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Bear With Us: Furry Visitor Creates a Buzz in CT Community Bear With Us: Furry Visitor Creates a Buzz in CT Community
Bear With Us: Furry Visitor Creates a Buzz in CT Community West Hartford residents are being treated to an unexpected guest — a young black bear who seems to enjoy a particular neighborhood. While there’s no immediate danger, officials are asking everyone to stay calm, stay safe, and be "bear aware." The bear, who’s been spotted lounging in trees and exploring Quaker Lane South, Flatbush, Sidney, and Edgemont areas, has become quite the celebrity. West Hartford Animal Control said they've received a flood of calls about the curious creature.  However, they urge residents to resist the urge to get too close. “Do not run up to the tree to t…

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by Josh Lanier
News
Rabid Raccoon Found In CT: Officials Urge Precautions To Protect Pets, Residents Rabid Raccoon Found In CT: Officials Urge Precautions To Protect Pets, Residents
Rabid Raccoon Found In CT: Officials Urge Precautions To Protect Pets, Residents A week after a fox tested positive, a raccoon in Connecticut also tested positive for the fatal virus and experts are warning caution around unfamiliar animals and extra protection for pets.  The Ledge Light Health District announced on Monday, Dec. 9, that the stray animal had tested positive for rabies in North Stonington. Related: Rabid Coyote Attacks Three Workers in Wallingford Last Week Rabies spreads through an infected animal's saliva, usually via bites or scratches, according to the Ledge Light Health District in a Facebook post. It can also be transmitted when infecte…

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by Josh Lanier
News
Spraying For Mosquitoes Set For CT State Park In Response To Deadly EEE Virus Spraying For Mosquitoes Set For CT State Park In Response To Deadly EEE Virus
Spraying For Mosquitoes Set For CT State Park In Response To Deadly EEE Virus While there have been no recent cases of eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE) in humans in Connecticut, the state will begin spraying a state park where the risk level remains elevated.  Earlier report - 41-Year-Old In New England Dies From Serious Mosquito Virus Eastern Equine Encephalitis The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Mosquito Management Program will conduct insecticide spraying on the evening of Thursday, August 29 (weather permitting) in New London County. This area in eastern Connecticut has consistently detected mammal-biting …

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Driver Crashes Into Bear On Busy CT Highway Driver Crashes Into Bear On Busy CT Highway
Driver Crashes Into Bear On Busy CT Highway Although a driver emerged without injuries after colliding with a bear on a busy Connecticut highway, the animal did not fare the same. The crash happened in Litchfield County on Sunday, July 21 just before 9 p.m., when a 2015 MINI Cooper struck a bear on Route 8 South near Exit 45 in Torrington, according to Connecticut State Police. Arriving troopers began an investigation and determined that the bear ran into the road in front of the car, which was unable to avoid hitting it.  The driver of the MINI Cooper was not injured in the crash. However, the bear was killed and was found blo…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
IDs Released For Men Who Drowned In Candlewood Lake IDs Released For Men Who Drowned In Candlewood Lake
IDs Released For Men Who Drowned In Candlewood Lake The names of two Fairfield County men who died after jumping into Candlewood Lake have been released. Related: Bodies Of Missing Danbury Swimmers Found In Candlewood Lake The bodies of Danbury residents Muzha Medardo Vayancela, age 26, and Loja Klever Guanuchi, age 36, were recovered by divers on Thursday, July 18, said Ethan Van Ness with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) on Friday, July 19. Vayancela and Guanuchi jumped into the water of Candlewood Lake on the evening of Monday, July 15, while boating with friends around 10:15 …

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Multiple Vehicles Burst Into Flames At Stamford Parking Lot Multiple Vehicles Burst Into Flames At Stamford Parking Lot
Multiple Vehicles Burst Into Flames At Stamford Parking Lot Fire officials are investigating after several vehicles were found on fire at a parking lot and storage area for a local towing company in Fairfield County. The incident occurred in Stamford around 10:25 a.m., Saturday, June 22, in the area of 400 Fairfield Ave. According to Capt. Philip Hayes of the Stamford Fire Department, the West Side Fire Station, arrived at the scene and found a fire involving several vehicles inside the parking lot and storage area. Due to the size and location of the parking lot, there was no threat to the adjacent buildings. Firefighters immediately went to work …

