Bridgeport - Two firefighters have died in the line of duty while battling an afternoon house fire in Bridgeport Saturday. At least three other firefighters were treated and released. A solemn Mayor Bill Finch spoke at a news conference Saturday night.

Governor Rell's Statement on Deaths of Bridgeport Firefighters

Governor M. Jodi Rell today has directed that U.S. and Connecticut flags be lowered to half-staff in honor of Bridgeport firefighters, Lt. Steven Velazquez and Michel Baik, who died Saturday in the line of duty. Flags will remain lowered until sundown on the day of their funerals, which have not yet been set.

The Governor, who spoke with Mayor Finch last night to offer support and condolences, issued following statement:

"The deaths of Lt. Steven Velazquez and Firefighter Michel Baik are heartbreaking reminders of the dangers our brave first responders face every day when they answer a call for help. My thoughts and prayers go out to their families and to their fellow firefighters."
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HARTFORD — On Saturday, July 10, 2010, the Hartford Police Department received information regarding a person in possession of a firearm in the area of Mather Street. Uniformed officers responded and located a person matching the description provided. When the officers attempted to stop the suspect, he fled into the rear 158 Mather Street. During the foot pursuit, the suspected produced a firearm and fired at the officers striking one police officer. Police name suspect. See Full Story!

UPDATE:

Shot Officer ID'ed

HARTFORD — The Hartford Police Department confirms the identity of the Police Officer shot and injured during the early morning hours of Saturday, July 10, 2010, as Officer David Ragion. Officer Ragion is a six year veteran of the Hartford Police Department and is currently assigned to the Northeast Conditions Team.

Officer Ragion was treated and released from St. Francis Hospital and continues to recover from his injuries at home.

The Hartford Police Department Major Crimes Division is asking anyone with information about this incident to contact HPD Major Crimes Division Sergeants Robert Davis at (860) 757-4256 or Brandon O’Brien at (860) 757-4089.

The public can contact Text- A-Tip TIP716 and Crime Stoppers Tipline 860-722-TIPS (8477).
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Hartford - (July 9, 2010/5AM) - Morning fire gave fire fighters a tough time. The fire started at 5 AM AT 33 Evergreen ST., off Farmington Ave. No injuries reported, but many fire fighters were checked for safety reason. The fire caused Hartford to call for municipal aid from area towns, to back up Hartford fire and to cover the city for calls. The roof has collapsed.
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Pedro Segarra Sworn In As Hartford's New Mayor

Pedro Segarra is sworn in as the new mayor of Hartford immediately after former

Mayor Eddie Perez submits his resignation after being convicted last week on

corruption charges.
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On The Town – F2 Tornado Slams Bridgeport

by Jocelyne Hudson-Brown

BRIDGEPORT – An F-2 tornado touched down in Bridgeport and left a path of destruction in its wake. Hardest hit was the Hollow, the East Side and the East End which represent a large amount of Latino and African-American residents.

As with most severe weather episodes the aftermath is most always peaceful, serene, a glorious day. I guess its nature’s way of softening the blow for those who have been hit the hardest. Now begins the agonizing part, being descending upon by the media, politicians, and Lookie Lous whose presence in their part of town is usually reserved for, well, other things. Getting through the red tape to get assistance or worse still sitting on their stoops waiting for such not knowing where to turn. See Full Story!
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Hartford - After two years of vehemently denying any wrongdoing and defiantly vowing a court of law would prove his innocence, former Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez lost his fight Thursday after a jury found him guilty of five felony charges, including bribery and extortion.

Hours after the verdict, Perez spokeswoman Sarah Barr issued a written statement saying “As a flurry of calls, questions and requests come in this is moment of pause. Mayor Perez, his family and his attorneys will make statements as they digest the verdict and explore their options.”

Perez has continued to proclaim his innocence and his lawyers plan to appeal the verdict.

But on Monday, Perez officially relinquished his duties as mayor saying “It has been a great honor and privilege to serve the people of this great city as mayor.” See Full Story!
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David B. Fein, 49, of Old Greenwich, was sworn in as the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut by the Honorable José A. Cabranes, United States Circuit Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, in New Haven. President Barack Obama nominated Mr. Fein to serve as United States Attorney on February 4, 2010, and the United States Senate confirmed his nomination on May 5, 2010.

