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'Amy' Wants To Trim Your Trees, Wash Your House, Fix Your Roof — And Empty Your Wallet 'Amy' Wants To Trim Your Trees, Wash Your House, Fix Your Roof — And Empty Your Wallet
'Amy' Wants To Trim Your Trees, Wash Your House, Fix Your Roof — And Empty Your Wallet If you live in Connecticut, there's a good chance you know Amy. Maybe she's texted you about her tree-trimming service. Got a dirty driveway? Amy has a pressure-washing business that will fix it right up. Are your gutters in shambles? Amy's got you. From roofing to leaky pipes, Amy has what you need. But there's one hiccup: Amy isn't real. Neither is Dave. Or James. Or Michael. They're part of a growing wave of scam texts hoping to catch homeowners in need, and they are everywhere. There are dozens of Reddit threads featuring hundreds of these nearly identical messages, including one …

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by Josh Lanier
News
Gotti Grandson Sentencing Delayed For Kidney Donation — Again Gotti Grandson Sentencing Delayed For Kidney Donation — Again
Gotti Grandson Sentencing Delayed For Kidney Donation — Again John Gotti’s grandson had his prison sentence delayed again Friday, July 17, so he can donate a kidney to his mother. Carmine G. Agnello, 40, will be allowed to report to federal prison on Sept. 18 as long as the surgery proceeds as scheduled on Aug. 3, Newsday reported. Agnello, of Oyster Bay, has battled sentencing in the case for months, though he pleaded guilty to fraud back in September 2024 and got 15 months behind bars. He first claimed he had to donate the kidney to his mother, Victoria Gotti, back in March, but the surgery never happened. That incident left federal prosecutors ske…

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by Joe Wilkinson
Police & Fire
Ex-State Trooper Accused Of Drunkenly Crashing Cruiser Gets Chance To Avoid Conviction: Report Ex-State Trooper Accused Of Drunkenly Crashing Cruiser Gets Chance To Avoid Conviction: Report
Ex-State Trooper Accused Of Drunkenly Crashing Cruiser Gets Chance To Avoid Conviction: Report A former Connecticut State Police trooper accused of crashing his cruiser while off duty with a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit has been granted a special diversionary program, according to CT Insider. Jacob Drechsler, 24, of Southington, was granted Accelerated Rehabilitation, a two-year diversionary program, on Wednesday at state Superior Court in New Britain, the report said. The decision stems from a Halloween night crash on Flanders Road on Oct. 31 in Southington. The program provides Drechsler the opportunity to avoid a criminal conviction if he completes its…

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by Josh Lanier
Lifestyle
Win $2M In 'Monopoly' Competition Show On Netflix: How To Apply Win $2M In 'Monopoly' Competition Show On Netflix: How To Apply
Win $2M In 'Monopoly' Competition Show On Netflix: How To Apply You could soon play a game of Monopoly that's larger than life with a $2 million prize on the line. Netflix has greenlit "Monopoly," a competition series that will pit 12 contestants against each other in an enormous version of the classic board game. The streaming giant announced that it's looking for potential competitors to take part in the show, which will debut in fall 2027. Applications are now open for people hoping to become one of the 12 players selected for the series. To apply, you must upload a one-minute video explaining why you want to be on the show, along with…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Faulty Seat Belts Trigger Huge Recall Of Popular Hyundai Vehicles Faulty Seat Belts Trigger Huge Recall Of Popular Hyundai Vehicles
Faulty Seat Belts Trigger Huge Recall Of Popular Hyundai Vehicles Nearly 48,000 Hyundai SUVs are being recalled over a seat belt buckle problem that increases injury risks during a crash. Hyundai Motor America issued the recall for 47,749 vehicles, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Tuesday, July 14. The issue affects certain 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric and 2026 Hyundai Kona vehicles. The rear center seat belt buckle may have been improperly manufactured and could fail to properly restrain a passenger during a crash. The defect was linked to a supplier's stamping tools that weren't properly maintained and had worn down from ove…

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by Chris Spiker
News
CT Community Rallies For 15-Year-Old Who Died With Cupcake Fundraiser, East Hampton Vigil CT Community Rallies For 15-Year-Old Who Died With Cupcake Fundraiser, East Hampton Vigil
CT Community Rallies For 15-Year-Old Who Died With Cupcake Fundraiser, East Hampton Vigil A Connecticut baker is stepping up to help the family of a 15-year-old East Hampton girl who died after a medical emergency while paddleboarding in Eastford. Cassandra "Cassie" Munson died Sunday, July 12, after falling into Crystal Pond. Witnesses said she appeared to have a medical emergency before she entered the water. As her family grieves, community members have rallied around them. A GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $57,000 as of Friday afternoon. The money will help pay for Munson's funeral expenses and cover other costs to allow her family time to grieve. Others have wanted …

