This Trendy Treat Is Rolling Into Spotlight As Sweet Complement To Christmas Cookies This Trendy Treat Is Rolling Into Spotlight As Sweet Complement To Christmas Cookies
This Trendy Treat Is Rolling Into Spotlight As Sweet Complement To Christmas Cookies Move over gingerbread and sugar cookies — sesame balls are quietly making their way onto holiday dessert tables this year.  Traditionally found in Chinese, Vietnamese, and other Asian cuisines, these golden, chewy orbs are earning a buzzworthy reputation as a standout complement to classic Christmas sweets. Known as Jian Dui in Chinese cuisine and Bánh Cam in Vietnamese culture, sesame balls are made from glutinous rice flour, stuffed with sweet fillings like red bean or lotus paste, and fried to perfection.  The result? A crispy exterior coated in toasted sesame seeds, with a sa…
Coastal New England Gem Named Best Small Town To Visit In New Rankings Coastal New England Gem Named Best Small Town To Visit In New Rankings
Coastal New England Gem Named Best Small Town To Visit In New Rankings A charming coastal town has been crowned the best small town to visit in the United States, earning the top spot in U.S. News & World Report’s newly released rankings. The annual list highlights destinations that capture the essence of small-town America with their scenic beauty, cultural offerings, and laid-back atmosphere. T his year, Bar Harbor, Maine, claimed the No. 1 position, praised for its idyllic setting, stunning coastal views, and gateway to Acadia National Park. Nestled along Maine’s rugged coastline, Bar Harbor attracts visitors year-round with its fresh seafood, boutique…
Winning Numbers For Tuesday, Dec. 17 'Mega Millions' Drawing With Estimated $760M Jackpot Winning Numbers For Tuesday, Dec. 17 'Mega Millions' Drawing With Estimated $760M Jackpot
Winning Numbers For Tuesday, Dec. 17 'Mega Millions' Drawing With Estimated $760M Jackpot The winning numbers have been announced for the Tuesday, Dec. 17 Mega Millions drawing. The estimated jackpot is $760 million with a $352.1 million cash option. The winning numbers for Tuesday's drawing are: 56-66-67-68-69 with a Mega Ball of 18 and a Megaplier of 4X If no winner wins the top prize, the jackpot will continue to roll until the next drawing at 10:59 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20.  MegaMillions Lottery players have a 1 in 302,575,350 chance of winning a Mega Millions jackpot by matching all five balls plus the gold Mega Ball, according to…
Complex Storm To Deliver Rain, Sleet, Half Foot Of Snow In Some Spots Complex Storm To Deliver Rain, Sleet, Half Foot Of Snow In Some Spots
Complex Storm To Deliver Rain, Sleet, Half Foot Of Snow In Some Spots A complex new storm will bring a mix of rain and sleet, and as much as a half foot of snow to some northernmost locations. "A roller-coaster ride of a forecast is in store across the Northeast this week, featuring a wintry mix, rain, a warmup and then the potential for an impactful storm late in the week into the weekend that can feature accumulating snow and very chilly air settling in," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham. The latest system to sweep through the region is on track for Wednesday, Dec. 18.  Precipitation is expected to arrive in the early afternoon, with …
Baby Injured By Glass As Man Smashes Truck Window, Strangles Mom at CT I-95 Rest Stop: Cops Baby Injured By Glass As Man Smashes Truck Window, Strangles Mom at CT I-95 Rest Stop: Cops
Baby Injured By Glass As Man Smashes Truck Window, Strangles Mom at CT I-95 Rest Stop: Cops A Dominican Republic man is accused of strangling a woman and hurting her baby with falling glass after he smashed his way into a truck at a Connecticut rest stop on I-95, authorities said.  Ariel Dejesus Valdez, 28, who was in the US on a temporary visa, was extradited from Rhode Island on Monday, Dec. 16, following an alleged attack at the North Fairfield Service Plaza on I-95 on Dec. 7, Connecticut State Police said.  A woman who was riding with Valdez said they were returning to Massachusetts from transporting vehicles when they stopped at the Fairfield County rest stop t…
Are You Running A Local Business? The Team At Daily Voice Wants To Help Are You Running A Local Business? The Team At Daily Voice Wants To Help
Are You Running A Local Business? The Team At Daily Voice Wants To Help More than ever, success in business is determined by reach in your community. Daily Voice provides a direct line of communication to your neighbors. Whether you’re a new business or an experienced marketer, we want to work with you. Our products make it easy to reach local customers. Our team of experts can fit any budget. We’re your trusted source for news and information. We also want to be your trusted partner in advertising. Reach out whenever you're ready—we'll be here.
