haven is leading the charge as far as the number of building permits issued as far as the number of new units we are creating, have created and will create,” said New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker.

The first site is being called Site A and will be developed by Gilbane Development and Xenolith.

Site A will go from Fair Street to Chapel Street and will be built on two acres for a total of 279 housing units, of which 70 will be affordable units.

It will also include over 1,500 square feet of community and retail space, according to the mayor.

Senior Vice President and Head of Affordable-Mixed Income for Gilbane Development Roj Robinson said the project will help assist in the reconnection of Wooster Square to Downtown 9th square district.

Andrea Kretchmer with Xenolith said her team is looking forward to beginning the predevelopment process for Site A.

“At Xenolith, we love a good RFP, particularly one with a demonstrative commitment to community outreach and engagement,” Kretchmer said.

Kretchmer added the project will also focus on the the three c’s of development: climate resiliency, carbon reduction, and career-oriented jobs.

As for Site B, close to 175 units will be built on one acre of land from State Street to Orange Street and will be developed by Glendower Group and Elm City Communities along with LMXD.

Similar to site A, site B will also include thousands of square feet in commercial space.

Out of the 175 units, 51 units will be marked for affordable housing.

President of Glendower Group and Elm City Communities Karen Dubois-Walton spoke about the need for bringing the units to New Haven.

“We are at over 40,000 families on our waitlists so that’s the real. Those are the families that are waiting for us to build and to turn parking lots into really quality housing.”

Dubois-Walton said they will be able to use the base vouchering by the federal government to ensure affordability.

“The affordable units that we develop with our project base vouchering, families will never pay more than 30 percent of their income towards their rent cost.”

Mayor Elicker added the developers have nine months to finalize their project designs.

During that time, community outreach will take place, beginning in late August to September, to get community feedback on the projects.

City officials and developers said they are hoping to break ground by 2025, but added the timeline may be pushed to 2026.

Republican candidates in 4th District agree on substance, not style

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 17:43:02 +0000

Republicans in the 4th Congressional District will be faced with a choice in the Aug. 13 primary, but it’s one of style and not substance.

Two candidates looking for the nomination to battle Rep. Jim Himes, (D) 4th, agree on many of the issues. They disagree, though, on how to handle a campaign.

Endorsed candidate Bob MacGuffie says Republicans haven’t been aggressive enough since Himes flipped the district for Democrats in 2008.

“Nobody’s really taken the case aggressively to Jim Himes,” he said.

Challenger Michael Goldstein says that approach hasn’t worked for past Republicans, many of whom MacGuffie worked with on the campaign trail.

“My opponent is a guy who’s primary thing is about yelling at Jim Himes and I’m much more about problem solving,” Goldstein said.

The two candidates share a lot of the same priorities, including tougher policies for immigration on the Southern border and for crime.

They also want the nation to produce more oil and natural gas to achieve energy independence and jump-start the economy.

Other areas of agreement include giving parents more of a say in curriculum in schools, expressing concern that some educational materials aren’t appropriate for students.

One area of disagreement is foreign policy.

MacGuffie believes the U.S. should take less of a lead role on the global stage, instead pushing other countries near war zones to get more involved.

“With the Ukraine fight, the Europeans should have stepped up big time there, we shouldn’t be into it yet,” he said.

Goldstein agrees other countries to contribute, but says the U.S. needs to be a strong partner with allies like Israel and NATO.

He also wants the country to look for new strategic partnerships to counter potential new enemies, namely China.

“We tried the isolationist policy between World War I and World War II and it didn’t work,” he said.

Ridgefield's Kieran Smith wins silver medal with men's 4×200 relay in 2024 Paris Olympics

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 16:58:45 +0000

Ridgefield’s Kieran Smith can add another Olympic medal to his resume. This time it’s silver.

Smith was part of Team USA’s men’s 4x200m freestyle relay team that swam to a second-place finish behind Great Britain in the pool in Paris on Tuesday night. Australia took the bronze.

Though not a part of the team that swam the preliminary heat earlier in the day, Smith was given the honor of swimming the anchor leg of the relay.

“It feels awesome. I’m super proud to be walking home from Paris with an Olympic silver medal, add to my tally,” Smith said after the race. “Happy to do it with these three men behind me and huge appreciation for the relay swimmers that got it done this morning as well.”

His 1:44.80 leg was the fastest of any of the American swimmers in the final.

Smith was one of two swimmers in the final who were on the relay team that missed out on the medals in the same event in Tokyo three years ago.

He won a bronze medal in the men’s 400m freestyle in Tokyo.

He swam in the 400m freestyle event in Paris earlier in the week, but did not advance out of the preliminary heats.

Former youth swim coach in CT arrested for recording teens in locker rooms in AZ

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 16:19:03 +0000

A former youth swim coach in Connecticut is wanted by police in Arizona for secretly recording student athletes in restrooms and locker rooms at a recreation center there.

David Laudati, 41, was arrested at his family’s home in Newington on Monday by U.S. Marshals on 11 counts of voyeurism and eight counts of attempt to commit voyeurism.

Laudati was a longtime swim coach in Connecticut, but Newington police said there have been no allegations against him in the state.

Police in Buckeye, Arizona, said a months-long investigation identified three victims ranging in age from 14 to 17.

It started with a report from a parent in September of 2023 who said their 14-year-old daughter was changing after swim practice at the recreation center where Laudati had just finished coaching the Arizona Dolphins, when she spotted a cell phone recording her.

“The teen found the cell phone inside a mesh pocket on Laudati’s backpack, which was left on top of a changing table. The phone screen was reportedly on and displaying what the camera was capturing,” Buckeye police wrote in a press release.

Police said Laudati was also coaching swim at Millenium High School in Goodyear, AZ.

Investigators served a search warrant, seizing his cell phone and other electronics from his home, and found several photos of minors partially undressed or nude in the restroom and locker rooms of the recreation center, police said.

Laudati appeared in New Britain Superior Court on Tuesday where a judge set his bond at $75,000.

“These are serious allegations,” an attorney for the state said. “The defendant’s currently facing 19 felony offenses out of Arizona.”

His attorney told NBC Connecticut his family plans to post that bond and fly him to Arizona to face the voyeurism charges within 48 hours. Laudati waived extradition and is required to wear a GPS monitoring bracelet.

His former employer, Mandell JCC of Greater Hartford, said in a statement, “This individual was last employed by the Mandell JCC in 2019, when he left for a new job in Arizona. We are not aware of any improprieties during his time with us. Our top priority is and remains the safety and well-being of our community.”

