MURDER ARREST MADE
New London police say they’ve made an arrest in the murder of Joshua Fine. Fine was shot to death April 2nd in the area of Elm St. and Garfield Ave. David Carson Edwards, also known as “DC ” and “Jerzey,” of 4 Steward St., Apt. 2, was arrested at his home without incident just after 7:00 o’clock Monday night. Edwards is being held on a $1.5 million dollar bond and will be arraigned today in New London Superior Court.
IMMIGRATION RESOLUTION DEBATE GETS HEATED
Tensions run high during a discussion about a controversial proposal that would require New London police to obtain a judicial warrant before arresting or detaining anyone sought by federal immigration officials. City resident Bill Vogel says it’s ridiculous to extend legal protections to undocumented immigrants. Chris Wright says she supports the resolution because it provides a safeguard for vulnerable families, saying its heart-wrenching to hear kids say they’re afraid their parents will be deported. Opponents of the measure say it would clearly identify New London as a sanctuary city. Supporters claim the purpose is to simply protect immigrants from overzealous federal agents.
ORBE BENCHED
Montville school officials announced yesterday that another administrator has been placed on leave. Phil Orbe, the acting assistant principal at Montville High School, was placed on paid leave pending the outcome of an investigation. Assistant Superintendent Laurie Pallin said the matter is related to comments that were made to students and does not have to do with the recent ‘fight club’ investigation. Orbe was serving as interim assistant principal after three administrators were arrested last week for not reporting, alleged organized, in-class fighting.
BATES WOODS BRUSH CATCHES FIRE
New London firefighters, with help from firefighters from Waterford, put out a wind-driven brush fire Monday that burned an area in Bates Woods Park about the size of two football fields. The fire was reported about 3:35 p.m. at 112 Chester St. and it took about two hours to extinguish completely. The area was described as the the old city dump, now covered in underbrush and trees. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
BROWNFIELDS IDENTIFIED
Norwich has identified 143 properties as potential brownfields sites with environmental contamination, from a partially collapsed Capehart Mill complex in Greeneville to a former downtown auto body shop. With a federal grant of $384,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency, the city Redevelopment Agency will rank the sites for assessment studies and possible cleanup plans in a way that would bring likely redevelopment successes. About 20 local residents attended a public forum last night to discuss potential sites that could be targeted for environmental assessments.
