AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantFeb 19, 2021 at 6:00 amFlags flying outside two homes in Plymouth proclaim in stark — and some have complained, vulgar and inappropriate language — the residents’ rejection of the November election results and President Joe Biden.About a half mile apart in the town’s Terryville section, both banners hang below American flags and state in bold, white letters on blue background, “F---- BIDEN,” and below that, in smaller type, “And ... you for voting for him!”AdvertisementPlymouth police Capt. Edward Benecchi said residents have complained, saying neighborhood...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantFeb 19, 2021 at 6:00 amFlags flying outside two homes in Plymouth proclaim in stark — and some have complained, vulgar and inappropriate language — the residents’ rejection of the November election results and President Joe Biden.About a half mile apart in the town’s Terryville section, both banners hang below American flags and state in bold, white letters on blue background, “F---- BIDEN,” and below that, in smaller type, “And ... you for voting for him!”AdvertisementPlymouth police Capt. Edward Benecchi said residents have complained, saying neighborhood...WW…

AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantJan 11, 2021 at 6:00 amThe number of traffic tickets issued for speeding, distracted driving and other violations plummeted last year, a drop that police attributed to both the coronavirus pandemic and the police accountability law.Total tickets dropped from 216,296 issued from March 19 through Dec. 31, 2019, to 74,346 last year during the same period, figures from the state Judicial Branch show. The number of charges (a single ticket may include more than one charge) sank from 243,305 to 85,851 in the same comparison.AdvertisementSeveral police union leaders...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantJan 11, 2021 at 6:00 amThe number of traffic tickets issued for speeding, distracted driving and other violations plummeted last year, a drop that police attributed to both the coronavirus pandemic and the police accountability law.Total tickets dropped from 216,296 issued from March 19 through Dec. 31, 2019, to 74,346 last year during the same period, figures from the state Judicial Branch show. The number of charges (a single ticket may include more than one charge) sank from 243,305 to 85,851 in the same comparison.AdvertisementSeveral police union leaders...WW…

AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantDec 18, 2020 at 12:27 pmWindsor Locks police say they arrested a man who flew to Connecticut from Georgia twice to have sex with a 13-year-old girl.David Francis, 23, of Lithonia, Georgia, faces charges of second-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor. Francis was being held Friday on bail of $200,000, pending a court appearance set for Feb. 8.AdvertisementThe girl’s mother called police last week and said she had found explicit text messages between her daughter and Francis and videos showing the two having sex, a police report says.The girl...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantDec 18, 2020 at 12:27 pmWindsor Locks police say they arrested a man who flew to Connecticut from Georgia twice to have sex with a 13-year-old girl.David Francis, 23, of Lithonia, Georgia, faces charges of second-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor. Francis was being held Friday on bail of $200,000, pending a court appearance set for Feb. 8.AdvertisementThe girl’s mother called police last week and said she had found explicit text messages between her daughter and Francis and videos showing the two having sex, a police report says.The girl...WW…

AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantNov 25, 2020 at 3:50 pmTwo days after shutting down the Hungry Tiger restaurant for violations of COVID-19 restrictions, town officials allowed the owner to reopen Wednesday after a reinspection.Officials will continue to monitor the restaurant for compliance, Health Director Jeffrey Catlett said.AdvertisementIn visits over the past three months, inspectors from the health department and fire marshal’s office warned owner Donald Denley Jr. he was in danger of losing his license for the Charter Oak Street restaurant if he kept spurning rules meant to protect...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantNov 25, 2020 at 3:50 pmTwo days after shutting down the Hungry Tiger restaurant for violations of COVID-19 restrictions, town officials allowed the owner to reopen Wednesday after a reinspection.Officials will continue to monitor the restaurant for compliance, Health Director Jeffrey Catlett said.AdvertisementIn visits over the past three months, inspectors from the health department and fire marshal’s office warned owner Donald Denley Jr. he was in danger of losing his license for the Charter Oak Street restaurant if he kept spurning rules meant to protect...WW…

AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantSep 25, 2020 at 7:33 amA rented McMansion in Southington was the scene of more than a dozen complaints this summer as hundreds of revelers came for bashes that included a “lifestyle” party, a police report released Thursday says.The town planning department has ordered the owner of 375 DeFashion St. to stop renting the hilltop property. The police report shows things have quieted down since late August, when officers responding to yet another noise complaint found two coach buses parked on the 6.4-acre estate.AdvertisementTown records show Gary Levine bought...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantSep 25, 2020 at 7:33 amA rented McMansion in Southington was the scene of more than a dozen complaints this summer as hundreds of revelers came for bashes that included a “lifestyle” party, a police report released Thursday says.The town planning department has ordered the owner of 375 DeFashion St. to stop renting the hilltop property. The police report shows things have quieted down since late August, when officers responding to yet another noise complaint found two coach buses parked on the 6.4-acre estate.AdvertisementTown records show Gary Levine bought...WW…

