3+ week, 3+ day ago (416+ words) HARTFORD, Conn. " The Nov. 4 election results in Connecticut'sent a clear message not just to President Donald Trump but to Gov. Ned Lamont as well.' That's what Scott McLean, a political science professor at Quinnipiac University, said following Tuesday's election results. He explained what they may reveal about where voters heads are at.' "We're about to have a special legislative session. There's going to be a lot of talk about using the rainy-day fund to help support SNAP," McLean said. "It's only been partially funded by the Trump Administration under court order. I think a lot of lawmakers are going to tell Gov. Lamont the rainy day is here." RELATED: Who won Connecticut's mayoral elections? Here are the results of key Connecticut races Lamont announced Wednesday afternoon that 29 towns flipped from Republican to Democrat, and 102 towns in the state are now…...

3+ week, 5+ day ago (433+ words) NEW HAVEN, Conn " After a'New Haven shooting left one person dead and three others hurt over the weekend, witnesses recounted the scene Monday, describing pure terror and chaos. New Haven police said they were called to the area of Church Street and Center Street at 2:34 a.m. Saturday. Officers found a 21-year-old man and two 18-year-old women who were shot. One of the women died from her injuries, according to police. A fourth victim, a 21-year-old man, came to a local hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.' Police said they obtained camera footage showing two people exchanging gunfire in the area of Church and Center streets. They said none of the shooting victims were targeted but were all caught in crossfire.' Bill Dully, a Church Street resident, captured a video showing a large group of people waiting near Gotham Citi Cafe on…...

1+ day, 6+ hour ago (215+ words) Small Business Saturday has generated over $200 billion for locally owned shops across the country. That presents as a huge opportunity for criminals. Connecticut BBB offers tips on Small Business Saturday shopping HARTFORD, Conn. " The Connecticut Better Business Bureau is encouraging shoppers across the state and country to support local shops on Small Business Saturday, as the holiday shopping season hits full gear. Launched in 2010 by American Express to encourage shopping locally during the holidays, Small Business Saturday is now a mainstream term right alongside Black Friday and Cyber Monday. BBB has released its tips on how to "Shop Small" this Saturday. - Connect with businesses on social media. Most small businesses will post market their discounts and specials online through their social media. Many will also use #ShopSmall tag to help people who are just browsing. - Eat small too. No, that…...

1+ week, 2+ day ago (592+ words) NEW HAVEN, Conn. " A man from the Midwest was sentenced to five years in prison in New Haven federal court on Wednesday for trafficking dozens of guns into Connecticut. Brian Baker, 48, of Scott City, Kans., received an additional three years of supervised release, which will follow his prison term, according to a report from the interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut. In court, prosecutors showed that members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Waterbury Safe Streets Task Force conducted three controlled purchases of nine total guns, and one purchase of cocaine, from Luis Perez in Waterbury. Investigators came to realize that Perez was buying multiple firearms at Baker's direction. Most of the guns were purchased from licensed gun dealers in Kansas and then shipped via U.S. Mail to a stash location maintained in Hartford by Algelly Diaz, an associate of…...

3+ week, 6+ day ago (323+ words) WALLINGFORD, Conn. " A Bridgeport woman was arrested on Oct. 22 after Wallingford police said a man lost nearly $300,000 in a Publishers Clearing House (PCH) scam in March. Nyiesha Upchurch, of Bridgeport, is facing charges of larceny in the first degree, conspiracy to commit larceny in the first degree, telephone fraud in the first degree and conspiracy to commit telephone fraud." Police said they received a report about the scam on March 4. Investigators learned that the 72-year-old victim received multiple phone calls from unknown people, telling him that he won $9.6 million in prize money." The victim was told that he needed to pay prize money taxes in order to collect his prize, police said. The victim's family found seven checks written to unknown individuals, with five of those checks written to Upchurch. After a lengthy investigation and obtaining an arrest warrant, Wallingford…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago (376+ words) BRIDGEPORT, Conn. " A man known as "Dre" from Derby was sentenced on Tuesday to seven years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for selling methamphetamine and cocaine. A report from the Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut announced that 49-year-old Andre Messam received the sentence in Bridgeport federal court. Court documents and statements made show that in May and June 2023, the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Transnational Organized Crime Task Force made two controlled drug purchases from Messam. RELATED: 3 people arrested in New London with fentanyl, meth and crack cocaine The undercover agents reportedly walked away from the transaction with 80 grams of methamphetamine and five grams of cocaine. Laboratory analysis of the methamphetamine sold to them by Messam showed that it was 100% pure. Investigators then set up a meeting to purchase a kilogram of cocaine from Messam....

