Hartford, CT
News
DEEP Fish Autopsy To Solve Mystery Of Pond 'Floaters' DEEP Fish Autopsy To Solve Mystery Of Pond 'Floaters'
Deep Fish Autopsy To Solve Mystery Of Pond 'Floaters' A fish autopsy is being performed by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection following reports of floating dead fish. Environmental agents informed the town of Berlin on Monday, Sept. 14, that several fish in Paper Goods Pond had recently died and it isn’t clear why. Town officials said that they had treated the pond with herbicides over the summer. The company they hired applied the herbicide by boat at less than half the recommended rate, CT Post reported. The DEEP says that the killer is most likely invasive weeds growing in the pond, sucking up all the oxygen and leaving …

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by Kristin Palpini
Torrington, CT
News
Record Number Of 'Bear Break-Ins' Of CT Homes This Year, DEEP Reports Record Number Of 'Bear Break-Ins' Of CT Homes This Year, DEEP Reports
Record Number Of 'Bear Break-Ins' Of CT Homes This Year, Deep Reports An unprecedented number of black bears have ambled into the homes of unsuspecting Connecticut residents in 2020, some seriously injuring leashed and unleashed dogs therein, according to the state's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. The total number of such incidents this year has been 42. Comparatively, the agency said that only 17 bears entering homes were reported throughout the entirety of 2019; that number of bear break-ins was seen in just July of 2020. Preceding the fall season, during which black bears increase their food intake to prepare for hibernating throu…

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by Christina Coulter
Torrington, CT
News
Bodies Of Missing New Milford Swimmers Pulled From Housatonic Bodies Of Missing New Milford Swimmers Pulled From Housatonic
Bodies Of Missing New Milford Swimmers Pulled From Housatonic The bodies of two men who were swimming in the Housatonic River in Litchfield County were recovered by investigators, police said. Two men from the Bronx in their 20s were sought for days after being seen going underwater while swimming in the river near the Bulls Bridge Power Plant. Police said that on Friday, June 12, the body of a 21-year-old was recovered by dive teams in New Milford, with a 24-year-old man being recovered on Saturday, June 13 when search efforts resumed. The swimmers were first reported going underwater at approximately 4:50 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10. The identities…

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by Zak Failla
Bedford, NY
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
Torrington, CT
News
COVID-19: CT Closes Some Parks Due To Lack Of Social Distancing; Beaches Also Draw Crowds COVID-19: CT Closes Some Parks Due To Lack Of Social Distancing; Beaches Also Draw Crowds
Covid-19: CT Closes Some Parks Due To Lack Of Social Distancing; Beaches Also Draw Crowds Connecticut was forced to close multiple state parks over the weekend as they were flooded with people enjoying the warm spring weather amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) closed nearly a dozen parks on Saturday, May 2 after they were over-crowded and people were unable to practice proper social distance protocols. Large crowds were also reported at several of the beaches that are open during the outbreak. Parks that were closed were:  Bluff Point State Park in Groton; C.P. Huntington State Park in…

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by Zak Failla
Lewisboro, NY
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
Danbury, CT
Police & Fire
120 Firefighters Battle Massive Blaze At Business In Bethel 120 Firefighters Battle Massive Blaze At Business In Bethel
120 Firefighters Battle Massive Blaze At Business In Bethel More than 100 firefighters responded to a blaze that broke out in a Bethel business. Approximately 120 firefighters from multiple municipalities in Fairfield and Litchfield counties were dispatched at approximately 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 19, to the blaze at an adhesive tape company on Francis J. Clarke Circle Business Park. The fire raged for several hours, with crews battling to get inside the building. It was ultimately declared under control at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Sunday night, though firefighters remained at the scene for several hours to monitor flare-ups and any hot spots. Ins…

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by Zak Failla
Stamford, CT
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
Stratford, CT
Police & Fire
Teens Charged For Shakespeare Theatre Fire Nabbed In New Vandalism Incident At Silver Sands Teens Charged For Shakespeare Theatre Fire Nabbed In New Vandalism Incident At Silver Sands
Teens Charged For Shakespeare Theatre Fire Nabbed In New Vandalism Incident At Silver Sands Two teens who had previously been arrested for allegedly burning down Stratford's historic Shakespeare Theatre, have been charged by state environmental police with allegedly burning two storage containers and other vandalism at Silver Sands State Park. Christopher Sakowicz, 18, and Vincent Keller, 18, both of Stratford, were arrested on Monday, April 22, in connection with the vandalism and fire that occurred on Sunday, March 24, at Silver Sands State Park in Milford, said the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (EnCon) Environmental Conservation Police. The in…

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by Kathy Reakes
Fairfield, CT
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
Shelton, CT
Police & Fire
Reward Offered In Silver Sands State Park Fire Reward Offered In Silver Sands State Park Fire
Reward Offered In Silver Sands State Park Fire A reward is being offered for help in locating the person or people who intentionally set fire to several storage containers at Silver Sands State Park in Milford following a devasting fire that destroyed a $9.1 million park expansion. According to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, investigators have determined the Sunday, March 24, fire in storage containers at Silver Sands State Park was intentionally set, said DEEP spokesman Lee Sawyer. In an effort to get someone to step forward, a $2,500 reward is being offered, Sawyer said. The fire started around 7:20 a.m.…

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by Kathy Reakes
Fairfield, CT
News
Silver Sand State Park Reopens After Massive Fire Silver Sand State Park Reopens After Massive Fire
Silver Sand State Park Reopens After Massive Fire Parts of Silver Sands State Park reopened Friday, March 22, following a massive fire that destroyed a large construction project underway at the popular outdoor destination in Milford. During the fire, three buildings that sit on top of a raised boardwalk were destroyed by a huge blaze around 10:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 19, said Milford Fire Department Battalion Chief Anthony Fabrizi. First arriving firefighting units found two of the structures fully involved with fire and a third building nearly 50 percent consumed in flames, Fabrizi said.  When the fire was out, the $9.1 m…

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by Kathy Reakes