WFSB - Eyewitness News

Serious crash causes delays on I-84 in East HartfordEAST HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) -- A serious crash is causing heavy delays on I-84 east in East Hartford. Fire officials said two lanes were closed a little before 2:15 p.m. on Monday because of the crash. The crash happened in the area of exit 59. Drivers are being asked to use caution in the area. Follow traffic updates <a href="https://www.wfsb.com/traffic/" target="_blank">here</a>. Stay with Channel 3 as more information becomes available.
Controversial Silver Sands State Park project becoming a realityMILFORD, CT (WFSB) - One of Connecticut's shoreline state parks will look a whole lot different by the time the next beach day comes around. The Silver Sands State Park project was controversial. Many local people said they didn't want to see the changes, which include parking and a snack bar. They said they liked the park the way it was. However, the state said the park is for everyone and they facilities would bring it in line with other shoreline parks. Joe Fetcho said he runs through the park almost every day. He admitted that at first he wasn't a fan of the changes. "Everybody down this street and even the condos down that way, were against it," Fetcho said. Watching it rise from beyond the dunes, he said he came around to it. He stopped his run as Gov. Dannel Malloy held a ceremonial ribbon cutting on Monday. It was a project Malloy pushed before leaving office. “That’s why this particular investment was so very, very important," Malloy said. "Everyone should be able to enjoy this particular park in the summer.” It's not ready just yet. Crews remain busy with nail guns and saws. They're working on a building that will include an office, the snack bar and restrooms. “For many years, the only toilets on these properties were the portable potties which didn’t make any sense, didn’t invite families, didn’t invite people to come to this park from different parts of the state of Connecticut," Malloy said. Fetcho said he agreed with that. “You absolutely need it, the port-o-potties were terrible," he said. "I understand what he was talking about, with the women especially. But even for a jogger, they were really a mess.” Noticeably absent from the ceremony on Monday were local leaders who pushed back against the plan. They said the community didn't want the improvements. “There was some conflict about parking for instance, charging for parking, free parking, who should be able to use the park," Malloy said. "The thing about state parks is, by definition, they are open to everyone, not limited to a particular community.” While out-of-state visitors will now have to pay to park, Connecticut residents will still be free with the Passport to Parks program. Fetcho said he was glad to see the program. “It's definitely an improvement," he said. "I’m just glad people won’t have to park on the streets close by.” The new facilities are expected to be ready by Memorial Day.
Granby police identify woman killed in Sunday night crashGRANBY, CT (WFSB) - Police in Granby have identified the woman killed in a crash on Sunday. They said 58-year-old Holly Norton of Southwick, MA was transported to St. Francis Hospital where she later died. Route 10 in Granby was closed following the three-car crash that killed Norton on Sunday night. Capt. William Tyler said the crash took place in area of Route 10 and Floydville Road just before 5:30 p.m. Tyler told Channel 3 that five people were involved in the crash. Other than Norton, the others were treated on the scene. Norton was the only person in her vehicle. Route 10 was closed for hours while The North Central Municipal Accident Reconstruction Team investigated. It reopened around 10:30 p.m. No charges have been filed. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Plane got away from pilot at Chester AirportCHESTER, CT (WFSB) -- Police and the Federal Aviation Administration were called to the Chester Airport on Monday morning after an aircraft got away from its pilot. It happened a little before 11 a.m. on Monday. According to Deputy Fire Chief James Grzybowski, the plane was coming out of the hangar when it powered up and got away from the pilot. The plane went down a hill and ended up hitting some light poles and a gate. There were no injuries reported, just a lot of debris. State police and the FAA are investigating. The field is privately owned by Whelen Engineering. Stay with Channel 3 as more information becomes available.
Motorcycle operator dies after crash in MeridenMERIDEN, CT (WFSB) -- A 53-year-old man has died following a crash in Meriden on Sunday. Police said a motorcycle and an SUV collided in the area of Hubbard Park, just after 5 p.m. on Sunday. The motorcycle was traveling west on West Main Street when it hit the passenger side door of the SUV, police said. The SUV was turning into the left entrance of Hubbard Park. The motorcycle operator, identified as Leopold Dishereits, was found at the scene suffering from injuries. He was taken to the hospital where he died. The driver of the SUV suffered minor injuries. Two other passengers were not injured. The crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information should contact Meriden Police at 203-630-6215.
