January 1 / 7:15 pm
Four Dead in Wrong-Way Fatal Accident on Interstate 95
(Stratford-WTNH) _ The first fatal accident of the year claims four lives, including a baby girl. The head-on collision occurred early this morning in the southbound lanes of I-95. One of the drivers was heading the wrong way on the highway.
 News Channel 8's Ned Berkowitz reports.
Snow Squall Blamed for Accident
(AP) _ State police say a snow squall starting before noon today caused four minor accidents in the Greenwich and Stamford areas and forced the temporary closing of lanes on two highways. Sergeant Anthony Schirillo says the squall started at 11:35 am and affected travel on Interstate 95 and the Merritt Parkway for about an hour. He says the parkway was closed down for a short time, and one lane of the Interstate was shut down for several minutes. No serious injuries were reported.
Chief State's Attorney Wants Fugitive Task Force Restored
(Hartford-AP) _ Chief State's Attorney John Bailey wants the legislature to resurrect the ill-fated Fugitive Task Force which he disbanded a year ago. At least one key lawmaker says it isn't likely to happen unless steps are taken to avoid past mistakes. State Representative Michael Lawlor calls the way the former task force was run a nightmare. As a co-chairman of the powerful Judiciary Committee, the East Haven Democrat is one of the lawmakers Bailey must woo. Bailey says he hopes to meet with legislative leaders soon to pitch his $600,000 proposal. He says he disbanded the task force in December 1997 based on finances. But a federal jury recently found that the move was also motivated by Bailey's desire to punish two investigators who defied him.
Two Killed in Separate Shootings
(Hartford-AP) _ Two men were shot to death in separate incidents and another man was injured in a stabbing attack in Hartford. Juan Luis Flores, 22, was shot in the head while inside his Broad Street apartment at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, police said. He was transported from the scene to Hartford Hospital where he later died.
Flores had gone to open a window after hearing gunfire, police said. He may have been hit by a stray bullet fired from a nearby street, police said. Police had no suspects in the shooting Friday afternoon.
About three hours after the fatal shooting, a 23-year-old man was robbed at gunpoint and then shot while standing in the foyer of an apartment building on Laurel Street, police said. They said the suspect fled, and had made no arrests Friday. Earl Townsend was taken from the scene to St. Francis Hospital where he later died.
At 3:26 a.m. Friday, police found a 31-year-old Hartford man who reportedly had been stabbed by his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend on Zion Street. Jose Gandia was listed in serious condition Friday at Hartford Hospital. Investigators have a suspect and will apply for an arrest warrant. They are not naming the suspect until charges are filed.
FBI Probes Housing Agency
(East Haven-AP) _ The FBI is investigating whether mismanagement in East Haven's Housing Authority and Urban Renewal Agency involved criminal activity. Agents are scheduled to meet Monday with Mayor Joe Maturo and his top assistant, Arthur DeSorbo, about irregularities in the way the authority and agency were run from 1995 to 1997. The alleged abuses took place before Maturo took office. The FBI is looking for information beyond what is contained in an audit report which the Maturo administration turned over to state and federal authorities two months ago. Town officials hired an outside firm to conduct the report after federal authorities cited several mistakes in a letter to Maturo from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. DeSorbo says he is happy about the investigation and wants to know what really happened.
New Year Brings New Responsibilities for State Lawmakers
(Washington, DC-AP) _ Connecticut lawmakers will be taking on new roles in Washington this year. Both of the state's US senators will serve as ranking Democrats on new committees when the 106th Congress convenes next week. And Republican US Representative Chris Shays will chair a new House subcommittee. Senator Joseph Lieberman will succeed retiring John Glenn from Ohio as the ranking Democrat on the Governmental Affairs Committee. The committee gained national attention in 1997 when it held hearings on campaign finance abuses during the 1996 presidential election. Senator Chris Dodd will be the new ranking Democrat on the Senate Rules Committee. On the House side, Shays will take over chairmanship of the Government Reform and Oversight Committee's subcommittee on national security, veterans affairs and international relations.
First Baby Born to Danbury Couple
(Danbury-WTNH) _ The stork came to visit one Danbury couple during a New Year's Eve party. And he left Connecticut's first baby of 1999.
News Channel 8's Judy Chong reports.
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