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by Josh Lanier
Business
Flying Parts Prompt Massive Recall Of Nearly 290K Ford Vehicles Flying Parts Prompt Massive Recall Of Nearly 290K Ford Vehicles
Flying Parts Prompt Massive Recall Of Nearly 290K Ford Vehicles Nearly 290,000 Ford Explorer SUVs are being recalled because roof rail covers can come loose and detach while driving. Ford Motor Company issued the recall for 288,314 vehicles, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report filed on Tuesday, July 14. The recall affects certain 2016-2019 Ford Explorers. The roof rail covers may loosen over time and separate from the vehicle while it's moving. A detached cover could create a hazard for other drivers and increase the risk of a crash. Drivers may notice more wind noise, squeaks, rattles, or a visible gap between the roof…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Popular Coca-Cola-Owned Beverage Halts US Production After Cyberattack Popular Coca-Cola-Owned Beverage Halts US Production After Cyberattack
Popular Coca-Cola-Owned Beverage Halts US Production After Cyberattack A cyberattack has temporarily halted US production at Fairlife, the dairy company owned by Coca-Cola. The Coca-Cola Company announced the ransomware attack in a news release on Thursday, July 16. Fairlife identified unauthorized access by a third party to part of its computer systems, including production-related systems. After detecting the cyberattack, Fairlife activated its incident response and business continuity plans. The company said it's continuing to investigate the breach with help from law enforcement, outside advisors, and cybersecurity experts. The full scope, natur…

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by Chris Spiker
News
Brenda Fricker Dies: Oscar-Winning Actress Known For 'Home Alone,' 'My Left Foot' Brenda Fricker Dies: Oscar-Winning Actress Known For 'Home Alone,' 'My Left Foot'
Brenda Fricker Dies: Oscar-Winning Actress Known For 'Home Alone,' 'My Left Foot' An actress who could turn quiet loneliness into unforgettable humanity has died after a six-decade career. Oscar-winning Irish actress Brenda Fricker died on Friday, July 17, following a period of ill health, her agent told the BBC. She was 81. Fricker became the first Irish actress to win an Academy Award when she received the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 1990 for “My Left Foot.” She played Bridget Brown, the devoted mother of writer and painter Christy Brown, portrayed by Daniel Day-Lewis in the acclaimed 1989 film. Fricker reached an even wider audience three years later as the rec…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
FDA Issues Alert After Major Break In Multistate Parasite Outbreak: What To Know Now FDA Issues Alert After Major Break In Multistate Parasite Outbreak: What To Know Now
FDA Issues Alert After Major Break In Multistate Parasite Outbreak: What To Know Now A sprawling foodborne outbreak now has a much clearer trail, and health officials are warning diners not to ignore it. The FDA said on Thursday, July 16, that shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell restaurants in five states has been linked to an outbreak of Cyclospora infections. The warning covers locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. The outbreak has sickened 1,644 people who reported eating at Taco Bell, according to the FDA. At least 94 people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. An analysis of food exposures in…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Cause Of Death Released For 'Jurassic Park' Star Sam Neill Cause Of Death Released For 'Jurassic Park' Star Sam Neill
Cause Of Death Released For 'Jurassic Park' Star Sam Neill The mystery surrounding the sudden death of “Jurassic Park” star Sam Neill has been resolved. Neill died from pneumonia at age 78 in Sydney, Australia, his representative told People in a report published Thursday, July 16. The illness was unrelated to the blood cancer the acclaimed actor had overcome. “Prior to becoming sick, Sam had valiantly fought and beaten lymphoma through a new treatment called CAR-T therapy,” Neill’s rep said in a statement to the outlet. People report:https://people.com/sam-neill-cause-of-death-12019366 The representative issued the clarification after inaccurate…

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by Joe Lombardi
Weather
Dangerous Haze Hangs On: Here's New Timeline For Cleaner Northeast Air Dangerous Haze Hangs On: Here's New Timeline For Cleaner Northeast Air
Dangerous Haze Hangs On: Here's New Timeline For Cleaner Northeast Air The smoky veil hanging over the Northeast is refusing to make a quick exit. Smoke from Canadian and northern Minnesota wildfires continued to affect air quality and visibility on Friday, July 17. Forecasters said the haze could remain a periodic problem through the weekend before a broader wind shift brings more substantial relief. Prevailing breezes will continue steering smoke southeast through Sunday, according to AccuWeather. Some of the smoke will remain high in the atmosphere, dimming the sun. Other pockets could reach ground level, reduce visibility, and create health concerns. Sho…

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by Joe Lombardi