'Trusted Mentor, Loyal Friend': Monroe Community Grapples With Firefighter's Death 'Trusted Mentor, Loyal Friend': Monroe Community Grapples With Firefighter's Death
'Trusted Mentor, Loyal Friend': Monroe Community Grapples With Firefighter's Death A Connecticut community is preparing to bury one of its heroes after the longtime Fairfield County firefighter died earlier this week.  John "JB" Pyrek-Bennett, of Monroe, was just 55 when he died on Monday, Oct. 14, surrounded by his family at St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport, his obituary said. His wife of 29 years and three children survive him. Bennett spent his life giving back to his community, his family said. He served as assistant chief of the Glenbrook Fire Department in Stamford and was a lifetime member of the Monroe Volunteer Fire Department.…
He Molested His Bridgeport Cousins For Years, Now He's Going To Prison For Decades: DA He Molested His Bridgeport Cousins For Years, Now He's Going To Prison For Decades: DA
He Molested His Bridgeport Cousins For Years, Now He's Going To Prison For Decades: DA A 58-year-old Connecticut man who admitted to molesting his young cousins was sentenced to 50 years in prison, authorities said. Luis Rivera, of Bridgeport, who pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault in the first degree in July, was sentenced to decades behind bars last week, the State's Attorney said. As part of his plea deal, Rivera's sentence will be suspended after 25 years.  However, he must serve 35 years on probation following his release, the prosecutor said.  Rivera was arrested in 2022 after three people came forward to say he had molested them from 1994 throu…
'Words Can't Express This Pain': Woman Killed In Trumbull Crash Remembered As Beloved Friend 'Words Can't Express This Pain': Woman Killed In Trumbull Crash Remembered As Beloved Friend
'Words Can't Express This Pain': Woman Killed In Trumbull Crash Remembered As Beloved Friend Friends and family of a 40-year-old Connecticut woman who was killed earlier this week when the car she was riding in crashed into a stone wall say she was kind, caring, and effortlessly cool.  Marie Nieves, of Bridgeport, died on Friday, Oct. 11, in a single-car crash on Route 8 in Trumbull, Connecticut State Police said.  Investigators say the Mercedes she was in suddenly veered onto the grassy shoulder near Exit 6 around 11 a.m. before crashing into the wall. The driver, a 60-year-old Bridgeport man, was seriously injured in the crash.  Paramedics rushed them both to …
New Cannabis Dispensary In Bridgeport Holds Grand Opening: Here's Where New Cannabis Dispensary In Bridgeport Holds Grand Opening: Here's Where
New Cannabis Dispensary In Bridgeport Holds Grand Opening: Here's Where A cannabis dispensary brand with several stores across Connecticut celebrated the grand opening of its newest location.  Higher Collective held a grand opening for its new Fairfield County cannabis dispensary at 3369 Fairfield Ave. in Bridgeport on Friday morning, Oct. 11.  The store, owned by Connecticut native Keanaha Abrams, will provide cannabis flower, pre-rolls, vaporizers, edibles, tinctures, and more to Fairfield County's largest city.  Abrams said she was "incredibly excited" to open her store in a "dynamic and forward-thinking community."  "I’m proud to …
Suspected Carjacker Found Hiding At Unlikely Place — Fairfield Police Headquarters: Officers Suspected Carjacker Found Hiding At Unlikely Place — Fairfield Police Headquarters: Officers
Suspected Carjacker Found Hiding At Unlikely Place — Fairfield Police Headquarters: Officers A man who led Connecticut authorities on a high-speed chase in a stolen car was easily captured hours later when he showed up at a police station to bail out his alleged accomplice, officials said.  Elijah Holloman, age 21, and Dominique Adrian Reid, age 26, both of Bridgeport, face several felonies following a chase on Thursday, Oct. 3, Fairfield Police said.  Their troubles began around 9:30 a.m. when they crashed a stolen Mazda into a Wilton Police car, authorities said. They sped away from the scene on the Merritt Parkway, sparking a high-speed chase.  Bridgeport Police …
6-Year-Old Dies From Domestic Baseball Bat Attack In Bridgeport: Police 6-Year-Old Dies From Domestic Baseball Bat Attack In Bridgeport: Police
6-Year-Old Dies From Domestic Baseball Bat Attack In Bridgeport: Police A 6-year-old boy who was beaten into critical condition along with his 4-year-old sibling and mother has died, authorities announced on Wednesday, Oct. 2.  The attack happened at a Fairfield County apartment in the 2400 block of Main St. in Bridgeport on Wednesday, Sept. 25, authorities said. Officers were called to the home around 10 a.m. to reports of a vicious assault.  The two children and their 33-year-old mother were critically injured in the beating, police said, but they were later released from the hospital. Bridgeport Police announced on social media that the oldest boy …
