Connecticut lawmakers have voted to take steps to protect people from the state’s growing bear population. But they have stopped far short of a bear hunt and restrictions on people unintentionally feeding the hungry animals. The legislation cleared the House of Representatives on a 115-32 vote on Friday after passing the Senate and now heads to the governor's desk. It explicitly allows someone to use deadly force to kill a bear if they reasonably believe it’s inflicting or about to inflict great bodily harm to a person, a pet or is entering an occupied building. Reports of bears interacting with humans have become commonplace in Connecticut.
Connecticut lawmakers are still grieving the death of a fellow legislator killed in a wrong-way crash in January. They have given final legislative approval to a bill that attempts to address the large increase in wrong-way crashes on the state’s roads. It cleared the Senate unanimously on Friday. The bill previously passed the House of Representatives. It now heads to Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont’s desk. The vote comes about six months after 39-year-old Rep. Quentin William’s death and as wrong-way crashes have become more prevalent and deadly. Williams died in a wrong-way crash as he returned home from the governor’s inaugural ball.
A slate of gun control measures is headed to Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont’s desk. The state Senate debated through the night and voted early Saturday to approve the state’s most wide-ranging gun legislation since the laws that followed the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting. The Democratic governor plans to sign the measure. Among other things, the changes would ban openly carrying firearms and prohibit selling more than three handguns within 30 days to any one person, with some exceptions for instructors and others. Other provisions include imposing new safe-storage rules and stiffening penalties for possession of large-capacity magazines.
A building under construction in New Haven, Connecticut, partially collapsed during a concrete pour, injuring eight construction workers, including two critically. But officials say there were no fatalities in Friday's collapse. Officials say firefighters pulled six people from the building, including three who were partially buried, and two others made it out on their own. Fire Chief John Alston Jr. says the injuries include broken bones. Officials say a portion of second floor collapsed through the first floor and into the basement. Workers told officials the concrete was being poured faster than they could spread it, and it pooled too much and caused the collapse. Federal officials are investigating.
STONINGTON — Coming from a family with numerous loved ones of all ages who struggle daily with mental health conditions, a Wequetequock resident named Phil shared his first-hand stories of what it has been like to deal with the challenges.
A 43-year-old Connecticut man with a history of writing threats to public officials, including a U.S. president and Supreme Court justice, has been convicted for a fourth time after prosecutors say he mailed more than 100 additional threatening letters. Garrett Santillo pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court to a single count of mailing threatening communications to a United States judge. Prosecutors say that between December 2021 and June 2022, Santillo mailed letters to politicians, journalists, and judges, including a U.S. Supreme Court justice, that included threats such as, “You will die. You will all be killed.” Under a plea agreement he is expected to be sentenced to up to 33 months in prison.
The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut has distributed 2023 grants to the local organizations: W.A.R.M. Center, $5,000 to provide critical resources to individuals in financial crisis in several southeastern Connecticut towns; Stand Up For Animals, $5,000 for medical care for pets …
A hungry bear barged into the garage of a Connecticut bakery, scared several employees and helped itself to 60 cupcakes before ambling away. Workers at Taste by Spellbound in Avon were loading cakes into a van for delivery to another location on Wednesday when the bear showed up. Bakery owner Miriam Stephens wrote in an Instagram post that she heard employee Maureen Williams “screaming bloody murder” and yelling that there was a bear in the garage. The bear grabbed a container of cupcakes and ate 60 of them. It was gone by the time police arrived.
Connecticut lawmakers have advanced the most wide-ranging package of gun safety measures since the legislation passed after the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre. The House of Representatives, controlled by Democrats, passed the bill on a 96-51 vote Thursday. It now awaits Senate action. The bill, which bars openly carrying firearms, among other changes, comes almost a year after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Americans have a right to carry firearms in public for self-defense. It also comes as Republican-controlled states are loosening guns laws amid a record-setting pace for mass killings in the United States.
