WFSB - Eyewitness News

Muddy, soggy start to Travelers ChampionshipCROMWELL, CT (WFSB) -- It’s been a soggy start at the TPC River Highlands ahead of the Travelers Championship tournament. With periods of heavy rains on Tuesday, the golf course has gotten soaked. A word of advice for anyone heading out there would be to wear old, comfortable shoes. On Wednesday, crews actually moved the media parking to another area, so cars wouldn’t get stuck in the mud. Mother nature dumped a whole lot of rain in time for the start of the Travelers Championship on Tuesday, so organizers started to reevaluate the course. “Once the rain stopped we started looking at the different areas. Which ones of these parking lots are soft, so we moved and put stone down,” said Tournament Director Nathan Grube. When to comes to walking the course, the crews have it under control. “Not too bad, down toward the center where the entertainment is. I didn't even go down because all you see is mud,” said spectator Linda Sprague. They're also bringing in other materials to help with the wet spots. “We are working up the golf course with mulch and rock. There was a lot of water that came down and it's been a wet spring. We have a good crew,” Grube said. If areas are too wet, they'll steer fans the other way. “There are more areas that are dry than have mud, but we are trying to deal with it to make the experience as good as possible,” Grube said. But for the golf fans, they said it's worth it to get your shoes a little muddy. “See the live golfers. Once in a lifetime, so here I am,” Sprague said. “I'm very optimistic. I always look at the bright side. It's been great,” said Linda Santos, a spectator. For those who are heading out this week, bring comfortable shoes that you don’t mind getting a little dirty. Follow along with the tournament on the PGA Tour’s website <a href="https://www.pgatour.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.
Hundreds of tips, dozens of surveillance videos, still no sign of Jennifer DulosHARTFORD, CT (WFSB) -- Police have received over 800 tips and 80 surveillance videos, but still no sign of Jennifer Farber Dulos. It’s been 26 days since the 50-year-old New Canaan mother was last seen, and police continue to actively search spots for clues leading them to answers about her disappearance. <a href="https://www.wfsb.com/news/timeline-events-surrounding-new-canaan-mom-s-disappearance/article_81bb741a-8613-11e9-b806-bf0cff043a93.html" target="_blank">TIMELINE: Events surrounding New Canaan mom's disappearance</a> On Wednesday, New Canaan police said state troopers continue to search the MIRA (Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority) trash plant in Hartford, for evidence related to the disappearance of Jennifer. They said as many as 25 to 30 investigators are working the case on a daily basis, however they’ve been tight-lipped about what they’ve found, if anything. Sources say <a href="https://www.wfsb.com/news/search-of-hartford-trash-plant-in-missing-mom-case-hits/article_28690166-9202-11e9-9364-87793333da82.html" target="_blank">police are looking for her remains</a>. Jennifer Dulos went missing on May 24. New Canaan police said it appears there was a brutal attack inside her home. Jennifer’s estranged husband Fotis Dulos <a href="https://www.wfsb.com/news/estranged-husband-s-defense-team-developing-own-evidence-in-missing/article_8b817e40-9130-11e9-968f-af96cde3432d.html" target="_blank">was released one week ago</a> from police custody. He faces tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution charges alongside girlfriend Michelle Troconis. <a href="https://www.wfsb.com/arrest-warrant-for-fotis-dulos-michelle-troconis/pdf_a607224a-8629-11e9-9ba0-f76720b4a166.html" target="_blank">An arrest warrant for Fotis Dulos and Troconis</a>, detailed how the couple allegedly dumped trash bags in more than 30 dumpsters throughout Hartford. Those bags were picked up and brought to the MIRA trash facility. Police said they found a kitchen sponge and Jennifer's blood in a dumpster. The search has spanned from New Canaan, to Pound Ridge, NY, to Farmington, Hartford and Avon. When she went missing, Fotis and Jennifer had been in the middle of a bitter divorce and custody battle. The attorney representing Fotis Dulos, Norm Pattis, said his client and Troconis <a href="https://www.wfsb.com/interview-attorney-norm-pattis-answers-questions-about-dulos-case/video_c9f22a73-5d5e-515e-b0f6-91208c7841cc.html" target="_blank">both have alibis for the day Jennifer went missing</a>. In court last week, the state said Fotis' DNA was found mixed with Jennifer's blood on the kitchen sink of her New Canaan home. Pattis said his team is building their own case. Last week, Fotis Dulos' attorneys filed a motion for his seized property to be returned, specifically a Ford Raptor truck, a Chevrolet Suburban, a Cherokee, a server, Mac book Pro 15 inch computer, other computers, two iPhones, hard drive, two external hard drives, and personal papers. Documents say “The property is not contraband, the defendant needs access to it for practical reasons and in order to mount his defense, due to the exculpatory information available from the seized property, the defendant would stipulate to the use of secondary evidence in this case.” Anyone with information about Jennifer Dulos' disappearance is asked to contact New Canaan police at 203-594-3544.
