Connecticut

Connecticut travelers hit the roads and the shopping centers

Published

1 year ago

December 21, 2024

Connecticut travelers hit the roads and the shopping centers

Whether you’re getting last minute shopping done or hitting the roads for the holidays, it was a busy Friday night.

Nearly a million people in our state will be hitting the road this holiday season to see family and friends, but before they can do that, they’re getting some last-minute holiday shopping done.

It’s hard to have the season of giving, without it being the season of spending, too.

“Clothes, makeup, hair supplies, brushes, earrings, and looking at apple products,” Anne Tomchuck, of Orange, said.

“A few jackets for winter,” Cassie McKittrick, of Branford, said.

Shoppers flocked to The Shops at Yale in New Haven to get gifts for loved ones.

Some are there to find the steals, like Tomchuck.

“Last minute deals, we’re hoping for a last-minute deal or a trade-in deal,” she said.

Others are embracing the last-minute shopping experience, like John McKittrick, of Branford.

“If I was a little craftier, I probably should have saved money, but I didn’t,” he said.

For the retailers themselves, Jahnaya Stone of Lou Lou Boutiques said local stores are getting lots of love.

“It’s definitely getting busy, especially this weekend,” Stone said. “Until Christmas Eve, we’re going to be open until nine instead of eight because it’s going to be busy.”

If crowds at shopping centers don’t tell you it’s the holiday season, the snowy highways will.

“Yeah the roads were fine, there’s no slickness out there,” Jon, of Madison, said.

People stopping at the Branford rest stop off Interstate 95 said traffic was mild during rush hour. But with a cold snap coming on one of the busiest travel days of the year, CT Department of Transportation vehicles were out in full force.

“I see ppl putting salt on the roads, I see people pulling over, police officers, emergency workers working,” Mekhi Barnett, of Stamford, said.

If you’re planning to travel the next few days by car, AAA says the morning is better to travel leading up to, and after, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The worst times to travel are the mid-day to afternoon hours.

Source link

Connecticut

Multiple cars involved in crash on I-84 in Hartford

Published

4 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Multiple cars involved in crash on I-84 in Hartford

A multi-vehicle crash temporarily close Interstate 84 on Tuesday night.

The crash happened around 8:30 p.m. and involved four cars, according to the Hartford Fire Department.

Fire crews arrived at the scene and helped one of the drivers who was trapped. The driver was then taken to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment.

Four other people reported minor injuries but declined ambulance treatment at the scene, officials said.

I-84 East was temporarily shut down as crews responded but has since reopened.

The Connecticut State Police is investigating the crash.

Source link

Connecticut

Sleet, freezing rain leading to treacherous travel in parts of Connecticut

Published

16 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Sleet, freezing rain leading to treacherous travel in parts of Connecticut

As the snow turns to sleet and freezing rain in parts of the state this afternoon, it is causing some treacherous travel on Connecticut roads.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is reporting several crashes.

There are crashes on both sides of Interstate 691 in Meriden.

A tractor-trailer jackknifed on the eastbound side of I-691 between Exit 5 and 3, closing the left lane. On the westbound side, a single-vehicle crash closed the left lane.

There is a two-vehicle crash on I-91 North in Middletown between Exits 20 and 21. The left and center lanes are closed.

A multi-vehicle crash has closed lanes of I-84 East in Waterbury between Exits 25 and 25A. There is a second crash on I-84 East in Southington near Exit 30.

In Cromwell, a two-vehicle crash closed the right lane of Route 9 North in Cromwell.

On Route 9 South, a crash closed a lane on the southbound side.

Source link

Connecticut

The Great Westport Sandwich Contest kicks off with event at Old Mill Grocery

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

The Great Westport Sandwich Contest kicks off with event at Old Mill Grocery

People in Westport have the chance to pick the best thing between sliced bread.

The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce held a kick-off event at Old Mill Grocery on Monday for The Great Westport Sandwich Contest.

The contest runs throughout March with 21 restaurants, delis and markets competing in 10 categories to be crowned the best sandwich maker.

Residents can vote in the following categories: Best chicken, best steak, best vegetarian, best combo, best club, best NY deli, best pressed sandwich, best breakfast sandwich, best wrap, and best fish/seafood sandwich.

After people sample sandwiches, they can vote for their favorites in each category on the chamber’s website. They will also be placed into a drawing to win a free sandwich from one of the 10 winners.

“Of course, the goal is to have people come to Westport and check out restaurants, our markets and our delis. This is a great promotion. I mean it is a competition, but mostly it’s to bring people to the restaurants. It also gives a great community activity because they are the ones who get to vote who makes the best one,” says Matthew Mandell, the chamber’s executive director.

Winners will be announced in April and receive a plaque.

The chamber has held similar contests to determine what establishment has the best pizza, burger, soup and salad.

Source link