STATE OFFICIALS SPEAKING OUT AGAINST DACA REPEAL
STORRS, Conn. (AP) – The presidents of the University of Connecticut and the Connecticut State University system have joined Gov. Dannel P. Malloy in decrying President Donald Trump’s decision to end a program that protects immigrant youth who were brought to the country illegally. Malloy, a Democrat, says the decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program goes against the “core of who we are.” Connecticut State Colleges and Universities President Mark Ojakian says it will have a devastating impact on some of the state’s brightest students. UConn President Susan Herbst says she also has grave concerns, including that some current immigrant students won’t be able to complete employment components of their degree programs or continue graduate assistantships. All three are urging Congress to act to keep the protections is place.
INVESTIGATION INTO COAST GUARD “CLIMATE” URGED
This year, four cadets at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London have spoken out anonymously, claiming racial slurs and discriminatory comments are commonplace on campus. That’s why Representative Chris Soto is asking the state’s Congressional delegation to investigate the matter. He says there’s no place for such behavior at a military institution. Officials with the New London NAACP say they failed to convince Coast Guard leadership to meet with them to discuss the situation earlier this year. Superintendent Rear Admiral James Rendon admits climate issues have always been a concern at the Academy, but he says considerable progress is being made.
RESTAURANT OWNER SENTENCED FOR TRAFFICKING COCAINE
A New London restaurant owner will serve 60 months in prison for trafficking cocaine. The U-S Attorney’s office in Connecticut says 29-year old Paul Mott of Groton obtained the drug from a Bronx, New York-based supplier, and then conspired with others to distribute the drug here in the local area, even using his restaurant, “Carribbean American Kitchen to Go” on Truman Street, to sell the drug. Mott will also have to surrender a 2013 Toyota 4Runner and more than 34-hundred dollars in cash.
PLAINFIELD DOG OWNER NOW IN JAIL
Jail time has begun for the Plainfield woman whose Rottweilers severely attacked a home health care aide in 2014. Jenna Allen will serve 60 days behind bars after being found guilty of first-degree reckless endangerment. Canterbury resident Lynne Denning was attacked by two of Allen’s dogs while in her father’s house. Denning has had to undergo more than 400-thousand dollars worth of reconstructive surgery. Allen was led from Danielson Superior Court today in handcuffs to begin her sentence. She has until December 8th to pay fines levied against her.
TRUCK DRIVER IN COURT
A tractor-trailer driver accused of hitting a Plainfield woman’s car, killing her three-month old daughter, is in Danielson Superior Court Tuesday. 45-year old Edward Stratton of South Glastonbury is out on 25-thousand dollars bond, and is due back in court October 19th. State police say Stratton was driving on Interstate 395 in Plainfield near exit 29 in September of last year, when he hit the rear of a vehicle driven by Erica Bedard of Moosup. Her daughter was secured properly in a car seat, but state police say the impact killed her. State police say Stratton seemed to be distracted at the time of the collision, and didn’t take a mandated break. There were no other injuries.
PAWCATUCK WOMAN CHARGED WITH DWI
A Pawcatuck woman has been accused of driving under the influence after nearly hitting a police cruiser. Stonington police say 56-year old Joyce Allen was driving northbound on Liberty Street around 3 this morning near the Route 1 intersection when she drove into the oncoming lane, and almost hit the cruiser. Police say Allen failed a field sobriety test, was arrested, and later released on a 600-dollar bond. She’s due in court September 12th.
