Branford Police Blotter: 6 Arrested on Strangulation, ID Theft Charges
6 arrested in Branford, Feb. 24–March 3, 2026, on charges from strangulation to identity theft. Suspects from 4 towns including North Branford, Clinton.
Local News
West Haven Tanker Spills 2,600 Gallons; West River Fish Advisory
West Haven tanker crashed Feb. 26, spilling 2,600 gallons of heating oil into the West River. CT DPH issued a fish advisory March 6 for West Haven and New Haven.
New Haven Begins Issuing $250 Fines for Illegal School Bus Passing
New Haven began issuing $250 fines March 2 for illegal school bus passing. The camera program launched Jan. 30 and logged 1,665 violations in its first month.
EPA Launches Five-Year Review of Durham Meadows Superfund Site Cleanup
EPA launched a mandatory five-year review of Durham Meadows Superfund on Feb. 13, 2026, assessing VOC contamination cleanup and soil excavation at Durham Manufacturing Co.
Gaylord Specialty Healthcare Earns MS Designation and $20,000 in Grants
Wallingford's Gaylord Specialty Healthcare was named CT's only National MS Society Rehab Partner and received $20,000 in foundation grants in early 2026.
Bethany Camp Abuse Case Prompts Connecticut Push for Background Check Law
A 2024 Bethany youth camp abuse case has driven a CT legislative push for Senate Bill 157, which would require background checks at license-exempt town programs statewide.
New Haven's Arts & Ideas Festival Searches for New Executive Director
New Haven's Arts & Ideas Festival is seeking an executive director at $150K. Applications due March 9, 2026. The organization has been under interim management for over a year.
New Haven Building Demolition Paused at 649 Howard Ave. Until April 15
New Haven's 125-year-old 649 Howard Ave. demolition is paused until April 15 as the CT AG weighs legal action. State Preservation Council urged the AG to block the teardown.
Darien Investment Manager Sentenced to 90 Months for $4M Fraud
Former Darien investment manager John Masanotti Jr. sentenced to 90 months for defrauding 14 clients of $4M through Middlesex Mortgage Group, plus tax evasion.
New Haven Union Station Geothermal Project Moves Forward After Funding Freeze
New Haven's $16.5M Union Station geothermal project is back on track after federal $9.5M funding was briefly frozen, then released. Test boreholes now underway.
Meriden City Network Still Offline Weeks After February Cyber Incident
Meriden's city network has been partly offline since a Feb. 17, 2026 cybersecurity incident. Emergency dispatch was moved to the State Police Academy, and full recovery has no confirmed timeline.
New Haven Begins Chapel Street Two-Way Conversion in April
New Haven will begin Phase I of its Chapel Street two-way conversion in April 2026, covering three blocks from College to York Streets after the Traffic Authority approved it in October 2025.