|
January 2 / 11:45 pm
Winter Storm Coming; Utilities, State Ready
(WTNH/AP) _ Connecticut is preparing for its plunge into a deep, wintery freeze. Forecasters say sleet and freezing rain will be hitting us after midnight, and will continue well into Sunday morning. The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warning for all of Connecticut.
The state's Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety George Luther says four people will be called in from 8 pm to 8 am to watch the storm. He says the Department of Emergency Management will work with the Department of Transportation to take precautions.
Northeast Utilities cut brush and overhanging branches around many power lines to keep ice-laden limbs off the lines. Spokesman Frank Poirot says crews are standing by to respond to any power outages.
 News Channel 8's Jocelyn Sigue reports.
Airport Ready for Storm; Incoming Flights Already Cancelled
(Windsor Locks-WTNH) _ The winter storm isn't here yet, but it's already causing some headaches for Bradley International Airport. United and American flights coming in from Chicago and other midwestern cities were cancelled because of snow and whiteout conditions at those airports. There were also some cancellations from TWA on flights out of St. Louis, but they are now flying.
And flights in and out of Chicago on Sunday have already been cancelled. Check with your airline to see if there are any problems with your scheduled flight.
Storm Making a Mess of Midwest, South
(AP) _ The power outages are starting to stack up as a powerful winter storm moves across the country. Some 75,000 customers are in the dark in Arkansas, after freezing rain along the storm's southern edge pulled down power lines yesterday. Several thousand people are also without power in Illinois, and about three thousand customers are blacked out in Indiana. The storm is leaving drifts up to eight feet high in some areas. Up to 15 inches of snow is forecast in Missouri, and two feet is likely in Marquette, Michigan. Meantime, Chicago's mayor is deploying more than 700 pieces of snow-fighting equipment.
While snow is the problem in much of the country, it's rain that has created headaches in Florida. A severe storm rolled through north Palm Beach County early today, dumping 31 inches of rain. No one was hurt, but nearly 100 homes were flooded. Dozens of streets were also flooded and authorities had to close a section of Interstate 95 after the storm washed away sand and created giant holes alongside the road.
Child Killed in Wrong-Way Accident Not in Car Seat
(Stratford-AP) _ Police say the 3-year-old girl who was killed with her parents when their car was struck by a wrong-way driver on Interstate 95 yesterday was not in a car seat. 20 year old Charles Flaherty, his 22-year-old wife Josaphine and her daughter Carlee May Valliere were traveling from Maine to their home in North Carolina when their car was hit by a pickup truck in Stratford just after 12:30 am on New Year's Day. The truck's driver, 41-year-old Silvestre Bonilla of Bridgeport, also was killed. Police are awaiting toxicology tests on his body to determine whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the accident.
Sex Offender Website Attracting Plenty of Visitors
(Rocky Hill-AP) _ The state's list of convicted sex offenders is now online, and officials say plenty of people are logging on to take a look. The registry, mandated by Connecticut's version of Megan's Law, lists 622 offenders who have registered with state and local police. Public Safety officials say it will eventually contain the names of more than 1,700 people who have been convicted of everything from inappropriate touching to rape over the past decade. During the first eight hours it was operating yesterday, the Web site received over 1,500 hits.
It can be found at www.state.ct.us/dps/
Officials Want DNA Samples from Felons
(Hartford-AP) -- Connecticut law enforcement officials want all convicted felons give blood samples so the state can expand its DNA databank. John Armstrong, the commissioner of the Department of Correction, and Henry Lee, the state's public safety commissioner, are working on a plan. Because everyone's DNA is unique, the samples are used like fingerprints. Evidence from a crime scene is compared against DNA already on file when trying to identify a suspect. Lee, one of the world's top forensic scientists, says many countries and some US states have similar programs that are successful. He says using forensic evidence is objective. Connecticut has been collecting DNA samples from convicted sex offenders since 1996. If the General Assembly approves the new proposal, Connecticut will be the fifth state to collect DNA information for every felony conviction.
Dozens of Donors Turn Out To Boost Blood Supply
(Madison-WTNH) _ Some people in Madison are helping boost the states blood supply this holiday weekend. More than 150 people stopped by St. Margarets church in to donate blood Saturday. Madison blood drive services sets up five drives a year. They say the response from donors and volunteers is excellent, plus it's a chance for neighbors to meet neighbors for a good cause. The next Madison blood drive is scheduled for March, but you can make a reservation to donate blood anytime by calling the Red Cross at 1.800.GIVE LIFE.
|
|
Bloomberg Connecticut Index
ABCNews.com
Do you know of a story we should be covering in your Neighborhood?
Call or e-mail us and we'll look into it.
|
|---|
