New Haven Register

Cheers to the Jurists!

Police Blotter

5 people sent to hospital after 2-car collision DERBY -- Five people were taken to area hospitals after a two- car collision on Academy Hill Road Sunday night, according to police Officer Joseph Madura. The crash happened about 8 p.m. near Ridge Road and involved two cars, a Chrysler and a Mitsubishi, police said.

Richetelli Still Mum On Re-Election Bid

Is he or isn't he? That remains the burning question when pondering whether Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr. is seeking re- election. Richetelli still will not commit to seeking a fourth term, but he sounds very much like he is running.

Reaction to Deluca Divides On Party Lines

From the halls of the General Assembly to the municipal offices in his district, reaction to state Sen. Louis DeLuca's guilty plea on a conspiracy threatening charge Monday was mostly split along party lines, with some Democrats calling for his resignation, and Republicans generally taking a more wait and see stance. But when DeLuca returned to the State Capitol after his court appearance in Waterbury, he refused to answer questions about whether he would continue as head of the Senate Republ...

Hamden Edc Likely to Take Over Tire Pond

Mayor Craig B. Henrici said Monday he has been assured the deal to sell the 100-acre site containing a hazardous tire pond to another concern is not dead. State Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Gina McCarthy has invited Henrici to a Thursday meeting in Hartford, at which all parties involved in the "global settlement" dealing with the Farricielli property will be at the table, Henrici said.

Shelton Woman to Pedal Across U.S. And Help Build Homes Along Way

The itinerary is set, and her road bike is ready. Now all that local resident Katie Flament has to do is pedal from Providence, R.I., to San Francisco.

Rains Create Huge Pothole On I-95

Monday morning's heavy rains helped cause a pothole the size of a "small swimming pool," backing up southbound Interstate 95 traffic for 6 miles. Kevin Nursick of the state Department of Transportation said the right lane of I-95 was closed between Exit 51 at Frontage Road, East Haven, and Exit 49 at Stiles Street as a safety zone.

New Murder Trial Begins for Man 10 Years After Crime Committed

Leotis Payne went back on trial Monday in Superior Court for a felony murder charge, 10 years after his initial conviction for the shooting death of Louis Hood. Payne, who is now 46, saw his Superior Court jury conviction and 57-year sentence overturned by the state Supreme Court in 2002 because of misconduct by Assistant State's Attorney Michael Pepper. The justices said Pepper offered opinions and appealed to jurors' sympathies.

School Graffiti Spurs Security Sweep

The words "June 5" and "die" scrawled on the walls of the boys' bathroom at Daniel Hand High School prompted a search of the entire school Monday and resulted in heightened security today. Superintendent of Schools H. Kaye Griffin said Monday afternoon that the situation is under control and parents should not be concerned for the safety of their children.

Highville Board Settles Squabbles

Members of the board of the Highville Mustard Seed Charter School have put aside their differences for the good of the school. Last week, after accepting a revised corrective action plan that had to get to the state by Thursday, some board members lashed out at Chairman John Gesmonde and the state Department of Education in a series of e-mails, causing state officials to question whether the board was able to function effectively.

3 Accused in Costco Robbery, Security Guard Assault

Three Hartford-area residents were allegedly involved in a weekend bid to rip off merchandise from Costco, and one assaulted a security guard when they were confronted, according to a police report. Carlos Luna, 30, of Hartford, Lisa Jacobs, 46, of East Hartford, and Jason Roman, 27, of West Hartford, were charged in the incident, which occurred at 10 p.m. Saturday at the Boston Post Road warehouse store.

Episcopal Bishop Dies, Was Twin of State Priest

The twin brother of a Connecticut Episcopal priest died Sunday in a three-car crash. Bishop James A. Kelsey, 54, who was bishop of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, was killed on impact, according to the Mining Journal, based in Marquette.

Lawmakers Hope to Ok Budget

Legislative leaders said Monday they hope to reach a budget compromise by the General Assembly's Wednesday adjournment, but that lawmakers will need a special session later to pass budget-related bills. State House Speaker James A. Amann, D-Milford, said June 19 has been tentatively designated as a possible date for the follow-up special session.

Rell Signs Energy Bill Into Law

Gov. M. Jodi Rell Monday signed into law a Democratic energy bill aimed at long-term conservation and power generation, but used a rarely employed "line item veto" to cancel two money-related sections. Rell said in her veto message that the $100 million she canceled from the energy bill should instead be part of an overall budget plan that still is being negotiated.

Delauro's Office Reopens After Scare

State Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro's district office on Elm Street reopened Monday after being closed and under police guard after an employee felt ill after opening a letter. The incident occurred Thursday and drew a response from city police and fire officials, state police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Preliminary tests at the scene showed nothing amiss. "After examining the office, the FBI did not find any evidence of biological contamination," DeLauro said in a statement. "Given the r...

Applications Available for Tax Relief in Cheshire

The Youth and Social Services Department will take applications for the state's Tax Relief for Elderly and Disabled Renters Program through Sept. 17. A renter must have reached age 65 by Dec. 31, 2006, or be totally disabled as determined by the Social Security Administration. Income guidelines require that a single person's income not exceed $28,800, while married couples can not exceed $35,300. Eligible households will receive grants from the state in amounts ranging from $50 to $900. Appli...

Maltby Cove Dock Plan Will Be Aired Tonight

Indian Neck neighbors are expected to turn out en masse tonight for a state Department of Environmental Protection public hearing on an application to build a 91-foot boat dock into Maltby Cove in a waterfront neighborhood at the end of Linden Avenue. Neighbors say the dock that Andre and Debra Poirier want to build is too big for the cove, would obscure some neighbors' views and would interfere with a nearby public boat launch right-of-way from which neighbors launch their kayaks, canoes and...

Hooked On Fishing

Pedaling Healthful Choices

Tjm Affiliations Raise Concerns

A plan to develop an 8-acre property at 300 East Johnson Ave., which is being evaluated for inclusion on the Environmental Protection Agency's National Priorities List, is being backed by a local businessman whose companies have been accused of doing favors for state officials to obtain "sweetheart deals" on state contracts. The company that is proposing the development is TJM Environmental Restoration LLC, a firm that, according to Cheshire tax records, is affiliated with Frank Ruocco, a res...