March 20 / 6:15 pm
UConn Men Headed to Final Four; Women Knocked Out of Tournament
(WTNH) _ The best of times for the UConn men, as Jim Calhoun's squad is going to the NCAA Final Four. It's the first trip ever to the big dance for the Huskies, who got there by beating a tough Gonzaga Bulldog squad 67-62. Richard Hamilton led the way for the Huskies.
But it's the worst of times for the UConn women, who were ousted from the NCAA tournament by Iowa State 64-58. The Huskies were the first #1 team to be knocked out of the women's tournament.
"You feel like you got kicked in the gut," said coach Geno Auriemma. "It hurts." Tamika Williams led UConn with 14 points. Stacy Hansmeyer added 11.
 More Details on our sports page
Police Commissioner Charged with DUI
 (West Haven-WTNH) _ West Haven police commissioner Thomas Gallagher is facing drunk driving charges. Gallagher was arrested around 1:00 Saturday morning. The department is withholding all comments until Monday, but sources say a West Haven police sergeant arrested the commissioner right near his home on Savin Avenue. No one answered the door of Gallagher's home Saturday afternoon, but his car with personalized license plates was in the driveway.
Accident Kills Man
(Milford-WTNH) _ A car accident in Milford claimed the life of a Stratford man Saturday. 27 year old Keith Daniels was driving on New Haven avenue at about 3:00 AM when he lost control of his car and hit a tree. Police say he was apparently speeding. Daniels was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital where he later died.
Boy Unharmed After Thief Steals Car He Was Asleep In
(Stratford-AP) _ A 6-year-old Bridgeport boy is safe this morning after his mother's car was stolen -- with him asleep in the back seat.
Police say the boy's 25-year-old mother, who has not been identified, was unloading items from her 1998 Dodge Caravan in front of their home about midnight Thursday when a man stepped from a passing car and jumped into the idling vehicle. The thief drove off before the boy could be taken from the vehicle. Police were still at the scene of the theft 20 minutes later when they received word from Stratford authorities that the car had been recovered. The boy was not hurt. No arrests have been made
50 Year Sentenced Given to Man Convicted of Killing Boy Over Egg Throwing
(Bridgeport-AP) _ A 27-year-old Bridgeport man who killed a boy who threw eggs at his car will spend 50 years in prison. Herminio Sotomayor, who's been convicted of murder, has been sentenced for the killing of 16-year-old Angel Lauriano Junior. During his sentencing, Sotomayor told Superior Court Judge Sarsfield Ford he didn't do it. He says he signed the statement admitting to the slaying because he was afraid the police would hurt him. Prosecutors say Sotomayor was driving along a street in Bridgeport on October 10th, 1989 when Lauriano tossed an egg at his car. The say Sotomayor stopped his car, grabbed a .22-caliber rifle and ran after the boy. Sotomayor found the boy hiding behind a fence in a driveway and shot him six times in the back. It was nearly 10 years before a witness came forward to say he saw Sotomayor commit the crime.
Long Lane Teacher Investigated for Alleged Improper Relationship with Resident
(Middletown-AP) _ An assistant principal at the Long Lane School is under investigation for having an inappropriate relationship with a student. Officials say Gail Richmond allowed a 16-year-old girl to stay overnight at her Hebron home, bought her gifts and engaged in "other acts of improper affection." Richmond also is accused of crossing teacher-student boundaries by holding the girl's hand, caressing her arm and hair, hugging and kissing her.
The investigation stems from a complaint by the superintendent of schools for Long Lane. Donna Cambria sought to have Richmond's teaching license revoked after two probes by the state Department of Children and Families supported the allegations of misconduct. No criminal charges have been filed against Richmond. A nine-year state employee, Richmond is currently on paid medical leave and intends to retire June First. Richmond, through her attorney, denied the charges.
DCF Caseworker Suspended
(Manchester-AP) _ A state Department of Children and Families caseworker has been suspended for thirty days. DCF officials say William Molina failed to make the required monthly visits to a Manchester couple accused of abusing and neglecting their five foster children. The children were removed from the home of Carmen Jiminez and Luis Ramos by the DCF in September. But Jiminez and Ramos were arrested last month on charges including assault and cruelty to persons. Police say Jiminez beat the children and forced one of them to eat her own feces. DCF spokesman John Wiltse says Molina was suspended without pay Wednesday. He will not immediately be returned to a full caseload.
Molina, of East Hartford, has declined to comment.
Jiminez and Ramos are free on $25,000 bond and are due back in court April Sixth.
Man Sentenced to 12 years For Crash that Occurred During Flight From Police
(Waterbury-AP) _ A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to 12 years in jail for running a car off the road during a flight from police. A passenger of that car was injured so seriously doctors had to remove parts of her lung, liver, breast and a rib. The 38-year-old woman -- who was not identified in court -- says she can no longer dress herself or work. Romances Crawford, formerly of Hartford, pleaded guilty to first-degree assault in connection with the August 1997 crash. Crawford was wanted for escaping from a South Carolina detention center and a shooting in Georgia. Police say they spotted Crawford in Waterbury when the man took off at high speeds along city streets.
Man Charged with Selling Counterfeit Items
(Cheshire-AP) _ Consumers who picked up Rolex watches, Nike shoes and Coach handbags at home shopping parties thought they were getting a bargain. Police say those customers were only getting fakes.
Anthony Lanosa of Waterbury has been charged with forgery and counterfeiting after police seized hundreds of phony luxury items from his car Thursday night.
Police say 57-year-old Lanosa allegedly operated a mail-order business, as well as selling to boutiques and arranging "Tupperware-like parties" where the fakes were sold in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York. Police say the items seized Thursday would be worth about $25,000 if genuine.
Police are investigating to determine who was supplying Lanosa with the items. Lanosa, who is free on $5,000 bond, is due in Meriden Superior Court on April First.
Peckinpaugh Award Cut in Half
(Hartford-AP) _ A federal judge has cut in half the damages awarded to anchorwoman Janet Peckinpaugh in a discrimination suit against Post-Newsweek Stations, the former owner of WFSB-TV. The decision had been expected because the damages awarded by a jury in January greatly exceeded a federal cap. Peckinpaugh's award was reduced from $8.3 million to $3.79 million.
A jury found 48-year-old Peckinpaugh had been discriminated and retaliated against when she was demoted from Channel Three's prime newscast and fired.
Peckinpaugh is now employed as an early-morning anchor by WVIT-TV. A spokesman for Post-Newsweek says the company still plans to appeal.
Students Command Robots in State Competition
 (Hartford-WTNH) _ Robots took center stage today in Hartford.
They're the creations of high school students from Connecticut and other parts of New England. The annual robotics competition is designed to get kids excited about science and technology.
News Channel 8's Jocelyn Sigue reports.
"Stud" Signing Helps Build Homes
(Waterbury-WTNH) _ Volunteers set up shop outside a Waterbury tool store asking contractors and homeowners to help invest in a family's future.
Habitat for Humanity held their first 'stud signing' Saturday. It's a fundraiser to help build houses for families purchasing their first homes.
For just $2, someone can sign a 2x4 stud which will be used to construct a Habitat home. All of the studs sold will be used for a Habitat home in the greater Waterbury area.
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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