First-of-its-kind treatment for uterine fibroids accessible in Connecticut

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 16:12:47 +0000

There’s a new treatment in Connecticut to help women with uterine fibroids.

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous, but can cause a lot of discomfort.

They’re often treated with surgery, but a new treatment at UConn is less invasive. This is the first-of-its-kind in the state.

“Patients don’t need any incisions on their belly, they’re able to recover extremely quickly, and they’re able to see improvements in their systems with such a quick turnover time,” said Dr. Amanda Ulrich. She is the assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Uterine fibroids are growths that develop on the wall of the uterus.

Ulrich says around 80 percent of women will have them in their life, with 25 percent needing surgical intervention.

That’s a number doctors hope change with the Sonata treatment. It shrinks the fibroids using radiofrequency guided by an ultrasound.

When treated – doctors say patients see their symptoms like heavy menstrual bleeding lessen up to 97 percent.

Other treatments can take over a month to recover from. Doctors say the Sonata treatment only requires one to two weeks.

“Patients that might not be great candidates for other surgical treatments that we have available right now this gives them a whole other opportunity,” said Ulrich.

This treatment has been used at Uconn since May. Since then, doctors say they’ve already treated 10 patients.

“Fibroids are not discriminatory. They affect women of all ages, and they effect women of all ethnicities,” said Dr. Jessie Jones.

Jones says having this option is huge for the dozens of patients they see for fibroids a week.

“Unfortunately, gynecology is definitely a field that has fallen behind in terms of research in other fields,” said Jones. “To get better options for our patients, better options, better outcomes, is really important.”

You can get more information about uterine fibroids here.

Gretchen Walsh claims last spot in women's 100m freestyle final in 2024 Olympics

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 16:04:25 +0000

Gretchen Walsh is headed to the final in the women’s 100m freestyle event at the 2024 Olympics.

Walsh swam in the first semifinal in Paris Tuesday. She put up a time of 53.18, which got her in the eighth and final spot in Wednesday’s final.

The former Greenwich resident has already won silver medals in Paris in the women’s 100m butterfly and as part of the women’s 4×100 freestyle relay.

While in Connecticut, Walsh trained at the Chelsea Piers Aquatic Club in Stamford.

Walsh will swim in the final Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Gretchen’s big sister, Alex Walsh, is also in Paris swimming in her second Olympics. Alex Walsh will swim in the women’s 200m individual medley on Friday.

Kate Douglass, who is from Pelham, New York, also trained at the Chelsea Piers Aquatic Club in Stamford and will swim in the 200m IM as well.

Investigation underway into threat against state Capitol

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 15:21:43 +0000

State Capitol police are investigating a threat against the state Capitol that was posted on social media on Tuesday.

They said they were made aware of the threat just after 1:30 p.m. and it was not specific.

State Capitol Police have alerted federal, state and local law enforcement. They also searched the building and campus and found nothing threatening.

State Capitol Police said they believe the threat is a hoax and they are working with the FBI to determine who made it and where it came from.

XL Center to see major renovation following funding approval

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 15:21:39 +0000

The XL Center in Hartford is slated to receive a massive $145 million upgrade. The Capital Region Development Authority voted to approve the funding Tuesday morning.

Some businesses in the area believe this is great news for the city.

“Lots of different, new things that they are introducing and it helps all the businesses around here,” said Kylie Caffrey, a manager at Urban Lodge Brewing along Pratt Street when asked how their first year has gone.

She says the first year has been highly successful for their second location. The major event was the UConn Men’s basketball championship parade.

“UConn was the big thing for us and really exciting, the place to be was Urban Lodge,” said Caffrey.

Now their business could boom more and more frequently with the approved funding for upgrades to the XL Center.

The upgrades will include additional capacity for seating at concerts and events held at the facility, along with an improved concourse and boxes, and general maintenance upgrades to make the XL Center more attractive to events and acts.

Mayor Arunan Arulampalam believes the approved funding is huge for the city.

“It’s going to create so much extra economic vibrancy, so much additional feet on the streets,” said Mayor Arulampalam.

In total, the upgrades would allow the venue to host roughly 30 extra events a year. Meaning more basketball, more events like the Core Hydration Classic, and big-time concerts like Bad Bunny held last year.

“Coming into the city, eating at our restaurants, going out to our bars, staying over in the hotels, just adding to the economy of the city,” said the mayor.

Caffrey back at Urban Lodge welcomes the upgrades and hopes it means more events and more people through their front door.

“Really introduce ourselves to an even wider range of people,” said Caffrey.

The mayor hopes the bulk of the work will be done during the summer of 2025 so upgrades will be operational come 2026.

US women's rugby team shocks Australia for historic bronze medal

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 13:31:50 +0000

Alex Sedrick has run her way into U.S. rugby history.

The Salt Lake City native scored a try and hit the game-winning conversion on the final play to give Team USA a 14-12 victory over Australia in the bronze medal match, securing the U.S. its first ever Olympic rugby sevens medal.

Australia got its first try just over a minute into the bronze-medal contest thanks to Maddison Levi. The U.S. then equaled the score on an Alev Kelter try and her ensuing conversion.

Team USA’s defense held strong early in the second half, holding the score to 7-7 until there was 1:25 remaining. That’s when Maddison Levi and her sister, Teagan, combined for a second try.

It was then Sedrick who broke away from the Australia defense and scored the game-sealing try. She then drilled the following conversion to cement the Americans as Olympic bronze medalists.

The U.S. ended up in the bronze medal match after losing to New Zealand, the defending gold medalists, by a score of 24-12 earlier in the day.

The bronze medal match marked Australia’s second loss of the day. The team fell to Canada in the semifinals and needed a win over the U.S. to earned its second ever Olympic rugby sevens medal.

Hartford barber remembered for positive impact on community

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 11:41:22 +0000

A barber in Hartford is being remembered for his impact on the community.

Lebert ‘G’ Lester II owned It’s a Gee Thang Barber Salon and Spa on Main Street since 2010. But his time behind the chair spanned more than 40 years.

“He was just happy to be known as the barber guy,” said his son, Lebert Lester III.

Lester says his father did more than cut hair – he treated his customers like family.

“You know people would often comment on how you come for your shape-up, you come for your service, and you leave having talked about things you maybe didn’t expect to talk about,” said Lester.

He says his father was a passionate barber who uplifted his clients, including students who were heading back to school.

