YOUR SHORT-TERM FORECAST – TONIGHT: MAINLY CLEAR, MILD, OVERNIGHT LOWS 60-65. SATURDAY: PARTLY SUNNY, VERY WARM & HUMID WITH SCATTERED LATE AFTERNOON & EVENING THUNDER-STORMS. HIGHS 85-90. SUNDAY: PARTLY SUNNY & WARM, SCATTERED LATE AFTERNOON/EVENING SHOWERS AND/OR THUNDER-STORMS. HIGHS 80-85. MONDAY: MOSTLY SUNNY. PLEASANT. HIGHS 70-75
WE NOW KNOW THAT A PERSON DIED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AFTER THEIR CAR WENT INTO THE WATER AT THE LAKE MCDONOUGH BOAT LAUNCH IN BARKHAMSTED. THE VICTIM’S IDENTITY HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED. CHANNEL-3 EYEWITNESS NEWS REPORTS THE BARKHAMSTED EAST VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY SAID IT APPEARS THE DRIVER SUFFERED A MEDICAL EPISODE WHILE REMOVING THEIR BOAT FROM THE WATER AFTER A DAY OF FISHING, AND THAT’S WHEN THE CAR ENTERED THE LAKE. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AROUND 3:15PM. FIREFIGHTERS SAID A CONSERVATION RANGER AND A PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER FROM THE MDC RISKED THEIR LIVES TO DIVE INTO THE WATER AND PULL THE DRIVER FROM THE CAR. THEY PERFORMED CPR ON THE PERSON WHO ULTIMATELY DIED. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY UNDERWATER WITH A BOAT AND TRAILER ATTACHED, ACCORDING TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE GOSHEN DIVE TEAM AND FIREFIGHTERS FROM BARKHAMSTED, PLEASANT VALLEY, RIVERTON AND NEW HARTFORD RESPONDED.
FIREFIGHTERS RESCUED NINE DOGS FROM A HOUSE FIRE ON LORRAINE STREET IN NEW BRITAIN YESTERDAY. CREWS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED A BLAZE IN A SECOND-FLOOR BEDROOM AFTER ALL RESIDENTS HAD SAFELY EVACUATED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED, AND THE CAUSE REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.
A SMALL PLANE MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FLOWER FIELD YESTERDAY AFTERNOON SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING FROM SIMSBURY AIRPORT. OFFICIALS SAID MINOR INJURIES WERE REPORTED. NO ADDITIONAL DETAILS HAVE BEEN RELEASED.
GOVERNOR NED LAMONT SIGNED LEGISLATION EXTENDING CONNECTICUT’S SOLAR INCENTIVE PROGRAMS AND DIRECTING THE ‘PUBLIC UTILITY REGULATORY AUTHORITY’ TO DEVELOP A NEW RENEWABLE ENERGY INITIATIVE. THE LAW ALSO SUPPORTS PLUG-IN SOLAR PANELS, ENERGY STORAGE INCENTIVES, AND FASTER SOLAR PERMITTING. IT TAKES EFFECT JULY 1ST.
NEW MILFORD POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A SCHOOL EMPLOYEE ACCUSED OF INAPPROPRIATE COMMUNICATIONS WITH A STUDENT. THE NEW MILFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED THE REPORT ON MAY 22. THE ALLEGED COMMUNICATIONS OCCURRED DURING THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR. POLICE SAY THEY’VE IDENTIFIED THE PEOPLE INVOLVED BUT ARE NOT RELEASING NAMES WHILE THE INVESTIGATION REMAINS ACTIVE. CHANNEL-3 EYEWITNESS NEWS REPORTS IT HAS REACHED OUT FOR AN UPDATE ON THE TEACHER’S EMPLOYMENT STATUS. AUTHORITIES ARE ASKING ANYONE WITH INFORMATION TO CONTACT THE LEAD DETECTIVE (860)355-3133. POLICE SAY THEY’LL RELEASE MORE DETAILS WHEN THE INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETE. THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS HANDLING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EMPLOYEE’S JOB STATUS.
