January 18 / 6:30 pm
Lieberman Openminded on Question of Impeachment Witnesses
(New Haven-WTNH) _ Tomorrow the president's defenders will make their case to the US Senate, and the matter of calling witnesses is still up in the air. But the democratic leader in the Senate said today that witnesses may be "inevitable" in the president's trial, and Connecticut's junior senator says that's being "realistic" even though he himself is still open minded on the question.
 Chief political correspondent Mark Davis reports.
President Works on State of Union Address
(Washington-AP) _ As his lawyers prepare to defend him in the Senate impeachment trial tomorrow, President Clinton is preparing to give his State of the Union address tomorrow night. Among the proposals he'll outline is a tax credit to offset costs borne by parents who choose to stay home and care for their children. The president's been practicing the speech in front of a lectern in the White House family theater then reworking portions. Aides say it's still too long. And administration officials say they expect a respectful reception from lawmakers despite the impeachment trial in the Senate.
Meanwhile, President Clinton heeded his own call for public service on Martin Luther King Day. He went to a Washington retirement home to help out on a construction project. Clinton gave the credit to Martin Luther King, as he announced a government discrimination settlement with a mortgage company. He said today that the $6.5 billion settlement was reached simply by enforcing a fair housing law passed as a tribute to King after his death.
Wallingford Closes for King Holiday
(Wallingford-WTNH) _ For the first time Wallingford city employees had the the day off to observe Martin Luther King's birthday. Until now, Wallingford had been the only town in the state that didn't give city employees paid time off for the holiday. The mayor took part in a special ceremony at a church but he refused to make any comments on the controversy.
Program Teaches Youngsters About Martin Luther King, Jr.
(Wethersfield-WTNH) _ Kids across the state had the day off today for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. And while it could have been a day to play, some chose to spend it learning about the meaning of Dr. King's mission.
News Channel 8's Jayne Saffer has the story.
Peeler Family Cries Harassment, Offers Condolences to Murdered Boy's Family
(Bridgeport-WTNH) _ The family of two men wanted for questioning in connection with the double murder of a young murder witness and his mother is offering their condolences to the families of the victims. Police want to talk to Russell Peeler Jr. and Adrian Peeler, after 8 year old Leroy Brown Jr. and his mother Karen Clarke were shot and killed at their home in Bridgeport January 9. Russell Peeler was arrested last week on unrelated charges.
A woman claiming to be an extended family member of the Peelers called News Channel 8 Sunday night. They say they are being harassed and that they distanced themselves from Russell and Adrian years ago.
Peeler Family Member: "We want everyone in our community to know if this heinous crime was done by these two members of our family, it was just that, two members of our family, not any other members. Our prayer is for Adrian to turn himself in, for the Lord to keep and lighten the burden of grief of the Clarke family, and to have mercy on us all."
Russell Peeler is being held on $750,000 cash bond. Police are still searching for Adrian Peeler. They're also wanted on unrelated weapons charges.
Bridgeport detectives were not available for comment to find out if there had been any harassment complaints filed.
Report Critical of Hartford School
(Hartford, AP) -- A new report says Hartford's public schools contain so many safety code violations and are in such a state of disrepair that the learning environment has become detrimental to students. The report recommends that new fire alarm systems and emergency lighting be immediately installed in most schools. City officials say it may cost as much as $300 million to repair Hartford's delapidated schools.
NY Lawmaker Raises Concerns Over Millstone
(Bridgehampton, Long Island-AP) _ A New York state lawmaker wants his colleagues to take a stand on the Millstone-Three nuclear power plant. New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele is pushing to have the state legislature have some input on plant operations. The Waterford plant is about 12 miles across Long Island Sound from Suffolk County. The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission only requires evacuation emergency plans for communities within ten miles of a nuclear plant. Assemblyman Thiele wants Governor George Pataki to petition the NRC to extend the evacuation plan for Millstone to 50 miles. Other Long Island officials also want the extended evacuation plan. Millstone Three was closed for two years due to safety problems. It restarted last summer, but has since had five unscheduled shutdowns because of mechanical problems.
Road Partially Reopens Following Watermain Break
(Plainville-WTNH) _ Part of West Main Street in Plainville is now open after a large water main break. It was a real hassle this morning for commuters as the break was being repaired. The break happened right in front of Town Hall at about 7:30 last night. Police closed down about a quarter mile section of the street.
No one knows yet what caused the break.
Crackdown on Violent Criminals
(New Haven-AP) _ Not only has Connecticut gotten tougher on violent crime, but it has been tougher on violent criminals, according to a new federal study. Figures from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics show that violent offenders released from Connecticut prisons in 1997 served an average of 68 percent of their sentences. The national average was 54 percent.
The study defines violent offenders as those convicted of murder, rape, robbery or aggravated assault. Violent criminals released in Connecticut in 1997 served an average sentence of 53 months, sixth longest in the nation, according to the study. The national average was 49 months.
Hartford Police Shut Down "Drug Factory"
(Hartford-AP) _ Hartford police have charged an 18-year-old city man with running a drug factory from his home. Frankie Hernandez was arrested yesterday after police showed up to check out a report of a domestic dispute. Police say that when they got inside the apartment they spotted Hernandez trying to get rid of nearly 900 bags of heroin by throwing them out his apartment window. Police says Hernandez is being held on $500,000 bond on narcotics charges.
Four Die in Separate Accidents
(AP) _ Four people have died in highway accidents in the past few days. The latest fatal accident occurred early today in Wethersfield. A 27-year-old Hartford man was killed early today when the car he was riding in crashed into a light pole on the Berlin Turnpike in Wethersfield. Tyrone Huguley died at Hartford Hospital.
Last night, in Putnam, a 46-year-old pedestrian was struck and killed by a car while crossing Route 44. James Sirak, of Putnam, was crossing the highway near the Irish American Club when he was hit. He was taken to Day Kimball Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Missing Phantom Props Found
(WTNH) _ Just as the show is about to close, the missing props for "The Phantom of the Opera" have been found. The trailer containing the props was taken December 3rd from the parking lot of the vacant Hartford Jai-Alai building in Hartford.
It was found Friday in Linden, New Jersey, and the 2.5 ton piece of scenery was found intact. The prop is valued at $500,000. The show went on at the Bushnell Theatre in Hartford with borrowed props from another touring company. The show runs through Saturday. The person who found the truck turned down the reward money.
Students Head to Vietnam
(Waterford-WTNH) _ A group of Connecticut students is about to get a first-hand look at communism as they embark on a trip of a lifetime.
The students are from Connecticut College in New London. Their destination is half way around the world. The group is about to embark on a trip to Vietnam, where they'll be taking part in their school's "Study Abroad/Teach Abroad" program.
They'll be living in the former North Vietnamese capital of Hanoi studying at 'Vietnam National University'. It's the first time students from an American college are spending an entire semester in the country.
News Channel 8's Peter Standring reports.
Make Free Calls, If You Don't Mind Ads
(WTNH) _ There's a new way to make calls anywhere in the country or even out of the country for free. But there is a catch to dialing without debt.
Consumer Team 8's Anna Sava reports.
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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