Connecticut
At least 50 people charged with animal cruelty in ‘significant’ police operation in Tolland Saturday
TOLLAND, Conn. (WTNH) — Tolland Town Manager Brian Foley has shared more information about a “significant” police operation on Saturday which resulted in at least 50 people being charged with animal cruelty.
According to Foley, a criminal investigation operation involving Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Department of Agriculture took place on Saturday in connection to an alleged large-scale “cockfighting” event at a secluded quarry off Mountain Spring Road that has been inactive for more than a decade.
A “significant number of arrests” took place on Saturday and at least 50 people were charged with animal cruelty. Hundreds of birds were found by investigators and “significant evidence” was recovered, according to Foley.
“While this type of event is shocking, yesterday’s operation demonstrated clearly that the Town of Tolland is not the place to attempt this type of criminal activity. Our law enforcement partners made that abundantly clear,” he said. “Animal cruelty of this type or any kind will never be tolerated in the Town of Tolland.”
This is a developing story, stay with News 8 for updates
Download the News 8 app to get breaking news and weather alerts.
Watch News 8 on WTNH.com or the free WTNH News 8 streaming app on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and select Samsung Smart TVs.
Connecticut
Love Food Names the Best Place for Ramen in Connecticut
According to Love Food, the best bowl of ramen in Connecticut isn’t tucked away in one of the state’s larger cities. Instead, you’ll have to make your way to Granby, where Tiger Belly Noodle Bar has earned national recognition for serving what the publication says is Connecticut’s top ramen.
If you’re expecting a massive menu with dozens of choices, that’s not what you’ll find here. Tiger Belly keeps things relatively simple, focusing on a handful of carefully crafted noodle dishes that have developed a loyal following. The standout, according to Love Food, is the restaurant’s aptly named Darkness Ramen.
This isn’t your average bowl of noodles. The star of the dish is a rich tonkotsu broth that’s simmered for more than 25 hours to develop its deep, savory flavor. It’s then topped with tender pork belly, enoki mushrooms, plenty of garlic, and finished with black garlic oil for an extra layer of richness. The result is a bowl that’s hearty, comforting, and packed with bold flavors.
Ramen has exploded in popularity across the United States over the past decade, with restaurants putting their own spin on the classic Japanese comfort food. Whether you prefer a traditional pork-based broth, spicy variations, seafood, or vegetarian options, there’s no shortage of great places to grab a bowl these days. But when it came to picking just one restaurant in Connecticut, Love Food says Tiger Belly Noodle Bar stands above the rest.
So, if you’re the type of person who’s willing to take a road trip for great food, Granby might deserve a spot on your list. A slow-simmered broth, fresh ingredients, and a little black garlic magic were apparently enough to earn this Connecticut restaurant some well-deserved national bragging rights.
Classic Rock Songs That Describe Each Greater Danbury Town…
10 of the Best Waterfalls in Connecticut
Did a White Plains Researcher Get Too Close to the Truth About UFOs?
Leon Davidson of White Plains, NY, had a résumé packed with top-level science work — from IBM and Union Carbide to atomic research and sci-fi writing. But when he turned his focus to UFOs, what followed was a strange paper trail that linked him to the CIA, classified communications, and government efforts to shut him down. The story you’re about to see reveals what those efforts looked like — and why they may have gone to such great lengths.
Gallery Credit: Lou Milano
Connecticut
Connecticut insurance now required to cover these athletic prosthetics
Park Ranger Ben Croll says outdoor plans for kids attending New Haven’s parks and rec summer camp at West Rock Ridge state park are changing with the wind, after thick smoke from Canada’s wildfires continues to make its way through the Connecticut skies.
Connecticut
This Connecticut barbecue restaurant is ‘beloved’ for a reason.
See the moment a husky shields child from bear
A husky jumped into action to protect a child as a bear charged at them through the yard in Connecticut.
If you’re looking for the best barbecue restaurant in the state, you may have to drive to the state’s capital.
Business Insider identified the most beloved barbecue spot in each state, including Connecticut.
“Our list includes barbecue destinations with historical or regional significance and devoted national or local followings,” Business Insider said. “Many of the spots or their pitmasters have won major accolades, and some have appeared on mainstream TV shows.”
Business Insider’s choice for the most iconic place for barbecue in Connecticut is a specific location of a chain restaurant that has multiple stores in the Constitution State.
Here’s what Business Insider had to say about Bear’s Smokehouse Barbecue, and why it might be worth the extra trip to Hartford, Connecticut.
Bear’s Smokehouse — Hartford, Connecticut
Business Insider said the Hartford location is the most iconic Bear’s Smokehouse in Connecticut. However, Bear’s has locations in Windsor, New Haven, South Windsor, and Storrs (although that one is in a University of Connecticut Student Union).
“Local outlet Hartford Courant named Bear’s Smokehouse the best ribs and best food truck in the state,” Business Insider said. “USA Today also named it one of the best restaurants in the country in 2026 (albeit, one of the North Carolina locations).”
Chain restaurant or not, this location’s menu appears to have all the goods that make a barbecue restaurant great: beef brisket, burnt ends, pulled pork, and turkey breast, all done up in a Kansas-City style of barbecue that would make Ted Lasso proud.
They also offer some innovative takes on hearty dishes like poutine with Bear Style Poutine, which comes with fries, spicy cheese curds, brisket gravy, and your choice of meat.
You can find Bear’s Smokehouse at 25 Front St, Hartford, Connecticut.
They open at 11 a.m. on weekdays and weekends but their closing hours vary depending on the day.
Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@usatodayco.com.
-
Kansas1 minute agoKansas City Current vs San Diego Wave FC: Where to watch, TV channel, live stream & kick-off time | Goal.com US
-
Kentucky7 minutes agoAdkins among new appointments to Kentucky State Fair Board
-
Louisiana13 minutes agoHow vital is New Orleans to Louisiana’s economy? See the data after Landry’s ‘special’ comments.
-
Maine19 minutes agoMaine Democrats must show moral courage on Palestine | Opinion
-
Maryland25 minutes agoMaryland residents got a pro-data center text linked to an ‘interfaith’ website. Who’s behind it?
-
Michigan31 minutes agoTwo from Colombia extradited, face federal drug trafficking charges in West Michigan
-
Massachusetts37 minutes agoFree Ice Cream Deals In MA For National Ice Cream Day 2026: Cheap Eats
-
Minnesota43 minutes ago
Wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota pushes further into US, engulfing DC in eerie haze