Connecticut
Connecticut firefighters rescue Santa Claus stuck on the side of a building
Georgia’s “Lights of Joy” Christmas display illuminates neighborhood
“Lights of Joy” features over 1.2 million LED lights, costing about $60,000 to put on and 2,000 hours to install.
Firefighters in Norwalk, Connecticut rescued a familiar yet unconventional character after Santa Claus got stuck 60 feet above ground.
The rescue happened Saturday night at the Norwalk Holiday Extravaganza. According to a social media post from the Norwalk Firefighters Local 830 of the Norwalk Fire Department, the rescue happened after a person dressed as Santa Claus became stuck.
Norwalk is located along Connecticut’s coast along the Long Island Sound, about 50 miles from New York City.
Authorities said he became stuck while rappelling down the side of a 13-story building and a part of his costume entangled itself in the rigging.
“This engine company made contact with the stuck individual via a window on the 6th floor. A safety line was attached to the individual and anchored to the inside of the building,” the post said.
The person dressed as Santa Claus was then pulled into the building through the 6th-floor window. Firefighters say no injuries were reported during the incident.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
A woman was arrested and charged with murdering a man whose body was found behind a condominium complex in Farmington in March, police said on Friday.
Cynthia Martinez, 27, was charged with murder, unlawful discharge of a firearm, tampering with evidence, and criminal use of a firearm in connection with the death of 29-year-old Derick William Mercado-Labonte of Bridgeport.
On March 19, officers responded to Talcott Forest Road around 10 a.m. for the report of an untimely death.
They found the body of Mercado-Labonte along the wood line behind a condominium complex. He appeared to have sustained multiple areas of trauma, according to police.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled Mercado-Labonte’s death a homicide.
Martinez is being held on a $3,000,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned at the Torrington Superior Court on Friday.
Police said no further information will be released at this time, as this remains an active and ongoing investigation.
New data is shedding light on the state of Connecticut’s economy and labor force.
On this episode of the CBIA BizCast, CBIA Foundation director Dustin Nord joins host Amanda Marlow to talk about new Connecticut Department of Labor data that highlights the mismatch between increased job openings and a shrinking labor force.
Connecticut job openings jumped 2.6% in May to 87,356—however, since May 2025, 37,700 people have left Connecticut’s labor force.
Nord breaks down some of the reasons for this mismatch and what needs to be done to address Connecticut’s economic challenges.
He also shares insights into a U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis report showing Connecticut’s economy expanded 1.8% in the first quarter of 2026.
Episode Highlights:
- Job Openings vs. Workforce Shortage
- Unemployment Trends
- GDP Growth Amid Labor Challenges
- Affordability and Long-Term Competitiveness
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