Daily Voice Readers’ Choice

Accepting Nominations Now Through Sunday, October 11th

USPS Reveals 2026 Holiday Shipping Deadlines: When To Send Gifts USPS Reveals 2026 Holiday Shipping Deadlines: When To Send Gifts
USPS Reveals 2026 Holiday Shipping Deadlines: When To Send Gifts The US Postal Service has announced its recommended holiday shipping deadlines for anyone hoping to get cards and packages delivered before Christmas. The USPS released its mailing and shipping dates for the 2026 holiday season on Tuesday, Sept. 22. The agency is urging customers to plan ahead and send packages early to help ensure they arrive by Friday, Dec. 25. For the contiguous US, including the Northeast, the recommended deadlines are: USPS Ground Advantage - Thursday, Dec. 17 First-Class Mail - Thursday, Dec. 17 Priority Mail - Friday, Dec. 18 Priority Mail Express -&…
Monopoly Returns To McDonald's With Life-Changing Prizes: Here's When Monopoly Returns To McDonald's With Life-Changing Prizes: Here's When
Monopoly Returns To McDonald's With Life-Changing Prizes: Here's When Monopoly is returning to McDonald's with huge prizes up for grabs, including $1 million in cash, new vehicles, vacations, and help paying for a home or college debt. McDonald's announced on Tuesday, Sept. 22, that the popular game will return nationwide for a limited time starting on Tuesday, Oct. 6. The promotion comes one year after McDonald's brought Monopoly back to US restaurants for the first time in nearly a decade. The 2026 edition will bring back the classic peel-off pieces, with all gameplay taking place on the McDonald's app. Eligible items include the Quarter Pounder with C…
Woman Charged With Murder After Man Found Dead In Apartment, Surrounded By Signs Of Struggle Woman Charged With Murder After Man Found Dead In Apartment, Surrounded By Signs Of Struggle
Woman Charged With Murder After Man Found Dead In Apartment, Surrounded By Signs Of Struggle A Connecticut woman faces a murder charge after police said they found a man dead inside an apartment with serious injuries and signs of a struggle. Guadalupe Ojeda, 39, of Waterbury, was arrested following the discovery at 13 Cherry Ave. in Waterbury shortly after 8:20 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 21, police said.  Waterbury officers said they found an unresponsive man on the floor. He was not breathing and had several serious injuries. Emergency medical workers pronounced him dead at the scene. Police described him as an unidentified adult. Investigators identified Ojeda as the main suspe…
Readers' Choice 2026 Is Here! Love A Local Favorite? Make Sure It Gets On The Ballot Readers' Choice 2026 Is Here! Love A Local Favorite? Make Sure It Gets On The Ballot
Readers' Choice 2026 Is Here! Love A Local Favorite? Make Sure It Gets On The Ballot Your favorite restaurant. Your go-to salon. The local business that always comes through. The place you tell everyone they have to check out. Now’s your chance, Fairfield County, to make sure they get the recognition they deserve. NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITES TODAY! Nominations for the 2026 Daily Voice Readers’ Choice Awards open Sept. 14, giving readers just four weeks to help decide which local favorites will make the ballot. From Food & Drink spots serving the meals you can’t stop thinking about to the Self Care pros you trust to keep you looking and feeling your best, we want to hear ab…
17 Years After CT Police Shooting, State Clears Officers, Blames Missing Report For Delay 17 Years After CT Police Shooting, State Clears Officers, Blames Missing Report For Delay
17 Years After CT Police Shooting, State Clears Officers, Blames Missing Report For Delay Connecticut’s inspector general has cleared three officers in a fatal East Hartford shooting, 17 years after the encounter left a family waiting for answers. The report released Tuesday, Sept. 22, finds that East Hartford officers Keith Ledoux and Frederick Paquette and West Hartford officer Eric Rocheleau lawfully used deadly force against Robert Gilbert, 52, on May 24, 2009. Inspector General Eliot D. Prescott concluded that the officers reasonably feared Gilbert would shoot when he pointed a shotgun toward them. But the report also reveals a major failure: State police largely completed…
