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Hartford Courant

Lifestyle
COVID-19: Connecticut Teacher Who Helped Families During Pandemic Now Owes Thousands In Taxes COVID-19: Connecticut Teacher Who Helped Families During Pandemic Now Owes Thousands In Taxes
Covid-19: Connecticut Teacher Who Helped Families During Pandemic Now Owes Thousands In Taxes A 27-year-old teacher who helped his New England neighbors by going to the grocery store for them during the COVID-19 pandemic is now facing a hefty tax bill. But when Louis Goffinet, who teaches at a middle school in Mansfield, Connecticut, raised over $40,000 on Facebook, he got slapped with a $16,000 tax bill, according to a report in the Hartford Courant. After Goffinet started to seek funds, he wound up spending his own money because some people needed financial help, the report said. After raising $41,000 through two Facebook fundraisers, he received a 1099 form from Facebo…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Victim ID'd In Fatal VA Hospital Steam-Pipe Explosion Victim ID'd In Fatal VA Hospital Steam-Pipe Explosion
Victim ID'd In Fatal VA Hospital Steam-Pipe Explosion One of the two men who died in a fatal steam pipe explosion at the West Haven VA Hospital has been identified. Friends, family, and coworkers said they are mourning the loss of Eul T. Sims, Jr., of Milford. He was 60 when he died. Sims was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois. He retired after serving 21 years in the U.S. Naval Construction Battalions, better known as the SeaBees, according to his obituary. Sims is survived by his wife Cynthia Petrie, his children, and grandchildren. People who knew Sims said he was kind and supportive of the staff and patients at the VA. Sims was the type of…

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by Kristin Palpini
News
These 20 Legislators Are At Highest Risk Of Being Voted Out On Nov. 3 These 20 Legislators Are At Highest Risk Of Being Voted Out On Nov. 3
These 20 Legislators Are At Highest Risk Of Being Voted Out On Nov. 3 They may be in office now, but come election time these 20 Connecticut legislators are among the politicians most at risk of losing. The Hartford Courant has put together a list of candidates it says are most vulnerable to being elected out of office. The thing that makes them vulnerable is their newness. Many new Democrats were elected in 2018 to districts where Republicans had been in charge. Will they be able to hold onto the spot against a challenger? There are also some Republican incumbents facing tough Democrat candidates. Here are the incumbents who face the biggest challenges on …

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by Kristin Palpini
Business
Recreational Marijuana Could Raise $1 Billion For Connecticut Recreational Marijuana Could Raise $1 Billion For Connecticut
Recreational Marijuana Could Raise $1 Billion For Connecticut Connecticut could collect nearly $1 billion in taxes over five years if the state were to legalize recreational marijuana, according to a new University of Connecticut report. A study by UConn’s Center for Economic Analysis estimated that in five years of recreational sales Connecticut could collect anywhere from $784 million to $952 million in new taxes, according to the Hartford Courant. Since the COVID-19-fueled recession has hit the U.S., many states are looking at new ways to raise tax revenue. Lead study author Fred Carstensen said that in addition to raising taxes, welcoming the re…

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by Kristin Palpini
News
Hartford Native, WNBC Anchor David Ushery Named To NY State Broadcasters Hall Of Fame Hartford Native, WNBC Anchor David Ushery Named To NY State Broadcasters Hall Of Fame
Hartford Native, Wnbc Anchor David Ushery Named To NY State Broadcasters Hall Of Fame Hartford native and longtime NBC New York anchorman David Ushery has been elected into the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame. The New York Broadcasters Hall of Fame recognizes commitment to journalistic excellence and local service. WNBC New York anchor Ushery is a positive role model, said David Donovan, the Hall of Fame’s president and executive director. Members of the New York Broadcasters Hall of Fame include Walter Cronkite, Barbara Walters, Regis Philbin, Marvin Scott, Diana Williams, and Boomer Esiason. “He has one of the best journalistic resumes I’ve ever seen,” said Dono…

