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Former Afghan interpreter detained in East Hartford, attorney says

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Former Afghan interpreter detained in East Hartford, attorney says


A former Aghan interpreter living here in Connecticut has been taken away by immigration agents.

That’s according to the man’s attorney, who says he was here legally with his wife and children.

“So my reaction – horror. Fury,” Maggie Mitchell Salem, of Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services, said.

That concern follows what reportedly happened at the Citizenship and Immigration Service office in East Hartford on Wednesday.

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Attorney Lauren Cundick Petersen said the man – identified as Zia – went there as part of the process to get a green card for him and his family based on his service as an interpreter for U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

That’s when she said he was surrounded by immigration agents and taken away to a facility in Massachusetts.

“He’s been in combat situations. He’s been in a war-torn country. This is the kind of thing that I think he thought he totally left behind. You know, people in balaclava shoving you into a van, carrying weapons, right?” Petersen said.

Petersen said on Thursday, a court issued an emergency order that he cannot be removed from the country for now.

And a hearing in a couple of weeks is expected for the government to explain its actions.

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If he were to be deported, it’s not certain where he’d go.

Petersen said Zia came here legally last year and lives in the New Haven area with his wife and five children.

The family had received support from the New Haven-based Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services, or IRIS.

“I can’t even imagine being in their shoes right now. And then the fear that they must have if he can be picked up like this what about the rest of the family? What about others?” Maggie Mitchell Salem, of IRIS, said.

IRIS saic there are hundreds of people – potentially thousands, including families – who have resettled in Connecticut from Afghanistan.

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And they are concerned about how many others might be in jeopardy after a Trump administrative order takes a closer look at those who have entered the country since January 2021.

We reached out to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for comment but have not yet heard back.



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State opens investigation into former New Haven police chief amid stolen money allegations

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State opens investigation into former New Haven police chief amid stolen money allegations


Connecticut State Police and the Chief State’s Attorney have opened an investigation into former New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobsen and allegations that he misused public funds.

The City of New Haven reported the allegations to State’s Attorney John Doyle on Monday.

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said Monday Jacobson admitted to stealing money from a fund used by the New Haven Police Department to pay for an support its confidential informant program.

Several officers flagged irregularities in the account and notified the three assistant chiefs in the department, according to Elicker. It was then that the assistant chiefs confronted Jacobson on Monday morning.

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Elicker said after being confronted, Jacobson admitted to taking the funds. The assistant chiefs then notified Chief Administrative Officer Justin McCarthy, who then notified Elicker.

Jacobson was called in for a meeting with Elicker, where he was to be placed on administrative leave. Elicker said that before the meeting, Jacobson handed in his paperwork to retire, effective immediately.

The mayor was unable to share additional details on how much money was reportedly taken or for how long due to the ongoing investigation.

Assistant Chief David Zannelli has been appointed as the acting police chief.

State police will conduct the investigation and Chief State’s Attorney Patrick Griffin has appointed New Britain Judicial District State’s Attorney Christian Watson to oversee the investigation to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.

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Made in Connecticut: Rochambeau Memorial Monument

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Made in Connecticut: Rochambeau Memorial Monument


This year, the U.S. celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The French were instrumental in our fight for freedom, and their march through Connecticut is being memorialized in a new sculpture. News 12 met with the artist in this week’s Made in Connecticut.



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Hibachi Grill Supreme Buffet In South Plainfield Offers Endless Delicious Options

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Hibachi Grill Supreme Buffet In South Plainfield Offers Endless Delicious Options


The Greater Danbury area isn’t exactly known as a buffet hotspot, but if you’re willing to venture beyond your zip code, the state delivers some awe-inspiring all-you-can-eat experiences. A recent “Only In Your State” feature crowned one buffet as the best in Connecticut — and that raised a very local question: Do any buffets near Danbury compare?

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The Top 5 Buffets in Connecticut

Topping the statewide list is the Pacific Buffet & Grill in Wallingford, celebrated by Only In Your State as Connecticut’s best. This place is the gold standard, known for its huge seafood selection, sushi bar, hibachi grill, and sheer variety. Crab legs, shrimp, steak, noodles — it’s all here, and it’s why people happily drive across the state for it.

Other standout buffets earning consistent praise include Osaka Hibachi Buffet in Stratford, loved for its cleanliness and sushi options, and Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet in South Plainfield, which boasts hundreds of rotating items and a popular cook-to-order hibachi station. Rounding out the top five are Imperial China Buffet in Watertown a dependable classic, and Royal Buffet Sushi and Grill in New Milford, which is especially important for Greater Danbury diners.

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So… What About Buffets Near Danbury?

Here’s the honest truth: Danbury doesn’t have a Pacific-level buffet. But there are a couple of respectable local options. Grand Century Buffet at 1 Padanaram Road remains the city’s most familiar buffet, offering a wide selection at reasonable prices. It’s not flashy, but it gets the job done.

Meanwhile, Agogo Asian & Sushi Buffet, 15-19 Backus Ave., has earned strong reviews for quality — especially sushi — even if the buffet itself is smaller than the state’s heavy hitters.


The Bottom Line

If you’re chasing Connecticut’s best buffet, it’s worth the drive. But if you’re staying local, New Milford and Danbury still offer solid options that satisfy the all-you-can-eat craving without a road trip.

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