January 3 / 6:30 pm
Rain Soaks State; Some Areas Get Freezing Rain
(WTNH) _ A wet and wild winter storm socked Connecticut with torrential rain, sleet and freezing rain Sunday. The storm caused some evacuations, knocked out power to more than 4,000 at one point, and forced Bradley International Airport to close.
In Hamden, more than 20 people had to leave their School Street apartments Sunday afternoon because of flooding. Water was a few feet high in some places.
They were temporarily moved to the Miller Memorial Library a couple blocks away.
Apartment management says the displaced residents will be able to stay at a motel for the night. Others in low-lying areas of Milford and East Haven were also evacuated for a short time today.
Many drivers were stranded when they tried to drive through high water, especially along the shoreline. High tide was about two feet above normal. Across the state police responded to more than 160 accidents. Fortunately no one was seriously injured. Several lanes of Interstate 95 had to be closed throughout the day, causing traffic tie-ups. In the Long Wharf area of New Haven, exit ramps were flooded and two southbound lanes were impassable because of the high water.
Nearly 2 1/2 inches of rain fell in Bridgeport, 2.68 inches fell in New Haven, while Norwich saw 3.27 inches of rain come down.
A different story in the northern part of the state, where ice covered trees and snow and ice covered the roads. That part of the state was hit hard with almost every form of precipitation imaginable.
 News Channel 8's Kristen Cusato reports.
News Channel 8's Jocelyn Sigue has more on the mess in the central part of the state.
Bradley Airport Closed Because of Storm
(Windsor Locks-WTNH) _ The storm also made a mess of Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks. Icy conditions forced airport officials to close the airport for nearly 4 1/2 hours. Airport officials say the rain froze on contact with the ground. But even when the airport reopened, there was still trouble. Other airports around the country were having problems of their own. Planes could not take off and get into Bradley and get passengers on their way. Some passengers said this was a "10" on the frustration scale. It could be a couple of days before everything gets straightened out.
Chill Replaces Rain for Monday
(WTNH) _ The rain is gone, but below freezing temperatures remain, and that could mean trouble in the morning. The moisture on the roads will likely freeze-up overnight. That could mean slick driving conditions for commuters and school busses. Storm Team 8 says we won't see much of the sun, so it's unlikely we'll see a quick melting of the snow and ice.
Lieberman Proposes Alternative to Full-Blown Trial
(Washington, DC-AP) _ US Senator Joseph Lieberman is proposing an alternative to a flown blown impeachment trial of President Clinton. Lieberman, a Democrat, and Republican Senator Slade Gorton, of Washington, detailed their plan today on NBC's "Meet the Press." Under the plan, the Senate, after several days of hearing arguments from both sides in the case, would vote on whether the charges against the president are enough to remove him from office. With a two-thirds majority unlikely, the Senate could move to end the trial and consider a censure motion against the president. Lieberman says that doesn't mean the president will go unpunished. He says the Monica Lewinsky scandal stains Clinton's record. And he's told NBC, "the impeachment puts that mark indelibly in the history books."
Budget Battle Expected to Focus on Type of Tax Cut
(Hartford-AP) _ If there is any partisan bickering at the state Capitol this year, it's expected to focus on just what type of tax cut to give Connecticut residents. House Speaker Moira Lyons says some Democrats will continue to push for property tax relief during the upcoming session of the General Assembly. Minority leader Robert Ward says Republicans are looking to reduce the income tax rate. The Legislature must pass a new two-year budget by the end of June. Lawmakers say this year's session also will focus on education, health care, and problems in housing juvenile criminals. The year in politics officially kicks off Wednesday, with Governor Rowland's second inauguration.
Mother, Two Children Die in Fire at Horse Farm
(Salem-AP) _ Autopsies will be performed today on the bodies of a mother and her two young sons, killed when fire swept through an apartment on a horse boarding farm in Salem yesterday. Police have not released the names of those killed. Neighbors say the woman was in her 20s and the boys were about five and six. Firefighters say the victims died in their beds. The fire broke out at about 7:30 am. Neighbors say the woman's mother ran from her nearby farmhouse in an attempt to rescue the family, but could not get inside the burning building. Fire officials say they don't know the cause of the blaze, but are looking at the building's fuse box.
Man Struck and Killed by Car
(Hartford-WTNH) _ Police have not identified a man who was struck and killed while walking along Route 2 in Hartford Saturday. State police say the man was hit near exit five, under the Charter Oak Bridge. Police say the victim is a white in his 30s or 40s, was wearing a blue ski jacket, and was carrying a black walking stick. An East Hartford woman who was driving the car that hit the man, said she never saw the man. She has not been charged.
State Sex Offender Website Online
(Hartford-WTNH) _ The State of Connecticut's Sex Offender Registry went online at the first of the year. Residents can look to see if a convicted sex offender is living in their neighborhood by accessing the information through the Department of Public Safety's website at www.state.ct.us/dps/
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