'Looksmaxxing' Influencer Clavicular Charged With Rape, Drugging Teen In New England: Reports 'Looksmaxxing' Influencer Clavicular Charged With Rape, Drugging Teen In New England: Reports
'Looksmaxxing' Influencer Clavicular Charged With Rape, Drugging Teen In New England: Reports The controversial influencer behind the "looksmaxxing" trend is accused of raping and drugging a teen girl in Massachusetts. Clavicular, whose real name is Braden Eric Peters, was charged with one count each of rape, drugging a person for sexual intercourse, and providing alcohol to a minor. The Bulwark first reported the charges on Monday, Sept. 21. The charges against the 20-year-old were filed in Orleans District Court on Tuesday, Sept. 8, and reportedly stem from an incident on Cape Cod on Friday, May 23, 2025. The timeline appears to match allegations made in a separate civi…
Brothers-In-Law Killed In Hersheypark Crash By Teen High At 70+ MPH: Police Brothers-In-Law Killed In Hersheypark Crash By Teen High At 70+ MPH: Police
Brothers-In-Law Killed In Hersheypark Crash By Teen High At 70+ MPH: Police Two brothers-in-law building a business together were killed near Hersheypark by a 17-year-old driver who was high on marijuana and traveling more than 70 mph, police announced following a monthlong investigation. Ronald "Ron" Lindenmuth, 57, of Phoenix, Arizona, and James "Jim" Eyerly, 63, of Harrisburg, were killed in the head-on crash at West Hersheypark Drive and North Hockersville Road on Tuesday, Aug. 11. The Harrisburg teen has now been charged as a juvenile with homicide by vehicle while DUI and DUI involving a controlled substance or metabolite, Derry Township police announced in a…
Trump Floats New AI Name In UN Speech: Here's What He Says It Should Now Be Called Trump Floats New AI Name In UN Speech: Here's What He Says It Should Now Be Called
Trump Floats New AI Name In UN Speech: Here's What He Says It Should Now Be Called A brief moment during President Donald Trump’s UN address put a familiar tech term in the spotlight. Trump used part of his roughly 30-minute speech Tuesday morning, Sept. 22, before the United Nations General Assembly in Manhattan to argue against what he called a “globalist scheme” to control artificial intelligence. Instead, Trump proposed calling artificial intelligence “super intelligence,” or “SI.” “We’ll see if it sticks,” he said. Trump said the US should promote, rather than restrain, the technology. He described its potential as “bigger than the industrial revolution” and said t…
Hayden Panettiere's Cause Of Death Revealed: Reports Hayden Panettiere's Cause Of Death Revealed: Reports
Hayden Panettiere's Cause Of Death Revealed: Reports Hayden Panettiere's cause of death has been revealed more than a month after the 36-year-old actress was found unresponsive in South Carolina. Panettiere died from the toxic effects of fentanyl, Xanax, and other drugs, the Greenville County Coroner's Office said in a statement to Variety on Tuesday, Sept. 22. "The cause of death has been ruled as toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, Alprazolam, Methocarbamol and Quetiapine," the coroner's office said. "The manner of death has been ruled accident." Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid, and 4-ANPP is a chemical used to illegally manufa…
Stop & Shop Announces Fall Giveaway, New Grocery Offers Stop & Shop Announces Fall Giveaway, New Grocery Offers
Stop & Shop Announces Fall Giveaway, New Grocery Offers Stop & Shop is brewing up a new freebie, giving shoppers a limited window to claim a seasonal pick-me-up. The supermarket chain will offer a free 48-ounce bottle of its ready-to-drink cold brew coffee from Friday, Sept. 25, through Thursday, Oct. 1, while supplies last, the company announced. No purchase is necessary. However, customers must check in at an in-store Savings Station kiosk using a GO Rewards account to activate the offer. Checking in automatically adds a digital coupon to the shopper’s account. Customers without an account can create one at the kiosk. The giveaway is lim…