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by Kathy Reakes
News
State Trooper Injured After I-84 Crash In Danbury Causes Hours-Long Closure State Trooper Injured After I-84 Crash In Danbury Causes Hours-Long Closure
State Trooper Injured After I-84 Crash In Danbury Causes Hours-Long Closure A Connecticut State Police trooper was injured after an overnight crash that caused a three-hour closure on a stretch of I-84. It happened in Fairfield County just after 9 p.m. Friday, June 14, in Danbury. The 41-year-old trooper was inside her cruiser with the emergency lights activated at the scene of another accident on the shoulder on the westbound side between Exit 8 on and off ramps. A 2018 GMC Acadia was parked in the left lane near the on-ramp.  Connecticut State Police said a 2014 tractor-trailer was traveling in the right lane when the operator lost control of his vehi…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Alcohol Ban Imposed For 7 CT Recreation Areas Alcohol Ban Imposed For 7 CT Recreation Areas
Alcohol Ban Imposed For 7 CT Recreation Areas Seven recreational areas across Connecticut are the subjects of a recurring alcohol ban for the summer in an attempt to curb unruly behavior. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced a temporary alcohol ban lasting through Monday, Aug. 12 in the following recreational areas: Beach Pond State Boat Launch in Voluntown, New London County (including a part of Pachaug State Forest); Billings Lake State Boat Launch in North Stonington, New London County (also including a part of Pachaug State Forest); Gardner Lake State Park and State Boat Launch in Sa…

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by Sophie Grieser
News
CT Officials Urge Residents To Take Down Birdfeeders As Bear Activity Increases CT Officials Urge Residents To Take Down Birdfeeders As Bear Activity Increases
CT Officials Urge Residents To Take Down Birdfeeders As Bear Activity Increases As black bear activity increases following winter denning season, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) reminds residents to do their part by not reinforcing behaviors resulting in human-bear conflicts.  At a Tuesday, April 9 event in New Haven County in Southbury, with representatives from the National Audubon Society, speakers highlighted an important reminder to help reduce bear conflicts with people: take down birdfeeders.  DEEP officials said birdfeeders are an easy and tasty source of calories for bears. They regularly bring bears close to …

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
2 CT Men Found Dead In Lake After Canoe Overturns 2 CT Men Found Dead In Lake After Canoe Overturns
2 CT Men Found Dead In Lake After Canoe Overturns Two Connecticut men were found dead in a lake after their canoe overturned. The incident occurred in Tolland County in Bolton at Lower Bolton Lake on Wednesday, March 13. According to Paul Copleman, spokesperson for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, multiple fire departments responded with vessels and dive teams to search for the men. Dive teams recovered one man who was transported and pronounced dead at the hospital, Copleman said. Emergency responders recovered a second body during rescue efforts. The man was pronounced dead on the scene, he added. Cop…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Former Officer, Fire Chief Charged With Sexual Assault At CT Boat Launch, Officials Say Former Officer, Fire Chief Charged With Sexual Assault At CT Boat Launch, Officials Say
Former Officer, Fire Chief Charged With Sexual Assault At CT Boat Launch, Officials Say A former police officer and fire chief has been charged with sexual assault in connection with an incident that happened at a Connecticut boat launch, officials announced.  Middlesex County resident Jay Rankin of Old Saybrook turned himself in to Environmental Conservation Police on Monday morning, Feb. 26 in connection with an incident that happened in the Windham County town of Thompson, according to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.  According to DEEP, in July 2023, EnCon Police were told of a sexual assault that happened at the Little Pon…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Man Found Unresponsive In Water At CT State Park Dies Man Found Unresponsive In Water At CT State Park Dies
Man Found Unresponsive In Water At CT State Park Dies A 78-year-old man who was found unresponsive in the water at a Connecticut state park later died. The incident took place in New London County around 1 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 6 at Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme. Officials with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection responded to the park of a man found in the water at the park, said Paul Copleman, a spokesman for DEEP. Rocky Neck lifeguards performed CPR on-scene before the man was transported by ambulance to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London, where he was pronounced dead. An investigation is ongoing and an …