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by Kristin Palpini
Police & Fire
Hartford Police Chief Ordered To Pay For City Car Damages; Investigation Ongoing Hartford Police Chief Ordered To Pay For City Car Damages; Investigation Ongoing
Hartford Police Chief Ordered To Pay For City Car Damages; Investigation Ongoing The Hartford Police Chief is being ordered to pay thousands of dollars to repair damage to his city-issued vehicle following a May traffic accident that is still under investigation. Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin said Monday, July 13, that Police Chief Jason Thody will pay about $3,300 to cover damages resulting from when Thody struck a guardrail in his Chevrolet Tahoe on Route 154 near the Chester-Haddam line. Bronin released a letter July 13 recounting the events of the incident and outlining discipline - restitution and the filing of the mayor’s letter in Thody’s personnel file. Although T…

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by Kristin Palpini
Police & Fire
Fallout From Crash In City-Issued SUV Could Lead To Hartford Police Chief's Suspension Fallout From Crash In City-Issued SUV Could Lead To Hartford Police Chief's Suspension
Fallout From Crash In City-Issued SUV Could Lead To Hartford Police Chief's Suspension Hartford's police chief is facing suspension after he allegedly hit a guardrail in his city-issued SUV about six weeks ago. On Monday, July 13, the Hartford City Council will take up whether to suspend Police Chief Jason Thody from all duties while an investigation by the State Attorney into the incident is conducted, according to WTNH News 8. Thody said he was distracted by his phone when the crash happened on Sunday, May 31, but a witness who called 911 after the chief's black Chevy Tahoe grazed a guardrail on Route 154 near the Haddam-Chester line, said he thought the driver, T…

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by Kristin Palpini
Politics
COVID-19: CT Changes Presidential Primary Date; New Poll Of State Voters Shows Biden Way Ahead COVID-19: CT Changes Presidential Primary Date; New Poll Of State Voters Shows Biden Way Ahead
Covid-19: CT Changes Presidential Primary Date; New Poll Of State Voters Shows Biden Way Ahead As Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced a date change for the state's presidential primary in response to health concerns regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, a new poll shows Democratic candidate Joe Biden with a comfortable lead in the Nutmeg State.  Lamont announced the change on Twitter, saying that in an "effort to carry out Democracy while keeping public health a top priority, I have decided to move our presidential primary to (Tuesday) June 2nd." The primary had been scheduled for Tuesday, April 28. Around the same time as the announcement, a new poll by Sacred…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Estranged Husband's Lawyer Calls Report Of Mom's Blood-Stained Shirt 'Desperate Speculation' Estranged Husband's Lawyer Calls Report Of Mom's Blood-Stained Shirt 'Desperate Speculation'
Estranged Husband's Lawyer Calls Report Of Mom's Blood-Stained Shirt 'Desperate Speculation' The lawyer for the estranged husband of the missing Fairfield County mother of five says reports that police found the blood-stained shirt worn by Jennifer Farber Dulos the day she disappeared is "desperate speculation." Norm Pattis, Fotis Dulos' attorney, said he wasn't aware of any evidence that pointed to what Jennifer Dulos was wearing when the New Canaan resident went missing on Friday, May 24. “I am unaware of any evidence about what she was wearing when she disappeared," Pattis said. "This sounds like desperate speculation." Norm PattisElite Lawyer Management The news that polic…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Is Lamont's Endorsement Political Payback After Biden Campaigned For Him During 2018 Race? Is Lamont's Endorsement Political Payback After Biden Campaigned For Him During 2018 Race?
Is Lamont's Endorsement Political Payback After Biden Campaigned For Him During 2018 Race? Gov. Ned Lamont is endorsing former Vice President Joe Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination. But is it merely political payback for the Delaware Democrat's support during Lamont's gubernatorial campaign? "When my campaign needed a final push last fall, @JoeBiden was there. I’ve gotten to know him more over the years and now, I’m grateful that he’s thrown his hat in the ring to run against President Trump," Lamont tweeted last week, along with a photo of Biden campaigning for him. Lamont continued on Twitter: "As Democrats, we are fortunate to have such an impressive field. The …