Natural gas leak causes evacuations in VernonVERNON, CT (WFSB) -- A natural gas leak caused some evacuations in a Vernon neighborhood on Wednesday. The leak was reported around noon on Hockanum Boulevard in Vernon, police said. The scene was reportedly cleared shortly after 1 p.m. Police said a contractor struck a gas connection on the side of a building. Eversource responded to the scene. No injuries were reported.
Driver slams into Norwalk pharmacyNORWALK, CT (WFSB) - A driver slammed into a pharmacy in Norwalk on Wednesday. According to police, it happened at the CVS on Westport Avenue. Pictures from the scene show damage to an outer brick wall and behind the registers on the inside of the building. There's no word on injuries or what caused the driver to hit the building.
Birdies for the Brave tees off at Travelers ChampionshipCROMWELL, CT (WFSB) - Celebrities weren't the only people teeing off at the Travelers Championship in Cromwell on Wednesday. One of the several events that happened involved a program that gave back to those who serve our country. It included a chance to spend time with a professional golfer. The program is called Birdies for the Brave. “You see these guys on TV," said Matt Lindsey, U.S. Navy. "I’ve never been this close.” Military members are paired up with pros, who caddy for them. "Being here is a good time, and we look forward to it every year," said Scott Buzzard, U.S. Navy. Many of the service members come back year after year. “It’s unbelievable to watch how effortless it is for these guys and it’s nice to see they’re genuinely good people," said Chris Helms, U.S. Navy. The professionals, however, said it's their honor and privilege to be with those who serve and protect the country. “We really appreciate what they do for us and it’s important to give back to them a little bit," said Francesco Molinari, a golfer. "It’s obviously no where near what they do for us, but it’s nice to have them out here and spend a little time with them.” Lenny Caruso, hole captain and a veteran himself, called the event the highlight of the week. “It’s very patriotic," he said. "It’s what it is, so we enjoy it!” Follow along with tournament play on the PGA website <a href="https://www.pgatour.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.
3 THINGS: Hartford shooting, transportation discussion, Trump's campaignTwo people were shot on I-91 in Hartford on Wednesday morning, Gov. Ned Lamont is looking to talk about transportation with lawmakers and President Donald Trump officially kicks off his reelection campaign. Plus, a 103-year-old woman sets a track record. Those are 3 things you need to know and 1 you don't for June 19.
Ducklings rescued from storm drain in NewingtonNEWINGTON, CT (WFSB) - Four ducklings needed rescuing in Newington on Wednesday. Newington Animal Control Officer Kristina Muszynski said the ducklings were rescued from a storm drain near the Lowe's home improvement store on the Berlin Turnpike. It happened around 8 a.m. Muszynski said they were brought to a nearby pond. The ducklings' mother was said to be there.
