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Update: Bodies Of 2 Missing Swimmers Found In Candlewood Lake Update: Bodies Of 2 Missing Swimmers Found In Candlewood Lake
Update: Bodies Of 2 Missing Swimmers Found In Candlewood Lake The bodies of two Fairfield County men who were missing after jumping from a boat in Candlewood Lake have been recovered by police. Related: New Update: Missing Candlewood Lake Swimmers ID'd As Men Ages 38, 26 The two men, identified as 26-year-old and 38-year-old Danbury residents, were found by the Connecticut State Police dive team and the Danbury Police dive team in Candlewood Lake in Danbury on Thursday, July 18. The names of the victims have not been released pending notification of family.  According to James Fowler, a spokesperson for the state Department of Energy and…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Search Resumes For 2 Swimmers Missing In Candlewood Lake Search Resumes For 2 Swimmers Missing In Candlewood Lake
Search Resumes For 2 Swimmers Missing In Candlewood Lake An extensive search and rescue mission will resume early on Tuesday, July 16, for two men who jumped from a boat in a Fairfield County lake and never resurfaced. The incident occurred in Danbury at around 10:30 p.m. on Monday, July 16, at Candlewood Lake in the area of City Island. According to Erin Henry, spokesperson for the Danbury Fire Department, it was reported that two men had jumped off a boat into the lake and disappeared. Henry said rescue crews immediately began search and rescue efforts, using boats equipped with sonar and underwater imaging equipment to help locate the men. H…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
225-Pound Black Bear That Attacked Connecticut Boy Had 'Rare Pieces Of Macaroni' In Stomach 225-Pound Black Bear That Attacked Connecticut Boy Had 'Rare Pieces Of Macaroni' In Stomach
225-Pound Black Bear That Attacked Connecticut Boy Had 'Rare Pieces Of Macaroni' In Stomach A 225-pound black bear that attacked a 10-year-old boy had rare pieces of macaroni in his stomach, according to a necropsy. The male bear attacked the boy in Litchfield County on Sunday, Oct. 16, as he played in his grandparent's yard in the town of Morris. Following the attack, which left the boy with non-life-threatening injuries including claw marks on his back and injuries to his leg, the bear was euthanized. The report, released by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection on Thursday, Oct. 20,  said “rare pieces of macaroni” were found in the bear’s stomac…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Off-Duty Cop Who Killed Beloved Bear In Region Won't Be Charged Off-Duty Cop Who Killed Beloved Bear In Region Won't Be Charged
Off-Duty Cop Who Killed Beloved Bear In Region Won't Be Charged An off-duty Fairfield County police officer who killed a beloved local bear will not be charged. Bobbi the black bear was killed on Thursday, May 12 in Newtown by Ridgefield police officer Lawrence Clarke. Last week, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection found that based on an investigation there is "insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges against the homeowner." The incident, which left two bear cubs orphaned, began when Clarke reported to DEEP he shot the bear after numerous encounters with the same bear, known to the state as bear #217, over multiple d…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
IDs Released For Two Killed In Long Island Sound Boating Accident IDs Released For Two Killed In Long Island Sound Boating Accident
IDs Released For Two Killed In Long Island Sound Boating Accident State officials have released the identities of two men killed in a boating accident off the coast of Fairfield County. The men have been identified as Cristofer Cifuentes, age 26, and Ludyn Cifuentes, age 41, both of New York City, said Will Healy, spokesman for the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. The men were found with two other boaters who were pulled from the cold waters of Long Island Sound off of West Beach in Stamford, following a boating accident on Sunday, April 17, Healy said. The two other men remain in critical condition. See Earlier Story: Secon…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Large Bear Killed After Being Struck By Two Vehicles In Connecticut Large Bear Killed After Being Struck By Two Vehicles In Connecticut
Large Bear Killed After Being Struck By Two Vehicles In Connecticut A large black bear was killed after being hit by two vehicles on Route 202 in Connecticut. The crash took place around 9:30 p.m., Friday, May 30, in Litchfield County, on Route 202 in the Town of Litchfield, near the Torrington line, said Will Healy with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. There were no major injuries to the drivers of the vehicles, the bear was deceased upon DEEP EnCon Police arriving at the scene, Healy said. The bear was untagged and uncollared, estimated to be between 175-200 pounds. Related story: Three Hospitalized After Moose Struck,…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Warning Issued For Coyote Acting 'Aggressively' In Residential Stamford Neighborhood Warning Issued For Coyote Acting 'Aggressively' In Residential Stamford Neighborhood
Warning Issued For Coyote Acting 'Aggressively' In Residential Stamford Neighborhood Police are warning residents in a Stamford neighborhood to watch out for a coyote described as "aggressive." There have been reports of household pets taken in the Cove Road area of the city when they are unattended outdoors.  "We are advising EXTREME caution with this animal," the Stamford Police Department said. Police are also warning residents not to approach the animal and to keep an eye on all pets and children while outdoors. Residents who do spot the animal are asked to call 911 immediately. The department is working with Stamford Animal Control to locate and remove the animal.…

