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Massive, Parasite-Carrying Snail Found In New York Park Massive, Parasite-Carrying Snail Found In New York Park
Massive, Parasite-Carrying Snail Found In New York Park Although a large, squirrel-sized snail found in a New York park may have looked harmless, it posed enough of a danger to people and the environment that its discovery prompted a police response.  The invasive giant African land snail was discovered within Brooklyn's Prospect Park in early May following a report from the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.  After it was seen in the park, it was surrendered to the City Parks department in a box, officials said, promoting a response from …

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by Ben Crnic
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9 Family Members Of Beloved Fairfield County School Custodian Killed In Florida Crash 9 Family Members Of Beloved Fairfield County School Custodian Killed In Florida Crash
9 Family Members Of Beloved Fairfield County School Custodian Killed In Florida Crash A beloved Fairfield County school custodian suffered "an unimaginable loss" when nine members of his family died in a car crash in central Florida. The incident occurred on Monday, Aug. 5, in the Palm Beach County city of Belle Glade. In a statement on Tuesday, Aug. 6, Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carmela Levy-David did not name the employee but offered words of sympathy.  “It is with a heavy heart that I share the devastating news that one of our cherished custodial staff members has suffered an unimaginable loss," Levy-David said. "Nine members of the…

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by Kathy Reakes
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You Can Audition For 'American Idol' Virtually — As Long As You Were Born Between These Dates You Can Audition For 'American Idol' Virtually — As Long As You Were Born Between These Dates
You Can Audition For 'American Idol' Virtually — As Long As You Were Born Between These Dates Are you the next "American Idol?" The popular ABC singing competition is holding virtual auditions for the upcoming season this month and next. As long as you are of a certain age (scroll down for audition dates). According to the "American Idol" casting application website, contestants must be born between June 2, 1995 and Feb. 15, 2010.  Additionally, contestants must be legal U.S. residents authorized to participate in the entire competition. Auditions for residents in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania via Zoom will be Wednesday, Aug. 21.  Virginia re…

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by Cecilia Levine
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New Canaan Counselor Ripped Off Medicaid For $80K, Officials Say New Canaan Counselor Ripped Off Medicaid For $80K, Officials Say
New Canaan Counselor Ripped Off Medicaid For $80K, Officials Say A Fairfield County counselor with a business in Stamford defrauded Medicaid by billing thousands in fraudulent claims for services he did not provide. According to state judicial officials, Andrew R. Golden, age 56, of New Canaan, was sentenced to three years in prison, which was suspended, and five years of conditional discharge.  The judge ordered Golden to pay $80,328.19 in restitution and to not act as a Medicaid provider or provide services to any Medicaid recipient. Golden has paid the restitution, said officials with the state Division of Criminal Justice,  The division sa…

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by Kathy Reakes
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Shark Sighting Keeps Swimmers Out Of Water At Several Long Island Beaches Shark Sighting Keeps Swimmers Out Of Water At Several Long Island Beaches
Shark Sighting Keeps Swimmers Out Of Water At Several Long Island Beaches A shark sighting kept swimmers out of the water at three New York beaches. The sighting was reported on Long Island at Nickerson Beach in Nassau County.  As a precaution, the town of Hempstead also closed Lido Beach and Malibu Beach for swimmers for a brief period early Saturday afternoon, Aug. 3.  Officials said the shark was spotted about 75 feet from the shore. Swimming resumed at the three beaches a short time after the sighting. The Town of Hempstead issued a statement stating, "Our highly skilled lifeguards are on alert and will continue to monitor the waters c…

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by Joe Lombardi
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31-Year-Old Charged With Murder After Man Found Dead At Home In Ridgefield 31-Year-Old Charged With Murder After Man Found Dead At Home In Ridgefield
31-Year-Old Charged With Murder After Man Found Dead At Home In Ridgefield A murder suspect is in custody after a man was found dead inside a residence in Fairfield County. At about 1 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, in Ridgefield, officers responded to a home on Powder Horn Drive, located off Farmingville Road, for a report of a domestic incident and discovered the deceased victim, an elderly man. The suspect, Steven James Urrichio, age 31, has been charged with murder and is being held at the Ridgefield Police Department on a court-set $1.5 million bond. Ridgefield PD Captain Jeff Raines said it was an isolated incident and "there is no danger to the public." The identi…

