Connecticut

Alyssa Thomas shines in her emotional return to Connecticut

Published

6 months ago

June 19, 2025

Alyssa Thomas shines in her emotional return to Connecticut

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Alyssa Thomas was the face of the Connecticut Sun for over a decade, beloved by her teammates and the fans.

Thomas returned to the Mohegan Sun Arena on Wednesday for the first time as a visitor after being traded to the Phoenix Mercury in the offseason.

“It feels good — different to be on the other side, but a lot of good memories here,” Thomas said during warmups before the game.

“11 years here, I started here. A lot of wins, a lot of friendships, (it) means a lot but… I knew it was my time to move on and now it’s my next step.”

Thomas caught up with former teammate Marina Mabrey before the game among other ‘familiar faces’.

Thomas was greeted warmly by the Connecticut fans before the tip-off after the team played a touching tribute video on her time with the Sun.

Try as she might, the five-time All-Star could not hold back her tears after seeing the Sun’s tribute video and witnessing the outpour of love and support from the Sun crowd.

“Definitely emotional,” Thomas said after the game. “I gave this organization everything I had and the fan base was always behind me, supporting, whether we’re winning or losing.

“I’m just super grateful for them to definitely came out and show their support.”

The Mercury jumped out to a 10-0 lead early on, holding the Sun scoreless through the first four minutes of the game. The Sun trailed by 17 at the end of the first, but late in the second quarter they managed to climb back, trimming the lead to five.

But the Mercury closed the quarter on a 9-2 run to regain control, heading into halftime with a 10-point advantage.

Phoenix maintained its double-digit lead for most of the third. But a three from Marina Mabrey with just over two minutes capped an 8-0 run to get back within eight.

Once again, the Mercury refused to buckle to Connecticut’s pressure. Satou Sabally scored a well-contested shot from the post out of the timeout to restore Phoenix’s double-digit lead entering the fourth.

Connecticut remained within striking distance throughout the final quarter, but the Sun could not put together a run to close the gap and lost, 83-75.

Thomas finished with a typical stat line for herself with 14 points, a game-high 11 assists and eight rebounds in under 31 minutes.

Phoenix Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas playing against the Connecticut Sun on Jun. 18, 2025 at the Mohegan Sun Arena.Kenneth Manoj

“(Thomas is) the ultimate winner,” Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts said. “She cares about one thing and that’s winning.

“She’s super professional — we’re going to be good in Phoenix as long as she’s (here), that’s how good she is… it’s our job to put good players around her, competitive players, shot makers. But she just competes at such a high level and plays with such a force, I really enjoy getting the opportunity to coach her.”

Aneesah Morrow breaks out in the second half, posts career-high

Phoenix Mercury v Connecticut Sun — UNCASVILLE, CT – JUNE 18: Aneesah Morrow #24 of the Connecticut Sun dribbles the ball during the game on June 18, 2025 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)NBAE via Getty Images

Aneesah Morrow had her best game in a Sun uniform, finishing with a game-high 16 points off the bench in just under 23 minutes played, grabbing nine rebounds and snatching three steals as well.

All of her points came in the second half, an impressive showing in itself of her scoring ability — only to have the task of guarding Thomas on the other side of the court.

“(Thomas is) a great all-around player, she’s a great passer, makes sure her teammates get open but also can rebound and create for (herself),” Morrow said. “Just going out there and competing. I knew it was going to be a tough assignment, but not backing down from the challenge.

“Just continue to work, knowing that I can compete and be able to sit down and defend, be able to stay in front of my (opponent) any night and that’s my goal — I want to be able to be defensive stopper.”

The No. 7 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft had a slow start to the season, missing the first two games with a knee injury. She did not participate in Connecticut’s last two games against Chicago and Indiana prior to her first double-digit scoring performance on Wednesday.

But as challenging as this period has been on her, the 22-year-old rookie is doing her best to keep everything in perspective.

“(I’m) giving myself grace, just staying patient and trusting my journey, my process and embracing it,” Morrow said. “Continue to work, continue to be that all-around teammate… never get complacent throughout the process, just stay as focused as I can to develop everyday.”

Olivia Nelson-Ododa had 10 points and 14 rebounds for the Sun, her second double-double of the season. Jacy Sheldon had 13 points for Connecticut as well, while Marina Mabrey had a team-high seven assists but struggled from the field, scoring just eight points on 2-11 from the field.

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Connecticut

Woman suffers life threatening injuries in Rocky Hill house fire

Published

4 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

Woman suffers life threatening injuries in Rocky Hill house fire

A woman was rushed to the hospital after being seriously hurt in a fire Saturday in Rocky Hill.

This all unfolded during the late morning hours at a home on Main Street.

Fire officials say they had to rescue the woman from the home and her injuries are considered life threatening.

Hoarding conditions did a play a factor in the fire, according to the fire department.

No other injuries were reported. Further details pertaining to the fire weren’t immediately available.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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Connecticut

Twin Peaks Restaurant planning to open 3 locations in Connecticut

Published

16 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

Twin Peaks Restaurant planning to open 3 locations in Connecticut

DALLAS (WTNH) — A New London-based group is partnering with a Texas-based restaurant planning to open its first locations in Connecticut.