Lives Stolen: These Are 7 Names Behind Gilgo Beach Murder Indictment Lives Stolen: These Are 7 Names Behind Gilgo Beach Murder Indictment
Lives Stolen: These Are 7 Names Behind Gilgo Beach Murder Indictment As accused serial killer Rex Heuermann faces his seventh murder charge, the stories of his alleged victims – young women whose lives were tragically and violently cut short – offer a haunting reminder of the human toll behind the Gilgo Beach case. Here’s a closer look at the seven victims named in the indictment: Melissa Barthelemy, 24 Melissa Barthelemy Suffolk County Police Described by family as a talented hair stylist from the Bronx, she dreamed of opening her own salon. She was last seen alive on July 10, 2009, in her basement apartment on Underhill Avenue.  Barthelemy’s…
CEO Murder: Manhattan Grand Jury Indicts Luigi Mangione, Could Be Extradited To NY In Days CEO Murder: Manhattan Grand Jury Indicts Luigi Mangione, Could Be Extradited To NY In Days
CEO Murder: Manhattan Grand Jury Indicts Luigi Mangione, Could Be Extradited To NY In Days Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing former UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Mangione is charged with one count of first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism and two counts of second-degree murder. Mangione, a 26-year-old Maryland native, had fled New York City after the high-profile targeted assassination outside the New York Hilton in Manhattan on Wednesday, Dec. 4.  UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. UnitedHealthcare After a days-long manhunt, Mangione was apprehended at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsy…
Fire Forces New Canaan School To Close For Day Fire Forces New Canaan School To Close For Day
Fire Forces New Canaan School To Close For Day A school in Fairfield County is cleaning up the mess following a fire on Monday night, Dec. 16, a report said.  New Canaan firefighters were called to the West Elementary School around 10 p.m. after receiving a fire alarm alert in the school's kiln room, per the fire department.  The fire was contained to the art room of the Ponus Ridge Road school, and firefighters were able to put it out quickly, according to the report.  Classes were canceled at the school on Tuesday as administrators and custodians cleaned up the mess.  The cause of the fire is under investiga…
Drunk Driver Clocked At 127 MPH In Wallingford, Racing Another Car On I-91: Police Drunk Driver Clocked At 127 MPH In Wallingford, Racing Another Car On I-91: Police
Drunk Driver Clocked At 127 MPH In Wallingford, Racing Another Car On I-91: Police A Connecticut driver faces a long list of charges after police say he was caught racing another car at more than 125 miles per hour on I-91 while intoxicated. Derrick R. Hannon, 43, of Cheshire, is charged with reckless driving, reckless endangerment, operating under the influence (OUI), and several traffic violations, Connecticut State Police said following his arrest on Friday, Dec. 13. Police were monitoring traffic on I-91 northbound close to exit 11 near North Haven when two vehicles — a red Toyota 4Runner and a white sedan — sped past, weaving through cars in what appeared to be an il…
Driver In Critical Condition Following Waterbury Crash Driver In Critical Condition Following Waterbury Crash
Driver In Critical Condition Following Waterbury Crash A Connecticut man is battling for his life after a two-car crash in New Haven County earlier this week.  Waterbury police were called to the 2500 block of South Main Street crash around 8:15 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 16.  Emergency crews had to cut a 49-year-old Naugatuck man from his vehicle so paramedics could rush him to Saint Mary’s Hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition, according to Waterbury police. The second driver, a 34-year-old Waterbury man, sustained a minor leg injury but declined medical transport at the scene, police said.  Pol…
Driver Was Distracted During Fatal Crash With Elderly Couple, Police Say Driver Was Distracted During Fatal Crash With Elderly Couple, Police Say
Driver Was Distracted During Fatal Crash With Elderly Couple, Police Say A Connecticut driver was distracted when he crashed into an elderly couple earlier this year, killing an 83-year-old Tolland County grandmother and seriously injuring her husband.  Stephen Lewis, 34, of Manchester, was charged with assault in the second degree, misconduct with a motor vehicle, distracted driving, and failure to exercise reasonable care near a vulnerable user on a public way, Vernon Police said.  Lewis was behind the wheel of a Toyota Sienna that crashed into Anna Krocheski, 81, and her husband, Joseph Krocheski, 83, around 9:30 a.m. on June 12 as th…
NJ Escort IDd As 7th Victim Of Giglio Beach Serial Killer, Police Say NJ Escort IDd As 7th Victim Of Giglio Beach Serial Killer, Police Say
