July 6 / 11:00 pm
Thousands stranded in elderly complex when power goes out
(New Haven-WTNH) _ Thousands of older New Haven residents were knocked into darkness after a major power outage in New Haven. About 4,000 people live at the Bella Vista complex in New Haven, which went dark about 7:00 Tuesday night. At least two residents were taken to the hospital.
Some of the residents were trapped in elevators when the power went out. They have all been rescued by the fire department. There are five towers in Bella Vista, and just one has a back-up generator. Residents tell News Channel 8's Kristen Cusato it was "scary", hot and dark in the hallways as they tried to get out. Back-up generators apparently failed to operate.
New Haven Mayor John DeStefano decided to move some of the elderly residents to a Hill Career High School, which has become a temporary shelter.
Some of the residents refused to go, fearing something would happen to their belongings. For those that stayed, emergency officials were providing water and comfort.
The power outage was caused by a sparking high tension wire at Foxon and Quinnipiac Avenue in New Haven. United Illuminating crews are busy trying to get power restored, but it could take several hours to restore electricity.
Residents say the power went out Monday, too, but came back on within a few minutes.
People concerned about relative who live at Bella Vista can call 1.203.946.8210.
Region sees record demand, Power out to thousands
(WTNH) _ Connecticut sizzled for a second day under near 100 degree heat, and heat indexes well over 100. New England saw a record demand for power, but more than 25,000 customers of Northeast Utilities were without power for their air conditioners and fans.
 ISO New England, the company that manages the region's power supply, issued a Power Warning early Tuesday morning through 7:00 Tuesday evening. Governor John Rowland was urging residents to limit their use of energy by turning off lights and unnecessary appliances. Unlike the last power warning, the governor did not send state workers home for the day.
Ellen Foley, spokeswoman for the region's power consortium, says New Englanders used 22,000 megawatts of electricity by 12:30, breaking last Monday's all-time record.
But power problems persisted for Northeast Utilities. At 11:00 pm more than 3,300 people were without power due mostly to equipment overloads, down from a high of more than 25,000. Just like the Monday night, outages were scattered across the state. Earlier in the day nearly all of New London was without power (see story below).
Power temporarily out for most of New London
 (New London -WTNH) _ Folks in New London are breathing easier at this hour after a very hot afternoon. Just before 3:00 pm more than 13,000 Northeast Utilities customers lost power. That's 94-percent of NU's customers in New London. The outage created some serious problems.
 News Channel 8's Peter Standring reports.
Power problems cause delays for Metro North
(Stamford-WTNH) _ Power problems really hit home for people who commute by rail. Metro North passengers arriving in New Haven Tuesday morning found out they'd be waiting awhile to get where they were going. Power lines, sagging under heavy loads, ended up being torn down by a train in Stamford this morning. Some morning commuters faced a delay of up to an hour or more. And the delays continued into the evening.
 News Channel 8's Andrea Stassou explains in this video report.
Business booming for air conditioning repair workers
(New Haven-WTNH) _ Thanks to our heatwave the air conditioner repair business is booming. Whether it's central air or window units, it seems people wait until the heat's unbearable to make that call. But when it comes to keeping cool, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
News Channel 8's Ned Berkowitz reports.
Being out of the heat not an option for some workers
(New Haven-WTNH) _ if they could, people found a nice, cool place inside to stay. But some workers had no choice but to work outside.
News Channel 8's Jocelyn Sigue reports.
Firefighters give heat relief to elephant
(Manchester-WTNH) _ It's very hard to find ways to cool off in this oppressive heat, especially if you're an elephant.
But the Manchester fire department was kind enough to give "Big Boo" a female Indian elephant a cold shower. Big Boo is in town for a circus at Manchester Community College. She got her first shower in the morning and a second one in the afternoon.
CL&P sells power plants for $1.3 billion
(Hartford-AP) _ Connecticut Light and Power has sold all its non-nuclear power plants for $1.3 billion. The sale is required under the electric deregulation law that goes into effect next year. CL&P sold its thirteen fossil-fuel burning plants to NRG Energy of Minneapolis. It also sold three hydroelectric facilities to Northeast Generation Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Northeast Utilities. The sale still requires regulatory approval.
Utility regulators say the sale is a good deal for Connecticut ratepayers.
