March 8 / 9:00 pm
Hartford Fire Chief Faces Reverse Discrimination Lawsuits
(Hartford-WTNH)_The Hartford fire department is facing more problems as a dozen firefighters are mobilizing to sue the chief for reverse discrimination.
Chief Robert Dobson is already in the hot seat for allegations that he abused his office privileges.
A criminal investigation is underway after Dobson was caught on tape using his city vehicle to conduct personal business.
He has been suspended and is due back to work tomorrow.
Now, the chief faces several lawsuits.
 News Channel 8's Christina Hager has the story
Legislators Propose Limiting Teen Driving
(Hartford-WTNH)_For a teenager a drivers license means independence.
But, a bill before a legislative committee would 'toughen up' the road rules for teens.
Under the proposal, 16 and 17 year olds wouldn't be allowed to drive between midnight and 5 am without a parent or guardian.
They also wouldn't be allowed to have more than one other teen in the car, unless supervised by a parent.
Those pushing for the law say it could mean the difference between life and death.
News Channel 8's Jayne Saffer has the story
Minister Murder Suspect Held on $1 million Bond
(Hartford-WTNNH)_The suspect in the murder of a Hartford minister has an extensive criminal record, including four separate robbery charges, according to police.
Felix Pagan is charged with killing Presbyterian minister Thomas Otte last Thursday.
Police say the 26 year old suspect and his 56 year old victim were "associates."
Otte, who was openly gay, lobbied for acceptance of gays and lesbians in the Presbyterian church.
Pagan is being held on $1 million bond and is due back in court march 16th.
Attorney Missing One Week
(Hartford-WTNH)_ It's been a week since a high profile attorney disappeared.
Defense Attorney F. Mac Buckley has been missing since last Monday, and the search continues.
Last week, Buckley called his office to say he was heading to court in New Haven, but he never showed up.
His family in Marlborough believes he's the victim of an accident or crime.
Buckley defended accused mobsters during the mafia trials of the early 90's.
Funeral Tomorrow for Connecticut's Top FBI Agent
(New Haven-WTNH)_ A funeral will be held tomorrow morning for Merrill Parks Junior, the FBI's top agent in Connecticut.
Parks died Saturday at Yale-New Haven Hospital after a short illness. He was 55.
Parks, who lived in Madison, supervised about one hundred agents while he headed the Connecticut office since 19-94.
Parks served with the FBI for 29 years, spending many years investigating organized crime.
Services will be held at St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Madison.
Man Charged in Alleged Gang Rape of 13 Year Old Girl
(East Hartford-AP) _ A man has been arrested and charged with participating in the gang rape of a 13-year-old girl.
Carlton Smith, 25, of Windsor, was charged Friday with two counts of aggravated sexual assault, four counts of being an accessory to aggravated sexual assault, kidnapping with a firearm and risk of injury to a minor. He was being held on $500,000 bond.
For more on this story click here
Ames chain picking up eight Caldor stores
(Rocky Hill-AP) _Ames Department Stores has signed a deal to buy eight stores being shut down by Caldor's.
The agreement allows Ames to also pick up a distribution center in Westfield, Massachusetts.
The total price for the stores and distribution outlet is $40 million and is subject to approval by the Bankruptcy Court.
The purchase price includes a store in Stoneham, Massachusetts and seven Connecticut stores in Manchester, Middletown, Torrington, Vernon, Waterford, West Hartford and Willimantic.
Other retails chains, such as K-Mart and Wal-Mart, have put in bids for other Caldor stores.
Shuttles Go Empty on First Day of Service to New York
(New Haven-WTNH) _ The first of daily flights between Tweed-New Haven Airport and JFK in New York took never left ground today, because no one signed up.
Trans International express is offering the shuttle service.
The flight takes 15-25 minutes, and costs under 100-dollars round trip.
They have scheduled two round trip flights each weekday.
one round trip flight each day on weekends.
State Files Suit Against Publishers Clearing House
(Hartford-AP) -- Blaming Publishers Clearing House for bilking thousands of dollars from hundreds of residents, the state's attorney general and consumer protection chief are suing the sweepstakes promotion company.
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and Consumer Protection Commissioner James Fleming say the company uses slick come-ons and false promises of multimillion dollar jackpot winnings to get people to buy magazine subscriptions and merchandise.
In two separate lawsuits, Blumenthal is taking on American Family Publishers and Time Incorporated's Guaranteed and Bonded sweepstakes.
Computer Company Bidding on State Contract Scrutinized
(Hartford-AP) _ State legislators are grilling a Texas high tech company that has the inside track to run the Connecticut's computer system for a billion dollars.
The lawmakers want assurances from Electronic Data Systems that state data will remain private and public information will be readily available.
They also want to know why EDS has had a rocky track records with some government privatization projects.
Dozens of state employees, some wearing anti-privatization buttons, are among those testifying today about their fears of the plan.
The privatization plan is designed to have a private company take over the state's computer functions, upgrade the system and take advantage of new technologies.
The Department of Information Technology has chosen to negotiate with EDS.
Newspaper Ads The Latest Weapon in a Fight Between Lawmakers and Gun Manufacturers
(BRIDGEPORT-AP) _ Gunmaker Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc. placed a full-page advertisement in the Connecticut Post Monday, criticizing Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim for his "senseless lawsuit" against gun manufacturers.
The ad, which played prominently on Page 3 of the newspaper, was the latest salvo in a public relations battle between Ganim and gun manufacturers.
For more on this story click here.
Connecticut Doctors Consider Unionization
(Hartford-AP) _ Should doctors unionize? The president of the Connecticut State Medical Society thinks so.
Doctor Craig Czarsty says doctors should think about forming unions to protect their autonomy from insurance companies, hospital owned medical practices and other employers.
Health Team 8's Kristen Cusato has the story.
(Hartford-AP)_Hartford's tourism bureau has gone online. The city has set up a Website with lodging, entertainment and other information at www.enjoyhartford.com .
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/sor.htm
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