“Families couldn’t always afford haircuts, so one of his favorite ways of giving back was to do the free ones,” said Lester.

He also wanted to make a difference out in the community.

In June 2022, he told NBC Connecticut about his partnership with Capital Community College to promote classes and programs to his clients.

“So, what this relationship is going to do is bridge that gap — that information gap — that’s lacking in the community by allowing us to have information that we can constantly convey that information who may be in need of an opportunity,” said Lebert ‘G’ Lester II.

He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2020. He lost his battle on July 5, 2024, just before his 57th birthday. But his son says his legacy lives on.

“The title, ‘It’s a Gee Thang’ comes from him thinking that because he had a particular vision and a particular view it needed to sound like something that spoke to those aspects,” Lebert Lester III said.

He says his father’s vision was always about empowering those who walked into his shop.

“Because he realized far more than people want to be like customers or clients, they want to feel seen and considered,” said Lester.

The shop is temporarily closed while his family decides what to do next.

Team USA falls to New Zealand in women's rugby semifinal

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 10:03:32 +0000

New Zealand was too much for Team USA to handle in the women’s rugby semifinals at the Paris Olympics.

The defending gold medalists defeated the U.S. 24-12 in Tuesday’s tilt at the Stade de France.

American Alev Kelter got the scoring started with a try in the opening minutes, but New Zealand took the lead with a try and conversion a few minutes later.

Watch Live: Team USA in bronze medal match

The second half, like much of the Olympic tournament, belong to the Black Ferns. Stacey Waaka got a try in the opening minute of the second half and Michaela Blyde scored another try to put New Zealand up 19-5 with three minutes left to play.

New Zealand has been utterly dominant in Paris. It won each of its first four matches by at least 26 points and had yet to concede more than seven points in a single contest until Kristi Kirshe got a try on the final play of Tuesday’s semifinal.

The U.S. will now play the loser of the Canada-Australia semifinal in the bronze medal match at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT.

New Zealand will then face the Canada-Australia winner for the gold medal at 1:45 p.m. ET/10:45 a.m. PT.

Child driving stolen car caused head-on crash in Stafford: police

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 09:50:02 +0000

A child driving a stolen car caused a head-on crash in Stafford on Tuesday morning and everyone involved in the crash has been taken to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries, according to state police.

They said the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Willimantic and another child was also in the car.

The two-vehicle crash happened on Route 32 around and the road was closed but has reopened.

No additional information was immediately available.

Warm and humid day ahead on Tuesday

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 08:45:08 +0000

Tuesday is starting off foggy, mild and murky, with low cloudiness.

As the day goes on, the skies will become partly to mostly sunny and it will be very warm and humid.

High temperatures will be between 85 and 90 but the feels-like temperatures will be between 90 and 95.

We will have some clouds overnight with a scattered thunderstorm and downpours.

Then Wednesday will be OK, but humid.

We will have a partly sunny day with a few showers and thunderstorms.

Thursday and Friday will be partly sunny as well and hot with high temperatures in the lower 90s.

A few storms over the weekend seem likely.

Two Connecticut rowers advance in women's four

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 08:02:40 +0000

Two rowers with ties to Connecticut took first place in the women’s four in Paris on Tuesday morning and they will row in the finals on Thursday.

The team is made up of Kelsey Reelick, 32, of Brookfield, Connecticut; Mary Mazzio-Manson, a 2020 Yale graduate from Wellesley, Massachusetts; Emily Kallfelz, 27, of Jamestown, Rhode Island; and Kaitlin Knifton, 24, of Austin, Texas.

They will move on to the finals, which will happen on Thursday.

Another Yale grad, Kristi Wagner, and her teammate, Sophia Vitas, finished fifth in their women’s double sculls semifinal Tuesday.

Their time of 7:04:12 was nearly eight seconds slower than their time in the preliminary heat.

Wagner and Vitas are out of medal contention. They will now row in the Final B on Thursday to determine places 7-12.

Greenwich's Gretchen Walsh comes in third place in women's 100m freestyle preliminaries heat

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 07:18:24 +0000

Gretchen Walsh took third place in her heat of the women’s 100m freestyle preliminaries in swimming in the 2024 Paris Olympics on Tuesday morning.

The semifinals will happen on Tuesday. The start list has not yet been released.

Walsh, who grew up in Greenwich, has been making waves in the swimming pool in Paris since her competition started.

She already set a new Olympic record in women’s 100m butterfly with a time of 55.38. She now holds the three fastest times in the event in history, according to NBC Sports.

Swimming Jul 27

USA's Gretchen Walsh sets Olympic record in women's 100m butterfly in semifinals

2024 Paris Olympics Jul 28

Greenwich's Gretchen Walsh wins another silver, misses gold by less than a second in 100m butterfly

2024 Paris Olympics Jul 28

HIGHLIGHT: Americans Huske, Walsh take gold, silver in 100m butterfly final

Walsh has won two silver medals in Paris as well.

She won a silver medal for the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay on Saturday in the 100m butterfly on Sunday.

Team USA takes gold in team gymnastics, US women's rugby wins historic bronze on Day 4 of Paris Olympics

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 02:16:35 +0000

What to Know

After claiming silver in Tokyo three years ago, the U.S. women’s gymnastics team recaptured the gold medal in Tuesday’s team final.
Team USA stunned Australia 14-12 in the women’s rugby sevens final, winning bronze and giving the United States its first Olympic medal in the event
With its win over Guinea, the U.S. men’s soccer team will move on to the Olympic quarterfinals for the first time since Sydney in 2000.
Katie Ledecky topped the field in the preliminaries of the women’s 1,500-meter freestyle, finishing more than a half-lap ahead of the closest challenger in her heat.
Coco Gauff got into an extended argument with the chair umpire over a ruling during her loss to Donna Vekic of Croatia in third-round singles match.

This live blog has ended for the day. See all the best moments from Day 4 of the Paris Olympics here and follow along with us for the latest updates here.

Bridgeport church calls for more social services after dealing with drug paraphernalia in churchyard

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 23:16:04 +0000

A situation in Bridgeport is illuminating how the effects of drug addiction touch more people in a community than only those who are using. One church is calling out for help after finding hundreds of needles and other items for drug use on its grounds.

“That’s what heroin or fentanyl comes in,” Liberation Programs recovery coach and outreach specialist Michelle Marano said while using a tool to pick a small piece of wax paper off the ground.

Marano is sadly familiar with the items used to take drugs. Just two years ago, she suffered a nearly deadly overdose.