NJ Escort IDd As 7th Victim Of Giglio Beach Serial Killer, Police Say Accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann was formally charged with murdering a seventh victim. Heuermann, 60, of Massapequa Park, was indicted for second-degree murder in the killing of Valerie Mack in Suffolk County Court on Tuesday morning, Dec. 17. Mack, a 24-year-old Wildwood, NJ woman was working as an escort when she disappeared in 2000. A group of hunters discovered her skeletal remains wrapped in a plastic bag in a wooded area of Manorville in November 2000. She had been decapitated, and both of her hands had been severed from her body, prosecutors said. Her right leg had a…
CEO Murder: Stunning Poll Shows Shift In Views Among Young Americans CEO Murder: Stunning Poll Shows Shift In Views Among Young Americans
CEO Murder: Stunning Poll Shows Shift In Views Among Young Americans A new national poll from Emerson College reveals a startling trend among young American voters: More respondents aged 18 to 29 believe the targeted assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was acceptable than those who do not. The poll highlights a sharp generational divergence on the issue. A total of 41 percent of voters aged 18-29 find the killer’s actions acceptable, 24 percent somewhat acceptable and 17 percent completely acceptable), while 40 percent find them unacceptable. Noting that 68 percent of voters overall reject the killer’s action, Spencer Kimball, executiv…
Wrong Way Crash: Parents, Children From New Haven Injured On NY Parkway Wrong Way Crash: Parents, Children From New Haven Injured On NY Parkway
Wrong Way Crash: Parents, Children From New Haven Injured On NY Parkway Officials have revealed more details about a wrong-way crash on the Hutchinson River Parkway in Westchester that left six people hospitalized, including a former mayor.  The crash, which happened around 12:10 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 16, in the northbound lanes near Lincoln Avenue in Rye Brook, happened when a 2024 Mercedes sedan driving south struck a 2018 Dodge Durango carrying a family of five, according to Westchester County Police Chief James Luciano.  The Mercedes was driven by 75-year-old Joan Feinstein of Rye Brook, Luciano said. Feinstein, a longtime community volun…
Scammers Posing As Police Demand Payments, CT Authorities Warn Scammers Posing As Police Demand Payments, CT Authorities Warn
Scammers Posing As Police Demand Payments, CT Authorities Warn Authorities in Connecticut are warning residents about phone scammers posing as police or special agents, accusing them of a crime, and demanding they pay a fine. Multiple people across the state — and even as far away as Virginia — have reported receiving calls from the Hartford Judicial District State’s Attorney Office, with someone claiming to be an "investigator" or "special agent." This so-called "agent" says the victim has been named or identified in a human trafficking, prostitution, or another criminal investigation and must pay a fine or face potential jail time. That is not how t…
Naugatuck Tops New Haven County Snow Totals With 3.0 Inches Naugatuck Tops New Haven County Snow Totals With 3.0 Inches
Naugatuck Tops New Haven County Snow Totals With 3.0 Inches The National Weather Service has released snow totals from this week's winter storm. Snowfall accumulation impacted areas across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New York, with Sussex County, NJ, and Putnam County, NY, seeing the highest totals from Sunday, Dec. 15 into Monday, Dec. 16. Below are detailed figures reported by state, county, and town, as per the National Weather Service: New Jersey Mercer County: Trenton Mercer Airport: Trace (11:59 PM, 12/15) Morris County: Butler (1 S): 3.0 inches (5:15 AM, 12/16) Sussex County: Wantage Twp: 4.1 inches (5:00 AM, 12/16) Wan…
Fire Destroys CT Family's Home Week Before Christmas Fire Destroys CT Family's Home Week Before Christmas
Fire Destroys CT Family's Home Week Before Christmas Firefighters in Connecticut battled a fast-moving two-alarm fire this week that displaced two residents and left a Fairfield County home uninhabitable.  Crews responded to 238 Silvermine Ave. in Norwalk at 7:21 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16, after reports of a house fire and evacuation efforts were underway, authorities said. Firefighters arrived to find smoke billowing from the eaves and flames pouring out of a side entrance. Norwalk Fire Department The fire began in the basement, the Norwalk firefighters said, and quickly spread to the first floor of the 2.5-story residential home. Bec…
Iconic Waldorf Astoria To Reopen After Years-Long Makeover: Here’s When Iconic Waldorf Astoria To Reopen After Years-Long Makeover: Here’s When
Iconic Waldorf Astoria To Reopen After Years-Long Makeover: Here’s When An iconic New York hotel will soon be reopening after a years-long renovation. The Waldorf Astoria is on track to be up and running in the spring. It has been closed for renovation since February 2017. The hotel's online reservation system went live last week. An announcement on its website states, "We are opening Spring 2025 and are now accepting reservations for stays and groups beginning September 2025." Known for its Art Deco design and rich history, the Waldorf Astoria has been a symbol of luxury since its original opening in 1931. Over the decades, it has hosted countless celebriti…
