Ex-Waterbury Woman Sentenced For Stealing $364,000 From Seniors, Employers: Feds Ex-Waterbury Woman Sentenced For Stealing $364,000 From Seniors, Employers: Feds
Ex-Waterbury Woman Sentenced For Stealing $364,000 From Seniors, Employers: Feds A former Waterbury woman is heading to federal prison after stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from seniors in her care and employers across Connecticut and New York. Marlenin Vito, 45, was sentenced to more than three years behind bars and ordered to pay full restitution, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. She pleaded guilty to wire fraud in June.  Fraud At Assisted Living Facility Vito worked as a Medicaid coordinator at an assisted living facility in Stamford. She was trusted with helping residents apply for benefits and managing their personal trust accounts. Instead, o…
'Kind Heart, Big Smile': Hartford Mourns Murdered Dad, Family Turns To Community For Support 'Kind Heart, Big Smile': Hartford Mourns Murdered Dad, Family Turns To Community For Support
'Kind Heart, Big Smile': Hartford Mourns Murdered Dad, Family Turns To Community For Support A 38-year-old Connecticut father was shot and killed last week, and now the community is rallying around his family. Miguel Alfinez, of Hartford, was found fatally shot in the 300 block of Broadview Terrace shortly before 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12. Paramedics rushed him to a nearby hospital, but doctors could not save him, police said. Xavier Soto, 34, has been charged with murder and several other crimes, according to Hartford police. Related: Vernon Man Accused In Hartford Killing Alfinez's sister created a GoFundMe campaign to help his family as they prepare to say goodbye. Miguel was a…
13-Year-Old Branford Girl Killed: 'We Are Heartbroken' 13-Year-Old Branford Girl Killed: 'We Are Heartbroken'
13-Year-Old Branford Girl Killed: 'We Are Heartbroken' A Connecticut community is mourning the death of a 13-year-old girl. The teen died Wednesday, Sept. 17, around 7:30 a.m. on Killam’s Point Road in Branford. Police said her death was not linked to criminal activity. "We are heartbroken by the loss of such a young life, and our thoughts are with the family, friends, and all who are affected. Out of respect for the family’s privacy, no further identifying details will be released." Police said they are working with support agencies to assist the family and the community. "The Branford Police Department remains committed to supporting the fa…
Robert Redford’s Quiet CT Life: See Inside His Weston Home Of Nearly 20 Years Robert Redford’s Quiet CT Life: See Inside His Weston Home Of Nearly 20 Years
Robert Redford’s Quiet CT Life: See Inside His Weston Home Of Nearly 20 Years Robert Redford will forever be synonymous with Hollywood, the place where he became one of the biggest stars of his era, and Utah, where he built the Sundance Film Festival into a launchpad for up-and-coming filmmakers.  But for nearly two decades, he also called Connecticut home. Robert Redford died Tuesday, Sept. 16, at his home in Utah, surrounded by family. His publicist did not release a cause of death for the 89-year-old.  After establishing himself in Hollywood, Redford moved to a quiet house off Davis Hill Road in Weston in 1978. It was less than a mile from where hi…
MA Named Best State For Research, Development In New Ranking: Here's Why MA Named Best State For Research, Development In New Ranking: Here's Why
MA Named Best State For Research, Development In New Ranking: Here's Why Many Northeast states are among the most innovative in the US, according to a new study. SmileHub released its 2025 list of Best States for Research and Development on Tuesday, Sept. 16. All 50 states were ranked across 17 metrics, including researchers per capita, research and development (R&D) spending, patents, research facilities, and STEM education. R&D funding in the US more than doubled over the past 15 years, climbing from $407 billion in 2010 to almost $940 billion in 2023, according to data from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics. That inv…
Trader Joe’s Opening New Stores In Shelton, Hampden Trader Joe’s Opening New Stores In Shelton, Hampden
Trader Joe’s Opening New Stores In Shelton, Hampden Trader Joe’s fans in Connecticut are about to get more options for their grocery runs. The popular grocery chain confirmed it will open a new store in Hamden at 46 Skiff St. and another will open in Shelton at 801 Bridgeport Ave. The new locations will be Trader Joe's 10th and 11th Connecticut stores.  Trader Joe’s has not said when the doors will open.  Marques Thomas/Unsplash In a statement, the company said, “We are actively looking at hundreds of neighborhoods across the country as we hope to open more new neighborhood stores each year.” Shoppers in Hamden and Shelton will…
