CONTRACT SIGNED FOR INTERIM NL SCHOOL CHIEF
New London’s interim school superintendent will be paid some 15-thousand dollars a month, plus benefits under a three-month agreement approved by the school board. Stephen Tracy’s contract runs through Thanksgiving Day, but can be extended by up to a year by the board of education, if necessary.
The former school chief in Derby and New Milford was appointed last week to temporarily replace Manuel Rivera, who announced last month he’s retiring. A September 7th public hearing is scheduled at the Science and Technology Magnet High School regarding the search for a new permanent superintendent.
TRUCK DRIVER CHARGED IN DEATH OF PLAINFIELD INFANT
A South Glastonbury truck driver faces arraignment in connection with a crash on Interstate 395 in Plainfield that killed a 3-month old baby. State police say 45-year old Edward Stratton was driving a tractor-trailer near Exit 29 last September when he struck the rear of the car in front of him. The collision killed the infant daughter of the driver of the car, Erica Bedard of Moosup. Bedard suffered non life-threatening injuries. State Police say Stratton was driving without a current medical card, was distracted, and hadn’t taken a mandated break. He was not injured, and there were no signs of alcohol or drugs in his system.
WINDHAM MAN SENTENCED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
A 30-year old Dominican Republic citizen residing in Windham, is sentenced to 15 months in prison for trafficking cocaine and crack. The office of Connecticut’s U-S Attorney says Jose Lizardo-Olea pleaded guilty in December to one count of conspiracy to distribute the drugs, as part of a narcotics ring based in Willimantic. He faces three years of supervised release when he’s released from prison, as well as immigration proceedings.
MASS MAN FACES DRUG CHARGES IN THOMPSON
A Massachusetts man is scheduled to be arraigned September 7th in Danielson Superior Court on drug charges after state police arrested him while driving Saturday night on Interstate 395 in Thompson. 29-year old Isaac Algarin of Westminster, Massachusetts was clocked doing 85 miles per hour while driving northbound near exit 50. State police say they found a backpack in the car’s back seat with a large number of narcotics. Algarin is out on 10-thousand dollars cash bond.
WHAT IS THAT THING??
WESTERLY, R.I. (AP) – Workers will try to remove a mysterious object with steel legs that has puzzled onlookers since it was found lodged underwater off a Westerly beach. WJAR-TV reports that the head of the East Beach Association says a crew will begin excavating the metal object from the ocean floor on Thursday with the hope of removing it intact. The circular object located about 10 feet off shore at low tide has puzzled beachgoers since it was discovered earlier this month. It has eight stainless steel legs and is capped with concrete. Plans to uproot the object were recently canceled due to deteriorating conditions on the beach.
DON’T TOUCH THAT TURTLE!!
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says three people in Connecticut have contracted a salmonella infection linked to turtles. CDC officials said Tuesday that 37 people across 13 states became sick with infections stemming from contact with pet turtles. No deaths have been reported, but 16 people have been hospitalized. The agency says the illnesses began to appear on March 1 and diagnoses continued until Aug. 3. Almost half of the 33 people interviewed by the CDC said they had come in contact with a turtle or its environment. The CDC says the outbreak could continue. CDC officials warn not to buy small turtles as pets or give them as gifts. Officials say all turtles can carry salmonella bacteria even if they look healthy and clean.