WFSB - Eyewitness News

Tolls vote could potentially go to special sessionHARTFORD, CT (WFSB) - A vote on tolls in Connecticut could soon happen. However, Speaker of the House Rep. Joe Aresimowicz, a Democrat, said he's not opposed to voting on the proposal in a special session. The current legislative session ends on June 5. However, State Sen. Cathy Osten, another Democrat, told Channel 3 that a vote could happen this week. Lawmakers have had many special sessions, a lot of times it's because they're still hammering out a budget. When it comes to tolls, Republicans say if Democrats don't have the votes, they should drop it. "If we don't finish it after we have put in our best efforts and the budget is done, I wouldn't be opposed to a special session," Aresimowicz said. Democratic leaders are now talking about a possible special session to vote on tolls. "Don't envision a special session, when we are in all the time. What it means we will have leaders and transportation chairs of the committees would be up here," said Democratic State Rep. Matt Ritter. This comes after hundreds of people <a href="https://www.wfsb.com/news/governor-lamont-and-other-lawmakers-talk-tolls-on-face-the/article_72905dae-7aa4-11e9-be62-53a78680e1b7.html" target="_blank">protested outside the state capitol</a> over the weekend. "People are aggravated, people are fed up with this issue," said Patrick Sasser, No Tolls CT founder. Saturday, demonstrators tried to send a message to Democratic lawmakers. Many called the plan something state residents can't afford. "We can’t afford more taxes and that’s really what tolls are, it’s another tax," Sasser said. The prospect of tolls has lawmakers split. Republicans continue to fight against the proposal, which would put electronic tolls on interstates 84, 91, 95 and Route 15. "There are alternatives, they’re just lazy and beholden to people that are not the people in this group and the people who work hard every day," said Rep. Themis Klarides, Republican minority leader. However, Gov. Ned Lamont said tolling could bring in $800 million in revenue to help fix the state's crumbling transportation infrastructure. He <a href="https://www.wfsb.com/face-the-state-gov-lamont-answers-questions-about-tolls/video_465bad8d-f82e-532a-bbeb-d06b58c4fe0b.html" target="_blank">appeared on Face the State on Sunday</a>. "Connecticut will only move in a forward direction if we end the gridlock on [I-]95, fix all those broken bridges that are 90 years old, plus, speed up Metro-North," Lamont said. Democrats said the gas tax could drop by a nickel. The number of gantries and their locations are still being negotiated. The earliest drivers could see tolls on state highways is in 2023. The session ends in two and a half weeks, and right now it doesn't appear the governor has the votes for tolls.
Potential threat made at Groton middle school under investigationGROTON, CT (WFSB) -- A potential threat made at a middle school in Groton is under investigation. School officials said the threat was made at West Side STEM Magnet Middle School on Monday around 2:30 p.m. The building was evacuated, and since the threat was found so close to dismissal time, students were sent home for the day, Superintendent of Schools Michael Graner said. All students and staff are safe. A police investigation is ongoing. West Side STEM Middle School is an intra-district school for all Groton students to attend.
Gas leak forces businesses to evacuate in SheltonSHELTON, CT (WFSB) – A gas leak is causing businesses in Shelton to be evacuated. Shelton police said River Road between Murphy’s Lane and Petremont Lane is closed due to a car accident that caused a gas leak. Businesses in the area are being evacuated as a precaution. There is no word on any injuries from the crash. Stay tuned to Channel 3 for updates on this story.
Bridgeport police investigating homicideBRIDGEPORT, CT (WFSB) – A homicide is under investigation in Bridgeport. Police said an assault was reported just before 9 p.m. on Sunday on Noble Avenue. The victim was brought to Bridgeport Hospital where the victim was later pronounced deceased. Police have not released the name of the victim. The medical examiner conducted an autopsy on Monday morning and concluded the cause of death to be a homicide. Bridgeport police are currently investigating this incident and will release the victim’s identity soon. No additional details have been released.
