March 11, 1999 / 7:30 pm
Clients Come Forward With Complaints About Missing Lawyer
(Hartford- More clients are coming forward tonight to complain about problems they had with F. Mac Buckley.
Buckley's license to practice law was going to be taken away on the same day he disappeared without a trace, 11 days ago.
 News Channel 8's Christina Hager has the story
Arrest of Sex Offender on Campus Prompts Security Increase
(Storrs-AP) _ The discovery of a sex offender lurking on campus has prompted University of Connecticut police to increase patrols and tighten security.
A 38 year old man who is a registered sex offender in Massachusetts was arrested Tuesday after he was found in a car with a rock filled sock, handcuffs, rope, a knife and condoms, police said.
John R. Urban, of Billerica, MA, is also a suspect in two dozen suspicious incidents on campus during which a man fitting his description approached women.
Urban was charged with having a weapon in a vehicle and was released Wednesday after posting a $50,000 bond.
UConn police have described Urban as "extremely dangerous" and said they have increased patrols because of his release and asked for assistance from the state police.
University police have been circulating a safety alert with a composite sketch of Urban.
Probation Officer Pleads No Contest to Sexual Assault Charges
(Putnam-AP) _ A plea bargain has ended the sexual assault case against a former Danielson probation officer.
Today Richard Straub plead no contest to 31 counts involving sexual assault, unlawful restraint and other charges.
The plea involves counts covering all 15 victims in the case.
Straub was arrested in 1996 on charges of sexually assaulting young men under his supervision in his Danielson office and his Killingly home.
Prosecutors had filed more than 220 separate criminal counts against him.
The prosecutor has recommended a sentence of 20 years with a minimum of 15 years served. Sentencing in Putnam Superior Court is May 18th.
Some Experts Say Only Limited Cleanup Needed For Stadium
(Hartford-AP)_ Environmental experts say the proposed stadium for the New England Patriots may only require excavation of about 10 feet of soil, reducing the total cleanup the site will require.
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Push For Regional Power Plant Regulations
(Hartford-AP) _ Northeastern states could better crack down on pollution if power plants were required to follow a uniform set of emissions guidelines, regional environmental regulators say.
Today the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management announced its proposals to create regionally consistent policies on utility deregulation.
For more on this story click here
NRC Eases Oversight of Millstone
(Washington-AP)_ It appears that Northeast Utilities will no longer have outsiders looking over management's shoulder at the Millstone nuclear power complex.
An industry source says the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has decided to lift its 1996 order requiring independent oversight at the Waterford complex.
The decision is expected to be formally announced later today.
NU has been criticized and heavily fined for past harassment, intimidation and firings of workers who tried to bring safety concerns to light.
Since the October 1996 order was imposed, an outside group, Little Harbor Consultants, has been a constant presence at Millstone.
Federal regulators blame the utility's hostility to whistle blowing for an accumulation of safety problems that led to the shutdown of all three reactors at Millstone in 1995 and 1996.
Conservation Group Sues to Prevent Millstone Restart
(Waterford-AP) -- An international conservation group has gone to court in an effort to prevent the restart of Northeast Utilities' Millstone Two nuclear reactor.
Fish Unlimited wants an injunction to prevent the restart of Millstone 2 until NU makes certain modifications at the plant, including installation of a closed cooling system, variable speed water pumps and a fish return system. The conservation group says the modifications will reduce radioactive and toxic emissions into Long Island Sound and virtually eliminate fish kills.
Parties joining the lawsuit include the North Fork Environmental Council and Standing for Truth about Radiation.
Group Wants More Money for Wastewater Cleanup
(Hartford-AP)_ The state should give towns more money to purify wastewater treatment plants, a group of town officials, environmentalists and business leaders said.
The Coalition for Clean Water Funding wants the state to increase grants to towns which are complying with nitrogen removal regulations from 20 percent of the cleanup cost to 50 percent.
In his proposed budget, Governor John Rowland wants to put $108 million into the cleanup projects next year, and another $130 million for the following year.
The coalition wants the state to invest another $109 million in the programs during the next two years.
East Haddam First Selectman Susan Merrow said there is a 25 year need of $2.8 billion to make the state's waterways cleaner.
Improvement Plans for Connecticut Airport
(Hartford-WTNH) _ How do you make Bradley Airport better?
Improve management.
State Transportation officials have sent out proposals to 14 companies around the world for help in making the airport run smoother and more competitive.
A $135 million terminal project starts next year, plus, there's going to be a new parking garage and hotel.
Passenger Rights Hearings Continue
(Capitol Hill-AP) -- They're tripping over each other in Washington in the race to promote the rights of airline passengers.
A Senate committee will hold hearings today on a bill to give passengers new rights. A similar bill is pending in the House and the Clinton administration has announced its own plan to help people treated unfairly by the airlines.
Yesterday a House committee heard passengers' tales of being denied food and water aboard planes grounded for as long as nine hours.
House Transportation Committee Chairman Bud Shuster is proposing that airlines pay compensation to passengers if they're kept waiting on the runway more than two hours.
The Clinton administration wants airlines to provide food and restroom facilities during ground delays and evacuation procedures for extended delays. It also wants compensation doubled for lost baggage.
Lyme Disease Vaccine Becomes Available, With Some Problems
(East Lyme-WTNH)_ One form of tick treatment may be a bit too expensive for many Connecticut residents.
The governor has proclaimed March lyme disease prevention month, but for some health care providers, an ounce of prevention is apparently not worth a pound of cure.
News Channel 8's Ned Berkowitz reports
Larger Labels For Medicine Containers
(White House-AP)_ Coming to a store near you, more consumer-friendly medicine.
