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Police & Fire
Police Impersonation, Strangulation Lands NY Man Under Arrest — Again Police Impersonation, Strangulation Lands NY Man Under Arrest — Again
Police Impersonation, Strangulation Lands NY Man Under Arrest — Again A New York man who was arrested twice in Connecticut last month is back in custody after police said he was wanted on new charges tied to a vicious domestic incident. Christopher Douglas Hassel, 42, of Syosset, New York, was arrested on an active warrant by the New Canaan Police Department earlier this month, authorities said.  Hassel is charged with third-degree assault, second-degree assault, second-degree strangulation/suffocation, criminal impersonation, impersonating a police officer, and disorderly conduct. His bond was set at $50,000. The latest arrest comes just weeks after Ha…

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by Josh Lanier
Business
Judge Halts Paramount-Warner Bros. Megamerger After Challenge By CT, 11 Other States Judge Halts Paramount-Warner Bros. Megamerger After Challenge By CT, 11 Other States
Judge Halts Paramount-Warner Bros. Megamerger After Challenge By CT, 11 Other States Several Northeast states have won the first round in their effort to block Paramount Skydance's proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. A federal judge in California issued a temporary restraining order on Monday, July 20, preventing Paramount from completing the megamerger. Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York are among a dozen states challenging the deal. The ruling comes one week after the coalition sued to stop what would become the largest merger in Hollywood history. The attorneys general argue the deal would illegally reduce competition by co…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Speeding Driver Triggers 5-Car Chain Reaction Crash On I-91 In Windsor; 4 Taken To Hospital Speeding Driver Triggers 5-Car Chain Reaction Crash On I-91 In Windsor; 4 Taken To Hospital
Speeding Driver Triggers 5-Car Chain Reaction Crash On I-91 In Windsor; 4 Taken To Hospital A speeding driver sparked a five-car chain-reaction crash on Interstate 91 North in Windsor that sent four people to the hospital with minor injuries, according to authorities.  Four of the five vehicles were slowing down near Exit 37 or stopped because of traffic ahead when a fifth vehicle approached from behind, "traveling at a high rate of speed" shortly after 6:49 a.m. on Sunday, July 20, Connecticut State Police said.  The driver swerved right in an attempt to avoid a crash. Instead, the vehicle clipped the rear of an SUV in the right lane, investigators said. The SUV lost c…

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by Josh Lanier
News
Beyoncé And Jay-Z’s Hamptons Estate Breached By Out-Of-Control Driver: Police Beyoncé And Jay-Z’s Hamptons Estate Breached By Out-Of-Control Driver: Police
Beyoncé And Jay-Z’s Hamptons Estate Breached By Out-Of-Control Driver: Police An out-of-control driver crashed through a gate outside Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s home on Long Island, according to police. Cops said Keith Jonathan Webster, 63, slammed into the superstar couple’s East Hampton estate, according to online outlet 27East. Webster, of the Bronx, was held at the scene by private security until police arrived to arrest him. The crash occurred around 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, Newsday reported. The cause or motivation for the wreck remains under investigation. Webster was charged with second-degree criminal mischief and third-degree trespassing, according to Newsday. …

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by Joe Wilkinson
Police & Fire
Wallingford School PTO Treasurer Stole $22K From Elementary School Group, Police Say Wallingford School PTO Treasurer Stole $22K From Elementary School Group, Police Say
Wallingford School PTO Treasurer Stole $22K From Elementary School Group, Police Say A former Connecticut elementary school PTO treasurer is accused of stealing about $22,000 from the organization that supports local students and teachers. Erica L. Vitale, 39, of Wallingford, was arrested Friday, July 17, according to police. She served as treasurer for the Highland Elementary School PTO and had full access to the group's funds.  The PTO claims $22,000 is missing from their accounts, and Vitale cannot account for it, police explained.  Vitale is charged with first-degree larceny and fraudulent use of an automated teller machine, Wallingford police said. She …

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by Josh Lanier
Business
Seats Can Slide Unexpectedly, Triggering Massive Recall Of 387K+ Fords, Lincolns Seats Can Slide Unexpectedly, Triggering Massive Recall Of 387K+ Fords, Lincolns
Seats Can Slide Unexpectedly, Triggering Massive Recall Of 387K+ Fords, Lincolns Nearly 388,000 Ford and Lincoln SUVs are being recalled because second-row seats can unexpectedly tip or slide while driving. Ford Motor Company issued the recall for 387,911 vehicles, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report filed on Tuesday, July 14. The recall affects certain 2020-2026 Ford Explorers and 2020-2027 Lincoln Aviators. The easy-entry switch for the second-row outer seats may bind or become stuck in the down position. The problem can cause a seat to unlatch, tip, or slide unexpectedly while the vehicle is moving. A seat that moves unexpectedly may…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
CT Motorcyclist Critically Injured After Losing Control In Crash While Riding With Other Bikers CT Motorcyclist Critically Injured After Losing Control In Crash While Riding With Other Bikers
CT Motorcyclist Critically Injured After Losing Control In Crash While Riding With Other Bikers A 35-year-old Bridgeport man is fighting for his life after crashing his motorcycle on a New Haven street while riding with a group of other motorcyclists, police said. Editor's note: Police initially reported the man had died, but issued a correction just after 12:30 p.m. Monday after our story was published.  Officers believe the man was riding west on Grand Avenue near the intersection of East Street in New Haven when he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed around 11:40 p.m. on Sunday, July 20, police said.  Responding officers found the rider with severe injuries.&…