Great white shark tracked off coast of CTGREENWICH, CT (WFSB) - A great white shark has been tracked in Long Island Sound off the coast of Connecticut. According to the shark-tracking group OCEARCH, the shark named Cabot was pinged just off the coast of Greenwich on Monday around 10:50 a.m. OCEARCH said it's the first time ever that it tracked a white shark in the Sound. Cabot is 9'8" long and weights 533 pounds. The group posted photos of the map and the shark itself to <a href="https://twitter.com/OCEARCH/status/1130527058876981253" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. Be advised! For the first time ever, we are tracking a white shark in the Long Island Sound. 9’ 8” <a href="https://twitter.com/GWSharkCabot?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GWSharkCabot</a> is just off the shore near Greenwich. Follow him using the browser on any device at <a href="https://t.co/paqCMWe00M">https://t.co/paqCMWe00M</a> <a href="https://t.co/td8e5eZUUY">pic.twitter.com/td8e5eZUUY</a>&mdash; OCEARCH (@OCEARCH) <a href="https://twitter.com/OCEARCH/status/1130527058876981253?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2019</a> It even gave Cabot its own <a href="https://twitter.com/GWSharkCabot/status/1130525991825096707" target="_blank">Twitter handle</a>. I heard sending a ping from the Long Island Sound had never been done before by a white shark...so naturally I had to visit and send one off. Hello Greenwich how are you today?! <a href="https://t.co/ijO9NpdiNr">pic.twitter.com/ijO9NpdiNr</a>&mdash; Great White Shark Cabot (@GWSharkCabot) <a href="https://twitter.com/GWSharkCabot/status/1130525991825096707?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2019</a> OCEARCH calls itself a data-centric organization built to help scientists collect previously unattainable data in the ocean. Track the shark with Ocearch's website <a href="https://www.ocearch.org/tracker/?details=312" target="_blank">here</a>. This wasn't the first time a shark has been spotted in the sound. <a href="https://www.wfsb.com/news/great-white-shark-spotted-off-guilford-coast-in-september/article_c94988aa-6e46-512f-bcb5-957e861f9fa4.html" target="_blank">One was pinged in the central part of the sound</a> back in 2016 off the coast of Guilford.
Elderly man injured during hit and run in WaterburyWATERBURY, CT (WFSB) – Waterbury police are investigating a hit and run where an elderly man was hit while crossing the street. The 75-year-old victim reported he was in the crosswalk on Grand Street around 12:15 a.m. on Sunday when he was hit by a car. Witnesses reported seeing the car, described as a 4-door silver Lexus, driving west on Grand Street when it hit the victim. The car did not stop and continued on Grand Street, and possibly took a right turn onto State Street. The victim was brought to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The incident happened in front of the Turf Restaurant. Justin Carney works at the restaurant and says people normally don't have a problem getting there. "Downtown is a clear area and they normally have signs in the middle of the street for pedestrians. It's a clear crosswalk, you can normally see it," Carney said. The driver has not been located, and the car should have damage to the passenger side rear view mirror. Anyone with information is asked to call Waterbury police at 203-346-3975.
Popular Waverly Inn in Cheshire closes its doorsCHESHIRE, CT (WFSB) -- The well-known Waverly Inn in Cheshire has closed. The owners said they are talking with a buyer, but nothing is in writing. The Waverly Inn said all parties and reservations will be honored under the new ownership once reopened. For those who have a party scheduled, the event coordinator will be reaching out to those people in the coming week.
Man injured during New London motorcycle accidentNEW LONDON, CT (WFSB) – A man is suffering injuries after a motorcycle crash in New London Monday afternoon. Responders were called to Howard Street just before 1:30 p.m. near the entrance of the Shaws Cove Office Complex. When crews arrived, they found the male driver of the motorcycle on the ground next to his motorcycle. The driver was treated for his injuries and brought to Yale – Lawrence and Memorial Hospital. There was a second car involved. The driver of the car was not injured. There is no word of if anyone was charged in the crash.
Waterbury police join other law enforcement in "Click It or Ticket" campaignWATERBURY, CT (WFSB) -- Starting Monday, Waterbury police and other departments launched the annual “Click It or Ticket” campaign. The campaign is in an effort to make sure drivers and passengers buckle their seat-belts. It is Connecticut law that drivers and front seat passengers must wear safety belts. All back-seat passengers aged 4 to 16 years old are required as well. If you are caught not wearing a seat-belt, you could be issued a $92 fine. The campaign in Waterbury runs through June 2.
Dirt bike crashes into truck in HartfordHARTFORD, CT (WFSB) -- Drivers are being urged to avoid the intersection of Capitol and Park Terrace in Hartford after a dirt bike crashed into a pickup truck. It happened on Monday afternoon. The truck caught fire following the crash, police said. There is no word on injuries at this time. Hartford police is remaining folks to keep dirt bikes off city streets.