Friday Night Lights Meets Lord of the Flies in New Memoir Friday Night Lights Meets Lord of the Flies in New Memoir
Friday Night Lights Meets Lord of the Flies in New Memoir Strike Season is the amazing true story of a high school football team that was forced to practice and play games without coaches during an unforgettable season because their teachers went on strike and pulled the coaches from the sideline as part of a bitter labor dispute. This is the debut memoir of Michael Eck, the quarterback for this 1979 team who, along with his co-captains, was faced with the unprecedented responsibilities of playing and coaching this talented team in Pittsburgh, the hotbed of high school football. Strike Season is a poignant memoir about the lengths young people wi…
Nationwide Food Recall Targets Pantry Staples Nationwide Food Recall Targets Pantry Staples
Nationwide Food Recall Targets Pantry Staples A nationwide food recall is putting a range of pantry products under the microscope. GF Blends announced the recall Friday, Sept. 18, for select Truly AIP flour and bread mixes, plus EAT G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R. flat bread pizza mixes, according to the company’s FDA-posted announcement. The products may contain undeclared wheat gluten. People with celiac disease or a severe gluten intolerance could have adverse health effects or allergic reactions if they consume the recalled items, GF Blends said. The company said independent third-party testing found gluten in plantain flour supplied by PMF Glob…
Nor'easter Threat Grows: Here's Where Heaviest Rain Could Hit Nor'easter Threat Grows: Here's Where Heaviest Rain Could Hit
Nor'easter Threat Grows: Here's Where Heaviest Rain Could Hit A strengthening Nor'easter could deliver trouble in stages this week, battering Mid-Atlantic shorelines before shifting its heavier rain threat toward New England. The National Weather Service issued new coastal wind and marine alerts Tuesday, Sept. 22, warning of repeated tidal flooding, dangerous surf, and beach erosion.  A wind advisory covers New Jersey’s Atlantic shoreline Wednesday, Sept. 23, with gusts near 45 mph possible. National Weather Service forecast The immediate concern stretches south through Maryland and Virginia. Gusts could reach 40 to 45 mph along the Atlantic coa…
Start Of Fall Will Be Followed By Nights Of Harvest Moon Viewing: Timing Start Of Fall Will Be Followed By Nights Of Harvest Moon Viewing: Timing
Start Of Fall Will Be Followed By Nights Of Harvest Moon Viewing: Timing Fall will get its first major sky show just days after the season officially begins. The autumnal equinox arrives Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 8:05 p.m. EDT, marking the start of astronomical fall in the Northern Hemisphere, NASA says. The event occurs when the Sun crosses above Earth’s equator, leaving day and night close to equal in length. Four days later, the Harvest Moon will take center stage. NASA says the full moon will rise in the east shortly after sunset on Saturday, Sept. 26. It will appear near Saturn, with Neptune completing a loose triangle in the sky. The moon reaches peak illumi…
$167.5 Million Visa, Mastercard Settlement Could Mean Money For You: What To Know $167.5 Million Visa, Mastercard Settlement Could Mean Money For You: What To Know
$167.5 Million Visa, Mastercard Settlement Could Mean Money For You: What To Know A multimillion-dollar settlement involving two of the world's biggest payment networks could put money back in consumers' pockets. Visa and Mastercard have agreed to a proposed $167.5 million class-action settlement covering certain ATM transactions dating back nearly two decades, according to the court-authorized settlement website. The case involves people who paid an access fee to withdraw cash from an independent ATM between Oct. 24, 2007, and Aug. 14, 2026, and were not fully reimbursed by their bank. Independent ATMs are machines not owned by Visa, Mastercard, a bank, or another fina…
Apple To Pay iPhone Buyers Up To $95 In Major Settlement: See If You Qualify Apple To Pay iPhone Buyers Up To $95 In Major Settlement: See If You Qualify