New regulations taking effect today require all over the counter drugs to carry labels that are easier for consumers to read.
The print will be bigger. And there'll be a special format highlighting proper dosages and safety warnings.
Vice President Gore unveiled the new rules today. He says over the counter drugs are strong medicine, and people have to know how to use them safely.
Most drugs are expected to carry the new labels within another two years.
Dangerous Candy Brings Settlement Money to Connecticut
(Hartford-AP) -- Connecticut is one of 12 states settling a dispute with Nestle USA Incorporated over the sale of a chocolate-covered plastic ball with a toy inside. The candy was only sold for a short time before state officials expressed concern it could pose a choking hazard for children. Under the deal announced today, Connecticut gets $125,000 to cover the costs of its investigation.
Developer Charged For Endangering Employees
(New Haven-AP) _ A developer and two associates have been charged with exposing workers to asbestos while renovating the former New Haven YWCA and dumping bags of the stuff around the city.
Click here for the story
Housing Loan Investigation Delayed
(Hartford-AP) _ A key investigation into the financial dealings of prominent city businessman and housing rehabilitation official Arthur T. Anderson will require more time.
Donald E. Frechette, a lawyer hired by the Capitol Housing Finance Corp., had been expected to deliver a report on his investigation Wednesday.
However, Frechette said the meeting was postponed because he had not reached any conclusion and he probably would need another 30 days.
For more on this story click here
Anbulance Company Treasurer Charged With Stealing
(South Windsor-AP) -- The former treasurer of the South Windsor volunteer ambulance corps has surrendered to police after being charged with stealing more than $12,000. Police say 35 year old David Wisneski admitted writing himself unauthorized checks on the ambulance corps's account between 1996 and 1998. Police say the thefts were noticed when someone else was elected treasurer of the group.
Teens Drafted in Underage Drinking Sting
(North Haven-AP) _ A bunch of underage teens will soon be buying liquor with blessings from police.
A group of teens and more than 100 police officers got together yesterday for a training session on using minors in undercover sting operations.
The workshop in North Haven was sponsored by the Connecticut Coalition to Stop Underage Drinking.
A new law that went into effect in October allows minors to buy liquor when they are being used in a law enforcement activity such as a sting operation.
Police say that enforcing drinking laws is difficult because of the large number of places teens can attempt to buy alcohol, including package stores, grocery stores, variety stores and even gas station convenience stores.
Atheletes and Greeks are Most Like to Drink
(WTNH)_ Who are the college kids most likely to party?
A new study points to jocks, fraternity brothers, and sorority sisters.
New York State college officials surveyed nearly 46,000 students.
Roughly 60% of athletes and greek system members qualify as binge drinkers.
There is good news, over the past 20 years, the number of students who drink at least once a month has dropped sharply.
Cost Of Higher Education Rises in New Haven
(New Haven-AP) -- The cost of going to Yale University is going up, but university officials say it's the smallest increase since 1968. The cost of tuition, room and board will be $31,940 , an increase of just under 3%. Most of that goes for tuition, which will be $24,500 for the 1999-2000 school year.
Former President Visits a Connecticut University
(New Britian-WTNH)_ Connecticut gets a visit from former President George Bush tonight.
Bush will be speaking at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain at 8:00pm on foreign relations.
He will also receive an honorary degree recognizing him as a world leader.
Governor's Plan to Develop Downtown Business
(Hartford-AP) -- Governor Rowland and Harvard business school Professor Michael Porter today announced a partnership to help inner city businesses develop. The program is aimed at revitalizing the downtowns of Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, New Britain and Waterbury. It will work with the leaders of each city to develop strategies and get key business officials involved in rebuilding inner cities.
New Technology Gives Hartford More 'Fire' Power
(Hartford-WTNH) _ Hartford firefighters have some new hi-tech help right in the palm of their hands.
They've invested a lot of cash in thermal cameras that will put them in line with cities like New York, Paris, and London when it comes to firefighting technology.
News Channel 8's Jocelyn Sigue has more
Au Pair Defense Team Responds to "60 Minutes" Report
(Boston-AP) -- Defense attorneys for Louise Woodward say they'll investigate claims by two doctors that eight month old Matthew Eappen was strangled.
The defense team held a news conference in Boston today to respond to questions raised by last Sunday's "60 Minutes" report.
The attorneys say they don't know if the new theory holds water, but are glad the Los Angeles interviewed by 60 Minutes agree that Matthew did not die from shaken baby syndrome.
The lawyers say they haven't yet spoken in length with the doctors.
Asked if he was concerned about the emotional impact of the re-opening of the case on the Eappen family, attorney Harvey Silverglate said the case has been unfortunate for everyone.
The lawyers say it's too early to speculate whether they'll ask for Woodward's conviction to be overturned.
Funeral Arrangements Made for Deputy City Manager
(Hartford-Ap) _ Funeral arrangements have now been set for Hartford Deputy City Manager Henry Langley who died of a heart attack yesterday.
The funeral will be on Saturday at 10am at the Cathedral of St. Joseph on Farmington Avenue, with burial in Mt. Saint Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield.
Greenwich Gets McCartney Photos First
(Greenwich-AP) _ Greenwich's Bruce Museum is serving as the first stop of a nationwide tour of an exhibition of Linda McCartney's photos.
Before she married Beatle Paul McCartey, Linda was a photographer who managed to snag many of the top rockers of the 1960s.
Fifty of her photographs of 1960s rock stars will be on display at the Bruce Museum beginning Saturday.
The three month exhibition is the first stop of a US tour that will travel throughout the country over the next three years.
Hartford Online
(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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