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PA Measles Outbreak Tops 1,000, Highest In US, 4 Vaccinated Residents Among Infected
Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak has surpassed 1,000 confirmed cases and now includes five deaths, state health officials announced Monday, Oct. 5.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 1,004 cases across 39 counties so far in 2026 — up 27 cases since Friday, Oct. 2.
There have been 198 hospitalizations tied to the outbreak, according to the department. Nearly 20 percent of people identified by the state with measles have been hospitalized.
The new numbers come less than a month after the statewide total stood at 676 cases in 37 counties, with 124 hospitalizations and two measles-a…
Fifth Measles Death Reported In US As Outbreak Tops 1,000 Cases
A fifth measles-associated death has been confirmed in Pennsylvania as the Commonwealth’s outbreak surpassed 1,000 cases across 39 counties, health officials said.
An unvaccinated Lancaster County resident with confirmed measles died, the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced Wednesday, Sept. 30. The department did not release the person’s age, sex, or other identifying details.
The death is the fifth Pennsylvania resident to meet the state’s measles-associated death definition this year, officials said.
As of Monday, Oct. 5, Pennsylvania had confirmed 1,004 measles cases and 198 hos…
Dead Passengers, Fake Drivers: NJ Woman, Colombian Lover's $13M Scheme Unravels
Some of the passengers were dead. Some of the drivers had never driven a car.
But a New Jersey woman and her Colombian lover apparently had no trouble taking taxpayers for a ride.
For years, prosecutors say, Jael Watts, 45, of Alloway, operated Pearl Transit Corporation, a New Jersey-based company that purported to have drivers scattered across the country giving rides to elderly and disabled people while also conducting outreach for homeless Americans.
Watts and Luis Pino-Copete, 42, of Bogota, Colombia, were convicted following a multi-week federal trial in Utica of orchestrating a spraw…
Fashion CEO, Wife Found Shot Dead Outside California Residence
A fashion company CEO and his wife were found shot dead outside their California home, according to multiple reports.
Neighbors identified the couple as Bryan and Michelle Walker, who built the women’s clothing brand, Bryn Walker.
They were found outside their home on Panoramic Way in Oakland, California, on Friday, Oct. 2, The Berkeley Scanner reported.
Police had not publicly released their names when the Scanner published its report. Michelle was 63. Reports differed on Bryan’s age.
A neighbor who heard gunfire discovered the couple around 10:45 a.m., according to the Scanner, ci…
Dead Puppy, Fake Sex Ad: Naugatuck Woman Accused Of Targeting Animal Control Officer
A 35-year-old Connecticut woman who is facing animal cruelty charges is now accused of targeting an animal control officer who investigated her by using a fake online ad offering sex, police said.
Melissa Mae Ahlgren, 35, of Naugatuck, was arrested on Thursday, Oct. 1, on three outstanding warrants. She is being held on $110,000 in bonds, police said.
The animal cruelty case began Aug. 6 after animal control learned that a 5-week-old puppy in Ahlgren’s care was seriously ill, police said.
Prospect Animal Control helped get the puppy to an emergency veterinary hospital, but its c…
CT Mourns Former Deputy Police Chief As Support Grows For His Family
A Connecticut deputy police chief spent more than two decades serving the city. Now, a fundraiser has raised tens of thousands of dollars to help the wife and two young sons he left behind.
Former Hartford Deputy Chief Jason Lee, of Tolland, died Sept. 27 after a yearlong fight with cancer, city officials said. Since his death, nearly 300 people have donated to a GoFundMe for his family, pushing it past $48,000 as of Friday afternoon, Oct. 2.
"His loss is being felt deeply by everyone who knew and loved him, especially (his wife) Caitlin and their two young sons, Anthony and Zach, as they f…
Father Of Four Stabbed To Death On NYC Subway, ‘Heartbroken’ Children Launch Fundraiser
After a father of four was stabbed to death in a random attack on the New York City subway, his children have launched a fundraiser to honor his life.
Mesias Lojano, 59, of Jamaica, Queens, was killed while riding the J train near Woodhaven Boulevard on Wednesday, Sept. 30.
“He was a devoted father to four children, a cherished member of our family, and a friend to so many,” the Lojano children wrote in a GoFundMe. “We are his children, William, Laura, Darwin, and Edwin, and we are heartbroken.”
Jyrell Thomas, 25, of the Bronx, was arrested and charged with murder in Lojano’s death, WABC r…
2 Men Found Asleep In Stolen Car With Items Taken During String Of Trumbull Thefts: Cops
Police found two men asleep in a stolen car parked at a Connecticut business surrounded by items authorities believe were taken during an overnight string of thefts.
Rashaun Woods, of Stratford, and Malachi Stone, of Bridgeport, both 19, were arrested around 7 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, at 2 Whitney Avenue in Trumbull, police said.
Officers went to the Whitney Avenue parking lot after the car’s owner provided information on its location, police said. They found Woods and Stone sleeping in the front of the car stolen from Bridgeport overnight.
Inside, officers discovered sever…
Norwalk Drug Probe Ends With 2 Arrests And A Carload Of Charges
A Connecticut man and woman face drug charges after police said a traffic stop turned up cocaine, heroin/fentanyl and supplies used to package drugs for sale.
Charles Piazza, 49, and Melissa Kozma, 40, were pulled over at Spring Hill Avenue and Loomis Street in Norwalk on Wednesday, Sept. 30. Both had outstanding arrest warrants tied to a drug investigation, Norwalk police said.
Investigators suspected the pair of selling cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl, authorities said.
Officers searched their vehicle and uncovered 41.5 grams of powdered cocaine, more than four grams o…
Police ID CT Man, 44, Killed In I-91 Rollover Crash
A 44-year-old Connecticut man was killed on Interstate 91 South after another car hit his vehicle, sending him into a guardrail and rolling across the highway, authorities said.
Matthew Bennett, 44, of Enfield, crashed near Exit 36 in Windsor around 5:10 p.m. on Thursday evening, Oct. 1, Connecticut State Police said.
Bennett was traveling alongside another car when the two vehicles made contact "for an unknown reason," police said. His car hit a metal guardrail, rolled over, and stopped on the left shoulder.
Emergency crews took Bennett to Hartford Hospital, where he later died from…
Fake Gun, Real Charges: Trumbull Man Accused In Shelton Store Robbery
A Connecticut man accused of robbing a convenience store with a fake gun was arrested soon after the heist, police said.
Paulo Dias, 54, of Trumbull, is accused of robbing In & Out Mini Market on Howe Avenue in Shelton on Wednesday, Sept. 30, police said.
Dias walked into the store, aimed a black handgun and demanded cash. The clerk handed over money, and Dias ran away, Shelton police said.
Police said the gun was fake.
Detectives found Dias about seven hours later with the stolen cash, a gun, and gloves, police said. He also had clothing that police believed he wore durin…
Kosta Diamantis Gets 7 Years For CT School Bribery Conviction After Fleeing To Greece
A former Connecticut official who took bribes from contractors while overseeing school construction grants received a seven-year prison sentence while he remains a fugitive in Greece.
Konstantinos “Kosta” Diamantis, 70, was sentenced in absentia in a Bridgeport federal court on Wednesday, Sept. 30, according to CT Mirror.
He was previously convicted on 21 counts, including bribery, extortion, conspiracy, and lying to investigators. His crimes involved a state program that helps fund school construction.
Two weeks before his sentencing, Diamantis fled the country to Greece, where his dual c…