“I could say my mental health was pretty bad most of my life, and I just didn’t care anymore,” Marano said.

Now a recovery coach with Liberation Programs, a nonprofit that provides resources for substance misuse treatment, she is regularly at a Bridgeport church on Brooks Street.

She hopes through Liberation Programs to reach anyone using drugs at the church who may need help.

“I hope that they just, that we’re able to connect with them and give them resources and services if they choose to accept them,” Marano said. “We just want to connect with them.”

Marano is one of many joining Shekinah Glory Free Methodist Tabernacle Pastor Eddy Michael to clean up drug paraphernalia left on the property.

“We found probably 120 to 150 syringes right here,” Pastor Michael said.

The churchyard is meant to be a space of reflection and community.

Instead, the pastor describes how despite multiple cleanups each week, he finds storage spaces trashed, bags used to stuff drugs and syringes, needles and even drugs hidden in holes and other places on the property.

“They will pack everything right here,” he said, pointing to a small hole in the side of the church.

He also unexpectedly finds trespassers on the property, both day and night.

“They come with a bucket of water, and you see them remove their clothes and take a shower right here,” Pastor Michael says.

With a congregation of 300 mostly Haitian-Americans, and 10 families living in the rectory adjoined to the church, Pastor Michael says the situation poses risks, especially to children.

“It is a safety concern because we have kids that living in this building,” he said, pointing to the rectory. “They cannot play in this building. We cannot even have a barbecue because we don’t know what is in there.”

It is a safety risk the congregation has now brought up during three meetings with Bridgeport City Councilwoman Maria Valle. During those meetings, leaders discussed how one 4-year-old child living in the neighborhood was thankfully unharmed after she accidentally poked herself with a needle at the church.

“It’s serious because we do have a family shelter across the street. We have children that walk to and from school,” Councilwoman Valle said.

Valle says she is in touch with public facilities about cutting back on vegetation where needles could get lost, and police are increasing patrols in the area.

She, along with Pastor Michael, says more social services are also needed.

“Addiction will impact anybody. It doesn’t discriminate,” Benjamin Kovalsky, Liberations Program Outreach Specialist and Overdose Responder, said.

The situation has prompted Liberation Programs to connect with the church, offering cleanup assistance and meeting people where they are.

“Four people a day die of drug overdoses in the state of Connecticut. So one of the big pieces of the message that we’re trying to also support people with is, how can we reach them before they die?” Liz Evans, Liberations Program Senior Director of Harm Reduction, said.

The goal: to turn lives around.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without that help that I got. I don’t even think I’d be alive right now,” Marano said.

That is the key to Pastor Michael, who says the solution is not about simply removing people from the property, but addressing the needs of people in the church’s orbit, like Terry Felder.

Felder is homeless in Bridgeport, and says he fell back into using drugs after his wife passed away two years ago.

“I struggle with addiction now, it’s not easy trying to overcome it,” Felder said.

Despite that battle, Felder says he also helps clean up drug-use items littered around the churchyard, hoping to prevent the next generation from calling into a a cycle of addiction.

“I don’t want it to affect the next generation,” Felder said. “That they don’t go through what I went through, you know, that they have a better chance at life than I did.”

The church, a sanctuary. Yet Pastor Michael says its resources are limited.

“It’s not only Terry,” he said. “We have probably 20 to 30 people, just knock on my door and say, ‘Pastor, what can you do for us?’”

Reports finds infant condition ‘tongue-tie' may be over diagnosed, surgery unnecessary

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 23:07:36 +0000

A new report is raising questions about infants being treated for tongue-tie.

It’s a condition that can affect breastfeeding, but some experts think it may be over diagnosed and surgery is unnecessary.

“My heart goes out to women who are having issues with breastfeeding. I’ve been there, and I know it’s really challenging,” said Dr. Sarah Maurrasse, a Yale Medicine pediatric surgeon.

Dr. Maurrasse broke down a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics about tongue-tie.

That’s when an infant is born with a tight or short band of tissue connecting the bottom of the tongue tip to the mouth.

It can make it hard for the child to lift their tongue to breastfeed and can be painful for mom.

“I have also experienced this from the patient side. And I actually went to a provider who tried to convince me that my son had a tongue-tie,” said Dr. Maurrasse.

The report is raising the alarm about the increasing use of scissors or lasers to cut away some infants’ tongue tissue.

Experts estimate more than 100,000 infants are undergoing the surgery each year, though it’s hard to pin down a good count.

Some mothers believe it was a positive choice for their child.

Though research suggests many times it was not necessary.

“Either it can be misdiagnosed as an issue and it’s actually normal anatomy if the clinician isn’t sure what they’re looking at or is not used to evaluating infant tongues. And unfortunately, it’s also a very short and can be a lucrative procedure so some people are potentially taking advantage of the system and the vulnerability of new mothers,” said Dr. Maurrasse.

Dr. Maurrasse – who’s also a Yale School of Medicine assistant professor of surgery – does perform the procedure if it’s appropriate.

But since it can come with complications and pain for the child, she suggests parents consider their options.

“It’s very helpful to be evaluated by a lactation consultant and to be evaluated by multiple people potentially and get a second opinion if you feel like somebody is rushing into a procedure,” said Dr. Maurrasse.

Now some dentists are doing the surgery and charging $800 or more.

The American Dental Association says it agrees not all children with the condition need the procedure done and a team approach is best for treatment.

Injuries reported in crash on Route 154 in Haddam

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 22:05:14 +0000

A crash with injuries closed Route 154 North in Haddam on Monday night.

State police said two vehicles were involved in the crash around 9:15 p.m.

Injuries were reported, however, the extent of the injuries is unknown.

Employee accused of calling in bomb threat, prompting evacuation at Amazon Fulfillment Center in North Haven

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 20:55:16 +0000

An Amazon employee is accused of calling in a bomb threat and prompting the evacuation of the Amazon Fulfillment Center in North Haven earlier this month.

North Haven police said a bomb threat was called into dispatchers on Sunday, July 14, around 11 p.m.

Investigators said the caller indicated that a bomb was placed in the North Haven Amazon Fulfillment Center.

Officers coordinated with firefighters and Amazon security to evacuate the building.

Members of the Regional Bomb Squad and specialized explosive detection K9s searched the scene. It was later determined to be clear.

During the investigation, police said they determined a 32-year-old Amazon employee from Bridgeport called in the bomb threat from near the facility.

