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Business
Iconic Vernon Deli To Close For Renovations: Here's When It Will Reopen Iconic Vernon Deli To Close For Renovations: Here's When It Will Reopen
Iconic Vernon Deli To Close For Renovations: Here's When It Will Reopen A beloved Vernon deli frequented by sandwich lovers from across the area is set to close so that renovation work can be completed.  Rein's Deli, located at 435 Hartford Turnpike (Route 30), announced that it will close starting on Sunday, Feb. 5 at 3 p.m. for the renovations, according to a social media post.  The closure will last for a little more than a week, with the eatery set to reopen on Monday, Feb. 13 at noon.  The renovations will include the installation of new equipment in addition to epoxy floors for the kitchen and takeout areas.  Opened in 1972 by B…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Trench Collapse Death: CT Contractor Must Pay Over $375K In OSHA Fines Trench Collapse Death: CT Contractor Must Pay Over $375K In OSHA Fines
Trench Collapse Death: CT Contractor Must Pay Over $375K In Osha Fines A Manchester-based contractor faces over $375,000 in penalties for failing to protect a worker who died in a trench collapse on a construction site.  The penalty was assigned to Botticello Inc. in connection to the July 22, 2022 death of East Windsor resident Dennis Slater, age 56, who was buried when an eight-foot-deep trench caved in at a Vernon residential development construction site, the US Department of Labor announced on Monday, Jan. 30.  Slater had been connecting drainage piping when the trench caved in, officials said.  Federal Occupational Safety and He…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Super Sniffer K9 Noses Out Intoxicated CT Car Thief, State Police Say Super Sniffer K9 Noses Out Intoxicated CT Car Thief, State Police Say
Super Sniffer K9 Noses Out Intoxicated CT Car Thief, State Police Say A Connecticut State Police dog earned a few extra treats by aiding in the arrest of a car thief, officials say. Police responded to a report of a stolen pickup truck at an address in Tolland County on West Road in Ellington around 9:40 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 24, according to state police.  The pickup truck, a red Chevrolet CK1500, was last seen heading west on Route 83 towards the area of Rockville and Vernon. State troopers shared information about the report to the Vernon Police Department, who soon received a report of a suspicious red pickup parked at an apartment complex on Rega…

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by Morgan Gonzales
Business
Connecticut Restaurant To Close After 26 Years As Owner Focuses On Family Connecticut Restaurant To Close After 26 Years As Owner Focuses On Family
Connecticut Restaurant To Close After 26 Years As Owner Focuses On Family After serving customers for more than two decades, a Connecticut restaurant will soon close its doors. Pancho Loco, located in the Tolland County town of Vernon, will close on Friday, Feb. 24, the owner announced on Friday, Jan. 20. He said he made the decision to close the eatery as his wife undergoes chemotherapy. "The last year has been a challenge for my family as my wife is currently fighting breast cancer," the announcement reads. "Her prognosis is good, and she amazes me how strong she is battling the side effects of chemo. Her treatments continue to be ongoing for most of this year…

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by Nicole Valinote
Business
Try A 'Nutella Latte' At This Coffee Shop In Vernon Try A 'Nutella Latte' At This Coffee Shop In Vernon
Try A 'Nutella Latte' At This Coffee Shop In Vernon A "Nutella latte" is just one of the creative espresso drinks offered by an independent Connecticut coffee shop.  Tolland County-based Vernon Coffee Roasters, located in Vernon at 520 Hartford Turnpike (Route 30), started selling the drink on Saturday, Jan. 7 and has already seen it explode in popularity, according to manager Ray Gregorie.  The independent coffee shop, owned by Ayman Harby, opened in March 2022 and has seen good business since then, especially through the holiday season, Gregorie said.  The business prides itself on roasting its own coffee beans and providin…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Man Charged With Arson After Blaze At Masonic Lodge In CT Man Charged With Arson After Blaze At Masonic Lodge In CT
Man Charged With Arson After Blaze At Masonic Lodge In CT A 23-year-old man is facing an arson charge after investigators reported that he set a masonic lodge on fire in Connecticut. Tolland County resident Gino DeGrandis, of Vernon, was arrested on Friday, Jan. 13, and charged with third-degree arson and first-degree criminal mischief, Connecticut State Police reported. A witness called police at about 9:40 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7, to report a fire at the Fayette Masonic Lodge, located at 141 Orchard St. in Ellington, police said.  Police obtained security footage that showed a man, later identified as DeGrandis, walking around t…

