Connecticut
Connecticut Sun Make Championship Move, Acquire Marina Mabrey From Chicago Sky
Trade news has emerged from the WNBA just ahead of the 2024 All-Star Game. Wednesday, the Connecticut Sun announced that it acquired veteran guard Marina Mabrey after reaching a trade agreement with the Chicago Sky.
Mabrey averaged 14.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game while shooting 34.4% from 3-point range in 23 games with the Chicago Sky this season. She was in her second season with the franchise, joining Chicago in 2023.
In addition to Mabrey, the Sun also receive a second-round pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. The Sky received Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson, a first-round selection in the 2025 WNBA Draft and the rights to swap in the first round of the 2026 WNBA Draft.
“Today is very bittersweet. We traded two really great people who are not only good basketball players but have helped add to the winning culture we have here in Connecticut,” said Sun general manager Darius Taylor.
“We want to thank both Rachel and Moriah for their professionalism and contributions on and off the court. They will truly be missed by our fans, our team and our organization. We wish them well and much success with their new organization.”
Banham is averaging 4.8 points and 1.2 rebounds per game this season. Jefferson has posted 2.1 points and 0.7 assists per contest.
Connecticut has enjoyed a tremendous start to the 2024 season, owning an 18-6 record and sitting in second place in the league standings. The Sun appear to be making a move to be a championship contender by bringing Mabrey into the fold.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Marina Mabrey to the Connecticut Sun. She is a player that we feel will give us the extra edge to compete for a championship this year,” Taylor said. “She brings a competitive spirit and scorer’s mentality along with an ability to make big plays. I believe (coach) Stephanie (White) and her staff will be able to utilize Marina in many ways as we start the second half of our season and continue our quest for our first title.”
Tuesday night, Mabrey hit some clutch shots in Chicago’s 93-85 road victory over the Las Vegas Aces. She finished the game with 15 points while shooting three-of-seven from long range.
“Marina has made a significant impact over the past two seasons with the Sky behind her scoring ability, playmaking, competitiveness and commitment to the community,” said Chicago Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca. “We appreciate all of her contributions to the organization and wish her continued success in the league.”
With a month-long break upcoming for the WNBA All-Star Game and 2024 Paris Olympics, we won’t see Mabrey in a Sun uniform until an Aug. 16 game against the Dallas Wings.
Could the veteran guard be the missing piece that helps Connecticut bring a WNBA title back home?
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.
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