Connecticut
Berlin Native Jackson Roman Captures 90th Connecticut Open Golf Title
NORWALK, CT — It would be hard to imagine an amateur golfer, particularly one still in college, experiencing a better 10-day stretch than Jackson Roman of Berlin.
In a U.S. Amateur Championship qualifier on July 22, the rising senior at Loyola University Maryland shot a 5-under-par 65 at Concord Country Club in Massachusetts to forge a three-way tie for medalist honors. That win puts Roman in the field for the 124th national championship for non-professionals, slated for Aug. 12-18 at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota.
From Bob Jones, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus to Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and Bryson DeChambeau, some of the greatest players in the game’s history launched their careers with U.S. Amateur victories. Hazeltine has hosted two U.S. Opens, two U.S. Women’s Opens, both the men’s and women’s PGA Championship, a U.S. Senior Open and the 2016 Ryder Cup matches. Notable champions include World Golf Hall of Fame inductees Tony Jacklin, Hollis Stacy, Billy Caspet and Payne Stewart.
Before heading to Minnesota in a quest to add his name to those legendary lists, Roman entered the 90th Connecticut Open, conducted by the Connecticut State Golf Association at Shorehaven Golf Club. He hoped to continue his steady progress in the state championship, having tied for 14th last year at his home course, Shuttle Meadow, and tying for 20th at New Haven Country Club in 2022.
After an opening-round 70 Monday, Roman fired a 7-under 64 on Tuesday, leaving him alone in second place at 8-under, two strokes behind Chris Fosdick of Middlefield. The two were paired in the final group of the day Wednesday, along with Anthony Guerrera of Watertown Golf Club, and a drastic change took place just minutes after the threesome teed off.
Fosdick pulled his drive out of bounds on the par-5 opening hole, then missed a 10-foot par putt to wind up with bogey. Meanwhile, Roman knocked his second shot about 15 feet from the pin, and rolled in his eagle putt to turn a two-shot deficit into a one-shot lead.
“I don’t even think it really resonated with me that I had the lead at that point,” Roman said following the round. “I was still a little bit nervous, because I’ve had trouble coming out the gates in final rounds.”
The turn of fortune continued on the par-3 second hole, as a Roman birdie and Fosdick bogey upped the margin to three strokes. Fosdick recovered with three straight birdies, moving back into a share of the lead at 11-under through five holes, then assumed the outright lead when Roman bogeyed No. 10.
On the par-5 12th, Roman hit a wayward tee shot, but managed to reach the green in two with a seemingly-impossible iron shot. His two-putt birdie moved him back into a tie for first, setting up the shot of the week at the par-3 13th.
From 213 yards away, Roman smashed a 6-iron four feet from the cup for an easy birdie. When Fosdick bogeyed the hole, Roman had regained a two-shot advantage and all but secured the title.
He closed with a flourish, making birdie on the par-4 18th to finish 12-under, three shots clear of Fosdick, who was playing his first tournament as a professional. Mike Ballo Jr. of Tamarack Country Club in Greenwich tied for third with Danny Balin of White Plains, N.Y.
Roman became the first amateur to win the event since Jeff Hedden in 2008.
“It means so much to me,” he said. “There are so many good players who have come through Connecticut. I mean, I probably don’t even know half of them. This is such a tough golf course and the field is amazing. I couldn’t be happier right now.”
Complete results may be found here.
Connecticut
Canadian aerospace company Bombardier launching new ‘fast track’ training program in Connecticut
WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. (WTNH) — Bombardier, a Canadian company, is launching a new “fast track” training program in Connecticut.
The new program will expand Connecticut’s aerospace industry by creating an accelerated pathway for experienced aircraft maintenance technicians to receive new certifications and enter high-demand careers quickly.
“We know the demand for aviation technicians far exceeds the number of students we can currently prepare throughout our traditional programing alone,” Dr. Alice Pritchard, executive director of Connecticut technical education and career system, said. “Our goal is to create a sustainable workforce solution that can continue producing skilled aviation technicians for years to come.”
The program is set to start soon at the company’s service center at Bradley International Airport.
Connecticut
Injuries reported in multi-vehicle crash on I-91 South in Hartford
Injuries were reported in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 91 South in Hartford on Wednesday morning.
State police said the four-vehicle crash happened around 5:55 a.m.
The highway was briefly closed between exits 30 and 29A. It has since reopened.
According to state police, injuries were reported, but the extent is unknown.
The crash remains under investigation.
Connecticut
Avon daycare releases dates, times that former employee accused of sex assault worked at other Connecticut locations
AVON, Conn. (WTNH) — In light of recent information that a now-former Avon daycare employee accused of sexually assaulting children had filled in at multiple Connecticut locations, the company has released a timeline of when and where he had worked.
Jan Carlos Berrios Otero’s employment with BrightPath Early Learning began in January 2022, according to a letter sent out to families. Within the last four years, he had filled in at daycare locations in Simsbury, Windsor and West Hartford.
According to BrightPath, Berrios Otero had covered partial shifts at the following locations on the following days:
- Simsbury, Jan. 20, 2026: Berrios Otero covered a shift for about four hours and 20 minutes
- Windsor, Sept. 16, 2025: Berrios Otero covered a shift for about six hours at the 555 Day Hill Road location.
- West Hartford, Sept. 24, 2025: Berrios Otero covered a shift for about three hours at the Park Road location
BrightPath stated that to its knowledge, there are no known allegations, complaints or incidents that occurred during these time frames.
Berrios Otero, 29, is facing six counts of risk of injury to a minor, six counts of fourth-degree sexual assault, and two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a minor for allegedly sexually assaulting five boys ages 3 to 5 during the month of March.
BrightPath is working to identify all students who were in attendance in Berrios Otero’s classroom during the partial shifts that he had covered, and will communicate with the families directly as soon as possible, the letter stated.
“Please know, we also understand our review is taking a considerable amount of time; however, the time we take to ensure we are supplying the most accurate information is critical,” the letter said. “We are working diligently to get information to law enforcement and the appropriate governing agencies to support their investigations, and of course to all our families.”
According to BrightPath, Berrios Otero underwent a state and federal background check, which includes state and national criminal records searches and a review of the sex offender registry.
During the background check, which is renewed every five years, Berrios Otero had no prior convictions and was thoroughly vetted through the company’s hiring requirements. He additionally complied with staff qualifications and training.
The daycare says it is conducting a review of all of its records for the past four years across all of its Connecticut centers.
-
West Virginia5 minutes agoPrimary Election Post Mortem – WV MetroNews
-
Wyoming11 minutes agoWyoming High School Softball Regional Tournaments 2026
-
Crypto17 minutes agoADI Foundation and Settlemint Launch ADGM Tokenization Rail for $30.9B RWAs
-
Finance23 minutes agoHousehold savings, income and finances in Spain: how did they fare in 2025 and what can we expect for 2026?
-
Fitness29 minutes agoWhat is Americans’ favorite exercise? New study reveals a surprising trend in fitness habits
-
Movie Reviews41 minutes agoReview | Nagi Notes: Koji Fukada ponders the meaning of art in wartime
-
World53 minutes ago
Denise Powell wins Democratic primary in Nebraska’s ‘blue dot’ 2nd District
-
News59 minutes agoSouth Carolina Governor Plans Special Session to Redraw House Maps