January 7 / 6:30 pm
Impeachment Trial Begins; Senators Can't Decide on Procedure
(Washington, DC-AP) _ Democrats and Republicans will meet behind closed doors tomorrow morning to work out the impeachment trial ground rules. Majority leader Trent Lott and Democratic leader Tom Daschle made the announcement. Lott had first scheduled the meeting for this afternoon, but Democrats balked.
The first presidential impeachment trial in 130 years began today with a solemn oath-taking by the country's 100 senators. After being sworn in as presiding judge, Chief Justice William Rehnquist administered the oath. House prosecutors delivered the articles of impeachment. About a hundred people were curious enough to line up in the morning chill for 50 available tickets to watch the start of the impeachment trial.
The White House says it would be willing to let all of Ken Starr's evidence go unchallenged before the Senate if it would mean that no witnesses would be called. But a Clinton spokesman says "all bets are off" for a speedy impeachment trial if witnesses are called in the Senate. The administration continues to insist that the charges do not rise to the level of impeachment.
A compromise co-authored by Sen Joseph Lieberman could play a pivotal role in the Senate.
 Chief Political Correspondent Mark has more on that story.
Here's more on what happened today in Washington.
 Here is a video of the Senate swearing-in ceremony (Real Format).
Former Naugatuck Mayor Hospitalized
(Naugatuck-AP) _ Former Naugatuck mayor William Rado remains in critical condition this morning after being rushed to the hospital last night. Paramedics were called to his home last night and the 82-year-old former mayor was conscious and alert. He's listed in critical condition at Waterbury Hospital. Rado has a history of heart problems, but hospital officials refused to give any details of his illness. Rado was the borough's Democratic mayor from 1973 to 1985. A conviction on bribery charges sent him to prison for a brief sentence. When he returned, he switched his affiliation to Independent and became mayor in 1995. He opted not to run in 1997. Radio switched again last month, this time to Republican and said he was gearing up for a return to public office.
Teen Arrested After Laser Light Pointed at Officer
(West Haven-WTNH) _ A Connecticut teen is in big trouble over a laser pointer he allegedly pointed at the head and chest of a West Haven police officer.
They arrested him. 19 year old Jason Mesaros is accused of pointing the laser pointer at the officer, who was investigating an argument involving Mesaros' friend and girlfriend.
Domenic Vinci, West Haven Police Dept.: "All of a sudden he looked at his chest and saw a red beam of light coming right at him."
Judy Chong: "What did he think?"
Vinci: "Luckily he didn't overreact. He was calm. He realized where the beam of light was coming from. He was very very alarmed."
Mesaros was sitting in a car with another person when the light was beamed at the officer. Mesaros' mother calls the whole thing a misunderstanding.
Sandra Mesaros, Suspect's Mother: "Jason was fooling around with his friend's laser. And evidently - he meant to shift in his pocket and reach down to get his cigarette lighter - and the thing aimed out of the car. "
Mesaros is charged with second degree reckless endangerment, breach of peace, and interfering with an officer.
Trooper Taken to Hospital After Accident on I-95
(Milford-AP) _ State police are investigating an accident involving a trooper that backed up traffic on Interstate 95 for several hours this morning. Few details are being released, but it is know the a state trooper was rear-ended while on the left median of I-95 in Milford about eight this morning. The trooper was injured as were the drivers of car that struck him and another car on the median. The trooper was taken to Yale-New Haven hospital, but there is no report yet on his condition or that of the two others injured. Traffic was backed up for about six miles for about three hours.
Car Hits School Bus
(Branford-WTNH) _ A scary ride home Thursday for some students in Branford.
Five people were injured when a school bus was hit by an oncoming car on East Main Street. Police say the injuries are not serious. A four year old and five year old on the bus were among those hurt. Police have cited the driver for making an improper turn.
State Senator Proposes Tougher Drunken Driving Bills
(Hartford-AP) _ The 1999 legislative session is getting underway with a call from a senator for tougher drunken driving laws. Senator Edith Prague, a Democrat from Columbia, is bringing back a proposal to lower the blood-alcohol content from .10 to .08. The tougher standard means a person would be considered legally drunk at about one less drink than with the current standard. Several other states have adopted the tougher standard and President Clinton recently encouraged all states to adopt it. But restaurant owners and some lawmakers oppose the idea, saying the bill would scare people away from having some wine with dinner or a drink after work. Prague also has put in a bill to seize the cars of repeat drunken drivers. Under the bill, the cars would be sold and the proceeds would go to schools. The bill is patterned after a law in North Carolina.