Mr. Fein has been a partner at the law firm of Wiggin and Dana since 1997. From 1995 to 1996, Mr. Fein served as an Associate White House Counsel to President William Jefferson Clinton. From 1989 to 1995, he was as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, serving as Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division from 1993 to 1994 and Counsel to the United States Attorney from 1994 to 1995. From 1986 to 1989, Mr. Fein was an associate at Debevoise and Plimpton, and he served as a law clerk for the Honorable Frank M. Coffin of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit from 1985 to 1986. See Full Story!
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BRIDGEPORT – The Bridgeport Police Department (BPD) pulled out the welcome wagon and invited everyone who is interested to become a police officer. The SWAT team showed up, along with surveillance vans and mounted police. Yes, they served coffee and donuts.

Hundreds of potential candidates accepted the invite to the Police Training Academy, the hip-hop crew, Gen X’ers, biker types and the conservatives. Young and some a bit older, men and women alike, all claiming they have the strength, the intellect and the determination to stand up to and pass the required tests. All seeming to have only one real agenda, “to help people”.

Training Academy OIC Lonnie Blackwell says, “We are looking for a diverse group of candidates”. Female Asst. Chief Lynn Kerwinn feels strongly that “Our police department should look like the community we serve”. See Full Story!
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OPA LOCKA — Opa Locka Flightline, the sole, black-owned private, charter-jet service operation in the U.S., is closing.

“With much regret I must inform you that we will be closing our FBO [fixed based operation] at the Opa-Locka Executive Airport on Wednesday, March 31, 2010,” revealed Opa Locka Flightline managing partner Anthony “Tony” Robinson in a March 3rd statement. “Most of you are aware that even though our pending litigation against Miami-Dade County and AA Acquisitions (Orion Jet Center) is proceeding through the court system, unfortunately our five-year temporary lease at the airport will expire on April 1, 2010.”

In addition to being the only black-owned charter jet service operation in the country, Flightline is also the only black-owned business of any type currently operating at Opa Locka Airport. Come March 31, there will be none. See Full Story!
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CAPITAL CITY KICKS OFF 375TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Hartford to Celebrate Its 375th Ann.

Hartford - Drum roll please! Hartford is proud to kick-off its 375th Anniversary Celebration--- a year-long salute to one of Connecticut’s --- and America’s--- original cities. This ceremony at Connecticut’s Old State House marked the unveiling of the “Hartford 375” logo--- something City residents, workers, and visitors alike will see more and more of in the coming months.

Starting with a procession, complete with Police Honor Guard and Mounted Patrol, banners, and representatives of the three original river towns of Wethersfield, Windsor, and Hartford--- the Artists Collective African Connection and Peter “P-Boogie” Reynolds performed a drum call to order. See Full Story!......
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St. Francis Hospital Names Institute in Honor of Black Businessman

The Saint Francis Foundation and Saint Francis Hospital honored local business entrepreneur Curtis D. Robinson by naming the new Men’s Health Institute, at the Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, the Curtis D. Robinson Men’s Health Institute at a reception today in his honor on Wednesday, at the Hospital.

Curtis D. Robinson, the President and CEO of C&R Development Company, a Saint Francis Hospital Board member and prostate cancer survivor, approached the Dr. Jeffrey Steinberg, Chief of Surgery at the hospital with the idea to form the Men’s Health Institute.

In naming the Institute, Lynn Rossini, Director of Giving and Stewardship stated, on behalf of the Foundation that “Curtis Robinson’s time and effort as an advocate for prostate cancer awareness was instrumental in the creation of this program. Dr. McKinney, Director of Community Outreach and Pastoral Counseling, at Saint Francis, joined Dr. Steinberg in this effort.See Full Story!
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Hartford - (June 26, 2010/8AM) - Hartford fire dispatch received reports of active fires around the same time, Saturday morning. “ 7:30 am we got a call that the 6 family apt building at 5 Putnam Heights was on fire. Upon arrival we saw smoke coming from the roof of the structure. We called for a 2nd alarm and broke this fire down fast. It looks to have started in the rear of the building. Six adults and 2 children are now displaced and being helped by the Red Cross, said Hartford Capt., Tom Zangary.”

As that fire call came in, there was another major fire at 170 Campfield ST. Families were display there as well. One firefighter was taken to the hospital from Putnam Heights, for minor injuries. No one else was injured in both fires.
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360 State – Brand New Apartments-New Haven

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Housing Trust Fund Program Requirements

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*Rents and income limits are subject to change

Applications must be received by August 18, 2010

360StateStreet.com/affordable or (203) 865-3600 for details and application
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