AdvertisementBy troncAug 20, 2020 at 2:54 pmFirefighters and a public works crew worked Thursday to douse a smoldering brush fire at the transfer station.Heavy equipment operators turned the leaves and brush to uncover hot spots, which firefighters then soaked, Fire Chief David Billings said. Public Works Director Tim Bockus said at 2:30 p.m. that the fire appeared to be out.AdvertisementFire and public works officials were alerted on Wednesday at about 9 p.m. that brush piled in a 50- by 75-foot area was burning. There had been a flare-up in the brush piles the week before, Bockus...…AdvertisementBy troncAug 20, 2020 at 2:54 pmFirefighters and a public works crew worked Thursday to douse a smoldering brush fire at the transfer station.Heavy equipment operators turned the leaves and brush to uncover hot spots, which firefighters then soaked, Fire Chief David Billings said. Public Works Director Tim Bockus said at 2:30 p.m. that the fire appeared to be out.AdvertisementFire and public works officials were alerted on Wednesday at about 9 p.m. that brush piled in a 50- by 75-foot area was burning. There had been a flare-up in the brush piles the week before, Bockus...WW…

AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantJul 31, 2020 at 11:07 amAs soon as he can, Manchester police Sgt. Bill Young said he will leave the job he has loved for 24 years, the profession he wanted to be part of since he was a kid.“If I could have left yesterday, I would have left yesterday,” Young said Thursday.AdvertisementThe married father of two is is one of several police officers who told The Courant they are planning an early exit from law enforcement in Connecticut after the legislature this week passed a police accountability bill that Gov. Ned Lamont is soon expected to sign.The 71-page...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantJul 31, 2020 at 11:07 amAs soon as he can, Manchester police Sgt. Bill Young said he will leave the job he has loved for 24 years, the profession he wanted to be part of since he was a kid.“If I could have left yesterday, I would have left yesterday,” Young said Thursday.AdvertisementThe married father of two is is one of several police officers who told The Courant they are planning an early exit from law enforcement in Connecticut after the legislature this week passed a police accountability bill that Gov. Ned Lamont is soon expected to sign.The 71-page...WW…

AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantMay 09, 2020 at 6:00 amCar batteries are fading and ruinous rodents are colonizing engine compartments as the coronavirus keeps many cars parked at home.Dead batteries prompted 40% of AAA’s calls for service in April, compared with 20% in April 2019, the organization’s Greater Hartford spokeswoman, Amy Parmenter, said.Advertisement“Some cars won’t last two weeks,” said Paul Hechenbleikner, manager of Jones’ Automotive Service in East Hartford.Some vehicles draw more electrical power while parked with the engine off. Called “parasitic drain," electrical...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantMay 09, 2020 at 6:00 amCar batteries are fading and ruinous rodents are colonizing engine compartments as the coronavirus keeps many cars parked at home.Dead batteries prompted 40% of AAA’s calls for service in April, compared with 20% in April 2019, the organization’s Greater Hartford spokeswoman, Amy Parmenter, said.Advertisement“Some cars won’t last two weeks,” said Paul Hechenbleikner, manager of Jones’ Automotive Service in East Hartford.Some vehicles draw more electrical power while parked with the engine off. Called “parasitic drain," electrical...WW…

AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantMay 19, 2020 at 1:34 pmA state trooper was placed on desk duty after a driver recorded an expletive-laced tirade in which the trooper scorned his job and derided the motoring public.The trooper’s behavior in a of the traffic stop Monday “is disturbing,” state police Col. Stavros Mellekas said in a prepared statement, but does not reflect the great work of the men and women of the state police or the agency’s values.AdvertisementMellekas did not identify the trooper, who has been placed on administrative duty during an internal investigation. But his name tag,...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantMay 19, 2020 at 1:34 pmA state trooper was placed on desk duty after a driver recorded an expletive-laced tirade in which the trooper scorned his job and derided the motoring public.The trooper’s behavior in a of the traffic stop Monday “is disturbing,” state police Col. Stavros Mellekas said in a prepared statement, but does not reflect the great work of the men and women of the state police or the agency’s values.AdvertisementMellekas did not identify the trooper, who has been placed on administrative duty during an internal investigation. But his name tag,...WW…