Yale professor enters plea to federal child pornography charges
(Hartford-AP) _ A Yale University geology professor has pleaded not-guilty to federal child pornography charges. 45-year-old Antonio Lasaga of Cheshire is charged with four counts of receiving child pornography and three counts of possessing child. Lasaga was arrested in November and accused of receiving thousands of child pornography images on his campus computer. During an appearance in US District Court in Hartford today, the judge heard Lasaga's plea and scheduled jury selection for September 1st. Lasaga faces state charges of sexually assaulting a boy he had met during a volunteer mentoring program. Lasaga was placed on indefinite leave from Yale after his arrest.
Road closed due to propane leak
(Vernon-WTNH) _ Part of a Vernon highway has re-opened after concern over a propane gas leak. A section of Route 30 was closed during rush hour as emergency crews sprayed the tanks with water to cool them off.
It was a pre-cautionary measure though. Officials were afraid the heat would cause a valve on one of the tanks to start leaking.
Search continues for missing elderly man
 (Litchfield-WTNH) _
The search continues for a missing man from Litchfield. 80-year old James Garris was last seen at 6:00am monday in his room at the Sarah Pierce Assisted Living Center. Garris is a white male, about 5-feet-9-inches tall and weighing 165 pounds. He is bald and was last seen wearing khaki pants and a white t-shirt.
Anyone who has seen Garris is asked to call Troop L at 1.860.567.6800.
Pratt lays off 117 workers
(East Hartford-AP) _ Jet engine-maker Pratt and Whitney is laying off 117 hourly workers in Connecticut. The company says an additional 187 workers are taking advantage of an early retirement package. The cuts come a week after Pratt announced it would close its plant in Rocky Hill, eliminating another 54 jobs. Pratt last year announced it would eliminate 2,000 jobs companywide, about half in Connecticut, due to a softening aerospace market.
Weicker for President? 'The Body' says run
(Greenwich-AP) _ Former Governor Lowell Weicker confirms he's again considering a run at the White House. Weicker is being encouraged to run as a Reform Party candidate by Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura. Weicker says he is interested in running, but is also enjoying family life. Weicker retired from politics after his term as governor ended in 1994.
Here's the full story.
Connecticut man becomes head of United Church
(Providence-AP) _ A Connecticut native has been elected to lead The United Church of Christ. The Reverend John Thomas, who is from Darien, was elected general minister and president of the church, which has one-and-a-half million members. The church's General Synod concludes today in Providence.
Here's the full story.
Attorney general, treasurer criticize planned bank merger
 (Hartford-AP) _ Connecticut's treasurer and attorney general are criticizing the proposed merger of Fleet Bank and BankBoston. Treasurer Denise Nappier says she's concerned the merger would reduce competition, cost the state more money and hurt small businesses and the poor. Attorney General Richard Blumenthal says he's against the merger unless BankBoston sells more branches and makes other changes to allow for competition. A hearing on the proposed $16 billion merger is scheduled for Wednesday in Boston.
Trial delayed for ex-trooper in sex case
(Bridgeport-AP) _ The trial of a former state trooper accused of soliciting sex from a motorist has been postponed. 28-year-old Alex Martinez is charged with coercion and patronizing a prostitute. He faces up to two years in prison if convicted. A 33-year-old woman claims that in March of 1998 Martinez told her she could pay a $78 fine for failure to produce a driver's license, or be paid $5 for oral sex. Just before the trial was to begin today, it was learned that a potential witness for the prosecution had once been represented by defense counsel. Martinez must now find a new lawyer. No new trial date has been set.
Swab Summer begins at Coast Guard Academy
(New London-WTNH) _ Despite the heat and humidity it's the start of 'Swab Summer' at the Coast Guard Academy in New London. For 326 young men and women - known as 'swabs' - it's their introduction to the academy, and their first taste of military life. The future officers got new haircuts, matching uniforms and a crash course in marching. Of course the weather made the demanding first day even tougher, but certain activities were scaled back so all the swabs would make it through. 'Swab Summer' lasts another six weeks.
After that the young men and women will have a few weeks to get ready for the start of the academic year.
Davenport visits with young tennis fans following Wimbledon win
 (WTNH) _ She aced one the biggest tests in tennis - Lindsay Davenport beat Steffi Graf Sunday to win Wimbledon in the women's final. And now she's here in Connecticut to share some of "Wimbledon wisdom" with the rest of us.
Sports Team 8's Persefone Contos reports.
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