March 12, 1999 / 7:00 pm
Alleged Stalker Carrying Items He Used in Previous Attacks
(Storrs-WTNH)_ UConn police say a convicted sex offender may have gone after as many as 53 coeds. Police say the leading suspect in their investigation of an alleged campus stalker is John Urban. He is a convicted child rapist who lives in Billerica, Massachusetts. According to police reports Urban was carrying items similar to those he had used during sexual attacks in the early 1980s.
 News Channel 8's Jayne Saffer has the latest
Missing Lawyer Now a Fugitive
(Hartford-AP) -- Missing attorney F. Mac Buckley is now a fugitive. Authorities have charged him with larceny and forgery.
Hartford States Attorney James Thomas says sealed arrests warrants have been issued for Buckley, a well known Hartford defense attorney who has been missing since March First when he notified his law office that he was en route to a client's federal court appearance in New Haven and never arrived at the courthouse.
The charges came a day after state police said they were considering a possible criminal investigation into Buckley's disappearance, based on a claim that the 57 year old attorney had embezzled nearly $150,000 from a client.
State to Get Millions More From Tobacco Settlement
(Hartford-AP)_ Connecticut could get as much as $285 million in additional money from the tobacco industry settlement because of the state's contribution to the legal maneuvering. The extra share would recognize the work by Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and his staff. Connecticut stands to get $3.6 billion over the next 25 years from the settlement reached in November.
The amount is not yet certain. The committee of former attorneys general is expected to make a final decision in April.
Bill Proposed to Speed Local Phone Competition
(Hartford-AP) _ In 1994, a law was passed that promised consumers new telephone services at lower prices, by ending local telephone monopolies and allowing competition.
But little of that competition has come to state residents, so another law is proposed to get the process rolling.
For more on this proposed bill click here
Agreement Will Eliminate Lotto Vending Machines
(Hartford-WTNH) _ Lawmakers and the state lottery have struck a deal.
The Connecticut Lottery Corporation has agreed to eliminate instant ticket vending machines, discontinue ticket sales from a mobile lottery van, include a problem gambling hotline phone number in all its advertising, create a code of standards for advertising, and increase annual funding by $750,000 to gambling addiction, prevention and treatment programs.
State legislators called for the changes, saying the lottery contributes to gambling addiction and underage gambling.
Gas Prices To Rise in April
(WTNH)_ Fill up cheap while you can. Starting next month, local gas stations will have pumped up prices.
Major oil producing countries plan to cut production by over 2 million barrels a day. Oil prices have been at a 12 year low. Officials hope this will bring up sagging prices. The agreement takes effect April 1.
Banks Oppose Proposed Ban on ATM Fees
(Hartford-AP) _ Consumer activists are urging lawmakers to support a bill that would bar banks from charging an extra fee to non customers to use their automatic teller machines.
Banks, meanwhile, attacked the bill Thursday as unfair and damaging to the state economy.
The public hearing before the Banks Committee marked the latest debate in the three year battle over ATM surcharges. Banks may charge their own customers for using another bank's ATM; the fees usually range from $1 to $2. At issue is whether the second bank may also charge a fee.
For more on the debate over ATM fees click here
Environmental Group Gives State High Marks for 1998
(Hartford-AP)_ An environmental watchdog agency is giving the state high marks for work in 1998 to make Connecticut a greener place, through a new land preservation program. The Council on Environmental Quality is praising the electric deregulation law passed last year, saying it has strict environmental standards to cut down on air pollution and to use nonpolluting energy sources.
Cost Of Higher Education On The Rise in Connecticut
(Hartford-AP) _ Tuition is going up at two of the prestigious private universities in Connecticut.
Although they're going up, the increases are at the lowest rate in years.
Yale University has announced a 2.9% increase in tuition, room and board while Wesleyan University in Middletown held its increase to 3.9%.
At Yale, the 2.9% equals last year's increase, the lowest since 1968. That marks the seventh year in a row the rate has declined or held steady, bringing the total cost of attending Yale to $31,940.
At Wesleyan, the cost of tuition, fees, room and board will reach $31,640.
Bayer UNH Alliance Promises Scholarships and More
(West Haven-AP)_ The Bayer aspirin people have some answers to some higher education headaches in Connecticut. Bayer Corporation has founded an alliance with the University of New Haven. The $1 million alliance will provide scholarships and internments for students and also allow the school to upgrade and enhance scientific equipment in the labs.
Population Decline Slowing, But Not Enough
(Hartford-AP) _ New Census Bureau figures indicate that the migration out of Connecticut is slowing down. However, the report released today shows that unless a lot of people begin moving into the state in the next year, Connecticut will lose a congressional seat. Connecticut gained nearly 7,000 people in 1998, more than half of those ended up in Fairfield County.