He was arrested by warrant on Monday and is facing charges including misuse of emergency 911-false alarm, false incident report and breach of peace.

The man was held on a $25,000 bond and was arraigned on Monday.

Former swim coach in Connecticut charged with voyeurism

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 19:39:24 +0000

A man who used to be a swim coach in Connecticut has been arrested and charged with voyeurism, according to United States Marshals.

The Connecticut U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force and Newington Police Department arrested 41-year-old David Laudati. He was reportedly wanted in Arizona for voyeurism charges.

According to US Marshals, Laudati is being charged with 11 counts of voyeurism and eight counts of attempted voyeurism. The charges stem from allegations following an investigation from September 2023 by Buckeye Police Department.

Before the investigation, US Marshals said Laudati was a swim coach in Arizona and had previously been a swim coach in Connecticut. Authorities did not specifically say where in Connecticut Laudati had coached.

Police in Arizona requested the US Marshal’s help to find and apprehend Laudati. Their investigation reportedly brought them to a home on East Robbins Street in Newington where Laudati was apprehended on Monday.

Laudati was taken into custody, transported to Newington Police Department, charged as a fugitive from justice and is being held pending extradition back to Arizona to face charges there, US Marshals said.

Two Republicans vying to challenge Murphy for U.S. Senate

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 17:49:56 +0000

Gerry Smith and Matthew Corey both think they’re best suited to be the first Connecticut Republican to reverse four decades of losses in U.S. Senate races.

The two men largely agree on policy, but say their experience will help them beat Sen. Chris Murphy, (D) Connecticut.

First, they must win the party’s nomination in the Aug. 13 primary. Early voting for the primary runs from Aug. 5 to Aug. 11.

Smith, the endorsed candidate, is currently the First Selectman in Beacon Falls. He believes his success winning elections should appeal to Republicans.

“I’ve run six elections and I’ve won five and my opponent has run five and lost all five,” he said during an interview Monday.

Corey, who runs One Wood Pub in East Hartford, has run and lost several federal elections, including against Murphy in 2018.

He said he’s built up name recognition and experience, though, and he’s better situated to run against the popular and well-funded Murphy in a statewide race.

“You can’t run a municipality election in a U.S. Senate, a U.S. federal race,” he said.

When it comes to the issues, both men say their top priority is attack Democrats over the economy and inflation.

Smith said he wants to increase drilling for oil as a way to achieve energy independence and to grow jobs.

“Once we start drilling at home, more oil here, it puts everyone to work,” he said.

Corey voiced his support for former President Donald Trump’s past apprenticeship plan to help people get skills.

“When I was a window cleaner for 32 years, I looked into corporate America literally from the outside in,” he said. “We see a lot of these jobs getting shipped overseas.”

Both men also said they support a tougher immigration policy for the Southern border, specifically not letting people into the country until they’ve obtained legal status.

Smith and Corey are both aware of the fundraising gap they face. Murphy’s campaign had $9.7 million on hand as of June 30.

Smith was down to about $5,000 and Corey had $28,000 at the same point. Both candidates think they can energize Republican donors and supports after winning the primary.

Milford Fire Dept. receives federal grant to upgrade life-saving equipment for firefighters

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 17:29:23 +0000

The Milford Fire Department is celebrating a federal grant that will help them to upgrade some of their equipment.

The fire department was recently awarded $441,000 by the Assistance to Firefighters Grant, a grant provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security.

U.S Representative Rosa DeLauro was present on Monday with the Milford Fire Dept. to celebrate the award and improvements coming to the department.

“What we need to be doing is investing in the modern equipment for the ability of the department to protect all of us, no room for error when it comes to public safety.”

Milford Fire Chief, Anthony Fabrizi said the grant will help them purchase new Self Breathing Apparatus and Rapid Intervention Team Packs.

“SEBA’s are the lifeline of every brave firefighter, protecting every breath from toxic atmospheres and life-threatening conditions in which they operate,” Fabrizi said.

Milford Fire Department Battalion Chief of Training and Safety Jason Dombrowski spoke about the importance of getting new SEBA’s due to the current ones reaching 13 years of use.

He said the devices can help firefighters prevent short-term illnesses such as bronchial spasms and long-term illnesses such as cancer.

“For us, we have a rigorous schedule to make sure our guys are fit tested properly and these masks and everything else that we use will actually go a long way to protect us when we’re in those environments to prevent those things from happening to our firefighters.”

Chief Dombrowski added the department is still working through how many new breathing apparatuses they will be able to order.

In addition to the City of Milford, the City of North Haven was awarded $75,000 and the Town of Middlefield was awarded $79,000 from the Assistance Firefighters Grant.

Jason Kelce recruited by rugby star Ilona Maher as the US Olympic women's team's super fan

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 17:11:40 +0000

Jason Kelce went along to watch the U.S. women’s rugby sevens team at the Olympics in Paris and walked away as an honorary super fan.

The recently retired Philadelphia Eagles center and his wife, Kylie, met with rugby’s social media celebrity Ilona Maher and the U.S. women’s sevens team after their opening two games at Stade de France.

The NFL veteran, wearing a very French-looking beret and a blue, skin-tight U.S. rugby shirt, got into an arm wrestle match with squad member Nicole Heavirland, shared on Instagram, and joined Maher for a quick recruiting post.

Maher introduced the idea of Kelce becoming an official super fan and told him he’d get no money or benefits, but all he had to do was say the words and the job was his.

2024 Paris Olympics Jul 29

USA women's rugby 7s team to play New Zealand in semi-finals on Tuesday at Paris Olympics

2024 Paris Olympics Jul 29

Who is Ilona Maher? Meet Team USA's breakout rugby star

It was a sales pitch he couldn’t resist.

“I am officially a fan. Women’s rugby, Olympics,” Kelce said in the video posted to Maher’s Instagram.

The Kelces also attended a women’s field hockey match between the U.S. and Argentina on Saturday on a busy weekend at the Paris Games.

The U.S. women won their two matches Sunday against Japan and Brazil before catching up with the Kelces, but had a tough 31-14 loss to host France on Monday afternoon ahead of their night quarterfinal against Britain.

Maher, who scored an early try against France, said she’d connected with Kylie Kelce before and “so to have her and to bring Jason along with her, I was really excited to see her.”

“It’s really cool because Kylie and I have chatted before. She’s a really cool woman and she does a lot for women’s sports,” Maher said. Having Jason was a bonus “but you know … he’s a girl dad. He’s somebody who supports women’s sports.

“So for him to be supporting us was really cool.”