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Loud Banging Heard At Estranged Husband's Property The Day After Mom Went Missing, Report Says Loud Banging Heard At Estranged Husband's Property The Day After Mom Went Missing, Report Says
Loud Banging Heard At Estranged Husband's Property The Day After Mom Went Missing, Report Says A neighbor's dog sitter heard loud banging at a New Canaan home the company of the estranged husband of the 50-year-old mother of five was working on the day after Jennifer Farber Dulos went missing, according to a new report. The banging was heard at the home on Sturbridge Hill Road in New Canaan at about 5 a.m. Saturday, May 25, according to Fox 61. Jennifer Dulos was last seen dropping off her children at school on Friday, May 24 and was reported missing later that same day after failing to show up for meetings with friends. Dulos' estranged husband, Fotis Dulos, 51, is the president an…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Search For Missing New Canaan Mom Now A Homicide Investigation, Report Says Search For Missing New Canaan Mom Now A Homicide Investigation, Report Says
Search For Missing New Canaan Mom Now A Homicide Investigation, Report Says Click here for an updated story: New Canaan Police Release New Info As Search For Missing Mom Hits One Week The search for a Fairfield County mother of five who has been missing for a week is now a homicide investigation, according to a new report. WFSB cited law enforcement sources close to the investigation regarding the disappearance of 50-year-old Jennifer Farber Dulos of New Canaan. Related story: Police Search Westchester Home In Investigation Of Missing Woman Dulos was last seen on Friday, May 24, dropping off her children at school in a 2017 black Chevrolet Suburban…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Woman Who Says Biden Rubbed Noses With Her At Greenwich Fundraiser Getting National Attention Woman Who Says Biden Rubbed Noses With Her At Greenwich Fundraiser Getting National Attention
Woman Who Says Biden Rubbed Noses With Her At Greenwich Fundraiser Getting National Attention A second woman who alleges she was inappropriately touched by former Vice President Joe Biden is making national news, claiming that he gave her Eskimo kiss. Amy Lappos, 43, told the Hartford Courant that at a $1,000-per-plate fundraiser in Greenwich in 2009, the potential 2020 presidential hopeful grabbed her head and rubbed nose with her. The incident was initially posted on social media before making national news this week. At the time of the alleged incident, Lappos was acting as an aide for Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes. She said that she didn’t report the incident for nearly a…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Housatonic Community College Professor Placed On Leave For Giving Nazi Salute Housatonic Community College Professor Placed On Leave For Giving Nazi Salute
Housatonic Community College Professor Placed On Leave For Giving Nazi Salute A college professor who gave the Nazi salute during a meeting of state college and university officials has been placed on paid administrative leave, according to a report by the Hartford Courant. Charles Meyrick, an assistant professor of business and economics at Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, shouted and became agitated before eventually holding up his arm in a Nazi salute for five to 10 minutes, several faculty members in attendance at the meeting on Friday, Nov. 2 told the Courant. Meyrick stopped doing the salute after campus police were called, the report said.…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Oz Griebel Expected To Play 'Spoiler' Role In Next Week's Governor Election Oz Griebel Expected To Play 'Spoiler' Role In Next Week's Governor Election
Oz Griebel Expected To Play 'Spoiler' Role In Next Week's Governor Election This story has been updated. With Ned Lamont and Bob Stefanowski nearly deadlocked in recent public opinion polls, a third candidate is expected to play a key roll in the Nov. 6 election. Political observers are saying that Richard "Oz" Griebel, a former Republican running as an independent could sift decisive votes away from the two major party candidates. University experts, pollers and party officials predict Griebel could receive at least 6 to 7 percent of the statewide vote -- especially in Hartford County -- and more likely harm Stefanowski of Madison than Lamont of Greenwi…

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by Jon Craig
News
State Police Must Release Disturbing Writings, Belongings Of Newtown School Shooter, Court Says State Police Must Release Disturbing Writings, Belongings Of Newtown School Shooter, Court Says
State Police Must Release Disturbing Writings, Belongings Of Newtown School Shooter, Court Says The public will soon be privy to some of the disturbing documents, journals and other belongings of Newtown school shooter Adam Lanza following a Connecticut Supreme Court ruling. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously this week in favor of the Hartford Courant, who previously attempted to have the items made public, though that decision was overruled by a lower court judge. It has not been disclosed when the 35 items will be released. Connecticut State Police investigators had previously rejected media requests to view Lanza’s belongings that were seized following the shooting, citing privacy…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Look Who's Leading? New Poll Shows Boughton Ahead Of Pack In GOP Primary Race Look Who's Leading? New Poll Shows Boughton Ahead Of Pack In GOP Primary Race
Look Who's Leading? New Poll Shows Boughton Ahead Of Pack In GOP Primary Race Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton is leading his Republican rivals, according to a new poll. The online poll comes three weeks before the Aug. 14 primary election. The GOP candidates square off in a debate at Sacred Heart University on Tuesday July 24, as reported here by Daily Voice. Boughton, who won the Republican Party endorsement in May, was backed by 34.3 percent of those polled in an online survey. Business executive Bob Stefanowski of Madison placed second at 20 percent, while former Greenwich hedge fund manager David Stemerman had 14.6 percent.  Stemerman edged out former Trumbull firs…

