May 2 / 6:00 pm
Captured American soldiers safe in Germany
(Ramstein, Germany-AP) -- Doctors say three American soldiers freed from Yugoslavia are in good shape, aside from some bruises. The soldiers got a hero's welcome when they arrived in Germany today. A huge roar went up from 400 fellow soldiers, and the trio was honored by a color guard. Their first meal was fried chicken, rice and salad. One of the soldiers, Sergeant Christopher Stone, asked for some lasagne -- and someone went out to get it.
Stone tells reporters it's a "great relief" to be free. Stone, Sergeant Andrew Ramirez and Specialist Steven Gonzales spent more than a month in captivity. They were accompanied by the Reverend Jesse Jackson -- who hopes the release will jump-start diplomatic efforts.
It appears the release of three American POW's has brought no relief to Yugoslavia. Yugoslav media report NATO struck a town northwest of Belgrade, killing a woman and wounding several other civilians. The state news agency says NATO also hit a metal factory in central Serbia. Allied forces reportedly have attacked the building repeatedly since the air campaign began March 24th.
Heavy anti-aircraft fire could be heard in Belgrade, and shortly afterward, the Yugoslav capital was plunged into darkness when electric power failed.
Dodd questions Milosevic's motives
(Washington-WTNH) _ Connecticut Senator Christopher Dodd thinks Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic can't be trusted, even though he released the three US soldiers. Appearing on "Meet the Press", Dodd called Milosevic a war criminal.
Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Connecticut: "But the fact of the matter is, this man has engaged in systematic genocide in Bosnia/Herzegovina, or now in Kosovo with some 700,000 people who've been
thrown out of their homes, mass executions, rapes and brutality. And one
good gesture yesterday, which I appreciate, does not warrant elevating this
man to the status of somehow a major peacekeeper in the world."
Dodd also said he would approve if NATO decides to the Serbian prisoners it is holding. Dodd said it would be a nice complimentary gesture.
Waterbury residents raise funds for Kosovar refugees
(Waterbury-WTNH) _ Some local Waterbury residents show care for Kosovo. They gathered Sunday to raise money for the refugees. And with this week's expected arrival of thousands of refugees in the United States their timing couldn't be better.
 News Channel 8's Jocelyn Sigue reports.
No Injuries in farm fire
(Glastonbury-WTNH) _ A farm fire in a remote part of Glastonbury kept firefighters busy Sunday afternoon. A greenhouse on the farm caught fire just before 2:00 pm. Fire officials from three companies had a hard time getting water to the scene, because the nearest hydrant was a half mile away.
The fire burned several vehicles, and there was a concern the blaze would spread to nearby buildings.
Thomas Manager, Glastonbury Asst. Fire Chief:
"We were worried about pesticides in the building. Also worried about propane tanks, couple fuel oil tanks on scene."
No one was hurt in the fire. There is no word on a cause.
Horses killed in fire
(Wallingford-AP) _ Fire officials are still trying to determine the cause of a fire that trapped and killed three horses in a small barn in Wallingford.
Captain David Berardesca says the fire marshal is still investigating Saturday's blaze. The fire was spotted by a passerby about 5:23 AM. It took firefighters less than an hour to douse the blaze, but rescuers were unable to reach the horses in their stalls. Berardesca says the barn was totally destroyed. There were no injuries. Officials said the animals died of smoke inhalation.
Woman injured in accident on I-95
(Branford-WTNH) _ A tractor trailer accident in Branford caused a major back-up along I-95 Sunday. It happened around Noon on I-95 between exit 54 and 55. Police say a woman lost control of her car, hit the median and then drifted to the right lane when a tractor trailer rear-ended her car. The woman was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital, where she is in good condition. The accident tied up traffic for a couple of hours.
Police search for hit-and-run vehicle
(Norwich-AP) -- Norwich police are seeking the driver of a green Jeep Wrangler that struck a child last night on a city street. The 12-year-old boy was crossing Corning Road about 6:30 when he was struck by a westbound Jeep traveling at a high speed. The driver of the Jeep sped off. The boy was taken to Backus Hospital in Norwich. Police say his injuries are not considered life threatening.
Laundromat sued for woman's death
(East Hampton-AP) -- The daughter of a woman who was strangled to death is suing a Laundromat where the woman was last seen. Cindy Ochankowski says the 24-hour Laundromat in East Hampton promised customer security through a surveillance system. But, according to the lawsuit, Ochankowski's mother was not safe the night of January 11, 1998. Gertrude Ochankowski disappeared while doing laundry. The 60-year-old home health aide was found strangled to death the next day. No arrests have been made in the slaying. The lawsuit charges Laundromat owner Frank Carreiro was negligent because the site was not monitored at the time of the murder. The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $15,000. William Melley, a lawyer representing Carreiro, declined comment.
New York town joins Millstone lawsuit
(Waterford-AP) _ A New York town has joined a lawsuit aimed at delaying the restart of Northeast Utilities' Millstone II nuclear power plant. East Hampton on Long Island has signed on as a co-plaintiff with Fish Unlimited, an environmental group which claims Millstone's cooling system kills off winter flounder which spawn in the Niantic Bay. The group wants the restart delayed until June 15, when the spawning season ends. Fish Unlimited, based in Shelter Island, New York, had invited all towns on the east end of Long Island to join the suit. East Hampton officials voted last week to become the first town to join. NU maintains that the damage to flounder from Millstone is minimal.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission last week gave NU approval to restart the plant, which has been off-line for three years due to safety concerns. But the restart is being blocked by Connecticut Superior Court Judge Robert Hale, who has ruled that NU cannot generate power at the plant until the lawsuit is resolved.
At end of stadium talks, Rowland rejected request for more time
(Boston-AP) _ In one of the last maneuvers of the failed deal to move the New England Patriots to Hartford, Conn., team owner Bob Kraft on Thursday asked Connecticut officials to extend a Sunday deadline to back out of the deal without penalty. Connecticut Gov. John Rowland refused to grant the extension, and the $380 million deal was dead within 24 hours.
Here's more of the story.
Refunds for season ticket buyers
(WTNH) _ When the announcement was made that the Patriots were moving to Connecticut, thousands of fans plunked down money for deposits on season tickets, even though the waiting list was years long. Now many fans will likely we demanding refunds from the team. A form is available on the Patriots website so people can request a refund.
Stores planning special hours for Star Wars toy sale
(Hartford-AP) -- Light sabers, Get your light sabers!
You won't need the force to buy the new "Star Wars" merchandise. But you will need a few bucks and some patience to deal with crowds flocking to toy stores.
Retailers around the country-- including FAO Schwarz, Toys R Us, Wal-Mart and Kmart -- are planning special shopping hours to handle the release of the new merchandise that goes on sale tonight. Toys R Us stores decided to open their doors at 12:01 am tomorrow for an all-night selling marathon of toys based on the movie. FAO Schwarz says it would open at midnight tonight and stay open until 2 am. "Star Wars: Episode I _ The Phantom Menace" _ is due to be released on May 19th.
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