Apple To Pay iPhone Buyers Up To $95 In Major Settlement: See If You Qualify Millions of iPhone buyers can now file claims from a $250 million settlement over claims of misleading advertising from Apple. The claims process has opened for consumers who bought certain iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models between Monday, June 10, 2024, and Saturday, March 29, 2025, according to the settlement website. The settlement follows a class action lawsuit accusing Apple of misleading customers with ads for new AI-powered features, including an enhanced Siri personal digital assistant, that weren't available as expected. Apple denied wrongdoing but agreed in May to pay $250 million t…
After 16 Years Apart, CT Son Discovers How Deeply His Norwich Dad Was Loved In His Final Days After 16 Years Apart, CT Son Discovers How Deeply His Norwich Dad Was Loved In His Final Days
After 16 Years Apart, CT Son Discovers How Deeply His Norwich Dad Was Loved In His Final Days Connecticut resident Dylan Sanborn said he gained a much deeper understanding of his father 16 years after they became estranged. Tragically, that understanding came only weeks before Jack Sanborn died following a hit-and-run crash. "Everybody loved Jack," Dylan said. "... I sat in that hospital and saw all walks of life come through that door." Click here for more information on the GoFundMe to pay for Jack Sanborn's funeral Jack was on his way home from the store in Norwich after buying milk on Aug. 21 when a driver struck his e-bike, sending him headfirst onto the pavement. The impact…
New No. 1 Crowned In Best Colleges Rankings: 2 CT Schools Make Top 100 New No. 1 Crowned In Best Colleges Rankings: 2 CT Schools Make Top 100
New No. 1 Crowned In Best Colleges Rankings: 2 CT Schools Make Top 100 Nearly 50 colleges across the Northeast have been recognized as some of the best in the nation. U.S. News released its 2027 Best Colleges rankings on Tuesday, Sept. 22. Massachusetts Institute of Technology took the No. 1 position on the national list, followed by Princeton University and Harvard University. MIT replaced Princeton at the top after the New Jersey university held the No. 1 spot for 15 straight editions beginning in 2012. The 42nd edition of the rankings evaluates nearly 1,700 colleges using up to 17 measures of academic quality and success. Student outcomes make up more…
Chase Ends In Crash, Standoff After New England Man Returns To NY Store: Police Chase Ends In Crash, Standoff After New England Man Returns To NY Store: Police
Chase Ends In Crash, Standoff After New England Man Returns To NY Store: Police A man who police say twice violated an order of protection at a New York business led officers on a chase that ended with a crash and a standoff, authorities announced Monday, Sept. 21. The incident began at Beer Universe, 16 West Avenue, in Saratoga Springs around 3:39 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, when local police were called for a man attempting to speak with someone inside the store despite a full stay-away order of protection, according to the department. Officers arrived and attempted to speak with the man, who was already inside a vehicle in the parking lot, police said. He allegedl…
Fugitive CT Official Kosta Diamantis Seeks Trump Pardon After Fleeing To Greece Fugitive CT Official Kosta Diamantis Seeks Trump Pardon After Fleeing To Greece
Fugitive CT Official Kosta Diamantis Seeks Trump Pardon After Fleeing To Greece Konstantinos “Kosta” Diamantis fled the United States for Greece before sentencing for public corruption. Now he hopes President Donald Trump will pardon him so he can return home without being arrested, he told WTNH during a video call on Monday, Sept. 21. A federal jury convicted Diamantis in October 2025 on 21 felony counts, including bribery, extortion, conspiracy and making false statements to federal investigators. Prosecutors said Diamantis demanded and accepted payments from contractors while leading Connecticut’s Office of School Construction Grants and Review. The companies so…
CT Town Residents Dig In Against Amazon Warehouse Over Water, Traffic Fears: 'Keep It Rural' CT Town Residents Dig In Against Amazon Warehouse Over Water, Traffic Fears: 'Keep It Rural'