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Bomb threats force evacuations of Walmart, Stop & Shop in Naugatuck

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 16:56:35 +0000

Two businesses in Naugatuck have reopened to the public after bomb threats briefly evacuated the buildings on Monday afternoon.

The first bomb threat was received by an employee at Walmart on New Haven Road around 3:45 p.m. Police said the caller said a bomb was located in the bathroom and was set to go off in two minutes.

The Walmart was quickly evacuated and bomb detection K9s from Connecticut State Police were brought in. Authorities said the K9s searched the area and did not find any bombs or explosive devices.

Walmart was cleared at approximately 5 p.m. and normal business operations have resumed.

While police were at Walmart, an employee at Stop & Shop on Rubber Avenue reportedly called police and said they had also received a bomb threat by phone.

Police said dispatchers also received another call where someone claimed a bomb was in the bathroom at Stop & Shop and they were armed with a gun.

The Stop & Shop was also evacuated while Connecticut State Police bomb detection K9s went through the store. Stop & Shop was cleared around 5:45 p.m. and has since resumed normal business operations.

This surfer already won the Olympics with his gravity-defying pose

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 16:45:19 +0000

Gabriel Medina may be competing for gold, but he’s already won coolest photo at the 2024 Olympics.

The Brazilian surfer earned a huge 9.90 score during the 5th heat of men’s surfing on Monday in Tahiti. That’s the best score for an individual wave in the men’s third round.

Medina, who has three world titles to his name, just finished the run when he threw up his hand and a photographer captured a gravity-defying pose.

The 30-year-old and his surfboard look to be floating in air above the water. Check out the image below.

Brazil’s Gabriel Medina reacts after getting a large wave in the 5th heat of the men’s surfing round 3, during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, in Teahupo’o, on the French Polynesian Island of Tahiti, on July 29, 2024. (Photo by Jerome Brouillet/AFP via Getty Images)

When is Olympic surfing next on TV? See the surfing Olympics schedule

On Tuesday, July 30, the men and women’s quarterfinals, semifinals, bronze medal and gold medal matches are scheduled.

In case they are needed, there are reserve days built in after July 30. Because of the uncertainty of waves and weather, this schedule could change at anytime.

The men’s bronze medal match is scheduled for 8:12 p.m. ET/5:12 p.m. PT on July 30. The women’s bronze medal match is scheduled for 8:53 p.m. ET/5:53 p.m. PT. The men’s gold medal match is scheduled for 9:34 p.m. ET/6:34 p.m. ET and the women’s gold medal match is scheduled for 10:15 p.m. ET/7:15 p.m. PT on July 30.

All surfing events will be live on Peacock. Because of the time different in Tahiti, the gold medal matches will be shown in Primetime on NBC on Tuesday, July 30. See the full schedule here.

What time is it in Tahiti?

Tahiti time is six hours behind Eastern Time during daylight saving time over the summer. Tahiti time is three hours behind Pacific Time.

How is Olympic surfing scored?

According to the Olympics, surfing is scored by a five judge panel, who score the waves of surfers on a scale of one to 10. There are no limits to the number of waves a surfer can catch but the judges highest and lowest scores for each wave are discarded. Then, the surfer’s two highest-scoring waves are combined together for the overall total that the surfer earns in the heat.

Surfers are allowed to catch as many waves as they want in a heat, but wave selection can be crucial, especially given the unpredictable nature of the ocean.

How long has surfing been an Olympic sport?

Surfing first made its appearance as an Olympic sport at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Paris/Tahiti marks the second time it is an Olympics sport.

Why is Olympics surfing taking place in Tahiti?

Tahiti is approximately 10,000 miles from Paris and the surfing event will represent a record distance between an event and a host city.

Tahiti is in French Polynesia. It is the cultural and economic capital of French Polynesia, a territory of France. Athletes from Tahiti compete for France in the Olympics.

The Paris organizing committee hopes by holding the surfing event in Tahiti, it will showcase another aspect of French culture to the world and make the French territory feel more connected to these Olympic Games.

The competition will be held at Teahupo’o, known for its famous and extreme wave, which has been part of the World Surf League’s Championship tour for more than two decades.

How the wave forms is considered a natural marvel: The pitch and shape of the barrels of water come from Southern Ocean swells that bend and race along a large, shallow reef. The wave leaves from a sloped bottom, hurling toward the reef and breaking below sea level.

The left-handed waves are usually between 6 to 10 feet high but at times have exceeded 20 feet. The ride is short — lasting between 200 to 300 feet — but extremely fast and intense.

Because of this combination of factors, it’s considered a difficult wave to ride and has claimed the life of at least one surfer. In fact, the name of the wave loosely translates into English as “pile of skulls,” reminding even the world’s most seasoned surfers to proceed with caution.

Who are the top contenders for the United States in surfing?

Surfing contenders for Team USA include:

Caroline Marks from Melbourne Beach, Florida (2nd Olympics)
Carissa Moore from Honolulu, Hawaii (2nd Olympics)
Caity Simmers from Oceanside, Calif. (1st Olympics)
Griffin Colapinto from San Clemente, Calif. (1st Olympics)
John John Florence from Oahu, Hawaii (2nd Olympics)

Moore is the reigning Olympic gold medalist after winning the event in the Tokyo Olympics. She’s also a five-time world champion. According to the IOC, she plans to step away from competitive surfing after Paris 2024.

The 31-year-old, Hawaii-born Moore is widely regarded as one of the greatest female surfers of all time.

Marks is the reigning world champion. She came in first in the 2023 World Surf League Championship Tour, followed by Carissa Moore, who came in second, Tyler Wright from Australia in third, and Caity Simmers in fourth.

“This is way different from Tokyo, when we were in pandemic and there were no spectators — it felt secluded,” Marks told AP. “This Olympics definitely have a different vibe and it’s great to be back.”

Babysitter left 3 kids home alone on same day 2-year-old fell out of moving vehicle in Clinton: state police

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 16:21:19 +0000

A 2-year-old child was seriously injured when he fell out of a moving vehicle in Clinton earlier this year and his babysitter has been arrested. State police said the babysitter also left three other young kids home alone on the same day.

State police said 55-year-old Maria Santiago was babysitting multiple children on Tuesday, May 14, when she took a 2-year-old boy to the bus stop on Sunnybrook Lane to pick up an 11-year-old girl.

While in the car, troopers said the 2-year-old boy that was in the back seat opened the door of the moving vehicle and fell out.

