The Manchester Fire Department responded to a report of a serious motor vehicle collision at the intersection of West Center and Cooper Streets on Tuesday afternoon, according to a post on social media.

Fire officials said two people were ejected and located under one of the cars. According to fire officials, they were quickly rescued without having to lift the vehicle.

Four people in total were transported to local hospitals by fire department paramedics, fire officials said. Three of the victims were suffering from potentially life-threatening injuries, according to fire officials. Their statuses were unknown.

No further information was available at this time.

Peeler’s crimes horrified the state.

He was convicted of shooting to death 8-year old Leroy “B.J.” Brown and his mother Karen Clarke in January 1999 on orders from his older brother Russell Peeler, his partner in their Bridgeport drug gang. Prosecutors said the brothers wanted to eliminate B.J. as a witness against Russell, who was about to be tried for killing Clarke’s boyfriend, a rival Bridgeport drug dealer Rudolf Snead.

B.J. told police he and another boy were sitting in Snead’s car and he saw Russell Peeler shoot and wound Snead in a 1997 drive-by attack. Snead survived but was slain later.

Adrian Peeler was eventually sentenced to a total of 60 years in prison for his crimes, 25 years on state charges for conspiring to murder Clarke and her son and 35 on federal drug trafficking charges.

Russell Peeler was convicted of ordering the murders of Clarke and B.J. He was sentenced to death in state Superior Court. His death sentence was later commuted to life in prison without the possibility of release after the death sentence was abolished in Connecticut.

Adrian Peeler also faced a death sentence at one point for shooting B.J and his mother. But his jury convicted him of murder conspiracy and he was sentenced to a total of 25 years.

Local law enforcement officials were trying to obtain information about the commutation Tuesday. Normally, the White House or U.S. justice department notify local and federal prosecutors of such decisions in advance, giving them a chance to bring challenges.

No advance notifications were given in Adrian Peeler’s case nor in those of 13 other Connecticut criminals whose sentences Biden also commuted on Friday, the local officials said.

Adrian Peeler’s two sentences were ordered to be served concurrently. He completed the state murder conspiracy sentence in December 2021 and was transferred to federal custody. A month earlier, now retired U.S. District Judge Janet B. Arterton reduced Peeler’s federal sentence to 15 years from 35 years because of a sentencing reform law.

If not for the commutation, Adrian Peeler would not have been released until October 2033. Because of Biden’s order he is now scheduled for release on July 16.

The Peeler case sparked a number of state law enforcement reforms, including programs designed to protect witnesses in criminal cases.

Adrian Peeler and the other 13 Connecticut criminals were among 2,490 prison inmates whose sentences were commuted Friday by Biden. In a statement released Friday,. Biden said the commutations were made to correct unfair sentencing disparities.

“Today’s clemency action provides relief for individuals who received lengthy sentences based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, as well as outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes,” Biden said in a statement. “This action is an important step toward righting historic wrongs, correcting sentencing disparities, and providing deserving individuals the opportunity to return to their families and communities after spending far too much time behind bars.”

No one from the prior administration could be reached to discuss the commutations late Tuesday.

Officers responded to a disturbance at Urban Air, located at 220 Hale Road, just after 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, according to the Manchester Police Department.

A parent of a 14-year-old called 911 and reported that her son was assaulted during an altercation and alleged that one of the individuals involved had a firearm, police said.

The parent told officers approximately six individuals were involved in the disturbance and fled the scene on foot, according to police.

Multiple officers were dispatched to locate the suspects. Based on witness descriptions, officers reportedly observed the suspects entering a vehicle.

Police immediately stopped the vehicle, which was being driven by an adult with juvenile passengers. According to police, some of the occupants were uncooperative and refused to get out of the car.

During the investigation, officers reportedly found a bag with a facsimile firearm in the vehicle. Police said the gun appeared to be painted black, including the original orange tip, to make it look real.

Additionally, officers reportedly discovered a discarded bag near the incident that contained a large knife and clothing that matched the description of one of the juveniles, according to police.

Two juveniles, ages 14 and 15 years old, were arrested and charged with carrying a facsimile firearm, second-degree breach of peace, second-degree threatening, reckless endangerment, third-degree assault and tampering with evidence.

Police said the juveniles were taken to juvenile detention on an order to detain.

The incident remains under investigation, according to police.

The Bridgeport Public Schools issued the guidelines a day after the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump, but had discussed the issue during the Jan. 13 Board of Education meeting, according to district officials.

During that meeting, Interim Superintendent Dr. Royce Avery “reported that the district’s immigration enforcement guidelines are in full effect and emphasized the importance of safeguarding students, regardless of their immigration status,” the district said in a statement.

