Connect with us

Connecticut

Slain Connecticut trooper Aaron Pelletier’s K-9 to retire, stay with partner’s family

Published

on

Slain Connecticut trooper Aaron Pelletier’s K-9 to retire, stay with partner’s family


The K-9 who served with the Connecticut State trooper who was killed in a hit-and-run last month is set to retire and live with his partner’s family,

Connecticut State Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier had worked alongside K-9 Roso — a German Shepard — for nearly three years before his death during a routine traffic stop on May 30, according to the Hartford Courant.

“The CSP K9 Unit anticipates an imminent retirement for K9 Roso, who will remain with the Pelletier Family,” the Connecticut State Police said in a Facebook post on Thursday.

Pelletier, 44, was working overtime on the traffic enforcement detail when he pulled over a driver not wearing a seatbelt on Interstate 84 in Southington at around 2:36 p.m.

Advertisement
TFC Aaron Pelletier’s K-9 Roso is heading for retirement and return to life living with his partner’s family. Connecticut State Police

As he was talking to the driver, a pickup truck entered the right shoulder and struck Pelletier, his cruiser and the stopped vehicle before fleeing down the road.

Pelletier was pronounced dead at the scene.

Roso was inside Pelletier’s cruiser at the time of the crash, but wasn’t seriously injured.

Pelletier and Roso graduated together at the Connecticut State Police Academy in December 2021, the outlet reported.

Roso will be living with Pelletier’s widow, Dominique and their two young sons. GoFundMe

Alex Oyola-Sanchez, the driver of the pickup, was arrested several towns over on I-84 and charged with second-degree manslaughter, operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs and several other crimes.

Advertisement

Oyola-Sanchez’s lawyers entered a not-guilty plea during a court hearing Thursday, the case was continued to July 2.

In the wake of Pelletier’s death, and a show of support for the fallen trooper, Wethersfield town Council Member Rich Bailey (R) suggested the town raise the “thin blue line” flag over town hall.

The flag is traditionally flown to support police officers.

The Wethersfield Town Council, consisting of 6 democrats and 3 republicans, shot down the request claiming that the flag represents divisiveness and racism to some.

The council had already voted to fly the LGBTQ flag in honor of June’s Pride Month and ordered the flag — along with the American and Connecticut state flags — to be flown at half-mast after shooting down the request.

Advertisement
Pelletier, 44, was working an overtime shift on the traffic enforcement detail when he pulled over a driver who was not wearing a seatbelt on Interstate 84 in Southington at around 2:36 p.m. AP

Pelletier’s wife flew her own “thin blue line” flag outside her home to honor her late husband on Friday, The Post reported.

Dominique Pelletier, 34, who shared two sons with her husband, had the flag poignantly flying half-staff outside the family’s home in Southington outside of Hartford even as she received threats for the symbolic gesture.

The widow gave a tearful tribute to her husband at the ceremony saying Pelletier wasn’t just her husband.

“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,” Dominique said at the funeral last Wednesday.

Pelletier’s widow gave a tearful tribute to her husband at the ceremony saying he wasn’t just her husband. AP
Pelletier’s casket is carried out of Xfinity Theater after his funeral in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. AP

“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.”

Advertisement

With Post wires



Source link

Connecticut

HBO casting in CT for neighbor dispute docuseries

Published

on

HBO casting in CT for neighbor dispute docuseries


A hit HBO documentary series is looking to Connecticut for stories to feature in its second season.

The show “Neighbors” follows on-going neighbor disputes across the country. The goal of the show is to help neighbors reach a resolution, according to the show’s casting director and executive producer Harleigh Shaw.

“Each story we explore, we spend extensive time with neighbors on both sides to really understand the full context beyond the disputes,” Shaw said.

Producers wanted to share stories in the second season that were based in states that weren’t featured earlier this year in the first season, including Connecticut, Shaw said.

