Report of a crash between a dump truck and a car on Route 8 southbound exit 15 near the Great Hill Shell Station. Unconfirmed reports of children injured in the car.
2025-06-17@10:35am–#Seymour CT
Route 8 Closed In the Valley
Month: June 2025
AirPods Lead Police to Ansonia Theft, Drugs, and Multiple Arrests
On June 14, 2025 two residents of Kentucky reported to the Ansonia Police Department that while they were camping in Rhode Island their car was broken into and property was stolen. The couple reported that airpods were among the stolen items and they were able to track them using their phone to High Street in Ansonia. During the course of the investigation a suspect along with an address on High Street were developed and a search warrant was obtained. During the execution of the search warrant 8 of the 11 items reported stolen were recovered. The suspect, Carlos Sobel, age 46, of Ansonia was located hiding behind the house and taken into custody. Sobel was charged with Larceny Third Degree and held on $10,000.00 bond.
During the search warrant, officers located 30 folds of suspected heroin inside the home which led to Possession of Narcotics charges for Sobel and Alicia Martoni, age 45, of Ansonia. Both were held on $5,000.00 bond.
Additionally, Carlos Sobel was wanted on three Violation of Probation warrants each with a $10,000.00. Both Martoni and Sobel were held on their bonds to be arraigned at Derby Superior Court on June 16, 2025.
All arrestees are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Second Arrest Made in Ansonia Street Takeover Investigation
On June 12, 2025 Madison Braska, age 22, of Massachusetts, was arrested by warrant for her involvement in the April 26, 2025 street takeover in Ansonia. Braska is the second arrest in the investigation and more arrests are expected as detectives continue to investigate and identify others involved in the incident.
Braska was charged with Riot First Degree, Conspiracy to Riot First Degree, Risk of Injury and Interfering. She was held on a $50,000.00 bond to be arraigned at Derby Superior Court on June 13, 2025.
All arrestees are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the police department at 203-735-1885 or anonymous tips can be left at Tip411 at the link below.
CONNECTICUT ENTERS MULTISTATE LEGAL FIGHT TO PROTECT GENETIC INFORMATION IN 23ANDME BANKRUPTCY CASE FROM SALE TO HIGHEST BIDDER
Attorney General Tong Advises Consumers to Consider Deleting 23andMe Data and Genetic Samples
(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong today announced Connecticut has joined a bipartisan coalition of 28 attorneys general objecting to the proposed sale of personal genetic information collected by 23andMe. The complaint and a separate objection to the bankruptcy sale, each filed in federal bankruptcy court on June 9, 2025, aim to stop the bankrupt company from auctioning off the private genetic data of roughly 15 million customers to the highest bidder without customers’ knowledge or consent.
23andMe, a popular direct-to-consumer DNA testing company, filed for bankruptcy and is now seeking to sell off its assets—including sensitive genetic and health data—in a high-stakes auction. Connecticut and other states argue that customers should have the right to control such deeply personal information and that it cannot be sold like ordinary property.
The states argue that this kind of information—biological samples, DNA data, health-related traits, and medical records—is too sensitive to be sold without each person’s express, informed consent. If the buyers are unwilling to provide such consent, it is possible that the information will be unable to be sold. In either case, the states will fight to ensure that genetic data isn’t misused, exposed in future data breaches, or used in ways customers never contemplated when they signed up to have their DNA analyzed.
“23andMe collected the most sensitive genetic data imaginable from millions of Americans. They failed to safeguard that data, and now they propose to auction it to the highest bidder, with no security or privacy assurances. Hell no. Connecticut is actively engaged in this bankruptcy proceeding to ensure 23andMe takes every measure to protect the security of this deeply personal information,” said Attorney General Tong. “It is not too late to delete your data and genetic samples, and I urge consumers to consider taking proactive steps to protect your privacy.”
It is not too late to delete your data and genetic samples. Since 23andMe filed for bankruptcy in March, 1.9 million consumers have done so, according to company reports. Consumers can delete their 23andMe account and personal information with the following steps:
To Delete Genetic Data from 23andMe
1. Log into your 23andMe account on their website.
2. Go to the “Settings” section of your profile.
3. Scroll to a section labeled “23andMe Data” at the bottom of the page.
4. Click “View” next to “23andMe Data”
5. Download your data: If you want a copy of your genetic data for personal storage, choose the option to download it to your device before proceeding.
6. Scroll to the “Delete Data” section.
7. Click “Permanently Delete Data.”
8. Confirm your request: You’ll receive an email from 23andMe; follow the link in the email to confirm your deletion request.
To Destroy Your 23andMe Test Sample
If you previously opted to have your saliva sample and DNA stored by 23andMe, but want to change that preference, you can do so from your account settings page, under “Preferences.”
To Revoke Permission for Your Genetic Data to be Used for Research
If you previously consented to 23andMe and third-party researchers to use your genetic data and sample for research, you may withdraw consent from the account settings page, under “Research and Product Consents.”
Under the CTDPA, Connecticut consumers have the right to access, obtain, correct, and delete personal data collected about them under certain circumstances. Consumers have the right to opt out of the sale of their data, and to opt out of the processing of personal data for the purposes of targeted advertising or automated decision-making. The CTDPA also gives consumers the right to revoke consent that has been previously granted for the processing of their personal information.