Cheshire Native Molly Qerim Leaving ESPN’s ‘First Take’ After Years As Host Cheshire Native Molly Qerim Leaving ESPN’s ‘First Take’ After Years As Host
Cheshire Native Molly Qerim Leaving ESPN’s ‘First Take’ After Years As Host Molly Qerim is leaving ESPN.  The Connecticut native and longtime host of “First Take” confirmed her decision in a message to fans. “After much reflection, I've decided it's time to close this incredible chapter and step away from First Take,” Qerim wrote. “Hosting this show has been one of the greatest honors of my career. Every morning, I had the privilege of sharing the desk with some of the most brilliant, passionate and entertaining voices in sports — and with all of you, the best fans in the world.” The decision seems to be her own. Reports suggested she turned down a contract e…
Virginia Named Best State For Teachers In New Study: Here's Why Virginia Named Best State For Teachers In New Study: Here's Why
Virginia Named Best State For Teachers In New Study: Here's Why Many states in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic are among the best in the country for teachers, according to a new study. WalletHub released its 2025 list of Best & Worst States for Teachers on Monday, Sept. 15. The rankings compared all 50 states and Washington, DC, across 24 key measures, including salaries, tenure policies, school spending, and turnover rates. The best states for teachers have strong pay, quality school systems, and job protections. "Despite having one of the most crucial jobs in America – educating the next generation – teachers are often underpaid and…
Jobless Claims Hit Four-Year High, Inflation Jumps As Labor Market Weakens Jobless Claims Hit Four-Year High, Inflation Jumps As Labor Market Weakens
Jobless Claims Hit Four-Year High, Inflation Jumps As Labor Market Weakens Inflation rose faster in August while jobless claims spiked to their highest level since 2021, signaling a weakening job market as President Donald Trump's tariffs shake the economy. Consumer prices rose 0.4% in August and reached a yearly rate of 2.9%, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data released on Thursday, Sept. 11. That's the biggest monthly jump since January, when yearly inflation was 3.0%. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, climbed 0.3% in August and 3.1% over 12 months. Shelter, which makes up about one-third of the Consumer Pric…
Best Restaurants In America: NYT Says NJ Indian Spot Is Must-Try Best Restaurants In America: NYT Says NJ Indian Spot Is Must-Try
Best Restaurants In America: NYT Says NJ Indian Spot Is Must-Try The New York Times has released its annual list of the best restaurants in America.  Several eateries along the East Coast earned a place, including a few newcomers. Connecticut: Haring’s (New) — Noank: Seafood spot, opened June 2024, haringsnoank.com. The Times calls it “the New England seafood shack you’ve always wanted.” Washington DC: Dōgon (New) — Washington: African, Caribbean, Creole, opened September 2024 La’ Shukran (New) — Washington: Modern Levantine, opened September 2024 Maryland: The Wren (New) — Baltimore: Gastro pub, opened February 2025: The T…
Own A Piece Of Richard Gere’s Former $10M New Canaan Mansion Salvaged From Demolition Own A Piece Of Richard Gere’s Former $10M New Canaan Mansion Salvaged From Demolition
Own A Piece Of Richard Gere’s Former $10M New Canaan Mansion Salvaged From Demolition Eight months after actor Richard Gere moved with his wife and their two children to her native Spain, the $10.75 million Connecticut mansion they once called home has been demolished. The 32-acre estate was torn down so developers could create nine separate housing lots. The move drew backlash from architectural preservationists and neighbors, but it’s also giving some buyers the rare chance to own salvaged pieces of the Colonial-style mansion once owned by Paul Simon. Hudson Valley House Parts, an architectural preservation company, was hired to remove and resell the most valuable features…
Norwalk Landlord, Ex-Political Hopeful Gets 50 Years For Killing Tenant: State Norwalk Landlord, Ex-Political Hopeful Gets 50 Years For Killing Tenant: State
Norwalk Landlord, Ex-Political Hopeful Gets 50 Years For Killing Tenant: State A Connecticut landlord woman was sentenced to 50 years in prison for the fatal shooting of her tenant during a heated dispute inside a local home.  Ellen Wink, 65, was convicted of murder and criminal lockout for the 2022 shooting of 54-year-old Kurt Lametta, the State Attorney's Office said.  A Superior Court jury in Stamford rejected her claims of self-defense and extreme emotional disturbance after prosecutors presented evidence showing a long history of conflict between the two. Lametta, who rented from Wink, recorded their final confrontation on his cellphone. That video was …