1+ week, 5+ day ago (271+ words) CONNECTICUT, USA " Connecticut has awarded nearly $12 million in grants to 17 towns and cities for projects to improve transportation infrastructure. Gov. Ned Lamont and Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto announced the funding on Monday. The grants are being awarded through the state Department of Transportation's'Community Connectivity Program, which is now in its seventh round of awards. According to Lamont's office, the program financially supports local infrastructure initiatives that improve safety and provide accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists in urban, suburban and rural centers. "Connecting residents with their communities through these projects is vital to boosting economic development, creating dynamic town centers, and encouraging alternative modes of transportation like walking or biking," Lamont said. "Supporting this program improves the quality of life for towns and cities across the state." Eucalitto added that the program is an "integral part" of the state's mission…...

1+ week, 16+ hour ago (488+ words) HARTFORD, Conn. " By the time Connecticut Adoption Day came to pass, dozens of lives had been changed for the better. More than 40 children were adopted in courtrooms throughout Connecticut on Friday, according to the Department of Children and Families. " Gov. Ned Lamont said in a release that the day was meant to highlight what is possible when kind adults step up and offer children a permanent place of belonging. "We extend our sincere gratitude to every adoptive parent whose devotion helps ensure Connecticut's children can grow up in their forever home with their forever family," Lamont said. RELATED: Nearly 14,000 sign petition for Mimi's Law, demanding CT lawmakers better protect children The theme of this year's National Adoption Month is "Honoring Youth: Strengthening Pathways for Lasting Bonds," which is centered on helping teenagers in foster care find permanent families. State officials…...

18+ hour, 17+ min ago (393+ words) STAMFORD, Connecticut " The Stamford Public Schools district announced Tuesday that its Board of Education is hiring national consulting firm Zeal Education Group to support its search for a new superintendent. Zeal Education Group was chosen by the board's ad hoc Superintendent Search Firm Committee after an extensive, multi-step review process. The committee received proposals from eight firms in response to a Request for Proposals that was released in September. Members of the committee created a comprehensive evaluation rubric to review each submission, assess presentations and rate interviews with each potential firm. A release from the school district says the process was transparent and consistent with the city's values and goals. "The board extends its sincere thanks to the ad hoc committee for its leadership and for establishing a strong foundation of unity and solidarity throughout this process," Board of Education…...

3+ week, 6+ day ago (435+ words) STAMFORD, Conn. " A correction officer'is facing new charges after leading Stamford officers on a pursuit and barricading himself in a car with two kids inside in September, the city's police department said Sunday. John Lacen-Romero, 36, a Connecticut Department of Correction officer, was arrested on Sept. 21 in Stamford. Police said he choked his wife and took two kids from a Newington home before a police chase and a standoff in Stamford that lasted more than seven hours. Lacen-Romero's latest charges from Stamford police are for the pursuit and standoff. They include first-degree unlawful restraint, interfering with officers, reckless driving, engaging police in pursuit, and two counts of risk of injury to a child.' He is currently being held on a $2 million bond and is expected to appear in court on Dec. 15 for his Stamford charges, police said. Newington police said they…...