CT Town Residents Dig In Against Amazon Warehouse Over Water, Traffic Fears: 'Keep It Rural' Many residents of Killingly will tell you they love the quiet, rural, friendly community they've spent decades building, but some now say all that is at stake as they dig in to fight a proposed 1.3 million-square-foot Amazon warehouse A group of residents calling themselves "Keep Killingly Rural" has launched a GoFundMe with an initial $15,000 goal. Organizers say donations will pay for advocacy, protection and public awareness as the permit process moves ahead.  They fear that the massive warehouse could pollute the waterways, add hundreds of additional trucks and vehic…
Drunk Fairfield County Driver 2X Legal Limit Had Kids In Car On I-84 In NY: Police Drunk Fairfield County Driver 2X Legal Limit Had Kids In Car On I-84 In NY: Police
Drunk Fairfield County Driver 2X Legal Limit Had Kids In Car On I-84 In NY: Police A Connecticut driver had two young children in his car when New York State Police say he was caught driving with twice the legal blood alcohol limit on I-84. Edber Torres Chamba, 35, of Danbury, was stopped while traveling east on I-84 in Southeast around 3:25 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, after troopers spotted vehicle and traffic law violations, New York State Police said. During the stop, Torres Chamba showed signs of intoxication and was given standardized field sobriety tests, police said. Troopers then discovered two children, ages 1 and 8, inside the vehicle, according to police. Torr…
Popular CT Italian Eatery Lena’s Restaurant To Close After 44 Years: Here’s Why Popular CT Italian Eatery Lena’s Restaurant To Close After 44 Years: Here’s Why
Popular CT Italian Eatery Lena’s Restaurant To Close After 44 Years: Here’s Why A popular Connecticut restaurant and bar will close its doors for good for more than 44 years in business this weekend.  Lena’s Restaurant & Bar in South Windsor announced it would will close after service on Saturday, Sept. 26.  The owners of the John Fitch Boulevard resturaunt blamed “ongoing kitchen staffing challenges” for the closure. “Despite our continued efforts, ongoing kitchen staffing challenges have made it increasingly difficult to sustain our restaurant operations at the standards we expect,” the restaurant said in a statement. “After careful consideration,…
Mass College Football Player Killed, Teammate Hurt, Student Charged With Murder In Rhode Island Mass College Football Player Killed, Teammate Hurt, Student Charged With Murder In Rhode Island
Mass College Football Player Killed, Teammate Hurt, Student Charged With Murder In Rhode Island A University of Massachusetts Dartmouth freshman was fatally stabbed after a dispute spilled into a Providence, Rhode Island, fast-food parking lot, following a football game, police said. Providence officers responded to the Wendy’s parking lot around midnight Saturday, Sept. 19 and found two UMass Dartmouth football players with stab wounds. Marvin Antoine, 18, had been stabbed in the chest. An ambulance took him to Rhode Island Hospital, where he died.  Antoine was a freshman running back. Freshman defensive back Kensley Macean, 19, suffered injuries to his head, neck and lef…
Victim Dies Week After Firefighters Pull Them From Danbury House Fire: Police Victim Dies Week After Firefighters Pull Them From Danbury House Fire: Police
Victim Dies Week After Firefighters Pull Them From Danbury House Fire: Police A person who was trapped inside a burning home last week has died from their injuries, authorities announced on Monday. Sept. 21.  Danbury firefighters were called to a home shortly after 1 p.m. on Sept. 14 and were told that someone could be trapped inside, authorities said.  Firefighters pushed their way inside, found the individual, and began providing medical care. Paramedics rushed them to an area hospital.  The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner announced Monday that the victim had died.  Authorities didn't release the victim's name.  The Danb…
Faire Thee Well: Robin Hood’s Medieval Faire Ends Its Connecticut Reign — What's Next? Faire Thee Well: Robin Hood’s Medieval Faire Ends Its Connecticut Reign — What's Next?