MYSTIC — A clerical error that led to organizers missing a state deadline to obtain a permit nearly led to the cancellation of the Mystic Memorial Day Parade, but a partnership between the Connecticut Department of Transportation, local officials and Stonington police has helped rescue the d…
Recent shark bites in Florida and Hawaii and a suspected case in New Jersey have piqued interest in the age-old summer question of whether it's safe to go in the water. Scientists and researchers who study sharks said the overwhelming answer to that question is yes, it is safe. Scientists say potentially dangerous interactions between humans and sharks are uncommon, and serious injuries and deaths from the bites are vanishingly rare. Nonetheless, the dramatic nature of shark bites and the stories of survivors capture the imagination. But there were only 57 unprovoked bites last year worldwide, and five of those were fatal.
WESTERLY — The worlds of literature, theater, film and painting will all come together at the United Theatre next week in "Life is a Story — The Journey of 'Life of Pi' from Story to Screen to Stage," an avant-garde program featuring several artists of note.
STONINGTON — Six years ago, Pawcatuck resident Anthony D. Lombardo embarked on a mission to honor all Stonington veterans both past and present after learning that despite the “two towns, one community,” he and others from the Connecticut side of the Pawcatuck River could not get their names…
A nominee to Connecticut’s highest court has withdrawn her name from consideration. Friday's announcement came after some state lawmakers expressed concern about a letter she signed in 2017 supporting Amy Coney Barrett for a federal appeals court position. Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont released a statement saying Sandra Slack Glover had notified him of her decision to withdraw. The announcement came four days after Glover appeared at a confirmation hearing before the Democratic controlled Judiciary Committee, which had held off from voting on her confirmation.
STONINGTON — Several road detours and road closures will be in place during the Mystic Half Marathon and 10K races on Sunday May 19.
MYSTIC — Academy Point at Mystic was ranked among the best assisted living with memory care communities in Connecticut and the entire U.S. for the second straight year. In U.S. News & World Report’s Best Senior Living ratings, the community was selected following a comprehensive resident…
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said Friday he’s planning to meet with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman about the possibility of moving the Arizona Coyotes to Hartford. Lamont told reporters during a news availability that he hopes the meeting can take place sometime next week. He said Hartford provides a passionate market and a government that would be a willing partner with the team. Talk of a relocation for the Coyotes has taken on steam since voters in Tempe, Arizona this week rejected referendum for an $2.3 billion entertainment district that would allow the franchise to build a new arena there.
Connecticut lawmakers, shaken by the death of a colleague killed this year in a wrong-way crash, have unanimously approved a bill that seeks to curtail the growing problem of wrong-way drivers. The legislation that passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday calls for the installation of detection and notification systems on at least 120 high-risk highway exit ramps statewide — and a new public education campaign. It now moves to the state Senate, where passage is also expected. Democratic Rep. Quentin Williams died Jan. 5 as he returned home from Gov. Ned Lamont’s inaugural ball. Williams' car burst into flames after it was struck head-on by a wrong-way driver.
The former board chairperson of a Connecticut energy cooperative and estranged husband of a California congresswoman has been sentenced to six months in prison. Prosecutors say James Sullivan used public funds to pay for trips to the Kentucky Derby and a luxury golf resort. The one-time congressional candidate in Connecticut was sentenced Wednesday. He has been accused of helping to plan lavish trips in 2015 and 2016 for dozens of top staff, board members, family members totaling $800,000. Prosecutors say the trips were unrelated to the business of the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative. The cooperative receives federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Stonington's budget referendum is being held today from noon to 8 p.m. Here are the polling places for residents:
WESTERLY — The Westerly College Club is now accepting applications for scholarships for the 2023-24 academic year. Applicants must reside in Westerly, Charlestown, Richmond, Hopkinton, Stonington or North Stonington and be entering their sophomore, junior or senior year at an accredited four…
STONINGTON — If you ask Henry Main what his favorite part is about attending West Vine Street Elementary School, he will tell you that it is being part of a community that makes it impossible to have a bad day.