Joining this lawsuit are the attorneys general from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin.
Westport Police Nab Counterfeit Suspect After 6-Year Search
Westport, CT – On March 3, 2019, Westport Police began an investigation following the arrest of Raquan Hicks in Fairfield, CT. Hicks, along with two others, was allegedly involved in passing counterfeit $100 bills and purchasing merchandise illegally in Westport. Using surveillance footage and law enforcement information sharing, Westport Police obtained an arrest warrant.
On June 5, 2025, Westport Detectives traveled to Riker’s Island and took Hicks, 29, of East Orange, NJ, into custody on the outstanding warrant. He was transported to Westport Police headquarters and charged with Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 6th and Conspiracy to Commit Forgery 1st. During booking, officers discovered Hicks also had an extraditable warrant from Pittsfield, MA, for similar charges, and a separate active rearrest warrant. He was additionally charged with being a Fugitive From Justice and Failure to Appear 1st.
Hicks was held on multiple bonds totaling $130,000 and transported to Stamford Superior Court for arraignment on June 6, 2025.
Overnight Crash!
Report of a car accident that occurred in front of Webster Bank on Main Street in Bridgeport.
Barnum Festival Sets Sail with “Barnum Sails the Sound” Aboard the PT Barnum
BRIDGEPORT – The Barnum Festival continued its 2025 celebration with one of its signature events, Barnum Sails the Sound, bringing together festival supporters, dignitaries, and guests for an evening cruise aboard the PT Barnum, operated by The Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company.
This year’s Ringmaster, Greggory Gnandt, led the festivities, accompanied by members of the Barnum Festival Royal Family. Guests enjoyed scenic views of Long Island Sound while celebrating the festival’s enduring tradition of honoring the legacy of P.T. Barnum, Bridgeport’s most famous showman.
Entertainment for the evening was provided by the band Shameless, whose high-energy performance kept guests dancing throughout the night as the vessel cruised across the Sound. The combination of live music, picturesque views, and lively company made for a memorable evening that continues to highlight the Barnum Festival’s unique charm.
Fred Hall, vice president and general manager of The Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company, was also recognized during the evening. Hall, who served as the 67th Ringmaster of the Barnum Festival, played host as the vessel named after Barnum himself provided the perfect setting for this nautical celebration.
The Barnum Sails the Sound cruise remains a beloved part of the multi-week Barnum Festival, bringing together the community in the spirit of fun, fellowship, and Bridgeport pride.
Water Rescue
First responders were called to Seaside Park near the bath houses at West Beach for a water rescue. CPR was performed and the man was alert, moving and talking with first responders when he was loaded into the ambulance.
2025-06-14@12:32pm
A Summer Tradition Continues: The Stratford Summer Sunset Concert Series Kicks-Off June 17th
STRATFORD – The Stratford Department of Recreation is excited to announce that the 2025 Summer Sunset Concert Series will kick-off on Tuesday, June 17th. The concerts are performed at the Paradise Green Gazebo on Tuesdays through August 26th. In the event of inclement weather, concerts will be held the following Thursday. All concerts begin at 7:00pm.
Paradise Pizza is the proud sponsor of this Celebrate Stratford Series.
Those attending the Summer Concerts Series are welcome to park in the back of the Stratford Baptist Church at 131 Huntington Rd. The church asks that attendees keep off the grass at the church. We thank the Stratford Baptist Church for providing this accommodation.
For more information about the Summer Concert Series and more Celebrate Stratford events, please visit: https://www.townofstratford.com/page/celebrate-stratford
Readers Theatre Showcase Set for Stratford Library
The Stratford Library and Square One Theatre Company have announced the schedule for the Readers Theatre Summer Showcase 2025. The annual series of live, staged readings of new and established plays will begin on Wednesday, June 18 and continue on seven evenings through July 30. All performances are free and open to the public.
The festival opens June 18 with Job, a tense contemporary drama by Max Wolf Friedlich, starring Lynnette Victoria and Pat Leo. Other productions include The White Chip (June 26), Fatherland (July 3), Lady Jigsaw (July 10), Conversations with Mother (July 16), Left on Tenth (July 24), and Eureka Day (July 30).
All performances will take place in the Stratford Library’s air-conditioned Lovell Room at 7:00 pm. Doors open at 6:30 pm for first-come, first-served general seating. Reservations are not accepted. The acting company features Lucy Babbitt, Michelle Duncan, Lillian Garcia, Jennifer Ju, Al Kulcsar, Mark Lambert, Mary Ellen Maloney, Céline Montaudy, Bruce Murray, Peggy Nelson, CJ Nolan, Janet Rathert, Tyler Small, J. Kevin Smith, Priscilla Squiers, Kiel Stango, Danielle Sultini, David Victor, Mitchell Weinbaum, and Mariah Young. Square One Theatre Artistic Director Tom Holehan directs the readings.
All plays are recommended for adult audiences. For further information, call the Stratford Library Public Relations and Programming Office at 203.385.4162 or visit www.stratfordlibrary.org.