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
AR-15 Stolen From DEEP Vehicle In CT During Smash/Grab Thefts, Police Say AR-15 Stolen From DEEP Vehicle In CT During Smash/Grab Thefts, Police Say
AR-15 Stolen From Deep Vehicle In CT During Smash/Grab Thefts, Police Say An AR-15 rifle was stolen out of the vehicle of a Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection vehicle parked at a home. The incident took place in New Haven County around 6:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 26 in Wallingford. An officer on routine patrol noticed a vehicle parked in front of a home with one of its passenger windows smashed out, said  Sgt. Stephen Jaques of the Wallingford Police. After investigation, officers determined that the DEEP vehicle contained an AR-15 rifle in a secured and locked police mount.  The entire mount and rifle had been stolen from th…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Several CT State Parks Closed To Swimming Due To High Bacteria Levels, Flooding Several CT State Parks Closed To Swimming Due To High Bacteria Levels, Flooding
Several CT State Parks Closed To Swimming Due To High Bacteria Levels, Flooding Several lakes and ponds in Connecticut are closed due to high bacteria levels and the aftereffects of recent flooding.As of Thursday, July 13, officials with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) listed the following lakes and ponds as closed: Burr Pond State Park -- Torrington -- Litchfield County Lake Waramaug State Park -- Kent -- Litchfield County Gardner Lake State Park -- Salem -- New London County Indian Well State Park -- Shelton -- Fairfield County/due to flooding DEEP said the water is retested at regular intervals and parks would reo…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Dreaming Of An eBike? Here's How State Voucher Program Helps Residents Save Big Bucks Dreaming Of An eBike? Here's How State Voucher Program Helps Residents Save Big Bucks
Dreaming Of An eBike? Here's How State Voucher Program Helps Residents Save Big Bucks For those out there who are itching to get their feet on an electric bike and zip along the roadways, now is the time with a special voucher program being offered by the state. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced Wednesday, June 28 in New Haven County, the launch of the state’s first electric bicycle (eBike) voucher program, helping to offer residents a different clean transportation option, with increased incentives for low- and moderate-income individuals and those who live in distressed or environmental justice (EJ) communities. The new eBik…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Moose Sighting: Drivers Beware, Say State Wildlife Officials Moose Sighting: Drivers Beware, Say State Wildlife Officials
Moose Sighting: Drivers Beware, Say State Wildlife Officials A moose is out exploring the world for spring, and Connecticut wildlife officials are warning drivers to beware. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said the moose has been spotted in Hartford County in the area of Route 20 in East Granby, within five miles of I-91. Though Connecticut’s moose population is small (about 100 individuals), moose can pose a serious threat to public safety if they wander onto roadways, DEEP officials said. During this time of year, young moose may be traveling long distances in search of new areas to occupy, making them more of a …

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Hunter Accused Of Killing, Skinning Pet Dogs From Ridgefield He Mistook For Coyotes Hunter Accused Of Killing, Skinning Pet Dogs From Ridgefield He Mistook For Coyotes
Hunter Accused Of Killing, Skinning Pet Dogs From Ridgefield He Mistook For Coyotes A New York man faces criminal charges after allegedly killing and skinning two pet dogs in Connecticut that he thought were coyotes.  Putnam County resident Michael Konschak, age 61, of Carmel, faces tampering with evidence, forgery, and hunting-related violation charges after allegedly killing the two dogs in northern Fairfield County on Friday, Nov. 18 after they escaped their owner's home.  Konschak was arrested by environmental conservation police associated with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental protection on Wednesday, Feb. 8, according to court documents.  The …