After the 2-year-old boy fell out, the vehicle’s right rear tire ran the boy over, according to an arrest warrant. He was transported to the pediatric intensive care unit at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital to be treated for serious injuries. Authorities have not given an update on the boy’s current condition. The 11-year-old girl who was in the vehicle was not injured.

During the investigation, state police said they learned Santiago was babysitting three additional children and left them home alone when she went to pick up the 11-year-old girl from the bus stop. The children that were left home alone were reportedly 9, 4 and 2 years old. Santiago also left a pot of boiling chicken on top of the stove when she left the home, the arrest warrant said.

Santiago turned herself in and was arrested on Monday.

State police said Santiago is facing charges including four counts of risk of injury to a minor and child restraint system for failing to properly secure the child in his safety car seat and for leaving three children home alone.

She was released on a written promise to appear and is expected to be in court on Wednesday.

Thousands of dragonflies swarm Misquamicut Beach in Rhode Island

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 16:18:15 +0000

It may have seemed like a swarm of locusts bringing about the end of the world, but it was actually a swarm of dragonflies that took over Misquamicut Beach in Rhode Island this weekend.

Joanne Vandal, of Enfield, was on the beach when the swarm began.

“It was like a black cloud and what started as a couple hundred, was thousands and thousands of them,” Vandal said.

Vandal said the dragonflies were suddenly everywhere, frightening some on the beach.

“The little kids were terrified. They were screaming. They had no idea what was going on. I guess it was scary — everyone else just took out their phones and was like ‘what was going on?’ because it was so unnatural,” she said.

Vandal said the odd thing about it was that the insects were silent.

“There was no sound. There was no hum and it’s interesting because I mentioned that to my friend, there was no buzz, there was no hum, there was no sound, it just happened,” she said.

The whole encounter lasted about three minutes and Vandal said just like that, the dragonflies were gone.

Two $100,000 Cash5 winners over the weekend

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 15:36:02 +0000

There were two $100,000 Cash5 jackpot wins over the weekend.

A ticket sold in New Britain for the Friday drawing won $100,000. Then one sold in Danbury for the Sunday drawing won $100,000.

The winning numbers on Friday were 8-9-10-16-17. The ticket was sold at the Regal Package Store on West Main Street in New Britain.

The winning numbers on Sunday were 16-21-22-32-34. The ticket was sold at Tienda Ecuador on Lake Avenue in Danbury.

Former UConn stars square off in Canada vs. France women's basketball matchup at Paris Olympics

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 15:17:16 +0000

France shut down Canada while allowing only two points in the second quarter, turning a tight game into a runaway opening victory.

FIBA said the two points allowed, as part of a 23-2 period for France, was the fewest points allowed in any quarter of an Olympic game male or female.

Former UConn forward Gabby Williams said it was an important performance given France coach Jean Aime Toupane’s emphasis on defense.

“His identity that he wants us to have is defense, defense, defense,” Williams said. “Like he doesn’t care if the match finishes 30 to 40. … He’s an emphasis on defense. So that means everything that we’ve been doing these past few months is working.”

Marieme Badiane led France with 13 points, and Williams finished with 12.

The host country was backed by a loud crowd as it took on the world’s fifth-best team. The Canadians, who had the men’s basketball team on hand for support, led 18-15 after the first quarter.

France then dominated the second, opening a 38-20 halftime lead that had fans doing the wave in the final minute. Canada got its only basket of the period when Bridget Carleton scored inside with 1:29 left.

France, which plays Nigeria on Thursday in Group B, applauded the fans after the big win. Canada plays Australia on Thursday with each team looking for its first win. Germany is in Group C with the U.S., 2021 silver medalist Japan and Belgium, which has been called the “Group of Death.”

″If there’s anything worse than death it’s that group,” Germany coach Lisa Thomaidis said of France’s group.

This is Canada’s fourth straight Olympics and eighth overall since the sport debuted in Montreal in 1976. The Canadians have never finished better than fourth, and that was 40 years ago in Los Angeles.

Former UConn guard Kia Nurse and Shay Colley each scored 11 for Canada.

Former UConn forward Aaliyah Edwards had 1 point and 8 rebounds in 20 minutes for Canada.

State police cruiser crash prompts pleas from police, Department of Transportation

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 15:07:39 +0000

A crash involving a state police cruiser along Interstate 95 Westport over the weekend is leading to frustration from state officials.

State police have charged 47-year-old Sonny Abdul-Hardy, of the Bronx, New York, with failure to move over for an emergency vehicle and following a vehicle too closely.

The state trooper was out of the vehicle at the time, assisting another trooper with an incident along I-95, and is OK.

“Fortunately, he was outside his vehicle when the accident happened,” said Sgt Luke Davis, with the Connecticut State Police.

According to police, the cruiser was stopped in the left lane with lights flashing before the crash. That’s when Abdul-Hardy slammed his car into the back of the cruiser, police said.

“The mentality of ‘this is not something that can happen to me’ is totally wrong, it can happen to everyone,” said Sgt Davis.

This crashed marked more than 90 crashes so far this year involving state police troopers or their cruisers, including the death of Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier along I-84 East in May.

This is also the second in just two weeks. Last Tuesday, another state police cruiser was hit in Hartford.

“What has changed? And it’s the men and women getting behind the wheel,” said DOT spokesperson Josh Morgan.

Connecticut Department of Transportation spokesperson Josh Morgan says all state DOT vehicle crash numbers indicate more than 80 crashes this year, translating to roughly two per week, including the death of DOT employee Andrew DiDomenico, who was hit and killed in the median of an on-ramp in Wallingford in June.

“Connecticut motorists, their choices, their actions, their behaviors, can have deadly consequences,” said Morgan.

The state Department of Transportation and state police in partnership have ramped up a speed enforcement campaign going through the summer to increase speed enforcement and roadway visibility by state police and local police departments.

But Morgan, along with state police, say this isn’t an issue they can ticket their way out of. It comes down to the people behind the wheel.

“They are reckless, they are being selfish,” said Morgan.

Sgt Davis reiterates the dangers of the roadway. He hopes drivers take their responsibilities more seriously.

“We have one single mission and that is to go home at the end of the day to our families,” said Sgt Davis.

State Police indicated it is still too early to speak to the effectiveness of the speed enforcement campaign, but they have noticed drivers are noticing the increased visibility of their cruisers.

Slight chance of seeing Northern Lights in Connecticut tonight

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 14:43:28 +0000

There is a slight chance that you could see the Northern Lights here in Connecticut on Monday night.