Winning Numbers For Monday, Dec. 16 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $58M Jackpot Winning Numbers For Monday, Dec. 16 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $58M Jackpot
Winning Numbers For Monday, Dec. 16 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $58M Jackpot The winning numbers have been announced for the Monday, Dec. 16 Powerball drawing. The estimated jackpot is $58 million with a $27.1 million cash option after a player in New York recently won the jackpot and reset the prize pool.  If no winner claims the top prize, the jackpot will continue to roll until the next drawing at 10:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18. The winning numbers for Monday's drawing were 09-30-33-57-61 with a Powerball of  17 and the Power Play was 2X. Lottery players have a 1 in 292,201,338 chance of winning a Powerball jackpot by matchi…
After Car Crashes Through CT Bakery's Front Door, Injuring 4, Community Rallies To Help After Car Crashes Through CT Bakery's Front Door, Injuring 4, Community Rallies To Help
After Car Crashes Through CT Bakery's Front Door, Injuring 4, Community Rallies To Help A Connecticut community is rallying around a bakery that was destroyed after a car crashed through the storefront last week, sending four people to the hospital, including one with life-threatening injuries. Torrington police were called to Rosa Vega Bakery de Puerto Rico at 266 Main Street around 11:45 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 15, after a 58-year-old man crashed his car through the front of the building, authorities said. Gladys Medina, the 65-year-old mother of the bakery's owner, was taken to the hospital with burns after hot oil splashed onto her when the car hit the building, CT Insider re…
Father Of 2 Found Dead In North Haven Popeyes Parking Lot Had 'Adventurous Spirit': Family Father Of 2 Found Dead In North Haven Popeyes Parking Lot Had 'Adventurous Spirit': Family
Father Of 2 Found Dead In North Haven Popeyes Parking Lot Had 'Adventurous Spirit': Family A father of two who was found dead in a fast-food parking lot earlier this month is being remembered for his love of family and adventure. Stephen Morin died unexpectedly on Monday, Dec. 9. He would have turned 39 four days later. A Meriden native, Morin spent most of his life in Wallingford, his family said in his obituary. He worked at All-Pro HVAC of Beacon Falls, but he pursued many hobbies, they wrote. Stephen was a passionate and active man who found joy in the things he loved. He was deeply involved in jujitsu, earning belts and proudly teaching his son, John. As a child, he was an …
1 Dead, West Haven Police Officer Seriously Hurt In High-Speed Crash 1 Dead, West Haven Police Officer Seriously Hurt In High-Speed Crash
1 Dead, West Haven Police Officer Seriously Hurt In High-Speed Crash A high-speed crash at a Connecticut gas station left one person dead and sent two others, including a police officer, to the hospital with serious injuries, authorities said. West Haven officers were called to the Citgo gas station on Derby Avenue at 2:20 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 16, after a speeding Hyundai Elantra careened into a parked police cruiser in the station’s lot, authorities said.  Both the driver and passenger of the Hyundai were seriously injured in the crash, police reported. The officer, who was inside the cruiser at the time, also suffered a serious head injury. Emergency…
Amazon Dismissed Warnings On High Rates Of Worker Injuries, Report Says Amazon Dismissed Warnings On High Rates Of Worker Injuries, Report Says
Amazon Dismissed Warnings On High Rates Of Worker Injuries, Report Says ityAmazon is under fire following a US Senate report accusing the company of prioritizing speed over worker safety.  Released by the majority staff of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee late Sunday night, Dec. 15, the report claims Amazon’s intense focus on productivity has led to unsafe working conditions. The Senate report outlines how Amazon’s warehouse workers face high rates of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and other injuries caused by repetitive tasks and demanding quotas.  It accuses Amazon of knowingly exposing employees to these risks, …
Snow, Wintry Mix Delays CT School Openings: Here's Where Snow, Wintry Mix Delays CT School Openings: Here's Where
Snow, Wintry Mix Delays CT School Openings: Here's Where Dozens of schools across Connecticut had delayed openings due to a wintry mix that fell into Monday morning, Dec. 16. Some parts of the state saw 4 inches of snow, while others got a light dusting. According to the National Weather Service, the highest amount of snow fell in New Milford (4 inches); Cornwall saw 2.5 inches; Litchfield saw two inches, Waterbury saw 3 inches; Meriden saw 2 inches, and Hartford saw 1.3 inches. According to NBC Connecticut, the following districts had delayed openings: Berlin Public Schools Bethel Public Schools Brooklyn Public Schools Canton Public Schools E…