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by Kathy Reakes
Lifestyle
Injured Miniature Horse Likely Attacked By Black Bear Injured Miniature Horse Likely Attacked By Black Bear
Injured Miniature Horse Likely Attacked By Black Bear State wildlife officials believe a miniature horse may have been attacked by a black bear due to the nature of the injuries. The incident was reported in Fairfield County on Wednesday, May 20, when a Wilton resident called the police department to report the attack, said Wilton Police Lt. Robert Kluk. Wilton Animal Control, as well as an officer from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), responded to the home on Kellogg Drive and determined the horse had been attacked sometime during the overnight hours. "It was determined from the wounds to the animal that it…

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by Kathy Reakes
Lifestyle
Black Bear Not Under Any Stay-Home Order Takes Stroll Down Main Street Black Bear Not Under Any Stay-Home Order Takes Stroll Down Main Street
Black Bear Not Under Any Stay-Home Order Takes Stroll Down Main Street Just when everyone is inside obeying the Stay Home, Stay Safe, rule, a local bear nicknamed "Dan Berry" came to visit a local main street. According to a post by Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton on Monday, April 20, the bear was spotted on Main Street and New Street Fire House. The bear was spotted and photographed by Danbury City Council President Joe Cavo. No word back from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection if the bear is tagged or will be relocated.  At least he has plenty of room to roam. 

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by Kathy Reakes
News
431-Pound Bear Euthanized After Confronting Resident, Ransacking Connecticut Home 431-Pound Bear Euthanized After Confronting Resident, Ransacking Connecticut Home
431-Pound Bear Euthanized After Confronting Resident, Ransacking Connecticut Home A 431-pound bear was euthanized after entering a home in Connecticut, confronting the homeowner and then ransacking the kitchen and dining room. The incident took place early Saturday morning, April 20 when a Simsbury homeowner walked into his kitchen and was met by the huge bear who was looking for food, said Lee Sawyer, spokesman for Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. The homeowner immediately left the home and called the police who contacted DEEP officials.  While inside the home, the bear broke windows and flooded the kitchen and dining room after either break…

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by Kathy Reakes
Lifestyle
Bear Facts: Here's What To Know As Sightings Start Up Again Bear Facts: Here's What To Know As Sightings Start Up Again
Bear Facts: Here's What To Know As Sightings Start Up Again As the weather warms, black bears are waking up and coming out of their dens to find food, and plenty of it after months of sleeping. In fact, bear sightings have already been reported across the region, and wildlife experts are reminding residents of the best way to deal with the bears as humans move more into their native habitat. The bear population is healthy and increasing and sightings are becoming more common, especially in neighborhoods because food sources are abundant and easy to access, think birdfeeders, garbage cans, grills, etc. Officials say once a bear finds a good food so…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Bear Struck, Killed On Merritt Parkway Bear Struck, Killed On Merritt Parkway
Bear Struck, Killed On Merritt Parkway Another black bear has been struck and killed by a vehicle, this time on the Merritt Parkway in Greenwich.Greenwich Police confirmed they had received a call regarding the bear on the side of the roadway near Exit 31 and referred the matter to state police. The bear was apparently struck Friday evening, with calls to authorities beginning on Saturday. Last week, a bear was hit and killed by a vehicle on I-84 in Newtown. There were minor injuries during that incident.  According to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, it's not uncommon for black bears to be along the…

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by Kathy Reakes
Obituaries
Victim Of Fatal Candlewood Lake Accident Was Beloved Teacher Victim Of Fatal Candlewood Lake Accident Was Beloved Teacher
Victim Of Fatal Candlewood Lake Accident Was Beloved Teacher The victim of a fatal boating accident on Candlewood Lake in New Fairfield was a beloved middle school teacher and a single mother of two. Wanda Tirado, 38, of Waterbury, was fatally injured when she was swimming near Squantz Cove late Tuesday afternoon. A teacher at St. Mary"s School in Waterbury, Tirado taught both math and science, school officials said.  "Everyone who knew Ms. Tirado knows how much she loved her students and knows that she would have done anything for them," said the school officials in a statement. "We ask that you keep her daughters, Amanda and Da…

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by Kathy Reakes