A NEW REPORT ALLEGES FORMER NEW BRITAIN MAYOR ERIN STEWART IMPROPERLY RECEIVED A NEARLY $151,000 SEVERANCE PACKAGE AND OTHER BENEFITS. INVESTIGATORS RECOMMENDED THE FINDINGS BE REVIEWED BY STATE AND FEDERAL AUTHORITIES. THE REPORT HAS ADDED TO SEVERAL ONGOING INVESTIGATIONS. AMONG THEM: STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL WILLIAM TONG ANNOUNCED WEDNESDAY THAT HIS OFFICE, ALONG WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION, LAUNCHED A PROBE INTO HOW STEWART HANDLED THE CITY’S CHARITABLE FUNDS. STEWART IS ALREADY BEING INVESTIGATED FOR RACKING UP $200,000 ON HER CITY CREDIT CARD. INVESTIGATORS FOUND A MAJORITY OF THE MONEY WAS FOR PERSONAL EXPENSES FOR HERSELF AND HER FAMILY. CURRENT MAYOR BOBBY SANCHEZ STARTED THE INVESTIGATIONS WHEN HE TOOK OFFICE, AND NOW WANTS STEWART TO PAY BACK THE MIS-USED FUNDS AND COVER THE COST OF ALL 3 INVESTIGATIONS. THE CITY SAYS STEWART GOT $122,000 IN BENEFITS SHE WAS NOT ENTITLED TO. SANCHEZ SAID HE KNEW THERE WERE ISSUES BUT NOT TO THE LEVEL LAID OUT IN THE REPORTS. HE SAID STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.
CONNECTICUT WILL PROVIDE A ONE-TIME $300 FOOD ALLOWANCE TO ABOUT 25,000 RESIDENTS WHO ARE LOSING FEDERAL SNAP BENEFITS BECAUSE OF NEW ELIGIBILITY AND WORK REQUIREMENTS. GOVERNOR NED LAMONT ANNOUNCED WEDNESDAY THAT THE STATE WILL USE $8.5 MILLION IN CONTINGENCY FUNDS TO CREATE A TEMPORARY “SNAP GAP” PROGRAM. THE ASSISTANCE IS AIMED AT ABLE-BODIED ADULTS WHO NO LONGER QUALIFY FOR FEDERAL FOOD AID UNDER CHANGES ENACTED IN PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S ‘ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL’ BUDGET LAW SIGNED LAST JULY. THE CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES PLANS TO ISSUE ONE-TIME GROCERY BENEFIT CARDS IN AUGUST, ONCE A NEW PAYMENT PLATFORM IS READY. RECIPIENTS WILL BE ABLE TO DOWNLOAD THE CARD TO THEIR PHONES AND USE IT MUCH LIKE AN EBT CARD, WITH PURCHASES LIMITED TO APPROVED FOOD AND BEVERAGE ITEMS. DSS COMMISSIONER ANDREA BARTON REEVES SAID THE PAYMENT WON’T FULLY REPLACE LOST SNAP BENEFITS, WHICH AVERAGE ABOUT $190 A MONTH PER PERSON. STILL, SHE SAYS, “IT MAY NOT BE WHAT EVERYBODY THINKS IT SHOULD BE, BUT IT IS WHAT WE CAN DO.”