Former Public Safety Commissioner to Lead Drive for New Long Lane School
(Hartford-AP) _ A former judge and state public safety commissioner will lead the effort to build a new Long Lane School for juvenile offenders, the Department of Children and Families announced Thursday. Nicholas A. Cioffi, who was commissioner of public safety under Gov. Lowell Weicker, will oversee the design, funding and construction of the new school in Middletown. DCF wants to break ground on a new facility in the spring, and Gov. John G. Rowland has said a new Long Lane is a priority for the next year. The 128 year old school has been crumbling for years, but recent efforts to rebuild or renovate the school have been mired in local politics. Problems at the school were highlighted last year when a 15 year old girl committed suicide in her room.
Students Get New Handbook
(WTNH) _ Connecticut's public school handbook has been updated for the first time in nearly 15 years.
This new policy book was written by students, and addresses issues of concern that schools didn't have to worry about in the mid '80s, like beepers, cellphones and the internet. The handbook will be shipped to schools around the state next week.
It's policies are not binding, but should be used to help districts set up their own guidelines.
Trees Attacked by Unknown Hatchet-Man
 (Stonington-WTNH) _ You may have heard the expression 'tree hugger', but what about a tree mugger? That's right, someone who attacks trees instead of protecting them. In the Borough of Stonington, police are looking for just such an individual. Several trees have been slashed there recently, including an old birch tree in the middle of a park that may have to come down.
News Channel 8's Peter Standring has more from our Southeastern Newsroom at The Day.
Second Arrest Made in Nail Gun Death
(Newington-AP) _ A New Britain man has become the second person charged with murder in a bizarre shooting death in Newington involving a nail gun. George Kowalczyk is charged with murder and conspiracy in the September death of John Leitao in a house that was being remodeled. Police say Kowalczyk helped Richard Tinto kill Leitao, Tinto's brother-in-law and business partner. At the time of the incident, Tinto told police that the nail gun had exploded in his brother-in-law's face. However, police say eight two-inch nails had been fired into Leitao's brain and the nail gun appeared modified so it would shoot nails quicker. Tinto was arrested December 30th and is being held in lieu of $1 million bond. He has pleaded innocent.
Fire Sends 3 Families out into Cold
(New Haven-WTNH) _ A fire in New Haven has left three families without homes.
The fire it hit on Maltby place a little after 6:00 Wednesday night. It started on the first floor and spread up into the attic. Ten people lived in that building.
One firefighter suffered a minor injuries.
Students Busted for School Vandalism
(Glastonbury-WTNH) _ Four kids from Glastonbury are under arrest on charges of vandalizing the Hebron Avenue School in Glastonbury last week.
Police say the kids spilled paint, threw food, and damaged computers, televisions and a display case during break-ins on December 28th and January 1st.
Damage is estimated at about $15,000.
Formerly Homeless Women Graduate Job Training Program
(New Haven-WTNH) _ Six women from a New Haven homeless shelter are graduating from a training program providing them with skills to enter the workforce.
The Life Haven Homeless Shelter for Women and Children is one of fifteen cities nationwide to take part in this program that provides life skills, vocational readiness and culinary arts training. Graduates say they learn more than just on the job training.
Elizabeth Jones, Graduate: "This culinary art thing really helped me get on my feet so that when I leave from here I have something to look forward to and that's a good job."
Job Training for the 21st Century
(Hartford-WTNH) _ Job training was one of the many issues Governor John Rowland touched on in his State of the State address yesterday. The Governor focused on the need to get ready for the 21st century. So how is Connecticut doing in preparing for the future?
News Channel 8's Jayne Saffer has the story.
Government Offers Y2K Hotline
(WTNH) _ Are you fearing a potential meltdown come the year 2000? Do you need answers about the Y2K bug? There's a new place you can get an answer. The President's Council on the year 2000 and the Federal Trade Commission have set up a toll-free number where you can get help. The FTC will have an automated system and live information specialists to take your calls and information will be updated frequently. The number is 1.888.USA.4Y2K.
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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