New London police identify suspects in possible abuse caseNEW LONDON, CT (WFSB) - Police in New London said they are investigating a potential case of abuse that was caught on camera. It was recorded Dec. 5 in the Shop Rite parking lot on North Frontage Road. On Monday, police said they have identified the individuals that were captured in the video, however they did not release any names. The investigation remains active at this time. Anyone with information is asked to contact New London police at 860-447-5269, extension 0 or anonymous information may be submitted via the New London tips 411 system by texting "NLPDTip" plus the information to Tip411 (847411).
MGM Springfield's door-to-door service begins todaySPRINGFIELD, MA (WFSB) - A door-to-door service could turn things around for MGM Springfield. It started operating a new bus service on Monday that accommodates players from Connecticut and Massachusetts. As the temperatures dropped heading into the winter months, so did business. The casino sought to attract and keep customers from Connecticut. "Someone asked me if I’d been up there yet, to Springfield, and I said 'no,' and they said 'well it’s nice,'" said Christine Johnson of Newington. "Then I said, 'now I have to try it.'" Getting to the Springfield location was made easier through the round trip door-to-door bus service. Johnson said she likes the plan. "Well I’m from Newington so I have to come over to Glastonbury in the commuter lot there," she said. MGM said it is offering the rides seven days a week in the morning, afternoon and evening. Johnson said she prefers the bus service to get there and back. "Well I like it because then I’m home before dark," she said. "I don’t like drive at night." The new door-to-door service is expected to generate traffic this winter. MGM reported that business tapered off after the Aug. 24 grand opening. "I usually take the Mohegan [Sun] bus," Johnson said. Revenue appears to be down across the board for area casinos. Figures released last week show income from operations at Mohegan Sun from over the summer are down by more than 20 percent compared to last year. At Foxwoods, October's numbers this year compared to last show slot machine revenue is down by $4 million. For more on the MGM bus service, head <a href="https://www.mgmspringfield.com/en/casino/bus.html" target="_blank">here</a>.
Silver Alert issued for 5-year-old from MeridenMERIDEN, CT (WFSB) - State police posted a Silver Alert for a missing 5-year-old boy from Meriden. According to troopers, Alex Carabetta is believed to be with his mother, Heather Carabetta. He was reported missing on Saturday. Alex was last seen wearing a New York baseball hat, an unknown color jacket, jeans and sneakers. Troopers described him as standing 4 feet tall and weighing about 45 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes. They did not provide a photo of him. Anyone with information on Alex's whereabouts, call Meriden police at 203-238-1911.
Sandy Hook Promise releases new 'Point of View' PSAHARTFORD, CT (WFSB) - Just four days away from marking one of the worst mass shootings in U.S. history, an organization born from that tragedy released its latest public service announcement. The PSA from the Sandy Hook Promise was posted on Monday and is titled "Point of View." "Sometimes you need to see things from a different point of view to understand the problem," Sandy Hook Promise wrote. Sometimes you need to see things from a different point of view to understand the problem. Watch our powerful new film, “Point of View” and know the warning signs of gun violence at <a href="https://t.co/NCTkUchDfK">https://t.co/NCTkUchDfK</a> <a href="https://t.co/fDFW1WRtjc">pic.twitter.com/fDFW1WRtjc</a>&mdash; Sandy Hook Promise (@sandyhook) <a href="https://twitter.com/sandyhook/status/1072128802808102914?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2018</a> As the title suggests, the video is told from the point of view of a high school student throughout what appears to be the day of class elections. The student silently follows and watches the students and at least one candidate. The candidate also ignores the student twice while handing out campaign leaflets. In another sequence, a can is thrown at the student while a classmate calls him a "stupid freak." The video ends with the student dropping a duffel in front of auditorium doors, pulling out a firearm and yelling "Look at me!" to the students in the seats. "Most people only notice a shooter once it's too late," the PSA said. "See the signs and stop a shooting before it happens." On Dec. 14, 2012, 26 students and staff members at the Sandy Hook Elementary were killed by a gunman. For more on Sandy Hook Promise, head to its website <a href="https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/" target="_blank">here</a>.
TRENDING NOW: Dolphins win, Santacon, Rudolph gets the stink-eye, Dog hates bootsThe Miami Dolphins pull off an improbable win, Santacon 2018, Rudolph gets the stink-eye from a dog, and a police dog isn't a fan of booties. Those are the stories trending on Dec. 10.