NORWICH BUDGET HEARING
The public had a chance tonight to comment again before the Norwich City Council about the proposed municipal budget for the July 1st fiscal year. Most who spoke urged aldermen to restore spending that was cut from the volunteer fire companies, the police, and other departments by the council last week under its preliminary budget. Plain Hill Road resident Greg Stott, though, thinks a proposed 2-point-4 million dollar appropriation from public utility revenues to the city consolidated district isn’t right. However, CCD resident and businessman Brian Kobylarz says efforts to expand the tax base downtown and throughout Norwich have to be done. The preliminary budget raises city spending by almost 1-point-4 percent. Aldermen are to adopt a final municipal budget next month.
MURDER SUSPECT ARRAIGNED
A Hartford woman charged in a triple-murder in Griswold continues to be held on 2-point-5 million dollars bond, and is due back in court June 6th. 23-year old Ruth Correa was arraigned Monday in New London Superior Court. She was arrested Saturday, and is accused of setting a December, 2017 fire at Kenwood Estates in Griswold that killed the homeowners, Kenneth and Janet Linquist. Correa is also charged with murder in the death of the couple’s son, 21-year old Matthew Linquist, whose remains were found May 5th near where the arson occurred. Police expect more arrests.
ALLEGED COPPER THIEF IN COURT
A Norwich man charged with stealing more than 2-thousand feet of copper wire from an abandoned Jewett City mill was in court Monday. 32-year old Michael Dorantes says he’s been receiving treatment for substance abuse at the Stonington Institute, and is to complete the in-patient program June 5th. He’s to return to court the following day. Dorantes is one of three suspects accused of taking the wire from the former Wyre Wynd Mill on Anthony Street March 20th. Dorantes also faces two probation violation charges stemming from cases in Hartford and Bridgeport.
HIT-AND-RUN ARREST
WESTERLY, R.I. (AP) – Police have made an arrest in connection with a hit-and-run last month that seriously injured a Westerly teen riding a bicycle. Police on Monday charged 25-year-old Zachary Service, of North Stonington,, with leaving the scene of an accident involving serious injury. Service was scheduled to appear in court later Monday. Police allege Service struck 19-year-old Jacob Mitchell with his vehicle at about 11:30 p.m. on April 28. Authorities say Service failed to stop and report the crash and left the area. A passing motorist discovered Mitchell and called for help. Mitchell was brought to the hospital with serious injuries and is still recovering.
TROOPER INVOLVED IN FATAL WAS DRUNK
WOLCOTT, Conn. (AP) – Police say the Connecticut State Police trooper who died in an off-duty crash in February was drunk and speeding at the time. Wolcott Police Chief Edward Stephens said at a news conference Monday that Trooper Danielle Miller had a blood-alcohol content three times the legal limit to drive when her cruiser collided head-on with a pickup truck on Route 69 at about 9 p.m. on Feb. 3. Stephens says the 27-year-old Miller had been driving 79 miles per hour just seconds before the crash and 57 mph at the time of impact. She had crossed into the other lane. Stephens says Miller was at fault.
The pickup truck’s driver was also hospitalized but survived. No charges were filed and Stephens says the investigation is now closed.
GLASSMAN ENDORSED
Former lieutenant governor candidate Mary Glassman has narrowly won the Connecticut Democratic endorsement for the congressional seat currently held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty in a nationally watched race. Glassman edged 2016 national teacher of the year Jahana Hayes by a delegate vote of 173 to 167 Monday night at the Democratic 5th Congressional District convention in Waterbury. Hayes won the initial tally, but several delegates in New Britain, where Glassman grew up, changed their votes at the last minute and gave the nomination to Glassman. Hayes automatically qualified to run against Glassman in the August primary. Glassman won the 2006 Democratic primary for lieutenant governor but lost in the general election that year. Esty announced last month that she wouldn’t seek re-election amid criticism over her handling of sexual harassment complaints against her former chief of staff.
CUPCAKES WITH BODILY FLUIDS
WINCHESTER, Conn. (AP) – Police have charged four people they say brought cupcakes tainted with bodily fluids to their Connecticut school last year. Two boys and two girls, whose names are not being released because they were juveniles at the time of the alleged actions, were charged Monday with offenses including fourth-degree sexual assault and second-degree breach of peace. Winchester police said three suspects are now in college and all turned themselves in after learning of their arrest warrants. Police started investigating last June after getting complaints that the students brought cupcakes to The Gilbert School that were tainted with bodily fluids. Authorities have not specified the fluid. Authorities say they do not think the substance added to the batter or frosting was toxic and there were no reports of illnesses.
