'Trusted Mentor, Loyal Friend': Community Grapples With Firefighter's Death 'Trusted Mentor, Loyal Friend': Community Grapples With Firefighter's Death
'Trusted Mentor, Loyal Friend': 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.…
New CT Eatery Enjoying Success Months After Opening New CT Eatery Enjoying Success Months After Opening
New CT Eatery Enjoying Success Months After Opening Mere months after opening its doors, a new restaurant in Connecticut is already a hit with sushi and ramen lovers.  Since opening in mid-July, Tomo 202, located in the Fairfield County town of Brookfield at 806 Federal Rd., has received plenty of praise for its fresh sushi rolls, ramen, and boba tea.  The eatery is the sister restaurant to Tomo 68 in Naugatuck, Ramen & Bao in Oxford, and Ji Bei Chuan in Orange, all in New Haven County.  Those who stop by the new location can indulge in delicious sushi rolls, sashimi, and tempura, as well as ramen, dumplings, oysters…
Boater Dumped Fuel, Untreated Human Waste Into CT Harbor: Police Boater Dumped Fuel, Untreated Human Waste Into CT Harbor: Police
Boater Dumped Fuel, Untreated Human Waste Into CT Harbor: Police A 79-year-old Connecticut man admitted to police that he dumped diesel fuel and untreated human waste from his boat into Norwalk Harbor last week, authorities said.  Stanley Sikorski, of Norwalk in Fairfield County, was charged with discharging sewage in a no-discharge zone, misuse of a marine sanitation device, and littering in the water, police said on Tuesday, Oct. 15.  Norwalk Police were called to a reported diesel spill just before 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, at Manresa Island. Officers could see a sheen on the water and smell fuel in the air.  They spotted an…
71-Year-Old Man Dies Day After Crashing Into Utility Pole 71-Year-Old Man Dies Day After Crashing Into Utility Pole
71-Year-Old Man Dies Day After Crashing Into Utility Pole A 71-year-old man who crashed into a utility pole in Fairfield County on Friday, Oct. 11, has died of his injuries, police announced on Saturday.  James Morley, of New York, crashed his SUV into a pole at 690 Atlantic St. in Stamford just before noon, authorities said.  Original Report: Driver In Critical Condition Following Stamford Crash Paramedics rushed him to Stamford Hospital in critical condition, and he later died of those injuries.  Police are investigating the cause of the crash. Authorities ask anyone with information on the single-vehicle wreck to contact…
(Update) Driver In Critical Condition After Crashing Into Utility Pole (Update) Driver In Critical Condition After Crashing Into Utility Pole
(Update) Driver In Critical Condition After Crashing Into Utility Pole Update: The 71-year-old driver died of his wound, police announced Saturday, Oct. 12. Click here for more information.  Original: A New York man was seriously injured Friday afternoon, Oct. 11, after crashing his SUV into a pole in Fairfield County, authorities said.  Police were called to 690 Atlantic St. in Stamford just before noon after a 71-year-old man was found unresponsive in his vehicle after it had struck the pole.  Related: 2 Women Hospitalized Following Hit-Run Crash In Waterbury First responders gave the driver medical treatment until paramedics could rush…
New CT Cannabis Dispensary Holds Grand Opening: Here's Where New CT Cannabis Dispensary Holds Grand Opening: Here's Where
New CT Cannabis Dispensary 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 …
Sexual Blackmail: Man Threatened To Leak Woman's Nudes Unless She Slept With Him, Police Say Sexual Blackmail: Man Threatened To Leak Woman's Nudes Unless She Slept With Him, Police Say
Sexual Blackmail: Man Threatened To Leak Woman's Nudes Unless She Slept With Him, Police Say A Connecticut man blackmailed a woman into sex by threatening to send her nude photos to her family and coworkers if she didn't sleep with him, authorities said.  Jason Acosta-Williams, age 26, of Norwalk in Fairfield County, is charged with sexual assault in the first degree and coercion, police said.  Officials did not release much information on the arrest or investigation to protect the victim, but Norwalk Police issued a warrant for Acosta-Williams' arrest in August. However, he evaded arrest until Thursday, Oct. 10, when he surrendered himself to authorities.  A j…
CT Man Had More Than 2,000 Images Of Child Porn On His Phone: Feds CT Man Had More Than 2,000 Images Of Child Porn On His Phone: Feds
CT Man Had More Than 2,000 Images Of Child Porn On His Phone: Feds A 31-year-old Connecticut man is facing potentially decades in prison after police say they found thousands of images of child sexual abuse material and discussed shared it on social media, authorities said.  Burnest Geyer, of Shelton in Fairfield County, was charged with receipt and distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography, the US Attorney for Connecticut said.  Police began investigating Geyer after linking him to a Telegram account that discussed sharing videos and photos of child sexual abuse material, the federal prosecutor said. He even…
Support Pours In For Detective In Coma After Brain Tumor Removal Support Pours In For Detective In Coma After Brain Tumor Removal
Support Pours In For Detective In Coma After Brain Tumor Removal A police department in Connecticut is leading an effort to lend help to one of its members who is fighting the health battle of his life following a brain tumor removal.  Detective 1st Grade Mike Rooney, a member of the Greenwich Police Department, is currently in a coma following his surgery at Yale New Haven Hospital to have a tumor removed from his brain, according to Greenwich Police Silver Shield Association President Peter Schmitt.  After the procedure was finished, Rooney's brain began unexpectedly swelling, causing him to enter into a coma, Schmitt said…
Businessman Gets Year In Prison For Tax Evasion, Must Pay $237K: Feds Businessman Gets Year In Prison For Tax Evasion, Must Pay $237K: Feds
Businessman Gets Year In Prison For Tax Evasion, Must Pay $237K: Feds A Connecticut businessman who admitted to hiding cash from the government for a decade was sentenced to a year and a day in prison and had to pay more than $200,000, federal authorities said.  Vishal Dhar, age 56, of New Canaan in Fairfield County, pleaded guilty to tax evasion in May and was sentenced on Monday, Oct, 7, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. He must serve two years of probation after he is released.  Dhar was accused of operating multiple entities such as Grey Brown, Inc. (a holding company for several restaurants operating under the name “Oaxaca Taqueria”), West …
Police Respond To Threat At Danbury Fair Mall Police Respond To Threat At Danbury Fair Mall
Police Respond To Threat At Danbury Fair Mall Police responded to a threat involving a popular mall in Connecticut. It happened late Sunday afternoon, Oct. 6 in Fairfield County at the Danbury Fair Mall. Danbury Police say officers responded to a report of a possible incident at the mall at around 4:30 p.m.  The officers quickly determined that the threat was not credible and there was no danger to the public, according to police.  "This incident remains under investigation as a swatting call," according to Danbury Police. The mall reopened for business as usual. 
New Rankings: These Are Connecticut's Best High Schools New Rankings: These Are Connecticut's Best High Schools
New Rankings: These Are Connecticut's Best High Schools Niche released its Best High Schools in the Country list this week, and while no Connecticut school made it onto the national charts, several of the state's public schools scored near the top.  Here is a breakdown of the top 10 rated schools in Connecticut.  Click here for the full list, and click here for a breakdown of the survey's methodology.  10: Glastonbury High School Researchers credited Glastonbury High's teacher-to-student ratio with his solid test scores. With 13 pupils per educator, the Hartford County school allows teachers more time to work with the …