Trump administration throws out policies limiting migrant arrests at sensitive spots like churches

Trump Monday signed an order under which he intends to end the constitutional provision giving “birthright citizenship” to anyone born in the U.S. regardless of the immigration status of their parents. He has previously also promised mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.

CT law is a problem for Trump’s deportation plan. What to know about roles of local, state police

Connecticut’s attorney general, William Tong filed suit, with the attorneys general of 17 other states, the District of Columbia and the City of San Francisco against Trump in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, “challenging the lawless executive order ending birthright citizenship, eviscerating clear constitutional rights to which all children born in the U.S. are entitled.”

CT AG joins suit against Trump in ‘birthright citizenship’ lawsuit. ‘There is no legitimate legal debate’

The Bridgeport Public Schools district said it acted out of concerns about “potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement” actions and to reaffirm its “commitment to protecting the safety and privacy of all students and families.”

“Under these guidelines, no ICE agents or government officials are permitted to enter school buildings, buses, or attend school events without prior written authorization from the superintendent,” Bridgeport Public Schools district statement said.

The statement by the schools came as the Trump administration threw out policies limiting where ICE arrests could happen.

Trump’s first full day back in White House includes firings and an infrastructure announcement

Avery said that the district is “dedicated to protecting all students, regardless of their immigration status.

“We will not tolerate any threats to the safety or dignity of our students,” he said, in a statement. “Every student in Bridgeport, regardless of their immigration status, has the right to feel secure and supported in our schools. I became an educator to advocate for all students, and I will ensure their rights and privacy are upheld. Our schools will remain a safe space where all students can learn, grow, and succeed without fear or discrimination.”

Guidelines, per the district:

Visitor Protocol: All visitors must report to the main office, provide valid identification, and state a legitimate purpose for their visit. Unauthorized individuals will not be granted access.

Immigration Enforcement Restrictions: Federal immigration activities are strictly prohibited on Bridgeport Public Schools property, transportation routes, or during school activities without prior approval from the Superintendent. No ICE agents or government officials can enter school buildings, buses, or attend school events without prior authorization.

Student Privacy Protections: Bridgeport Public Schools does not collect or store information regarding immigration status to ensure student privacy and safety.

Trump-allied group’s warnings may signal legal blueprint to attack ‘sanctuary’ jurisdictions

Steps to Follow if an ICE Officer Arrives, per the district:

Secure the Premises: Use the intercom to communicate with the official. If necessary, lock all exterior doors to prevent unauthorized entry and ensure the safety of students and staff.

Meet the Officer at the Entrance: Always meet the ICE officer at the school entrance, where all visitors are screened for entry.

Request Officer Information: Ask for the ICE officer’s name, badge/ID number, and the reason for the visit during school hours.

Contact the Superintendent’s Office: Immediately notify the Superintendent’s office to ensure they are informed and can take the necessary action.

Do Not Physically Interfere: If the ICE officer does not comply with district protocols, do not attempt to physically intervene. Instead, gather as much information as possible and notify district security supervisors and the Superintendent’s office.

The district said it is “actively working with key community partners, including the Connecticut Institute for Refugees & Immigrants, CT Students For A Dream, and others, to host a series of community forums and trainings in the coming weeks. The forums are designed to ensure the Bridgeport community receives the vital resources and information needed to navigate concerns related to student safety and immigration.”

West Hartford Public Safety Dispatch received a report of an exterior gutter on fire outside of a multifamily residence on Newington Road in West Hartford around 2:36 p.m. on Tuesday, according to Chief Greg H. Priest of the West Hartford Fire Department. Members of the West Hartford Fire and Police Departments were immediately dispatched to the scene.

A fire department paramedic unit arrived first at the scene and reported smoke from the top of the roof.

“Based on this report, the shift commander (deputy fire chief) transmitted a working fire, which added additional fire resources to the response and brought area fire departments into town to provide coverage while West Hartford fire units were committed to the scene,” Priest said.

First responders learned that an adult occupant and an animal had evacuated from the house before their arrival, according to Priest.

Multiple West Hartford companies entered the building, finding a fire that extended from the exterior ground floor up into the attic. “Fire suppression was initiated,” Priest said, “and the structure was confirmed to be cleared of occupants.”

The bulk of the fire was reported as “knocked down” at 3:02 p.m., according to Priest.

The West Hartford Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the incident with “a particular focus on the possibility that there were de-icing efforts with an open flame earlier near the gutter which was initially reported on fire,” Priest said.