Faire Thee Well: Robin Hood’s Medieval Faire Ends Its Connecticut Reign — What's Next? Hear ye, hear ye: Robin Hood’s Medieval Faire hath closed its gates, and the beloved gathering shall return no more. Organizers announced over the weekend that it will not operate in 2027 so it can focus on a Connecticut renaissance festival that's faster-growing. Robin Hood's Medieval Faire's final season ran from May 16 through June 21, 2026, at the Harwinton Fairgrounds. Founded in 2010, Robin Hood’s Medieval Faire drew more than 18,000 visitors to Harwinton this spring. Guests watched live entertainment, met performers and explored the merchants’ marketplace. The event also offer…
Dead Animals, Coffin, Severed Finger Left At Masonic Lodge: Police Dead Animals, Coffin, Severed Finger Left At Masonic Lodge: Police
Dead Animals, Coffin, Severed Finger Left At Masonic Lodge: Police Dead animals, cryptic messages, a miniature coffin, and a severed finger were among the disturbing objects repeatedly left outside a Pennsylvania Masonic lodge before a traffic stop led investigators to a suspect, police announced Monday, Sept. 21. Joshua Albert Reisinger, 37, was arrested following an investigation into more than a month of incidents at Paxton Lodge No. 16 Masonic Hall at 410 North Harrisburg Street in Steelton, according to the Steelton Borough Police Department. Between Aug. 15 and Sept. 20, investigators said unusual objects and written messages were intentionally left …
18-Year-Old Soldier Killed During Firearms Training; Shooter Agrees To Plead Guilty: DOJ 18-Year-Old Soldier Killed During Firearms Training; Shooter Agrees To Plead Guilty: DOJ
18-Year-Old Soldier Killed During Firearms Training; Shooter Agrees To Plead Guilty: DOJ An 18-year-old soldier was killed during firearms training when the shooter conducting the exercise acted in a "grossly negligent manner," and now, more than six months later and only after his family begged for answers, he has agreed to plead guilty, federal prosecutors announced. Sean Stark, 38, of Carlisle, was charged by criminal information on Monday, Sept. 21, in connection with the March 12 death of Specialist Krystofer Lee Lopez at Letterkenny Army Depot, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Federal prosecutors allege Stark killed Lopez whil…
Dead Dogs Found Stashed Beneath Carpet, 7 Living Dogs Seized In CT: Warrants Dead Dogs Found Stashed Beneath Carpet, 7 Living Dogs Seized In CT: Warrants
Dead Dogs Found Stashed Beneath Carpet, 7 Living Dogs Seized In CT: Warrants Police searching a Connecticut property found multiple dead dogs and six living dogs in dangerous and unsanitary conditions, according to arrest warrant affidavits. Troy D. McDermott, 49, of Hartford, and Crystal M. Bianco, 44, of Deep River, were arrested after police made the discovery at a property on Saner Road in Marlborough on Aug. 31, according to the warrants. Marlborough building officials and the Chatham Health District were inspecting the property for health and safety violations. Police joined the inspection because the property had a history of violence, drug use and drug sales…
Krispy Kreme Celebrates Fall With New Treat: How To Get It Krispy Kreme Celebrates Fall With New Treat: How To Get It
Krispy Kreme Celebrates Fall With New Treat: How To Get It Krispy Kreme is adding a new treat to celebrate the first day of fall. The doughnut chain announced the new Churro Doughnut Dots in a news release on Monday, Sept. 21. They will be available for a limited time beginning Tuesday, Sept. 22, at participating locations nationwide. The new Churro Doughnut Dots are made with Krispy Kreme's signature light and airy dough, tossed in cinnamon sugar, and served with dulce de leche dipping sauce. Each order includes eight Doughnut Dots for dipping, dunking, or sharing. The new treat will be available in shops and at drive-thrus while supplies last. …
Major TV Networks, Including Fox News, Make Rare Move After Trump Bans 3 Outlets Major TV Networks, Including Fox News, Make Rare Move After Trump Bans 3 Outlets
Major TV Networks, Including Fox News, Make Rare Move After Trump Bans 3 Outlets A high-stakes White House press fight has triggered an extraordinary new response from television news. Major networks, including Fox News, suspended pooled TV coverage of President Donald Trump on Monday, Sept. 21, after the White House ban on CNN, MS NOW, and Politico created a conflict over the daily coverage arrangement. The rotating TV pool consists of ABC News, CBS News, CNN, Fox News, and NBC News. One network typically provides video coverage of the president’s pool events, then shares the footage with the others and additional outlets. Former White House Correspondents’ Associatio…