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Fatal Fall: Man, 25, Found Dead At Popular State Park Fatal Fall: Man, 25, Found Dead At Popular State Park
Fatal Fall: Man, 25, Found Dead At Popular State Park Officials are investigating after a 25-year-old man was found dead after falling at a popular state park in Connecticut. The incident took place in New Haven County around 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24 at West Rock Ridge State Park in Hamden. Environmental Conservation Police responded to the park after receiving a report of a fall victim from the  Hamden Police, a spokesman for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said. After a search, a 25-year-old man was found and was declared dead on the scene, the spokesman said. EnCon Police are investigating. The victim…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Watch: CT Family Discovers Bear Hibernating Under Deck Watch: CT Family Discovers Bear Hibernating Under Deck
Watch: CT Family Discovers Bear Hibernating Under Deck A Connecticut resident was in for a huge surprise when investigating why his dog was afraid to go outside. Hartford County resident Vincent Dashukewich, of Plainville, told WTNH he found a black bear hibernating under his deck after he took his dog out for a walk and the dog started growling. His sister, Tyler, shared a video of the bear in a TikTok that has since gone viral, receiving more than 15 million views. @thetrendytransparent #bears #newengland #bearsinct ♬ original sound - Tyler Dashukewich "When you find out why your dog has been scared to go outside," Tyler wrote, z…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
New Details Emerge After 10-Year-Old Boy Attacked By Black Bear In Connecticut New Details Emerge After 10-Year-Old Boy Attacked By Black Bear In Connecticut
New Details Emerge After 10-Year-Old Boy Attacked By Black Bear In Connecticut A 10-year-old Connecticut boy who was injured by a black bear was playing in his grandparent's backyard when the male bear attacked, according to multiple reports. The attack took place in the Litchfield County town of Morris at 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, according to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Officers from the state police and DEEP responded and shot the bear, authorities said. The boy's grandfather, James Butler, of Morris, told the Republican-American of Waterbury, his grandson was playing near a trampoline when the large male bear came out of thic…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Black Bear Attacks 10-Year-Old Boy In Connecticut Black Bear Attacks 10-Year-Old Boy In Connecticut
Black Bear Attacks 10-Year-Old Boy In Connecticut Updated story: New Details Emerge After CT 10-Year-Old Boy Attacked By Black Bear A 10-year-old boy was attacked by a black bear in Connecticut, officials reported. Police responded to the incident in the Litchfield County town of Morris at about 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16, according to a spokesperson for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. EnCon Police and Connecticut State Police responded to the scene.  The boy was taken to Charlotte Hungerford Hospital for treatment of injuries that appear to be non-life-threatening, officials sai…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
CT DEEP Issues Alert To Motorists After Moose Sightings In Fairfield County CT DEEP Issues Alert To Motorists After Moose Sightings In Fairfield County
CT Deep Issues Alert To Motorists After Moose Sightings In Fairfield County State officials issued an alert to motorists after a series of moose sightings in Fairfield County communities. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced on Tuesday, Sept. 27, that motorists should use caution due to the increase in sightings. "Recent sightings of moose in Woodbury, Southbury, Danbury, Newtown, and New Fairfield, though believed to be the same moose, serve as an important reminder for motorists to be aware that increased moose activity near roadways can pose a hazard," DEEP said. Earlier report - Moose Spotted In Connecticut  Of…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
Dead Deer Reported In CT Towns, 3 Test Positive For Hemorrhagic Disease, Officials Say Dead Deer Reported In CT Towns, 3 Test Positive For Hemorrhagic Disease, Officials Say
Dead Deer Reported In CT Towns, 3 Test Positive For Hemorrhagic Disease, Officials Say State officials announced that three white-tailed deer tested positive for hemorrhagic disease, as dead deer have been found across multiple towns in Connecticut.  The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced on Wednesday, Sept. 28, that the first positive case this year came from a deer found in the Litchfield County town of Goshen. A second deer was also confirmed to have the disease after it was found on a property in Kent, DEEP said. Five additional dead deer were also found on that property. The third positive case was confirmed in a deer fro…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
Officials Investigating Cause Of Death For Woman Found At CT State Park Officials Investigating Cause Of Death For Woman Found At CT State Park
Officials Investigating Cause Of Death For Woman Found At CT State Park State officials are investigating the cause of death of a woman found dead in a Connecticut pond. The 76-year-old Litchfield County woman was located on Thursday, Aug. 25 in Torrington, near land surrounding Burr Pond. The woman, whose name has not yet been released, was found by first responders who located the body just off the shoreline at the state park, said Paul Copleman, media relations manager for the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is still investigating the cause of death, Copleman said. "At this time there is no …

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Officials Identify 2 Men Killed In CT Boat Accident Officials Identify 2 Men Killed In CT Boat Accident
Officials Identify 2 Men Killed In CT Boat Accident Officials have identified two men who were killed in a boat accident in Connecticut.  Authorities responded to a report of a boat accident in New London County on Saturday, Aug. 20, and found a center console adrift off the Stonington shoreline, a Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) spokesperson said. Two men, identified as 54-year-old David Motherway, of Stonington, and 52-year-old Brian Collie, of Littleton, Colorado, were pronounced dead at the scene, the DEEP spokesperson reported. Authorities determined that Motherway was the owner of the boat tha…

