Connecticut

Hartford Children's Hospital To Name New ICU After Benefactor

Published

2 years ago

January 25, 2024

Hartford Children's Hospital To Name New ICU After Benefactor

HARTFORD, CT — A major children’s hospital in the state will name a new intensive care unit for babies in tribute to a large benefactor.

Hartford-based Connecticut Children’s, the state’s only healthcare system dedicated exclusively to the care of children, has received a $2.5 million commitment from the DeSimone Family Trust to support neonatology intensive care facilities and services in the hospital’s new tower expansion.

In recognition of this gift, the sixth-floor neonatal intensive care wing of the hospital’s new tower will be named the Jerry and Rose Marie DeSimone Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

“Connecticut Children’s cares for babies born so early they are at the very edge of survivability,” said Jim Shmerling, Connecticut Children’s president and chief executive officer. “The incredibly generous gift from the DeSimone Family Trust will help us expand the world-class care we provide to our tiniest, most fragile patients and their families. We are deeply grateful for their support.”

Clinical studies have shown that NICU babies survive at higher rates when they are in a private room.

The new Jerry and Rose Marie DeSimone Neonatal Intensive Care Unit will feature 25 private NICU patient/family rooms, family waiting rooms, procedure rooms, and team member areas.

There will be another NICU floor with similar features, bringing the total of private NICU rooms to 50.

“This was an easy decision for our family. My mother and father loved babies and struggled during the pregnancies of me and my five siblings. They never forgot the emotional pain they endured, praying that their babies would be okay,” said Joyce Lagnese, family spokesperson and member of the Connecticut Children’s Foundation Board of Directors.

“Every sick fetus and newborn deserves the best chance to thrive and we are so proud of Connecticut Children’s progressive commitment to these precious vulnerable beings and their families. With the support of the generous citizens of our state, Connecticut Children’s is sure to become a national leader in neonatal care.”

Sixty percent of all births in Connecticut occur in one of Connecticut Children’s network hospitals.

In addition, Connecticut Children’s staffs 14 NICUs across Connecticut and New York, with the most critically ill babies receiving care at its Hartford Level 4 NICU.

The new tower in Hartford will add 50,000 square feet of NICU space over two floors.

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Connecticut

Multiple cars involved in crash on I-84 in Hartford

Published

3 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Multiple cars involved in crash on I-84 in Hartford

A multi-vehicle crash temporarily close Interstate 84 on Tuesday night.

The crash happened around 8:30 p.m. and involved four cars, according to the Hartford Fire Department.

Fire crews arrived at the scene and helped one of the drivers who was trapped. The driver was then taken to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment.

Four other people reported minor injuries but declined ambulance treatment at the scene, officials said.

I-84 East was temporarily shut down as crews responded but has since reopened.

The Connecticut State Police is investigating the crash.

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Connecticut

Sleet, freezing rain leading to treacherous travel in parts of Connecticut

Published

15 hours ago

March 3, 2026

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Sleet, freezing rain leading to treacherous travel in parts of Connecticut

As the snow turns to sleet and freezing rain in parts of the state this afternoon, it is causing some treacherous travel on Connecticut roads.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is reporting several crashes.

There are crashes on both sides of Interstate 691 in Meriden.

A tractor-trailer jackknifed on the eastbound side of I-691 between Exit 5 and 3, closing the left lane. On the westbound side, a single-vehicle crash closed the left lane.

There is a two-vehicle crash on I-91 North in Middletown between Exits 20 and 21. The left and center lanes are closed.

A multi-vehicle crash has closed lanes of I-84 East in Waterbury between Exits 25 and 25A. There is a second crash on I-84 East in Southington near Exit 30.

In Cromwell, a two-vehicle crash closed the right lane of Route 9 North in Cromwell.

On Route 9 South, a crash closed a lane on the southbound side.

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Connecticut

The Great Westport Sandwich Contest kicks off with event at Old Mill Grocery

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

The Great Westport Sandwich Contest kicks off with event at Old Mill Grocery

People in Westport have the chance to pick the best thing between sliced bread.

The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce held a kick-off event at Old Mill Grocery on Monday for The Great Westport Sandwich Contest.

The contest runs throughout March with 21 restaurants, delis and markets competing in 10 categories to be crowned the best sandwich maker.

Residents can vote in the following categories: Best chicken, best steak, best vegetarian, best combo, best club, best NY deli, best pressed sandwich, best breakfast sandwich, best wrap, and best fish/seafood sandwich.

After people sample sandwiches, they can vote for their favorites in each category on the chamber’s website. They will also be placed into a drawing to win a free sandwich from one of the 10 winners.

“Of course, the goal is to have people come to Westport and check out restaurants, our markets and our delis. This is a great promotion. I mean it is a competition, but mostly it’s to bring people to the restaurants. It also gives a great community activity because they are the ones who get to vote who makes the best one,” says Matthew Mandell, the chamber’s executive director.

Winners will be announced in April and receive a plaque.

The chamber has held similar contests to determine what establishment has the best pizza, burger, soup and salad.

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