New Arrivals To Connecticut's Cities From Latin America or Asia
(Hartford-AP)_ A new federal report shows that the percentage of foreign born residents in Connecticut's major cities has dropped dramatically since the turn of the century. The US Census Bureau report also shows that the homelands of the new citizens tend to be in Latin America or Asia rather than Europe.
Stamford Woman Held on Fraud Charges
(Bridgeport-AP)_ A Stamford woman has been ordered held without bond on federal charges involving fake documents for illegal aliens. Mayra Rosado is accused of selling counterfeit green cards and fraudulent immigration documents. She was arraigned in Bridgeport federal court yesterday.
Middletown Man Arrested for Forged Insurance Policies
(Rocky Hill-AP) -- A Middletown man has been charged with forgery after police say he wrote fictitious insurance policies. Police say 50-year-old Clifford Opalacz was discovered when a Springfield, Massachusetts worker filed what turned out to be an insurance claim after a fall. His policy was made up.
Police Recover Stolen Momentos
(Seymour-WTNH)_ Police in Seymour say they've recovered the beanie babies that were stolen from the home of a grieving family.
12 year old Laura Cournoyer died last month after a skiing accident.
Last week someone broke into the Cournoyer's home in Seymour and stole a number of items including the little girl's beanie baby collection.
Her parents say they wanted those back above all because the stuffed animals are momentos of Laura.
Tonight police say they have the beanie babies, and they plan to make an arrest in the case early next week.
Robbers Get Hammered By Store Owner
(New Haven-WTNH) _ A botched store robbery in New Haven has left one worker with a stab wound today. It happened at Lesley Roy Designs on Whalley Avenue.
Police say two men walked in this morning and robbed the store at knife point.
After smashing the register and taking $50 in cash the men ordered the employee to go into the basement. When he refused he was stabbed with the knife.
As the men left the store the owner reportedly threw a hammer at one of the suspects and hit him in the head. But, both got away.
The employee was treated for the nonlife threatening knife wound at the store.
Police are looking for the two men.
Plea Bargain Offers 15 Years To Man Accused of Beating 79 Year Old
(New Britain-AP)_ A man accused of beating and robbing a 79 year old man in a Southington cemetery has been offered a plea bargain that would put him in prison for 15 years. Prosecutors say 22 year old George Martin III will be tried on assault and robbery charges if he rejects the deal when he returns to court April 6. Martin, of Southington, was arrested October 27th in the attack on John Whitley.
Four Injured in Bridgeport Fire
(Bridgeport-WTNH)_ Two young boys are being treated for severe burns this morning after an apartment fire over night.
The fire broke out around midnight on Stratford Avenue in Bridgeport.
A four year old boy is being treated at Yale New Haven hospital with severe burns over 75% of his body.
An eight year old boy was also injured, along with two adults.
Officials are looking at a quartz heater as a possible source for the fire.
State Promises Money For Renovation of Fire Ravaged Theater
(Torrington-WTNH) _ Just over a month ago a theater fire in Torrington caused heavy damage.
Today the 70 year old Warner Theater is rebuilding.
This morning Governor John Rowland announced a renovation project.
The state has promised $6 million to help the landmark get things back on track.
Actress Susan Saint James was at today's announcement.
Democratic Fund Raising Dinner Tops Last Year's Numbers
(Southington-AP) _ Despite some internal bickering in recent months, state Democrats turned out in large numbers to raise money at the party's annual Jefferson-Jackson-Bailey banquet.
Nearly 900 people showed up at the Aqua Turf Club Thursday night, , including US Senator Christopher Dodd, the leader of a failed effort in December to oust state party Chairman Edward Marcus.
"I'm a Democrat. I belong to the Democratic family, and I could make it up here this evening and I wanted to do it," Dodd said as he took his seat at the head table.
Last December, Dodd joined with more than 200 elected officials and other party leaders in calling for Marcus' ouster after the party's third consecutive defeat in the race for governor.
The paid attendance of 870 people at the $150 per plate dinner exceeded last year's total, party officials said. Proceeds will be used for municipal campaigns this fall and other activities.
Bush Receives Honorary Degree Before Mixed Crowd
(New Britain-WTNH)_ Cheers and jeers greeting former President George Bush during his visit to Connecticut.
Hecklers, protesting Mr. Bush's past policy against Iraq, yelled out before and during his speech at Central Connecticut State University.
The 74 year old former president says he holds no regrets about the Persian Gulf War.
He says he is saddened by the suffering that the UN sanctions have caused the Iraqi people, but says Saddam Hussein holds the key to lifting those sanctions.
For more on the former president's visit to Connecticut click here
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.
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
|
|