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by Jon Craig
Politics
Millionaire CT Gubernatorial Candidates Throw Blows On Twitter Millionaire CT Gubernatorial Candidates Throw Blows On Twitter
Millionaire CT Gubernatorial Candidates Throw Blows On Twitter Candidates for governor in Connecticut took to Twitter this week to blast one another and promote their campaign themes Two Greenwich rivals with the greatest personal wealth in the gubernatorial race — Democrat Ned Lamont and Republican David Stemerman — traded social media shots over their business backgrounds and how each made his fortune. The flap began when Stemerman, a hedge fund giant, criticized two of his Republican Party primary opponents for proposing to eliminate the state income tax to help fix the state economy. Instead of drawing predictable fire from GOP foes Mark Boughton …

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by Jon Craig
News
Man Faces Felony After Dropping 'Heroin Spoon' At Purdue Pharma In Stamford Man Faces Felony After Dropping 'Heroin Spoon' At Purdue Pharma In Stamford
Man Faces Felony After Dropping 'Heroin Spoon' At Purdue Pharma In Stamford A Stamford art gallery owner was arrested for depositing an 800-pound steel sculpture of a bent heroin spoon in front of Purdue Pharma, according to multiple sources. Fernando Luis Alvarez was arrested about an hour after "installing" the spoon at 8:30 a.m. Friday and charged with obstruction of free passage and interfering with police, a felony, in front of the 201 Tresser Blvd. corporate headquarters, reported the Hartford Courant. Alvarez, whose Bedford Street gallery is opening an exhibit on the opioid crisis Friday night, was arrested because the spoon blocked an automatic en…

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by Kathy Reakes
Politics
CT House Postpones Vote On Electronic Tolls CT House Postpones Vote On Electronic Tolls
CT House Postpones Vote On Electronic Tolls Just as House Democrats were pushing for a vote to approve tolls on Connecticut highways, House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz announced on Wednesday, May 2 that the vote was postponed. According to multiple news reports, Aresimowicz said he could not guarantee any debate on the proposal to restore tolls anytime soon, and perhaps not even this year. Aresimowicz had repeatedly promised a vote -- win, lose or draw -- but the chances are not looking good under a barrage of Republican criticism with the 2018 elections fast approaching, the Hartford Courant reported here.  Earlier cover…

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by Jon Craig
News
Prosecutors Ask Kennedy Cousin Skakel Be Sent Back To Jail Prosecutors Ask Kennedy Cousin Skakel Be Sent Back To Jail
Prosecutors Ask Kennedy Cousin Skakel Be Sent Back To Jail State prosecutors are asking the Supreme Court to put Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel back behind bars, saying he should not still be free more than a year after the court reinstated his conviction for the murder of Martha Moxley, according to multiple news reports. A state judge set aside Michael Skakel's murder conviction and ordered his retrial in the 1975 death of Moxley, who was a Greenwich teenager. Skakel successfully appealed his conviction in October 2013 and was released on bail the next month as he awaited a new trial.  Three years later, the state Supreme Court reversed the …

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by Jon Craig
Sports
How Bobby Valentine's Career Led Him To AD Post At Sacred Heart University How Bobby Valentine's Career Led Him To AD Post At Sacred Heart University
How Bobby Valentine's Career Led Him To AD Post At Sacred Heart University FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Stamford resident Bobby Valentine has enjoyed a plethora of experiences in his athletic and professional career.  Valentine, 67, is now the athletic director at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. But he followed a busy and unconventional path to that job: Major League Baseball player for a decade; manager of the Texas Rangers, Mets and Red Sox; first American manager position in the Pacific League of Japan with the Chiba Lotte Marines; television broadcaster; owner of two Bobby Valentine’s Sports Gallery Cafes; and director of public safety in Stamford.  In an intervi…

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by Daily Voice