New Haven Register

In Wake of Scandal, City, State Police Task Force to Handle Local Drug Cases

As part of its effort to move forward in the wake of a police corruption scandal, the city on Tuesday announced a new partnership with the state police to take over city narcotics investigations. An expanded Statewide Narcotics Task Force, composed of additional state police and local officers, will handle drug enforcement in the city, filling any void left when the city department dismantled its narcotics enforcement unit after two of its investigators, including the 39-year veteran who led ...

E. Haven Dem On Mayoral Run

The Town Council's only Democrat, April Capone Almon, came out swinging Tuesday, declaring herself a candidate for mayor and announcing her intention, if elected, to implement reforms to "restrict the influence of private interests on town government" and eliminate "symptoms of public corruption." Capone Almon, D-3, will challenge five-term Republican Mayor Joe Maturo Jr., assuming that Maturo opts to run again, as he has suggested is likely.

Ex-City Man Takes On Hollywood

By any standard, Alphonso McAuley's acting career is off to an idyllic start with a role in the new movie, "Pride," his third major motion picture. But the best part, personally, for New Haven native McAuley is that the plot of "Pride" usurps a stereotype: that black people don't swim competitively.

Madison Residents Prep for Zoning Fight

A group of residents has hired a lawyer to represent them in their efforts to thwart a New York developer's attempt to create a new zoning district that would allow a "smorgasbord" of commercial projects along Interstate 95. "This is the beginning of the battle for the character of the future of Madison," New Haven environmental lawyer Keith Ainsworth said Tuesday.

Simply Symphonic at Shelton School

N. Branford Hears Budget Options

A standing-room-only crowd heard budget estimates Tuesday night that were based on rising costs, nearly flat personnel levels and wildly varying possibilities as to what the governor and legislature will do with state aid in the coming year. Town Manager Karl Kilduff and Board of Education Chairwoman Cheryl Smith outlined proposals for 2007-08 that would spend more than $42.1 million, an increase of $2.34 million over this year, or 5.91 percent.

Woman Stars As Understudy

Maureen Moore has carved out quite a reputation on Broadway over the years, but that doesn't mean you will immediately recognize the Short Beach resident's name -- even if you immediately recognize some of the roles she's played. While not exactly a marquee star, Moore is a Broadway veteran and one heck of a relief pitcher -- sort of a super understudy, capable of stealing a show even when replacing a larger-than-life luminary.

Rating Service Drops West Haven From 'Watch' List

Standard & Poor's Rating Services has removed the city from its fiscal hot seat thanks to some good news about the deficit, Mayor John M. Picard and the rating service confirmed. "West Haven's financial operation and position is expected to remain stable as management addresses the general fund deficit," said S&P's credit analyst Colin MacNaught in a prepared release.

Public Gets Chance to Speak On Proposed Milford Budget

The public will have the opportunity to weigh in tonight at a Board of Aldermen meeting on the projected 2007-08 city and schools budget of $170.9 million. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in City Hall auditorium. The Board of Finance last month approved the spending plan, with members refusing to reduce the school board budget.

Gop Takes Sharper Aim at Child Predators

Republican lawmakers called Tuesday for swift legislative action on a package of bills aimed at strengthening protections against, and controls over, sexual offenders who prey on children. Their list of proposals includes making Connecticut's online registry of convicted sexual predators more understandable to the public, doubling penalties for crimes committed within school safety zones and improving school security.

High School Principal Issues Progress Report

Significant strides have been taken to comply with a list of recommendations issued by an independent accreditation firm, high school Principal Cathy Goodrich told the Board of Education this week. The progress report is now on its way to the New England Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges for a review.

Valley Groups Plan April 28 Health Fair

Diane Guillet, a registered nurse who works for Griffin Hospital's Community Outreach and Valley Parish Nurse program, said the April 28 health fair at the Ansonia Armory will be as successful as the first one. "We had so many people at the first fair (in 2005) that I'm sure there will be a lot of people attending," said Guillet.

Misconduct Probe Launched at Derby High

The supervisor of the Derby High School in-school suspension room was placed on paid administrative leave Friday, pending an investigation into possible misconduct, according to Superintendent of Schools Janet Robinson. The supervisor, Adolph Campbell, has worked in the school system for about two years. The investigation began when administrators intercepted a student note, Robinson said.

Council Denies It Will Cut $800g From Schools

The City Council has no intention of cutting $800,000 from the fiscal 2007-08 Board of Education budget, despite a recent advertisement paid for by the teachers union that claimed otherwise, city officials said Tuesday. Frustrated council members and Mayor John M. Picard severely criticized the content of a full-page paid ad the West Haven Federation of Teachers and School Nurses took out in the New Haven Register Sunday and again Tuesday that claims the council plans to cut the education bud...

- Hazwaste Central, the Regional Water Authority's Hazardous Waste Collection Site, Will Open for the [Derived Headline]

HazWaste Central opens May 12 NEW HAVEN -- HazWaste Central, the Regional Water Authority's hazardous waste collection site, will open for the season May 12. Co- sponsored by the water authority and the South Central Connecticut Regional Council of Governments, HazWaste Central serves almost 6,000 households a year in Bethany, Branford, Cheshire, East Haven, Fairfield, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Milford, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Wallingford, West Haven and Woodbridge.

Police Request Data On Disabled

When emergency personnel respond to a 911 call, knowing in advance if a resident has a medical issue such as being blind or needing a wheelchair can be crucial. Police are trying to get the word out about a program in which residents with special health needs or disabilities register with them, so dispatchers, ambulance personnel and firefighters will be forewarned of their situation.

Leader of the Faithful

Ex-Building Official Pleads Innocent

Former Building Official Alfred Astorino pleaded innocent Tuesday in Superior Court in New Haven to charges of violating the state building code. Superior Court Judge Philip A. Scarpellino set a pretrial date of April 11 for Astorino, the same day Inland Wetlands Officer Robert Kuchta is scheduled to have a pretrial conference.

Olin Corp. Owes Seymour $220,519

Owners of the New Haven Copper Co. must pay Seymour $220,519 based on a decade-old agreement that allowed the company to pay reduced taxes if it remained in town for 20 years. The New Haven Copper Co. shut its doors Friday after 160 years in operation in Seymour. Fifty-one workers were laid off.

Branford Police Raise $7,800 for Special Olympics

The Police Department's relentless efforts on behalf of the Special Olympics reached new heights over the weekend. Lt. Thomas Fowler said officers collected $7,800 for the cause by lowering a bucket from the roof of Zane's Cycle Shop from 6:30 a.m. on Friday through Sunday afternoon. Officers spent the weekend in rotating shifts atop the bicycle shop at 105 N. Main St., calling attention to themselves with standard issue police emergency lights and a bucket lowered by a pulley system.