Gilgo Beach Murders: 'Significant Development' To Be Announced By Investigative Task Force Gilgo Beach Murders: 'Significant Development' To Be Announced By Investigative Task Force
Gilgo Beach Murders: 'Significant Development' To Be Announced By Investigative Task Force Investigators in the Gilgo Beach serial murders are gearing up to announce a major break in the case. The Gilgo Beach Homicide Investigation Task Force – which includes the Suffolk County DA’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, and New York State Police – will reveal a “new significant development in the investigation” during a press conference planned for Tuesday morning, Dec. 17. It will follow a scheduled appearance by accused serial murderer Rex Heuermann inside a Suffolk County courtroom in Riverhead, the DA’s Office said. Suffolk County DA Raymond Tierney, Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr, Acting Suf…
CEO Murder Case: Luigi Mangione's New Lawyer Signals Defensive Strategy CEO Murder Case: Luigi Mangione's New Lawyer Signals Defensive Strategy
CEO Murder Case: Luigi Mangione's New Lawyer Signals Defensive Strategy Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has retained high-profile attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo, who could mount a defense centered on Mangione's mental state. Friedman Agnifilo, a former Manhattan Chief Assistant District Attorney turned criminal defense lawyer, suggested a possible strategy even before formally joining Mangione’s legal team.  “It looks to me like there might be a not guilty by reason of insanity defense that they’re going to be thinking about because the evidence is going to be so overwhelming that he did wh…
Pair Who Flew Drone Dangerously Close To Boston's Logan Airport In Custody After Pursuit: Cops Pair Who Flew Drone Dangerously Close To Boston's Logan Airport In Custody After Pursuit: Cops
Pair Who Flew Drone Dangerously Close To Boston's Logan Airport In Custody After Pursuit: Cops Two Massachusetts men were arrested on Saturday, Dec. 14, after a hazardous drone operation near Logan International Airport triggered a coordinated safety response, police said. Boston Police officers apprehended 42-year-old Robert Duffy of Charlestown and 32-year-old Jeremy Folcik of Bridgewater, on Long Island in the Boston Harbor Islands around 10:22 p.m. Both face charges of trespassing, with additional charges potentially pending. The incident began at 4:30 p.m. when a Boston Police Officer monitoring real-time crime surveillance detected a drone dangerously close to Logan Internation…
Drugstore Deserts On Rise Amid Nationwide Pharmacy Closures Drugstore Deserts On Rise Amid Nationwide Pharmacy Closures
Drugstore Deserts On Rise Amid Nationwide Pharmacy Closures Nearly 30 percent of US pharmacies closed between 2010 and 2021, according to a new study in the health-policy publication Health Affairs. The research, led by University of California Berkeley assistant professor Jenny S. Guadamuz and colleagues, analyzed data from the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs, county health statistics, and ZIP Code demographic surveys.  Of the 88,930 retail pharmacies operating in 2010, almost one-third shuttered by 2021, with those in predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods disproportionately affected, Independent pharmacies were hit ha…
Luxury French Department Store Set To Open First US Location in NY Luxury French Department Store Set To Open First US Location in NY
Luxury French Department Store Set To Open First US Location in NY A touch of Parisian luxury will soon be arriving in America. Printemps, the iconic French department store, is prepares to open its first US location in the spring of 2025.  The new store, which will be located in Manhattan, will occupy 55,000 square feet within the historic One Wall Street building in the Financial District, blending classic architecture with modern elegance. Founded in 1865, Printemps is celebrated for its high-end fashion, beauty, and lifestyle offerings.  The Manhattan location aims to capture the spirit of its flagship Paris store, showcasing a carefully cu…
Winning Numbers For Saturday, Dec. 14 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $45M Jackpot Winning Numbers For Saturday, Dec. 14 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $45M Jackpot
Winning Numbers For Saturday, Dec. 14 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $45M Jackpot The winning numbers have been announced for the Saturday, Dec. 14 Powerball drawing. The estimated jackpot is $45 million with a $21 million cash option after there was no winner in the past week. If no Lottery player claims the top prize, the jackpot will continue to roll until the next drawing at 10:59 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 16. The winning numbers for Saturday's drawing were 12-17-23-52-67 with a Powerball of 01 and the Power Play was 2X. Powerball39 Lottery players have a 1 in 292,201,338 chance of winning a Powerball jackpot by matching all five balls plus t…