The West Hartford Building Official’s Office was evaluating the structure to determine if any portion of the residence could be re-occupied on Tuesday night, but Priest said it was expected to be deemed “uninhabitable” due to fire, smoke and water damage.

The Red Cross was dispatched to assist the residents.

“West Hartford Fire would like to thank our dispatchers, the (West Hartford) Police Department and our mutual aid partners who assisted by covering the town while our units were committed to the fire,” Priest said.

The Bobcats have won the festival of top-tier state teams three years in a row, and have proven that Connecticut’s answer to Boston’s Beanpot can be a springboard for bigger things.

“I love the time of year that we do it,” Quinnipiac coach Rand Pecknold said. “You’ve got your team set, you’re getting ready. You’re not fully into playoff mode but you’re getting there, and any time you can play for a trophy, better that it’s late in the year, it is a great springboard to get us ready for an ECAC run and hopefully for all four of us, an NCAA run.”

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The Bobcats knocked off UConn in 2023 and carried that momentum all the way to the Frozen Four, where their will to survive and advance culminated in a national championship. They knocked off the Huskies again last January at the XL Center to skate back to Hamden with the trophy, and again played deep into the NCAA Tournament.

This fifth staging of CT Ice, rotating to Fairfield and Sacred Heart’s lavish new Martire Family Arena this weekend, finds all four teams with varying degrees of tournament hope. UConn and Quinnipiac start off at 4 p.m. Friday, with Yale vs. Sacred Heart to follow.  The winners meet Saturday night. The $70 million arena has 3,600 seats and a full house, or near to it, is expected.

For UConn, getting over the in-state hump could be the springboard to a breakthrough to the national stage. The Huskies have had a productive start to the second half, sweeping New Hampshire at home Jan. 11-12 and getting a win and a tie, four of six points, in a weekend series at Maine last week. They are No.9 in the all-important PairWise ratings, which is well into at-large territory for the NCAA Tournament. With Hockey East stacked with five of the top nine teams, none of its contenders would want to have to win the conference tournament to move on to the big one.

The NCAA Tournament has eluded UConn since it joined Hockey East in 2014, as has the CT Ice trophy.

“I have always said, from my years of coaching in the Beanpot (while at Boston College) and this tournament, I think it’s a great dress rehearsal for what’s to come,” UConn coach Mike Cavanaugh said. “When you’re playing in a game where there’s a trophy on the line, it’s single elimination, it prepares your team to play a little bit differently. It’s different from the following weekend, we play Providence and if you lose the first, it doesn’t mean your chances of winning anything are gone.”

Quinnipiac (14-7-2), at No. 14 in PairWise, could push itself back up onto familiar territory with another Connecticut crown, or at least better position itself for the ECAC Tournament. Yale (5-11-1) beat Boston University on Dec. 29, indicating the Bulldogs can be a dangerous underdog. Sacred Heart (14-8-4), which snatched the first CT Ice title in 2021, is in first place in its conference, Atlantic Hockey America, and has impressive out of conference wins over Cornell and UMass.

“We’ve played some really good teams during the year and have had some ups and downs,” Pioneers coach C.J. Marottolo said. “But you pull experiences. We’ve come from behind, we’ve had good third periods, we’ve had good starts. There are a lot of things that create experiences for your team. On any given night, any team can beat anybody. The three teams in this tournament, it’s unbelievable competition.”

UConn has risen on the shoulders of veterans Hudson Schandor, who has more than 100 career points, and John Spetz, who returned for a fifth season. Heroics have been coming from a variety of players. Joey Muldowney scored four goals in the win at Maine last Friday and Avon’s Jake Percival came up with a goal late in the third period to force OT in the second game.

“Maine’s a very tough  place to play,” Cavanaugh said, “one of the best atmospheres in college hockey, a tough place to get points. I was proud of the team’s effort, but there’s a long way to go. From week to week, it can change very quickly. In tournaments like this, we’re going to have to play our very best. Quinnipiac’s a three-time champion and they’ve got a lot of pedigree.”

Freshman Claire Murdoch brings a mature game to UConn women’s hockey

Quinnipiac has lost four of five games earlier in the season against Hockey East opponents Maine, New Hampshire and Northeastern, but is unbeaten in its last five games. Sophomore Mason Marcellus (five goals, 18 assists) leads the team in scoring, and has 59 points in 62 college games. Senior Jack Ricketts leads the Bobcats with 10 goals.

Junior Felix Trudeau, with 13 goals and 14 assists, leads Sacred Heart with 27 points in 26 games.