It has been a cloudy and rainy day, but if the skies clear, there is a chance of seeing the captivating sight.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Space Weather Prediction Center said, “solar activity increased over the weekend and the sun has been erupting in solar flares up to include an X1 flare (R3-Strong) on Sunday evening.”

The geomagnetic storm watches for July 29-31 are up to G3 and at that level, the aurora might be visible over many of the northern states and some of the lower Midwest to Oregon.

G1-G3 Watches are out for 29-31 July due to a number of possible CME arrivals. Solar activity increased over the weekend and the Sun has been erupting in solar flares up to include an X1 flare (R3-Strong) on Sunday evening. Visit https://t.co/9VAtkQeOwM… for the full story. pic.twitter.com/3VNJJ9CRgM
— NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) July 29, 2024

Electrons colliding with the upper reaches of Earth’s atmosphere bring us the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis.

The lights can be different shapes and are often many tall rays that look “like a curtain made of folds of cloth,” according to the Space Weather Prediction Center. During the evening, the rays can form arcs and late in the evening, those arcs can move — twisting and swaying.

To see the aurora, it must be dark and the skies must be clear of clouds.

In May, the Northern Lights put on a magical display and people across the globe, including here in New England, shared stunning images.

Get more on the aurora forecast here.

Police ID two people killed in crash in Hartford

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 11:52:06 +0000

Two people have died after a crash at Main Street and Florence Street in Hartford on Monday morning and three others are injured.

Police said a Toyota Corolla was going north on Main Street, attempted to turn left onto Florence Street and was hit by a Mercedes that was going south on Main Street.

The two people in the Corolla died. Police identified the driver as 61-year-old Angel Santiago, of Hartford, and the passenger as 27-year-old Dulce Reyes, of Hartford.

Three adults who were in the Mercedes were taken to the hospital and are expected to be OK.

The crash shut down Main Street from Seyms Street to Belden Street, near apartment buildings and businesses.

Some pedestrians were nearby but were not struck.

Keyshla Ortiz, of Hartford, said she saw at least one car going fast and heard a big boom around 10 a.m.

Police are investigating.

This was the 10th fatal crash in Hartford this year.

Connecticut College grad Maggie Shae in 6th place in women's skiff

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 11:05:48 +0000

Connecticut College graduate Maggie Shae and her teammate Stephanie Roble finished 14^th during day 2 of women’s skiff in the 2024 Paris Olympics on Monday and stand in sixth place overall.

It was a tough end to the racing day as the wind died down and boats struggled to cross the line.

Shea, 35, of Chicago, and Roble, 35, of Miami, dropped from 10^th to finish 14^th.

They will compete again on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The medal race is on Thursday.

This is the second Olympic games for the due who competed in Tokyo in 2020 in the women’s 49er FX and came in 11^th.

Shae graduated from Connecticut College in 2011.

Westport's Oliver Bub advances to men's pair semifinals at Paris Olympics

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 10:44:56 +0000

Monday was a better day for Westport’s Oliver Bub and his teammate, Billy Bender, in the men’s pair repechage at the Paris Olympics.

They finished third behind the crews from Switzerland and Italy, but that was enough for them to advance to the semifinals on Wednesday.

Bub and Bender finished the race in 6:51:32, more than 10 seconds better than their time in the heats on Sunday.

“We identified the start as a weakness off of trials and off world cup II,” Bub told US Rowing. “We made some changes and just didn’t execute yesterday, but it’s not always easy to say, ‘let’s go faster.’ Sometimes you go for more and you don’t necessarily hit it right, but I think we were able to execute on it better today, so a little more confidence heading into the semi after that start than the one in the heat.”

Bub, 26, began rowing in the fall of 2012 at the Saugatuck Rowing Club.

Two other rowers with ties to Connecticut were on the water outside Paris on Monday as well.

Yale grad Nick Rusher is part of the men’s eight crew at the 2024 Olympics.

The U.S. men’s eight squad finished first in their heat with the best overall time of 5:29:24 and advanced to the Final A on Saturday.

Team USA’s women’s eight crew also has a Yale grad on board. Margaret Hedeman was a first-team All-Ivy selection in 2023 while at Yale.

The team finished second in their heat Monday with a time of 6:19:00 and has been relegated to the repechage on Thursday.

Man struck by driver in Harwinton has died: police

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 10:01:55 +0000

A 24-year-old man has died after he was struck by a vehicle in Harwinton on Sunday morning, according to state police. The driver of the vehicle that hit him was also injured, according to state police.

They said Kevin Christopher Gangell, of Harwinton, was on the shoulder of Clearview Avenue when he was struck around 11:53 a.m.

The driver veered off the road and into the shoulder, where he hit Gangell, then struck a rock embankment, according to state police.

Gangell was taken to Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, where he died, state police said.

The driver suffered serious injuries and was taken to Waterbury Hospital.

State police are investigating.

Anyone with information is asked to call Western District Major Crimes at 860-626-7900.

Intruder knocked out power at state office building in Hartford: police

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 09:42:28 +0000

A Pennsylvania man who is accused of a break-in that knocked out power to a state office building in downtown Hartford on Sunday evening appeared in court on Monday.

State police responded to 165 Capitol Ave. in Hartford around 5:11 p.m. after an alarm went off and found that someone had gotten inside through a utility area under the building through a metal gate, according to state police.

They said this was not a targeted incident and no offices in the building were affected.

They took Cristian Gonzalez, 43, a homeless man from Shillinton, Pennsylvania into custody and did not find anyone else in the building.

He entered a subterranean high-voltage electrical conduit area and did not get into the building itself, state police said, and there is no threat to the public or the employees of the building.

Gonzalez caused damage to utilities in the building, which knocked out power and caused other systems to fail, including the elevators, according to state police and the state Department of Administrative Services.

He has been charged with third-degree burglary, criminal trespass in the second degree, criminal mischief in the first-degree and possession of burglar tools.

His bond was set at $50,000.

Gonzalez appeared in court on Monday.

The prosecution said he is a threat to public safety and it’s not clear how much the damage will cost to repair.

A public defender was appointed and requested detox and mental health watch.

The prosecutor said Gonzalez is not employed, is battling addiction and was using drugs when he broke in.

The judge granted detox treatment for Gonzalez.

The state office building was closed on Monday. Eversource is still making repairs.

Anyone with information is asked to call Trooper Luis Ferreira at Troop H-Hartford at 860-534-1000.