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by Nicole Valinote
Weather
How Much Snow Did You Get? A Look At Totals From Throughout Region How Much Snow Did You Get? A Look At Totals From Throughout Region
How Much Snow Did You Get? A Look At Totals From Throughout Region A quick-moving storm season brought the first accumulating snowfall to the region. Here's a look at some snowfall totals reported to the National Weather Service and other sources as of Monday morning, Dec. 12. If you don't see your town listed, post the total in a comment. New York Manhattan Central Park, Trace Queens LaGuardia Airport, 0.4 inches Nassau County Manhasset Hills, 0.3 inches Suffolk County North Babylon, 0.4 inches Islip Airport, 0.4 inches West Islip, 0.2 inches Rockland County Chestnut Ridge, 2.1 inches Orange County Monroe 3.5 inches Westchester Westc…

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by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
Man Hospitalized After SUV Crashes Into CT Reservoir Man Hospitalized After SUV Crashes Into CT Reservoir
Man Hospitalized After SUV Crashes Into CT Reservoir A 37-year-old Connecticut man remains in the hospital after the SUV he was driving plunged into an area reservoir. The incident took place in Hartford County around 11:55 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, on Lake Street in Vernon. According to Lt. Robert Marra of the Vernon Police, the man, who has not been identified, was driving a Hyundai Santa Fe SUV on Lake Street when for some reason the vehicle veered off the roadway and into Risley Reservoir. When Vernon police responded, the man was out of the SUV but was injured and disoriented, Marra said. He was taken to Manchester Hospital, where he rema…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Fairfield County Man Accused Of Driving Impaired After 2-Vehicle Crash Fairfield County Man Accused Of Driving Impaired After 2-Vehicle Crash
Fairfield County Man Accused Of Driving Impaired After 2-Vehicle Crash A 55-year-old man was charged with operating under the influence along with a series of additional charges after Connecticut State troopers reported that he was uncooperative while they investigated a crash. The New Haven County crash happened on Route 8 southbound in the city of Derby near Exit 15 at about 1 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 29, Connecticut State Police reported. A 2012 Honda Accord EX-L was traveling behind a 2014 Jeep Wrangler Sport when the Jeep abruptly slowed down, police said. The Honda struck the rear of the Jeep, and both vehicles became disabled, according to the report…

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by Nicole Valinote
Police & Fire
Man, Woman Found Dead At Home In Residential CT Neighborhood Man, Woman Found Dead At Home In Residential CT Neighborhood
Man, Woman Found Dead At Home In Residential CT Neighborhood Police are investigating after a man and a woman were found dead inside a quiet residential neighborhood in Connecticut. The two were found in Hartford County around 5:45 p.m., Friday, Oct. 28 in Vernon. According to Lt. Robert Marra, of the Vernon Police Department, officers responded to the home at 21 Vinetta Drive for a report of two "untimely deaths." Upon the officers' arrival, they located a man and a woman who had died from gunshot wounds, Marra said. The victims have been identified as Anthony Priester, age 61, and Karen Priester, age 60, both of Vernon, he added. Marra said…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Tow Truck Operator Hospitalized After Being Struck By Car On CT Highway Tow Truck Operator Hospitalized After Being Struck By Car On CT Highway
Tow Truck Operator Hospitalized After Being Struck By Car On CT Highway A tow truck operator was hospitalized after he was struck by a car on I-291. The crash happened in the Hartford County town of Manchester at about 9:40 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 28, Connecticut State Police said.  Police said a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta was traveling west in the right lane of three and struck the man, who was standing in the lane. The 54-year-old Manchester man was wearing reflective gear and had emergency lights activated on his tow truck, authorities said. The man reported injuries to his back and was taken to a hospital, police reported. State Police said the driver of th…

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by Nicole Valinote
Lifestyle
7th Heaven: Lucky CT Woman Wins $177,777 In State Lottery 7th Heaven: Lucky CT Woman Wins $177,777 In State Lottery
7th Heaven: Lucky CT Woman Wins $177,777 In State Lottery Connecticut Lottery announced a series of new winners who claimed major prizes. New Haven County resident Monique Michaud, of Naugatuck, claimed a $177,777 "Electric 7s Second Edition" prize, CT Lottery announced on Wednesday, Oct. 5. The lottery said the winning ticket was purchased at Cross Point Convenience LLC, which is located at 800 New Haven Road in Naugatuck. CT Lottery also announced the following recent winners: Silverio Rodriguez, of Danbury, won a $51,000 prize from a "Fast Play - 50th Anniversary Gold" ticket purchased at Village Mini Market in Danbu…

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by Nicole Valinote