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by Nicole Valinote
Police & Fire
ID Released For Body Found In Candlewood Lake As Missing 20-Year-Old ID Released For Body Found In Candlewood Lake As Missing 20-Year-Old
ID Released For Body Found In Candlewood Lake As Missing 20-Year-Old Officials have identified a body found in Candlewood Lake as a 20-year-old Fairfield County man who went missing while swimming last week. Denis Junio Rodrigues Pio, of Bridgeport, was identified as the man who went missing in the lake near Chicken Rock in Brookfield on the night of Friday, June 24, according to an announcement from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection on Thursday, June 30. His body was recovered on Tuesday, June 28, officials said. The department said the case is being investigated as an accidental drowning.

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by Nicole Valinote
Police & Fire
Body Of Missing Swimmer Found By Divers In Candlewood Lake Body Of Missing Swimmer Found By Divers In Candlewood Lake
Body Of Missing Swimmer Found By Divers In Candlewood Lake Divers have recovered the body of a man who went missing while swimming on Candlewood Lake in Fairfield County. The man, in his 20s, was found around 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 28 in the area of the lake in Brookfield  -- near "Chicken Rock,'' -- where he went missing on Friday, June 24. The office of the chief state medical examiner will determine the cause and manner of death, said Will Healey, director of communication for the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Identification is pending positive identification and notification, Healey said The investi…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Officials Identify Body Of Missing Man Found In Candlewood Lake Officials Identify Body Of Missing Man Found In Candlewood Lake
Officials Identify Body Of Missing Man Found In Candlewood Lake Officials have identified a 24-year-old man whose body was found in Candlewood Lake after a weeks-long search for him. Hartford County resident Larry Kwokpo Chan, of Bristol, was identified as the man whose body was recovered from the lake on Thursday, June 16, according to an announcement from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection on Tuesday, June 21. He was reported missing on Sunday, May 29, after he went from a vessel into the water, authorities previously reported. Earlier report - Body Found After Weeks-Long Search For Missing Man In Candlewood …

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by Nicole Valinote
Police & Fire
Body Found After Weeks-Long Search For Missing Man In Candlewood Lake, Officials Report Body Found After Weeks-Long Search For Missing Man In Candlewood Lake, Officials Report
Body Found After Weeks-Long Search For Missing Man In Candlewood Lake, Officials Report The Connecticut State Police Dive Team has recovered the body amid a search for a 24-year-old man who went missing in a lake last month. The 24-year-old man was reported missing on Sunday, May 29, after he went from a vessel into Candlewood Lake, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection reported. Patrol vessels and dive teams searched for the man each daily from the day he was reported missing until a body was found on Thursday, June 16, DEEP reported. Officials said the body was found in the same area of the lake where the man went missing. The Office of the Chie…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
Investigation Underway After Off-Duty Cop Kills Beloved Bear In Fairfield County Investigation Underway After Off-Duty Cop Kills Beloved Bear In Fairfield County
Investigation Underway After Off-Duty Cop Kills Beloved Bear In Fairfield County State officials are investigating after the fatal shooting of Bobbi the Bear by an off-duty police officer in Northern Fairfield County. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and local police are investigating after the bear, a mother to two cubs, was found shot and killed in Newtown on Thursday, May 12. Bobbi, who was beloved by the Newtown community, was shot by an off-duty Ridgefield Police Department officer who was reportedly protecting his chicken coop at his home in Newtown.  The Ridgefield PD issued the following statement: "We are aware that on…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Local, State Authorities Investigating Shooting Of Mother Bear In Fairfield County Local, State Authorities Investigating Shooting Of Mother Bear In Fairfield County
Local, State Authorities Investigating Shooting Of Mother Bear In Fairfield County Law enforcement authorities in Connecticut are investigating the fatal shooting of a mother bear in Fairfield County who left behind two cubs. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and local police in Newtown are investigating after the bear was found shot and killed on Thursday, May 12. According to Newtown First Selectman Dan Rosenthal, he and DEEP are working to obtain a permit to rehabilitate the bear cubs with a wildlife specialist. The bear, which had been dubbed “Bobbi the Bear” by its fans and neighbors on social media is being mourned online afte…

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by Zak Failla