Connecticut
Democrat-led Connecticut town council refuses to fly ‘thin blue line’ flag for trooper killed in line of duty
A largely Democratic Connecticut town council has sparked controversy after it refused to fly the “thin blue line” flag for a state trooper killed in the line of duty last week.
The Wethersfield Town Council voted down the request to raise the flag — traditionally flown to support police — claiming that to some people, it represents divisiveness and racism.
Council Member Rich Bailey (R) suggested the town raise the “thin blue line” flag over town hall in honor of Connecticut State Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier, 34, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver during a traffic stop last week.
But the measure did not get enough votes to pass at Tuesday’s council meeting — with three in favor, five against, and one abstention.
The council is made up of six Democrats and three Republicans.
Instead, the LGBTQ pride flag, which was already raised for pride month, the month of June, and other flags like the American flag and the state flag were flown at half-mast.
“All we are doing is trying to respect a fallen police officer,” Bailey told WTNH News 8.
“In my home, [the “thin blue line” flag] means police, and they protect us, and they are our first line of defense,” he added. “They always are, and they’re always here, and they’re always for us.”
But other council members said the flag has taken on new meaning in recent years.
“It represents racism and antagonism to many, many people,” Emily Zambrello (D) told the local news station. “And if you don’t personally believe that, and you fly at your own house and you think it means something to you, that is much more positive — it’s just not how many people feel about it.
“It’s not appropriate to raise it over our town hall, especially when our flag policy prohibits us from doing anything associated with hate.”
Wethersfield Mayor Ken Lesser, who was among the no votes, said that they offered an alternative option to the “thing blue line” flag, the first responders’ flag, in order to honor the fallen trooper.
“The first responders’ flag recognizes all the first responders — police, fire, emergency management. The ‘blue line’ flag was designed for police officers and it goes back over 100 years, but now it has been used by white supremacists and many police groups have disavowed that flag.”
Bailey — who is a retired fire chief and whose father was a police officer — wouldn’t accept the first responders’ flag as a replacement.
Pelletier, the trooper who was killed by an allegedly drugged-up driver, was laid to rest Wednesday with thousands in attendance at his funeral service.
His widow and the mother of his two young sons gave a tearful tribute to her husband at the ceremony.
“To my honey, you weren’t just my husband,” his wife Dominique said. “You were my home. You were my heart. You were my safe place and my provider. My best friend. My secret keeper. My favorite gossiper.
“The light in our smiles will be forever dimmed and the thought of this world without that laugh seems unimaginable but has already become real,” she said. “I promise to keep you alive in our home, in our heart and in our boys’ memories forever. I love you, and I miss you.”
With Post wires
Connecticut
Norwich Public Utilities bills to increase beginning June 1
NORWICH, Conn. (WTNH) — Norwich Public Utilities said last week that it will be increasing power and gas bills beginning next month.
Residential and commercial customers will see the increase reflected on their bills on June 1. Electric customers will see an increase of about $20 per month, natural gas customers will see an increase of about $5 per month, officials said.
Officials said the adjustments are due to the increased cost of purchasing electricity and natural gas. As a result, Norwich Public Utilities increased its Purchased Power Adjustment (PPA) and Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA).
Despite the adjustments, officials said NPU customers will continue to see bills about 10-15% less than those of investor-owned utility companies.
Officials said this is not a rate increase but a reflection of the increased cost of these commodities. The funds collected from customers through the adjustments are sent to the suppliers.
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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
New Haven man found with ‘Super Mario’ meth pills to serve federal prison time
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH) — A New Haven man was sentenced to six years in federal prison on Monday for violating the terms of his release after he was found in possession of narcotics, including meth pills shaped like Super Mario in 2024.
According to the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, 33-year-old Ronnell Rogers was pulled over in New Haven on May 2, 2024, and was found with fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin packaged for distribution, and meth pills shaped like “cartoon characters,” including Mario.
Rogers had been sentenced to 37 months in federal prison in 2022 for drug distribution and firearm possession, as well as 14 months for violating the terms of his supervised release for a previous federal conviction for unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon. He was released in March 2024.
Rogers has been in federal custody since May 30, 2024, and pleaded guilty to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl.
Connecticut
CT Lottery Cash 5, Play3 winning numbers for May 10, 2026
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Connecticut Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.
Those who want to play in Connecticut can enter the CT Lotto, Millionaire for Life and Cash 5 games as well as play the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. There are also two drawings a day for the Play 3 with Wild Ball and Play 4 with Wild Ball games.
Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule.
Here’s a look at Sunday, May 10, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Cash 5 numbers from May 10 drawing
02-26-27-31-32
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play3 numbers from May 10 drawing
Day: 2-7-1, WB: 4
Night: 5-1-4, WB: 1
Check Play3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play4 numbers from May 10 drawing
Day: 1-5-5-1, WB: 1
Night: 9-6-7-1, WB: 5
Check Play4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 10 drawing
01-03-20-35-46, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Connecticut Lottery prizes up to $599 can be easily claimed at any authorized CT Lottery Retailer without additional forms or documentation or by mail. For prizes between $600 and $5,000, winners have the option to claim by mail or in person at any CT Lottery High-Tier Claim Center or CT Lottery Headquarters. For prizes between $5,001 and $49,999, winnings must be claimed in person at the Connecticut Lottery headquarters or by mail. All prizes over $50,000 must be claimed in person at CT Lottery Headquarters. Winners are required to bring a government-issued photo ID and their Social Security card.
CT Lottery Claims Dept.
15 Sterling Drive
Wallingford, CT 06492
For additional details, including locations of High-Tier Claim Centers, visit the Connecticut Lottery’s claim information page.
When are the Connecticut Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. daily.
- Lotto: 10:38 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
- Cash 5: 10:29 p.m. daily.
- Play3 Day: 1:57 p.m. daily.
- Play3 Night: 10:29 p.m. daily.
- Play4 Day: 1:57 p.m. daily.
- Play4 Night: 10:29 p.m. daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Connecticut editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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