Wilton Man Killed After Crashing Into Guardrail On Route 7 In Norwalk Wilton Man Killed After Crashing Into Guardrail On Route 7 In Norwalk
Wilton Man Killed After Crashing Into Guardrail On Route 7 In Norwalk An 80-year-old Connecticut man was killed on Wednesday, Oct. 2, after his car slammed into a guardrail in Fairfield County, authorities said.  Fred Hunter, of Wilton, crashed just after noon when his Nissan Altima drifted across three lanes of traffic on the Route 7 connector near exit 2 just before the crash, Connecticut State Police said.  He collided with a guardrail, tearing about 100 feet of the metal off its posts and spreading it along the shoulder.  Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.  Police are not sure what caused Hunter to collide with the bar…
Bridgeport Kids, Mom Beaten Nearly To Death In Domestic Violence Attack: Police Bridgeport Kids, Mom Beaten Nearly To Death In Domestic Violence Attack: Police
Bridgeport Kids, Mom Beaten Nearly To Death In Domestic Violence Attack: Police Update: The 6-year-old boy has died from his wounds. The mother and 4-year-old have been released from the hospital. Click here to read the updated report.  Original: Two Connecticut children and their mother are in critical condition at a Fairfield County hospital after they were beaten nearly to death in a domestic violence attack on Wednesday, Sept. 25.  Abdulrahim Sulaiman, 38, is charged in the vicious attack, Bridgeport Police said.  Authorities were called to a home in the 2400 block of Main St. in Bridgeport around 10 a.m. to reports of an attack. Inside, police foun…
Fairfield Officer Dragged Behind Car Trying To Stop Shoplifters: Police Fairfield Officer Dragged Behind Car Trying To Stop Shoplifters: Police
Fairfield Officer Dragged Behind Car Trying To Stop Shoplifters: Police A Connecticut police officer is recovering after being dragged by a car in the parking lot of a Home Depot in Fairfield County earlier this week. Two people were arrested following their escape.  Amanda Belcher, 41, and James Coates, 49, who both had outstanding warrants, face several charges following the theft and wild chase that followed, Fairfield Police said. Police were called to the Home Depot at 541 Kings Highway Cutoff around 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24, after store security spotted two people allegedly stealing more than $1,200 in merchandise, authorities said.&n…
More Threats Made Against Bridgeport Schools; Police Promise 'Layered Protection' More Threats Made Against Bridgeport Schools; Police Promise 'Layered Protection'
More Threats Made Against Bridgeport Schools; Police Promise 'Layered Protection' A school district in Fairfield County said it is investigating after another round of posts on social media threatening violence. Bridgeport Public Schools announced on Monday, Sept. 23, that it had received more threats after receiving a round last week.  Superintendent Dr. Carmela Levy-David said in an email to parents that the school system is working closely with police to investigate who sent this batch of threats.  Related: Connecticut Elementary School Swatted With Hoax Call Of Armed Intruder “We understand the concern this may cause and want to assure you that we are t…
Elementary School Off Lockdown Following Threatening Phone Call About Armed Intruder Elementary School Off Lockdown Following Threatening Phone Call About Armed Intruder
Elementary School Off Lockdown Following Threatening Phone Call About Armed Intruder Officials in Connecticut said there is no threat following a "swatting" call on Monday, Sept. 23, that claimed an armed intruder was inside an elementary school. It's part of a growing trend of hoax calls promising violence at schools.  Hartford County's Vance Elementary School in New Britain was forced to go into lockdown on Monday after a call was placed to the main office around 11 a.m., said Tony Gasper, superintendent of the Consolidated School District of New Britain in a message to parents, per NBC Connecticut.  Related: Dozens Of Connecticut Schools Have Received Th…
Bridgeport Schools Closed After More Threats Made Online; Fairfield Also Investigated Post Bridgeport Schools Closed After More Threats Made Online; Fairfield Also Investigated Post
Bridgeport Schools Closed After More Threats Made Online; Fairfield Also Investigated Post A 13-year-old Connecticut girl was arrested Thursday morning, Sept. 19, after police say they traced a threat made against a school to her. It's just another example of an alarming trend of people — often students — making threats of violence online toward local schools.  Ansonia Police in New Haven County were alerted to the threat made in a social media post just after 6:30 a.m. on Thursday. Officers contacted the school board and members decided to cancel classes for the day out of an abundance of caution.  The child is charged with first-degree threatening and disturbing the p…