TORRINGTON FIREFIGHTERS WERE KEPT BUSY WEDNESDAY AND ARE TAKING TIME TO THANK BYSTANDERS FOR THEIR HELP ON A COUPLE OF CALLS. TORRINGTON FIRE UNION LOCAL 1567 OFFICIALS POSTED ON FACEBOOK THAT THEY WERE DISPATCHED TO COLLEGE AVENUE FOR A REPORT OF A STRUCTURE FIRE. THE OCCUPANT TOLD FIREFIGHTERS HE SMELLED SMOKE IN THE HOME AND FOUND A FIRE BURNING UP THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE. THIS RESIDENT’S QUICK ACTIONS SAVED FURTHER DAMAGE. CREWS CONFIRMED NO FIRE HAD EXTENDED FURTHER INTO THE STRUCTURE. JUST AFTER LUNCH, FIREFIGHTERS WERE SENT TO EAST MAIN STREET FOR A REPORTED MULTIPLE VEHICLE COLLISION WITH A CAR REPORTED TO HAVE ROLLED OVER WITH THE OCCUPANTS TRAPPED. ONE VEHICLE WAS FOUND ON ITS ROOF WITH ANOTHER SERIOUSLY DAMAGED NEARBY. QUICK ACTING BYSTANDERS WERE ABLE TO REMOVE THE DRIVER FROM THE VEHICLE. LOCAL 1567 MEMBERS COMMENDED CITIZENS’ QUICK THINKING AND DECISIVE ACTION IN NOT ONLY CONTAINING A FIRE BUT ALSO IN STEPPING UP TO HELP OTHERS IN THEIR TIME OF NEED. GOOD WORK!
THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IS EXTENDING THE APPLICATION PERIOD FOR LIFEGUARDS TO TRY TO STAFF POSITIONS AT BURR POND STATE PARK IN TORRINGTON. BILL FLOOD, AN AGENCY SPOKESPERSON, TELLS CT-INSIDER THE D-E-E-P HAD HIRED 75 LIFEGUARDS AS OF THURSDAY. SEVEN OTHER SWIMMING AREAS WITH LIFEGUARDS ARE FULLY STAFFED, WITH ONLY BURR POND REMAINING. FLOOD SAYS THEY’RE EXTENDING THE APPLICATION PERIOD AN ADDITIONAL 2 WEEKS FOR THAT SPOT IN THE HOPES OF GENERATING A FEW MORE RECRUITS. THE SALARY RANGE FOR LIFEGUARDS IS $20 TO $23.94 PER HOUR, ACCORDING TO THE JOB LISTING POSTED BY DEEP. THE AGENCY PROVIDES PAID TRAINING TO LIFEGUARD APPLICANTS. THE SEASONAL JOB RUNS FROM MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND THROUGH LABOR DAY, SEPTEMBER 7. BEFORE THE 2-WEEK EXTENTION, THE APPLICATION DEADLINE TO BECOME A DEEP LIFEGUARD AT STATE PARKS HAD BEEN SET TO CLOSE AT 11:59 P.M. THURSDAY NIGHT. THE EXTENSION IN THE HOPES OF RECRUITING MORE LIFEGUARDS FOR BURR POND COMES AS THE D-E-E-P HAS STRUGGLED WITH A WIDER LIFEGUARD SHORTAGE IN RECENT YEARS. TO APPLY, LIFEGUARD CANDIDATES MUST BE 16 OR OLDER, BE FLUENT IN ENGLISH, AND BE ABLE TO PASS THE TRAINING PREREQUISITES AND STATE-ISSUED CERTIFICATIONS.
BARGAIN HUNTERS, AND TREASURE SEEKERS – THIS IS YOUR WEEKEND! THE NEW HARTFORD LION’S CLUB INVITES YOU TO THE SPRING EDITION OF THEIR GIANT FLEA MARKET THIS SATURDAY AT BRODIE PARK IN NEW HARTFORD. WITH SATURDAY’S GOOD FORECAST, ORGANIZERS EXPECT BETWEEN 60 AND 90 VENDORS FEATURING ANTIQUES, COLLECTIBLES, MEMORABILIA, HOUSEHOLD ESSENTIALS, CLOTHING, JEWELRY, TOYS AND MORE. COME FOR LUNCH AND EVEN HAVE A HORSE RIDE FOR JUST $5! ALL FLEA MARKET PROCEEDS RETURN TO THE COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS, LOCAL FOOD BANKS, ASSISTING RESIDENTS IN NEED, AND DISASTER RELIEF. IT’S ALL THIS SATURDAY, 8 TO 3, RAIN OR SHINE, AT BRODIE PARK, WEST HILL ROAD IN NEW HARTFORD. ADMISSION IS $3, WITH EARLY BIRDS WELCOME @ 6AM FOR $10.