Ronan O’Donnell, a first-year player from Fairfield, leads Yale with nine goals and five assists. The Bulldogs’ captain is senior Will Dineen, from the famous hockey family, including his father, Kevin, the Whalers captain in the 1990s, and grandfather Bill, who coached the Whalers in the 1970s.

“I came into the year expecting a lot,” Yale coach Keith Allain said. “We had a good, big freshman class, our seniors are great. We’ve been pretty banged up all through the fall. So I went into Christmas break not really sure what we had, but we’re getting healthier and since we’ve come back we’ve played well. We’re a better hockey team than we were Dec. 1, that’s for sure, and we’d like to use a tournament like this to make sure we’re a better team Feb. 1 than we are right now.”

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Over the past several months, the Community Impact Unit of the Wallingford Police Department has received numerous anonymous complaints regarding an alleged prostitution ring operating on South Elm Street, according to Chief John Ventura of the Wallingford Police Department.

According to Ventura, the location is associated with 41-year-old Erica Waller, who was previously arrested on a prostitution charge in October 2024.

Investigating officers allege that Waller continued to use a website to offer a “menu” of sexual services to potential clients, Ventura said.

Undercover officers reportedly engaged with Waller on the website and arranged a meeting on Jan. 10, according to Ventura. The meeting led to her arrest after she allegedly agreed to perform sexual acts in exchange for money, Ventura said.

Waller was charged with third-degree promoting prostitution. She was released on a $7,500 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday in Meriden.

Officers were patrolling the area of Willow Street and Hillside Avenue around 8:33 p.m. on Sunday when they allegedly observed a 2019 Nissan Altima reported stolen from Manchester parked on Willow Street with an occupant inside, according to Lt. Ryan Bessette of the Waterbury Police Department.

Officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and identified the driver as George Johnson, 61, of Hartford, Bessette said.

According to Bessette, Johnson was arrested and charged with larceny of a motor vehicle (first offense) and illegal operation of a motor vehicle under suspension.

Johnson was released on a promise to appear pending a court arraignment on Jan. 30, Bessette said.

The state was hit by unexpected flooding in 2024 that resulted in multiple deaths as areas that were not known for flooding were suddenly inundated with fast-moving water, including Oxford and Seymour.

Lamont called for increasing access to flood insurance, reducing development in areas prone to flooding, increasing state oversight in high-risk areas, and better planning for new bridges and culverts in areas that have become more prone to the storm damage. The measures will be included in a bill that will be unveiled next month and will then be debated by the state legislature.

At a time when state and national news show hurricanes and damaging winds, Lamont expressed concern and said it is time to take action.

“I don’t think we’re winning. I think we’re losing,” Lamont told reporters at the state Capitol in Hartford. “As I look around the country, ask L.A. Ask Florida. Ask North Carolina. Climate change is real, and these extreme weather effects are costing us more and more every day. … We’re playing catch-up. I used to think that resiliency was all about the shoreline and rising sea levels. Then here’s the Little Creek right in the middle of central Connecticut.”

The once-tiny waterway that caused major damage at the Klarides Plaza shopping center in Seymour is known as the Little River. It overflowed this summer in a 1,000-year storm that dumped as much as 16 inches of rain in mere hours and caused extensive damages for roads and businesses.

Residents were flabbergasted that the extensive damage came from a tiny brook that is normally only 10 feet wide and one foot deep. With the torrential rains, the brook quickly swelled to 40 feet wide and 20 feet deep. That allowed the water to rise quickly and cause major damage to more than a dozen retail outlets in the plaza

Since then, Lamont has announced that 278 small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven counties had received a combined total of nearly $6 million in emergency funding through one-time grants. The businesses reported having $38 million in damages, which does not include additional damages for roads and small bridges that were washed out in various towns.

On a national level, Lamont said he was stunned by a first-day executive order Monday by Republican President Donald J. Trump.

“I was really dismayed that one of the first executive orders the president signed was getting us out of the Paris climate accords,” Lamont said. “New England produces as much C02 emissions in a year as China does in a day. … If we can’t work internationally, we’re going to continue losing on this. I want to make sure that the rest of the world sees that Connecticut and more importantly, America, is taking the lead and not reneging on our responsibilities.”

Locally, the severe flooding on Aug. 18, 2024, caused three deaths and nearly $300 million in property damage.

“I was shocked when I went down to the Naugatuck Valley after that flooding and nobody had any flood insurance,” Lamont said. “It wasn’t in the floodplain. … We’re going to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

Under Lamont’s plan, bank, insurance and mortgage companies and insurance brokers will be required to provide details on flooding insurance to new homeowners at the mortgage signing. If the new homeowner refuses to buy flood insurance, that must be documented, officials said.

