May 17 / 6:30 pm
Truck carrying blasting caps runs off road
(Bozrah-WTNH) _ A potentially explosive situation in Bozrah forced the closure of roads and the evacuation of several homes Monday. A truck carrying a load of blasting caps and ammonium nitrate crashed into an embankment on the eastbound side of Route 2 near exit 24. Officials became very cautions when they learned the truck, which belongs to the Austin Powder Blasting Company of Sterling, was carrying 1,500 pounds of ammonium nitrate and 72 blasting caps. Route 2 and local roads were be closed for hours. The state police bomb squad was called in, but determined there was no danger.
Chief Fred Potter, Bozrah Fire Dept.: "Their explosive people came down and separated the load. As long as these were separated into their components there was no longer a safety problem. They put it onto a truck and it was taken away from the scene."
Around 2:00pm people were allowed back into their homes.
Route 2 westbound and local roads near the highway reopened as well, but Route 2 eastbound didn't reopen until shortly before 4:00.
Parents, students show support for fired coach
(Hamden-WTNH) _ Students and parents in Hamden display their support for a Hamden High School freshman baseball coach who was recently fired. Last week a Team 8 Investigation discovered Coach Raymond Richo had two prior convictions for sexual assault, and never told the school about his past. Some feel he shouldn't have been fired, and they were voicing their support for him at a rally Monday evening.
Sandy Holk, Parent: "Raymond is almost like an idol to these kids. He teaches them constantly. The time he spends with them on the field is only a portion of the time, that he actually shows he cares about them... We're not excusing anything. What we're showing right now is it's time to forgive. The past is the past."
Richio did not have a coaching permit, and only recently applied for one. He did not tell the Department of Education about both his convictions, only one of them. Richio was fired Wednesday.
For Sale sign may be up at NU
(Berlin-WTNH) _ Could Northeast Utilities be up for sale? The Concord Monitor newspaper in New Hampshire says NU is discussing a sale or merger with Wall Street financiers.
Two years ago, NU stopped paying stock dividends, when it's three Millstone reactors were shut down for safety reasons. Last year the company lost $147 million dollars.
Debra Beauchamp, Northeast Utilities spokeswoman: "As a growth focused company with the number of our customers across New England expanding, at some point and in time it's likely that we will combine with, or merge with, another company."
NU is headquartered in Berlin. It is New England's largest electric utility system, and serves 1.7 million customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
120 officials miss deadline to file personal finance report
(AP) _ The University of Connecticut's president and the chief of the state lottery are two of the roughly 120 public officials and political appointees who are two weeks late in filing financial disclosures with the state.
 Here's the full story.
Anti-graffiti plan announced
(New Haven-WTNH) _ The city of New Haven is looking to the public to help wipe out graffiti. A new program announced Monday is part of Mayor John DeStefano's "Elm City Clean and Green" initiative. But not all taxpayers are impressed with the city's efforts.
News Channel 8's Jocelyn Sigue reports.
Police search for robber
(North Haven-WTNH) _ Police are looking for a robbery suspect who knocked off a store in North Haven Monday.
The robbery happened at the Sweet Life Cash and Carry on State Street. Witnesses say a man walked in with a large kitchen knife and left with the register. He took off in a 4-door black vehicle, possibly a Nissan.
No word on how much money was taken. No one was hurt.
Pequots finish ferry for California company
(New London-WTNH) _ Despite speculation to the contrary, the Mashantucket Pequots are not giving-up on their hi-speed ferry businesses.
In fact the tribe seems determined to continue to build new boats, and to operate the ones it already owns. Officials told News Channel 8 they're planning to resume ferry service between New London and Martha's Vineyard for the summer, and a $7-million boat the tribe built for a California Company is in the water and almost ready to go.
News Channel 8's Peter Standring reports.
School considers end to class rankings
(Redding-AP) _ The idea of class ranking is getting some bad marks.
The principal at Joel Barlow High School in Redding, Nelson Quinby, says his district should get rid of the system which ranks students based on their grade point average. This comes after Westport school officials recently got rid of their class ranking system. Like Westport officials, Quinby says that in an academically strong district, ranking students can put them at a disadvantage when they apply to college. That's why Barlow High School designates 10 valedictorians, instead of one, in each graduating class.
But at least one member of the school board says Barlow High should keep ranking students. Michael Brienza says teachers are giving all students better grades, so the only way to measure how students are doing is by ranking them against one another. A vote on the issue is expected next month.
Courthouse named for former New Haven Mayor
(New Haven-WTNH) _ A former New Haven mayor is recognized for his impact on the city. Richard Lee held office for eight consecutive terms beginning in 1953. Monday he was honored by state lawmakers and the community when the federal courthouse was renamed the Richard C. Lee United States Courthouse.
Under Lee's direction the city began an enormous renewal effort. Lee is credited with restoring Wooster Square and engineering the buildup of Long Wharf.
State makes medical disciplinary reports available online
(AP) _ Your doctor may have examined your medical history, but have you taken a look at his past? The state Department of Public Health's Web site now has a list of disciplinary actions imposed upon licensed professionals, from barbers to embalmers, and social workers to sewer installers. The information, which is updated every three months, ranges from minor offenses, such as practicing as a barber without a license, to cases of drug abuse, patient abuse and neglect or sexual misconduct. The list also includes the penalties imposed, from small fines to revocation of licenses to practice.
The address of the Web site is www.state.ct.us/dph/Agency/reports.htm. You'll also need the free Adobe Acrobat reader to view the reports.
Blood Donors in Urgent demand
(WTNH) _ If you can be a blood donor the American Red Cross needs your help. The Red Cross says right now supplies of blood types "O" positive and "O" negative are especially low, in part because people are planning their summer vacations and not getting out and donating.
Blood donor sites are set up through out the state for the next three weeks. The only requirements to donate you must be 17 years old, weigh more than 110 pounds, and be in good health. Call the Red Cross at 1.800.448.3543.
Herb Interaction
(WTNH) _ Drug interactions can be very dangerous, but herbal supplement interactions are just as risky. Natural herbs and drugs could be a deadly combination.
Health Team 8's Susan Hiland reports.
Gas prices creep higher as holiday weekend approaches
(AP) _ Gas prices in Connecticut continue to creep up as Memorial Day approaches, rising three cents per gallon of self-serve unleaded since last month, the American Automobile Association says. The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Connecticut is $1.24, up from $1.21 in mid-April, the AAA said. Nationally, the average price per gallon is $1.16, up from $1.15 last month. The average Connecticut price this time last year was $1.22 per gallon. The AAA said a record 33.3 million Americans are expected to travel on the Memorial Day weekend, despite the higher gas prices.
Efforts to save salmon appear to be working
(Hartford-AP) _ A 32-year effort to bring the Atlantic salmon back to the Connecticut River seems to be working. The state each year spends about 350 thousand dollars on salmon restoration. In 1974, a single adult salmon returned to the river. Last year, about 300 returned. DEP officials hope to see at least a thousand salmon in the river before allowing people to fish for them.
Picnic Table Protest
(Lebanon-WTNH) _ The peace and quiet in a small town are disturbed by controversy over picnic tables. Citeing concerns over liability and trash, the Board of Selectman in Lebanon voted to remove them from the town green.
But that move got towns people all worked up. They signed a petition in protest, and within days 250 people had signed it. Apparently their protest was heard, because officials plan to rescind the order to get rid of the tables.
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