Man who failed to turn himself in over Facebook 'likes' arrested in EnfieldTORRINGTON, CT (WFSB) - A man who failed to turn himself following an agreement with Torrington police over Facebook "likes" has officially been taken into custody. Jose Simms, 29, was arrested by the Enfield Police Department and brought to Torrington police. <a href="https://www.wfsb.com/news/despite-reaching-facebook-likes-mark-torrington-man-has-yet-to/article_c6c6ccea-7ca3-11e9-ab70-bbc156655d80.html" target="_blank">Simms was the subject of a viral social media post</a> by the Torrington Police Department. Officers wrote on Facebook on May 22 that Simms agreed to turn himself in if <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TorringtonPD/posts/2188826954506060?__xts__[0]=68.ARAuSs4cpwxYH7vHUO2Hq6X0y9tnTUdSWiRaOgPeDMPxxREJ_Kw6cIYz6wQ9nZcQMi--qVbLkf5Y9vvRYBU2hQyUyYwMw3sFs06ny5iL4HkkUrwMnTbR5qhQ2FS0Mvoo4U4cG9W-a8ut-QhJUTFfsCu8L3dRNvjqmcf4odUnWB8I91eTxJcK3mfGwkI9AEBreHokS9zgMS2Ky-gbLhYnKbenwfMdjeWc592JMV1w4JVt14wm1inQRpdw7fD6j7vwrvqvw_f-PsnNfyBFQ8aP5jmeR3waiG1K8LPYVRWPT0ktHkB22vVP5k99BYzBhBSJjDhQ4Pp3LUuV68sfrmPjvfw_-w&amp;__tn__=-R" target="_blank">the post</a> garnered 15,000 "likes." The post, as of Wednesday, accumulated more than 26,000 likes. Simms, however, was nowhere to be found. He was originally wanted for failing to appear in court. Simms contacted Enfield police on Wednesday saying he was a wanted person. He was taken into custody without incident. He was held on a $30,500 bond and scheduled to face a judge in Torrington on June 29.
Body found in Connecticut River in GlastonburyGLASTONBURY, CT (WFSB) - A body was found in the Connecticut River in Glastonbury, according to environmental officials. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said the body has yet to be identified. It's not yet known of it's the same person officials had been searching for over the weekend. Ivan De Jesus Morales Mencia <a href="https://www.wfsb.com/news/crews-call-off-search-identify-victim-in-drowning-on-ct/article_9a6510f0-8fb1-11e9-a5ab-271cd0cbd446.html" target="_blank">went overboard while riding in a boat</a> on the Connecticut River in East Hartford. Crews, including dive teams, <a href="https://www.wfsb.com/news/search-for-missing-boater-in-connecticut-river-continues-on-monday/article_3b94bc34-90e1-11e9-b866-9bb99ca49cce.html" target="_blank">scoured the river near Great River Park for several days</a> but couldn't find him. They said fast-moving water and debris made the search difficult. Experts said that in water conditions such as those on Saturday, hypothermia would not take long to set in. DEEP said the water temperature was about 60 degrees at the time Mencia disappeared. It said when hypothermia sets in, a person quickly loses muscle function which could lead to drowning. Friends who were on the boat with Mencia said he went into the water while the boat was moving. Officials say the operator tried rescuing him by throwing a floatation device several times but was unsuccessful. They also said he was not wearing a life jacket. Channel 3 learned that Mencia was a father of three children.
Governor meets with bipartisan group over transportationHARTFORD, CT (WFSB) - The governor met with a bipartisan group of legislative leaders to discuss transportation. Gov. Ned Lamont's office said the meeting started around 1 p.m. on Wednesday. Stream comments about it around 3 p.m. <a href="https://www.wfsb.com/news/livestream/" target="_blank">here</a>. Leaders from all four caucuses discussed efforts to modernize the state's transportation system. The first part of the meeting was open to the public, but Lamont said the rest of it took place behind closed doors. Transportation was not involved in a <a href="https://www.wfsb.com/news/lamont-lawmakers-agree-on-state-budget/article_fd0fff16-830a-11e9-9368-f73b0835e348.html" target="_blank">2-year $40 billion budget proposal</a> that was approved by both the state House of Representatives and the state Senate. The discussion was tabled for a special legislative session. Lamont has been receiving pushback for his transportation proposal, which includes adding tolls to state highways.