In bipartisan fashion, Republican Sen. Tony Hwang said Tuesday that he supports Lamont’s package, which is similar to Senate Bill 11 from last year that he also supported.

“As ranking senator on the Insurance and Real Estate Committee and a long-time advocate for addressing climate change, I commend the governor for prioritizing resiliency and coastal protection in his proposed legislation,” said Hwang, who lives in the waterfront town of Fairfield. “While we confront the escalating threats posed by rising sea levels, severe storms, and other extreme weather events, it is critical that we take proactive and comprehensive action to protect our communities.”

Weather impacts

Aside from the severe flooding in Oxford and Seymour, state officials cited instances of extreme weather that included:

• Heavy rain that flooded the Yantic River in Norwich in January 2024 and raised concerns about the near-failure of the Fitchville Pond Dam in Bozrah
• Excessive flooding that stranded families in Scotland in Windham County after two bridges collapsed in September 2023
• One of the largest brush fires in recent state history that damaged acres on Lamentation Mountain in Berlin and Meriden that caused the death of a volunteer firefighter and was not extinguished for several weeks.

Besides various one-time events, the year that stretched from July of 2023 to June of 2024 was recorded as the most rain in state history, while 2024 marked the warmest year ever. The summer of 2024 marked the warmest summer in the city of Hartford.

Nearly 20 restaurant patrons and a dog had to be rescued when a restaurant in Oxford and a nearby residence experienced severe flooding in August 2024. (Courtesy of Beacon Hose Company No. 1)Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com 

]]> 8459924 2025-01-21T13:48:32+00:00 2025-01-21T17:01:08+00:00 https://www.courant.com/2025/01/21/plainville-mourns-death-of-longtime-police-officer-a-good-man-was-taken-from-us-way-too-early/ Tue, 21 Jan 2025 18:48:25 +0000 https://www.courant.com/?p=8459949 The Plainville community is in mourning after losing a longtime member of its police force on Saturday.

Lt. John Rene Quilter, 49, died Saturday surrounded by his family, according to his department.

“Lt. John Quilter was one of the best cops and one of the best people that I have ever known,” said Police Chief Christopher M. Vanghele of the Plainville Police Department. “I considered him a friend. He was supremely dedicated to his wife, kids, family, country, friends, police department and the community of Plainville. A good man was taken from us way too early. He will be missed every day.”

Quilter was transported to the Plainville Funeral Home by police “showing him the love, respect and honor that he always gave us,” the department said on a social media post on Saturday.

According to Vanghele, Quilter was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago and formally retired this past New Year’s Eve after 25 years and three months on the Plainville police force.

“He was still working through his cancer treatments. That’s the kind of person he was,” Vanghele said. “This is the last person that this should have ever happened to. It shouldn’t have been him.

“When I tell you he was the best person, it’s no hyperbole. He was everything to everyone,” Vanghele added. “He was a true professional and had honorable integrity. … He was my right-hand man. He knew everything about everything in town.”

According to Quilter’s obituary, Quilter met his high school sweetheart Melissa when he was 16 years old at Bristol Central High School. The couple was married for 28 years and have three children, Austin, Brendan and Caitlyn, and one grandchild, Maverick John.

Quilter was actively involved in the Plainville community. He was a member of the Plainville Rotary Club and coached youth football, baseball and soccer as well as running the PAL basketball league for the Plainville Police Association, according to the obituary.

“His actions reflected his deep commitment to the development and well-being of young people,” the obituary says.

Quilter was also a U.S. Army veteran.

“John was just a great individual,” Plainville Town Manager Michael Paulhus said. “A great human being. Our hearts are heavy with the sad news of his passing. He was a wonderful person and a dedicated police officer. He loved his family and his community. He cared deeply for the people of Plainville. He will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and members of the department as well.

“He was a very friendly, kind and dedicated professional that you would come to expect in Plainville. That’s what John embodied,” Paulhus added.

Quilter was a licensed realtor, and the family had a vacation home in Myrtle Beach. He enjoyed the guitar and outdoor adventures, according to the obituary.

A wake is on Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Plainville Funeral Home. A celebration of Quilter’s life, led by Life Celebrant Jesse Gnazzo, will be held on Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Plainville High School auditorium. Committal with military honors will follow at Forestville Cemetery, according to the obituary.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked that Quilter be remembered with contributions to the Plainville Colts Youth Football and Cheer, PARC or the Plainville Activity League.

]]> 8459949 2025-01-21T13:48:25+00:00 2025-01-21T18:26:49+00:00