From plant sales to educational programs, the region's garden clubs have sprung to life this spring and will offer a variety of offerings in the coming weeks.
LAWRENCE + MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
STONINGTON — The Mystic Seaport Museum will soon benefit from nearly $215,000 in federal money for upgrades to its shipyard that officials said will enhance efficiency as well as potentially bring more ships and jobs to the community.
STONINGTON — The magic of Mystic, with its historic southern New England charm, has long been a favorite summer spot for southern New Englanders, but the secret that has attracted so many residents to the shoreline community is now out — and it has led to recognition as one of the best touri…
Trade cards were the business cards of the mid- to late-1800s and were used to advertise products and businesses, which today makes them highly desired by collectors.
At age 93, struggling with the effects of a stroke, heart failure and recurrent cancer, Teri Sheridan was ready to end her life using New Jersey’s law that allows medically assisted suicide — but she was bedbound, too sick to travel.
STONINGTON — Absentee ballots for the Tuesday, May 16, budget referendum are now available at the Stonington Town Clerk’s office, 152 Elm St. Applications are available at stonington-ct.gov/town-clerk.
STONINGTON — Bergin O’Malley sat on a piano stool inside La Grua Center Friday morning wearing her heart on her sleeve.
STONINGTON — Historic preservation and environmental cleanup needs have long hindered construction from moving forward at Mystic River Boathouse Park, but approval of site design last week has officials hopeful that a shovel could hit the ground later this year.
LAWRENCE + MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
MYSTIC — The Rotary Club of Mystic awarded seven community grants to area 501(c)3 organizations in its 2023 spring grant cycle.
MYSTIC — The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut and the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce will partner to host the “State of Groton & Stonington” presentation and forum on Friday, April 28, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Hilton Mystic, 20 Coogan Blvd.
MYSTIC — FreshConnections, a Groton based women's networking group, will hold its 2023 Women in Business Forum: Exploring Your Path to Success, on Wednesday, May 3, at the Mystic Hilton, 6 Coogan Blvd, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
GROTON — State Sen. Heather Somers and Beer’d Brewing Co. will hold an Earth Day Clean Up event on Sunday, April 16, at Bluff Point State Park beginning at 10 a.m.
STONINGTON — A Stonington Borough Election Candidates Night Meet and Greet will be held at Borough Hall, 26 Church St., on Monday, April 17, at 7 p.m.
STONINGTON — Need a dairy-free frozen option or struggle with fruit and nut allergies? Unable to wait to sit for dinner?
STONINGTON — A 39-year-old Pawcatuck resident has been identified as the man killed in a crash along Interstate 95 South on Tuesday morning.
STONINGTON — A Pawcatuck man died Tuesday morning in a car crash along I-95 South just past the Exit 91 offramp.
LAWRENCE + MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
STONINGTON — An effort by members of the Stonington Board of Finance to use fewer undesignated funds to offset taxes and restore funding for five projects fell short Tuesday, leading the board to pass an $80.2 million spending proposal for the 2023-24 budget year.
STONINGTON — Nakai Clearwater Northup, a Mashantucket Pequot tribal member and a board member of the Stonington Historical society, will speak tonight at 6 p.m. at the La Grua Center, 32 Water St., Stonington Borough, on the importance of preserving tribal culture and stories in the region a…
MYSTIC — The Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England will partner with the Mystic Aquarium for a Girl Scout Aquarium Takeover on Sunday, April 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
LAWRENCE + MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
STONINGTON — While rumors swirl surrounding candidates who might be running for local office this November, members of the Board of Selectmen are not yet ready to commit to campaigns. Instead, they say, they are more focused on town business.
WESTERLY — The Westerly Hospital will hold a wellness program on colon cancer on Wednesday, March 29, at 5 p.m., at the Westerly Senior Center, 39 State St. Gastroenterologist Dr. Daniel Pievsky will discuss the new guidelines, screening options and ways to prevent colon cancer.