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by Joe Lombardi
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$1B Scheme: Pair Of CEOs, Including Manhasset Man, Defrauded 10K Investors, Jury Finds $1B Scheme: Pair Of CEOs, Including Manhasset Man, Defrauded 10K Investors, Jury Finds
$1B Scheme: Pair Of CEOs, Including Manhasset Man, Defrauded 10K Investors, Jury Finds A New York resident was one of two CEOs convicted in federal court of a $1 billion fraud scheme involving thousands of investors. Long Island resident David Gentile, age 57, of Manhasset, and Jeffry Schneider, age 55, of Austin, Texas, were found guilty in federal court on all counts of an indictment charging them with conspiracy to commit securities fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and securities fraud. Gentile, the owner and CEO of GPB Capital Holdings, was also convicted on two counts of wire fraud. The verdict came after an eight-week trial. When sentenced on Thursd…

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by Joe Lombardi
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'Love Is Blind' Netflix Series Searching For New Contestants From Across New England 'Love Is Blind' Netflix Series Searching For New Contestants From Across New England
'Love Is Blind' Netflix Series Searching For New Contestants From Across New England Casting producers for the through-the-wall Netflix dating series "Love Is Blind" are scouring the New England area for potential contestants for the show's upcoming season. The show, which has aired for six seasons, asks potential couples to bond and "date" for 10 days in sound-proof pods, followed by weeks of face-to-face courtship, the creator told Us Weekly. In the end, the couples must decide to get engaged or married.  It's had mixed results with 10 couples getting hitched and several others still dating. Many have broken up following the series.  Anyone interested in joinin…

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by Josh Lanier
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NY Judge Suspends Justin Timberlake's License Amid Drunk Driving Allegations NY Judge Suspends Justin Timberlake's License Amid Drunk Driving Allegations
NY Judge Suspends Justin Timberlake's License Amid Drunk Driving Allegations Pop superstar Justin Timberlake took time out of his European tour to face a New York judge in his alleged drunk driving case on Long Island. The former NSYNC frontman pleaded not guilty to one count of driving while intoxicated during a virtual appearance before Sag Harbor Village Justice Court on Friday morning, Aug. 2. Timberlake, age 43, of Franklin, Tennessee, was arrested shortly after leaving the posh American Hotel in Sag Harbor, around 12:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 18, after a night of drinking with friends, according to multiple news reports. He was held in jail overnight. Earlier …

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by Michael Mashburn & Kathy Reakes
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Attempted Home Invasion: Duo Armed With Hatchet, Knife Charged In CT Attempted Home Invasion: Duo Armed With Hatchet, Knife Charged In CT
Attempted Home Invasion: Duo Armed With Hatchet, Knife Charged In CT Two men are facing charges in connection with an armed, attempted home invasion in Connecticut. The Windham County incident happened in the Killingly borough of Danielson at around 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 31. Witnesses told Connecticut State Police that two men wearing ski masks attempted to break into a home on Dyer Street where several residents and guests were gathered. Several people in the home reported having heard loud banging sounds before someone opened the front door and saw a man in a ski mask charging toward them with an object in his hand. The resident closed the door, locked…

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by Michael Mashburn
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Fatal Shooting: Suspect Nabbed, 23-Year-Old Victim ID'd In Freeport Fatal Shooting: Suspect Nabbed, 23-Year-Old Victim ID'd In Freeport
Fatal Shooting: Suspect Nabbed, 23-Year-Old Victim ID'd In Freeport A suspect from Connecticut has been apprehended after a person was shot and killed on Long Island. The incident happened around 2 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, in Freeport. Police responded to a shot spotter activation on West Seaman Avenue.  When Freeport PD officers arrived, they discovered a 23-year-old man who had been shot.  The victim, identified as Nassau County resident Tyrone Williams, 23, of Baldwin, was taken to a nearby hospital and was pronounced dead by a hospital physician.  Late Friday morning, Aug. 2, the Nassau County PD reported the arrest of 20-year-old F…

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by Joe Lombardi
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‘Lavish Spending’: NY Times Reveals LGBT Nonprofit's Cape Cod Summer Home, More ‘Lavish Spending’: NY Times Reveals LGBT Nonprofit's Cape Cod Summer Home, More
‘Lavish Spending’: NY Times Reveals LGBT Nonprofit's Cape Cod Summer Home, More One of the nation's most iconic gay and trans-rights organizations is under fire after The New York Times accused its leader of living a lavish, high-flying life on the dime of the group's donors.  The Times published the story on Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis on Thursday, Aug. 1, after an investigation into her and the group's finances.  One of the more notable items the nonprofit is accused of having paid for was a $25,000 annual allowance to rent a Cape Cod summer home in Provincetown. Ellis has made no secret of her love …

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by Josh Lanier