New London Local News - ABC News Radio

New London Named Amongst Top Ten Fan Favorite Conn. Towns

James Grebey — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:36:01 +0000

(NEW LONDON, Conn.) -- New London was named one of the top ten fan-favorite towns of the year in a public contest organized by the Connecticut Office of Tourism.

Niantic took the top spot. The other runner-up towns were Mystic, New Haven, Putnam, Old Saybrook, Essex, Wethersfield, Hartford and Wallingford.

This marks the second annual contest, and people inside and outside the state were asked to vote for the Connecticut town that they believe most embodies the spirit of the state's brand, "still revolutionary," by being a home for "original ideas, inspiration and innovation."

Nearly 10,000 votes were cast over a four week period.

Two Missing Children from Massachusetts Found in Connecticut

Anselm Gibbs — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:09:11 +0000

(SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn.) -- Two children reported missing in Massachusetts has been found safe in South Windsor, Conn.

An Amber Alert was issued by Massachusetts State Police on Monday afternoon after investigators said 10-year-old Sarah Nguyen and her brother 8-year-old Patrick Nguyen were abducted in Braintree, Mass. by their father 54-year-old Jon T. Lockwood.

Hours later Lockwood's vehicle was spotted by a trucker in South Windsor, Conn., with Connecticut State Police responding and finding the children in the vehicle at a 7-Eleven store.

Authorities say the children appeared to be fine.

Lockwood was arrested at the scene.

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Regular Metro-North Service Expected on New Haven Line by Wednesday

Anselm Gibbs — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:26:36 +0000

(NEW HAVEN, Conn.) -- Relief is on the way for Metro-North Railroad customers who have been facing travel woes since last Friday's train collision.

Metro-North officials anticipate that regular service will return to the New Haven line in time for the morning rush hour period on Wednesday. Shuttle train and bus service will continue in the affected area through Tuesday.

Metro-North officials say crews are still working to repair tracks and other infrastructure that was damaged.

Dozens of people were injured in the derailment and collision incident.

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Public Library of New London to Hold Book Donation Event

James Grebey — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:32:45 +0000

(NEW LONDON, Conn.) -- The Public Library of New London will be holding a book donation event on May 25, according to The Norwich Bulletin.

The event, which will be held from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., will take place at the library’s 63 Huntington Street location.

Donations can be dropped off in the lower level lobby near the parking lot. The library will gladly accept hardcover and paperback books, DVDs, CDs, books-on-tape, vinyl record albums and puzzles.

VHS tapes, encyclopedias, textbooks, magazines and or Reader's Digest Condensed Books will not be accepted.

Metro-North Train Collision Results in Service Changes

Anselm Gibbs — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:15:58 +0000

(NEW YORK) -- Continuing repair work following the train derailment and collision in Bridgeport last Friday, may result in travel headaches for some Metro-North Railroad customers.

Dozens of people were injured in the derailment and collision incident, and Metro-North officials say crews are still working to repair tracks and other infrastructure that was damaged.

A list of service changes has been posted on the Metro-North website, beginning during the Monday morning rush hour period with a shuttle train operating approximately every 20 minutes between the New Haven and Bridgeport stations; and shuttle bus service operating between the Bridgeport and Stamford stations.

More information on the changes in service can be found by clicking here.

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Parents from Newtown Tragedy Join Calls for Gun Control in Illinois

Anselm Gibbs — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:13:46 +0000

(CHICAGO) -- Parents whose children were victims in last December's deadly school shooting in Connecticut, have joined forces with Illinois lawmakers in a call for gun control measures to be put in place in Illinois.

On Sunday, the parents from Newtown, Conn. joined Gov. Pat Quinn in Illinois, and urged lawmakers to ban the sale of high-capacity ammunition magazines in Illinois.

"No family should go through what the families of Newtown have endured," Gov. Quinn said in a statement. "While there are no words in the English language to comfort their loss, as elected officials, we are in a position to do something about it to help save lives in the future. Banning the sale of high-capacity ammunition magazines is common-sense public safety policy that will have no impact on hunting or sport."

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State Senate Passes Bill Allowing Creation of Stormwater Authority

Louis Milman — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:23:38 +0000

(NEW LONDON, Conn.) -- A bill to allow New London to create a stormwater authority passed the state Senate on Wednesday.

According to The Day, the stormwater authority would be similar to utility authorities and would charge property owners based on how much of their property is considered impermeable. Even properties run by tax-exempt owners could be charged by the stormwater authority.

A recent survey determined that the city needed to nearly double its stormwater spending, a goal that the bill is designed to help. The revenue would be applied to the cost of managing stormwater.

The Day reports that the manner in which the authority would be created and the rate at which property owners would be charged has not yet been determined.

Massive Fire Guts Willimantic Church

Anselm Gibbs — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:59:12 +0000

(WILLIMANTIC, Conn.) -- A massive fire tore through a church in Willimantic on Thursday evening, leaving behind a significant amount of damage.

The fire was reported around 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Church, located on Valley Street. Officials said in published reports that approximately 100 firefighters from nine different fire departments, responded and worked to battle the flames.

There were no reported injuries and investigators continue to work to determine the cause of the blaze.

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Malloy: Gregory Gray Is Right Man to Lead Board of Regents

Anselm Gibbs — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:30:41 +0000

(HARTFORD, Conn.) -- Gov. Dannel Malloy says members of the Board of Regents for Higher Education got it right, when they voted on Thursday to appoint Dr. Gregory Gray as the new president of the Board of Regents.

"With over 40 years in academia, Dr. Gray comes to us with the expertise and bold vision that is needed to lead this system so they can continue to attract and retain talented students, turn out a workforce with the skills to fill the 21st Century jobs we are so aggressively pursuing and make Connecticut a stronger, more competitive state," Malloy said in a statement.

Dr. Gray is scheduled to start his new role on July 1.

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Jewett City Sand and Gravel Operation to Pay Overdue Fines

Louis Milman — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:50:47 +0000

(GRISWOLD, Conn.) -- A sand and gravel operation in Jewett City will pay back over $34,000 in overdue fines.

According to The Day, American Industries Inc. will pay back $34,061, plus interest, related to violations of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. The company will also have to post a $30,000 cash performance bond to guarantee future compliance.

The U.S. Department of Labor sued American Industries last summer seeking payment due since 2007, The Day reports.

The Mine Act authorizes the government agency to conduct inspections of mines -- including sand and gravel operations -- for violations and assess penalties.

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