Advertisement

“A lot of the things that we’re most interested in are things that may seem small, but become a bigger issue between the neighbors,” Shaw said. “Anything from disagreements over gardening practices to property lines to noise to dock issues, if it’s a waterfront property. A whole myriad of things. We’re really open to anything.”

However, the show does avoid situations that are violent or dangerous.

Residents from Connecticut looking to participate should be open to third party conflict resolution, according to Shaw.

“Some of the ways that we did that were through mediation,” Shaw said. “That’s a huge one. But there are other things in terms of resources we’d be open to help the neighbors to like help work through the issues.”

Filming will take place throughout the summer and is expected to be completed by the end of September.

Advertisement

The show’s production team is located in New York City and Los Angeles.

“Connecticut has always been really interesting because it’s just a short trip away, and we’re just curious to explore the types of neighbor dynamics that are going on there,” Shaw said.

Connecticut residents who are interested in being on “Neighbors,” can apply at helloneighbortv.com and are encouraged to submit information about themselves as well as their neighbor dispute.

“The neighbor disputes are the entry point for this show, but we’re always also just very interested in inspiring amazing people doing cool stuff,” Shaw said.

“Neighbors” premiered in February and was quickly renewed. The show averages about 3 million viewers per episode.

Advertisement

The show features stories that make viewers laugh and cringe, according to HBO Programming’s Executive Vice President Nina Rosenstein.

“At a time when even the smallest disagreements can spiral out of control, ‘Neighbors’ feels both hilariously absurd and surprisingly relatable,” Rosenstein said. “What makes the show special isn’t just the stories and people they find, but the empathy and humanity they bring to each episode.”





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Connecticut

‘Serious’ crash closes Sugar Hollow Road in Danbury

Published

on

‘Serious’ crash closes Sugar Hollow Road in Danbury


DANBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — Danbury drivers can expect hours-long closures on Sugar Hollow Road early Monday morning after a “serious” crash, according to local police.

Police said the morning crash has caused closures in both directions at the Ridgefield Line (Bennetts Farm Road) and at Miry Brook Road.

The road is expected to close for approximately three to four hours, police said.

Drivers are asked to seek alternate routes, including George Washington Highway and Route 53.

Advertisement

There are no words on injuries.

Additional information was not immediately available.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.


Download the News 8 app to get breaking news and weather alerts.

Advertisement

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.



Source link

Continue Reading

Connecticut

Cyclosporiasis outbreak prompts food safety concerns in Connecticut

Published

on

Cyclosporiasis outbreak prompts food safety concerns in Connecticut


ROCKY HILL, Conn. (WFSB) – People like Dena Pizzoferrato are changing what they put in their grocery carts after hearing about a cyclosporiasis outbreak.

“I’m kind of a little nervous so I’m looking to see what I buy right now,” Pizzoferrato said. “Today I didn’t buy any lettuce. I said I’m OK for now.”

Doctors say the illness is spread through parasites that make their way onto fresh produce. There have been 23 reported cases in Connecticut since May, but the CDC says the number is likely higher. Across the country, more than 840 cases and 86 hospitalizations have been reported in 31 states.

Symptoms include diarrhea and nausea that can last days to weeks. Doctors have not identified a source for the outbreak.

Advertisement

Dr. Ulysses Wu, chief epidemiologist at Hartford HealthCare, said a range of produce could be contaminated.

“Typical things you would think are vegetables or fruits. In the past, it’s been raspberries, basil, cilantro. You may find it in lettuces, bagged salads. So it’s a variety of things that can be contaminated, but they have not found it at this time,” said Wu.

Wu said residents should take precautions with their produce. “Take precautions with your fruit and your produce. We give the same advice when people go overseas that you should always peel something. You should always boil something,” he said.

Doctors also recommend washing produce thoroughly if boiling is not an option, and washing hands regularly.

Copyright 2026 WFSB. All rights reserved.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending