DEATH IN SOBER HOUSE
New London police are investigating an untimely death in a local sober house. Emergency responders were called to 47 Prest Street just before 11 this morning for a possible overdose. 30-year old Zachary Ramsdell was pronounced dead at the scene. Police are asking that anyone with any information about the incident to call them at 860-447-1481.
FIRE IN LINEN BUILDING
Yantic firefighters are crediting the employees at Atlantic City Linen Supply for containing a small fire in the Norwich Business Park building. Crews were called to the Consumers Avenue address this morning to find a laundry machine on fire. Employees had thought they had put it out, but discovered there was still some burning going on, and called firefighters. Yantic fire officials say they train the company’s employees in how to deal with fires in the building, and it prevented a major problem today. Taftville firefighters were also on the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
TOURISM ADVOCACY DAY
Tourism advocates gather at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford today to remind state lawmakers of the importance of marketing Connecticut to potential travelers. A forum held by the Connecticut Tourism Coalition notes every dollar spent on promoting state tourism brings in three dollars in tax revenue. Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut President Tony Sheridan notes surrounding states have budgeted millions of dollars to attract tourists. He suggests there should be a cabinet-level position in the governor’s office dedicated exclusively to tourism, and that the state’s tourism commission should be resurrected. He also says chambers of commerce all across the state should be given a more active role in promoting visitors to come here.
ANY CHANGES NEEDED?
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – Connecticut’s Democratic and Republican legislative leaders want to determine if any changes to the General Assembly’s sexual harassment policy are needed, despite a lack of official sexual harassment complaints filed against Connecticut lawmakers. The lawmakers will hold a public hearing next Monday to hear from invited experts, as well as the public. It’s also an opportunity for any potential victims to come forward. Recent public records requests show no formal complaints of sexual misconduct or harassment complaints against lawmakers over the past decade. But several lawmakers have been verbally reprimanded.
PACKAGE CAUSED NO THREAT
GROTON, Conn. (AP) – Authorities ended a lockdown of the Navy submarine base in Groton after determining that an unattended package was not a threat. The base had been closed to all but essential personnel Wednesday morning as authorities investigated a report of a suspicious package.
I LOVE YOU, TAYLOR!!
ANSONIA, Conn. (AP) – Police say a Connecticut man with a crush on singer Taylor Swift robbed a bank then went to the pop star’s Rhode Island mansion where he threw cash over a fence in an attempt to impress her. Bruce Rowley, of Derby, is charged with robbing an Ansonia bank on April 4. Police say “it seemed he wanted to propose” to Swift, so he drove about 60 miles to Westerly, Rhode Island, and started throwing some of the roughly $1,600 he’s charged with stealing over Swift’s fence. Rowley was pursued by Rhode Island State Police back to Connecticut where he was arrested. That’s where he allegedly told police about his plan. The 26-year-old Rowley was held on $100,000 bond at his arraignment Friday. Online Connecticut court records don’t list a defense attorney.
DO THE DISHES!!
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – Some Connecticut lawmakers want a task force to review what can be done about the over-abundance of old satellite dishes littering apartment building rooftops. Waterbury Rep. Larry Butler, a Democrat and co-chairman of the General Assembly’s Housing Committee, says these dishes are “just sitting in perpetuity on properties” because there’s nothing that requires old dishes to be removed. Republican Rep. Anthony D’Melio of Waterbury owns a building and says he spent more than $500 to have a dish removed. He questions why satellite TV companies install new dishes and don’t use existing ones or remove old dishes when a new tenant moves in. D’Melio says one apartment building in Waterbury has eight dishes. The task force bill cleared the House of Representatives Wednesday 83-61. It now awaits Senate action.