New London Hospitality has signed a new area development agreement with Twin Hospitality Group Inc., the parent company of Twin Peaks Restaurant, for the development rights of three future locations in the state, according to a press release from Twin Peaks.

The release lists New Haven, Hartford, Waterbury, Danbury and Stamford or Bridgeport as potential markets.

According to the release, New London Hospitality is run by Deepak Verma and Kam Singh, who have experience in the hospitality industry and have worked with major hotel brands including Hilton, Red Roof Inn and Choice Hotels.

“Deepak and Kam bring a powerful combination of hospitality expertise and operational discipline,” Twin Peaks CEO Kim Boerema said in the release. “Their experience growing multi-unit concepts makes them ideal partners as we enter Connecticut. We are confident they will help anchor Twin Peaks as a new favorite for sports fans throughout the state.”

Twin Peaks describes itself as “the ultimate sports lodge featuring made-from-scratch food and the coldest beer in the business, surrounded by scenic views and wall-to-wall TVs. At every Twin Peaks, guests are immediately welcomed by a friendly Twin Peaks Girl and served up a menu made for MVPs.”

“Twin Peaks delivers everything guests want in a sports bar — scratch-made food, 29-degree draft beer, and the best place to catch every game,” Verma said. “We look forward to introducing the brand’s signature lodge experience and welcoming Twin Peaks girls to Connecticut, establishing a new home base for local sports fans and food enthusiasts.”

Twin Peaks was founded in 2005 in Lewisville, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. There are 114 locations in the United States and Mexico. The closest location to Connecticut is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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Connecticut

Road closures, crashes & flooding reported across Connecticut

Published

1 day ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Road closures, crashes & flooding reported across Connecticut

CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — As Friday’s stormy weather brings strong rains and damaging winds, the Connecticut Department of Transportation and local agencies are reporting the following alerts.

Stormy Friday Weather

Note: Not every alert can be attributed to weather.

Current Traffic Alerts:

NEW HAVEN – Two-vehicle crash on Route 15 southbound between Exits 46 and 42B. The right lane is closed. Reported at 3:28 p.m.
OLD SAYBROOK – Route 154 (Main Street) closed in both directions between Willard Ave Ext. and Cromwell Ave because of tree down with wires. Reported Friday, December 19 at 2:20 pm.
PLAINFIELD – Route 12 closed # 105 Norwich Road and Kinney Hill Road for tree in wires. Reported at 12:31 p.m.
PLAINFIELD – Route 12 closed in both directions at Arbor Lane due to a pole down in wires. Reported at 12:25 p.m.
N. STONINGTON – Route 184 (Providence New London Turnpike) closed in both directions at Rt 49 (Pendelton Hill Road) because of tree down. Reported at 12:11 p.m.
COLCHESTER – Colchester Route 85 New London Road closed between Lake Hayward Road and West Road because of Wires Down. Reported at 12:04 p.m.
UNION – Route 171 closed at Route 197 and Rindge Road for a tree down in wires. Reported at 12:02 p.m.
DEEP RIVER – Route 80 (Winthrop Road) closed in both directions between Cedar Swamp Road and Bahr Road because of a tree down. Reported at 11:58 a.m.
OXFORD – Route 67 is closed at Route 42 for wires and a transformer down. Reported at 11:49 a.m.
LEBANON – Lebanon RT-207 Exeter Road is closed at Clubhouse Road because of a tree down with wires involved. Reported at 11:46 a.m.
NORTH BRANFORD – Route 17 northbound and southbound at the intersection of Rt 22 is closed. Utility work in area. Reported at 11:47 a.m.
BRANFORD – Localized flooding is currently occurring in multiple areas of town.
SEYMOUR – Fire officials are asking people to avoid Highland Avenue and Gilyard Street because a large tree has snapped a telephone pole. Please use alternate routes.
MIDDLETOWN – Multiple businesses without power.
EAST LYME – Route 161 (Flanders Road) closed in both directions at Society Road because of pole down with wires. Reported at 11:50 a.m.
EAST LYME – Tree down on powerlines on West Main Street, Niantic (Rte. 156) in the area of #278. Roadway is currently closed at Douglas Avenue and Four Mile intersection. Eversource has been notified. Reported at 10:45 a.m.
MANSFIELD – Route 195 is closed at Ledgewood Drive for a tree down across the road. Reported at 10:45 a.m.
GUILFORD – Route 146 Leetes Island Road closed in both directions between Wingate Road and Moose Hill Road because of a tree down with wires. Reported at 11:44 a.m.
THOMPSON – Thompson Route 193/Thompson Road is closed between Route 12/Riverside Drive and Robbins Road because of a Tree Down. Reported Friday, December 19 at 11:36 am.
COLCHESTER – Colchester Route16/Middletown Road is closed between Bigelow Road and Victoria Drive because of a tree down with wires involved. Reported at 10:45 a.m.
HARWINTON – Harwinton Route 4/Burlington Road closed between Harmony Hill Road and Route 72 Terryville Road because of a tree down with wires on the road. A fire was also reported. Reported at 9:14 a.m.