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by Josh Lanier
Business
Rita's New Summer Menu Features Frozen Treats Inspired By Iconic Drink, Comedies Rita's New Summer Menu Features Frozen Treats Inspired By Iconic Drink, Comedies
Rita's New Summer Menu Features Frozen Treats Inspired By Iconic Drink, Comedies Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is serving up a new summer menu inspired by some of TV's most popular comedies. The eastern Pennsylvania-based chain launched a limited-time promotion celebrating its new Shirley Temple Ice on Monday, July 20. "A Shirley Good Time" is part of a partnership between Rita's and TBS. The treats are available through Sunday, Aug. 23, at participating Rita's locations. "Summer has always been about creating memories with family and friends, and that's exactly what this partnership is all about," said Carmela Hughley, a senior vice president of ma…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Suspect Shot Dead By Police Following Fatal CT Baseball Bat Attack: OIG (Update) Suspect Shot Dead By Police Following Fatal CT Baseball Bat Attack: OIG (Update)
Suspect Shot Dead By Police Following Fatal CT Baseball Bat Attack: OIG (Update) Update: The man whom police shot after investigators said he beat a man to death with a baseball bat has also died from his gunshot injuries, authorities announced Monday afternoon, July 20. Police have released few details on his death or the other victim.  Original: Connecticut State Police released new details after a Meriden police officer shot a suspect accused of beating someone to death with a baseball bat over the weekend. An officer responded to a home on Sagamore Road in Meriden around 10 a.m. Sunday, July 19, after reports of a domestic violence incident. Police arrived to f…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
2 Teens Thrown From Scooter In CT Crash, 16-Year-Old Fighting For Their Life 2 Teens Thrown From Scooter In CT Crash, 16-Year-Old Fighting For Their Life
2 Teens Thrown From Scooter In CT Crash, 16-Year-Old Fighting For Their Life A 16-year-old suffered life-threatening injuries after a moped carrying two teens crashed into an SUV at a busy Connecticut intersection over the weekend, sending them both to the hospital, police said. The crash happened around 2:54 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, at the intersection of Water Street and Hanford Place in Norwalk, according to police. The scooter, occupied by two 16-year-olds, collided with an SUV that was making a left turn, investigators said. The impact threw both teens from the scooter. Neither was wearing helmets.  The scooter operator suffered life-threatening injuries.…

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by Josh Lanier
News
Major Lettuce Recall Expands As Walmart Pulls Products Major Lettuce Recall Expands As Walmart Pulls Products
Major Lettuce Recall Expands As Walmart Pulls Products A widening food-safety action has reached refrigerators across much of the country. Walmart has removed four Marketside-branded iceberg lettuce products from select stores after supplier Taylor Farms de México recalled lettuce from central Mexico over possible Cyclospora contamination. The FDA said Sunday, July 19, that the Marketside products were sold at select Walmart stores. The affected products are: UPC 681131328944 Marketside Bagged Iceberg Salad, 12 oz. UPC 681131328951 Marketside Bagged Iceberg Salad, 24 oz. UPC 681131328968 Marketside Bagged Shredded Iceberg Salad, 8 oz. UPC 68…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Hotel Luggage Cart Full Of NJ Pizza Feeds Spain After World Cup Win Hotel Luggage Cart Full Of NJ Pizza Feeds Spain After World Cup Win
Hotel Luggage Cart Full Of NJ Pizza Feeds Spain After World Cup Win Spain's World Cup celebration didn't end at MetLife Stadium. After hoisting the trophy following Sunday's 1-0 extra-time win over Argentina, the newly crowned champions headed back to The MC Hotel in Montclair, where 57 pizzas from BXJ in West Orange were waiting to fuel the celebration, owner Jarrett Seltzer told Daily Voice. Getting the timing right took some last-minute coordination. But Seltzer knew a thing or two about that, since BXJ catered Norway's win, too. "The chef started texting me in a group chat with employees, saying to delay the pizzas because the match had gone into extra…

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by Cecilia Levine