Connecticut

Strange Connecticut laws, such as receiving a $99 fine for selling silly string to a minor

Published

1 year ago

December 20, 2024

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Strange Connecticut laws, such as receiving a fine for selling silly string to a minor

Sometimes, certain laws in a state can make you wonder whether they are fact or fiction.

Some rather bizarre “laws” are nothing more than a myth, where others are clearly defined.

Like every other state, Connecticut has some strange laws.

If you look through any state’s laws, including Connecticut’s, you’re sure to find some confusing ones. (iStock)

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One quite famous strange “law” of Connecticut regards pickles.

Many online articles discuss a law in Connecticut stating that in order for a pickle to be considered a pickle, it must bounce.

The subject was investigated by many sources, including The Connecticut State Library and NBC CT.

Both point to the same article written in the Hartford Courant in 1948 as the source of the myth, where two pickle packers found themselves in legal trouble for selling pickles “unfit for human consumption.”

One strange Connecticut “law,” which is actually a myth, provides that pickles must bounce. (iStock)

When the “putrid” pickles were being tested, the Food and Drug Commissioner of the time, Frederick Holbrook, stated that a good test to tell whether a pickle was good or not was to “drop it one foot” and see if it bounced.

A bouncy pickle makes a good pickle.

When these particular pickles were dropped, they did not bounce and instead splattered, though the test was not the reason for the legal trouble. There were many laboratory tests also conducted.

Even though the pickle law is fictional, there are other strange laws in the state that are real.

Read about a few below.

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Restrictions on silly string
Don’t release balloons
Limitations on arcade games

1. Restrictions on silly string

Minors aren’t trusted with silly string in Meriden, Connecticut.

Silly string is often used in a celebratory fashion, but it can quickly cause a big mess.

In the city of Meriden, silly string cannot be sold to minors unless they are with a parent or legal guardian.

The specifics are laid out in Chapter 175 of Meriden law.

Children of Meriden, Connecticut are not allowed to be sold silly string without a parent. (iStock)

If a store is selling silly string or products similar to it, it must be locked up, held behind the sales counter or “in some other manner which restricts public access to such products.”

The fine for breaking this law is $99.

2. Don’t release balloons

There are many occasions where balloons are purposefully released into the air. Many states have cracked down on this practice and have created laws limiting the release of balloons, or banning the act completely.

To date, there are ten states, including Connecticut, that have some sort of law regarding the release of balloons into the air, according to CBS News. Rhode Island, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware are others.

Connecticut General Statute Section 26-25C details this law.

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The law prevents the release of ten or more “helium or lighter-than-air gas balloons” into the atmosphere during a 24-hour period.

Though the release of balloons may seem harmless, and a law against it could seem rather strange, celebratory balloons could pose a danger to wildlife.

Animals could mistake balloons for food, causing harm or, in certain cases, death, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service notes on its website.

The strings of balloons can also be dangerous for animals, as they could get tangled up in them, the federal agency additionally notes.

Ten or more balloons may not be released into the air in Connecticut. (iStock)

3. Limitations on arcade games

Did you know that Rocky Hill, Connecticut, has a law involving arcade games?

The details are laid out in Chapter 81 of the town’s legislation.

Described in the law is the regulation that no “more than four mechanical amusement devices” are allowed.

As part of the law, individuals, partnerships, corporations, clubs or associations can not “have in any place within a permanent structure open to the general public or occupied by any club or association any mechanical amusement device without first having obtained a license therefor.”

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“Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection A, no person shall have in any place within a permanent structure open to the general public more than four mechanical amusement devices,” the law also states.

Those who break this law face a fine of $25 for each day of violation.

South Carolina is another state that has a strange arcade law. Its law is specific to pinball. Those under the age of 18 are not allowed to play the popular game.

Ashlyn Messier is a writer for Fox News Digital.

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Connecticut

Iranian Yale scholar in Connecticut celebrates fall of regime, calls for free elections

Published

6 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Iranian Yale scholar in Connecticut celebrates fall of regime, calls for free elections

HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) – Thousands of Connecticut families with ties to Iran are watching and waiting as their home country undergoes a historic change.

Among them is Ramin Ahmadi, a Yale doctor, human rights activist and founder of the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center. He has spent decades advocating for freedom in Iran from his home in Connecticut.

Ahmadi moved to the United States when he was 18. On Saturday morning, he learned of military strikes in Iran and the death of the country’s supreme leader.

Ahmadi said protests for democracy and human rights in Iran intensified in December, drawing millions of participants — including his own family and friends.

“The situation in Iran was a humanitarian emergency and it needed an intervention,” Ahmadi said.

He said he celebrated when he heard the news Saturday morning.

“I was celebrating along with all other Iranians inside and outside the country,” Ahmadi said. “I do regret that we cannot bring him to a trial for crimes that he has committed against humanity.”

Ahmadi said he spoke with his sister in Iran after she celebrated in the streets. She was later told to return home for her safety.

He shared a message she relayed from those around her.

“They said do not let our death be exploited because worse than that is having to live with the criminals who have done this to us for the rest of our lives,” Ahmadi said. “We do not want to do that.”

For those questioning whether the conflict was America’s to engage in, Ahmadi offered a direct response.

“We will all be affected,” he said. “And to those that tell you that the U.S. and Israel are beating the drums of war in Iran, one has to remind them that it was not like before this Iranian people were listening to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D minor. We had a war already declared on us by this regime. We were being slaughtered on a daily basis.”

Ahmadi said he believes the path forward begins with young military officers forcing out what remains of the regime, followed by free elections.

“Everyone’s life will be safer in the future and not just Iranians,” Ahmadi said.

Connecticut lawmakers are also responding to the U.S. strikes on Iran.

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Connecticut

Two people shot in New Haven restaurant Saturday evening

Published

18 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Two people shot in New Haven restaurant Saturday evening

New Haven police say two people were shot at a restaurant on Grand Avenue Saturday evening.

One of the victims was a 22-year-old male from East Haven who was shot in the leg and was transported to Yale New Haven Hospital for treatment.

According to police, the second victim was a 17-year-old male and arrived shortly after.

While on scene, police confirmed one of the possible shooters was still inside the restaurant.

According to police, the victims were both inside the restaurant when the teen was approached by Naguea Bratton and another suspect.

They say a fight occurred which resulted in both victims being shot.

Police detained Bratton who was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit, two counts of illegal possession of a high-capacity magazine and larceny of a motor vehicle.

Bratton is being held on a $200,000 bond.

Both victims have non-life-threatening injuries police say.

They say additional arrests are expected to be completed by warrant.

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Connecticut

27 Wrestlers Named State Open Wrestling Champions In Connecticut Over Weekend; Xavier Dominates Tournament

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

27 Wrestlers Named State Open Wrestling Champions In Connecticut Over Weekend; Xavier Dominates Tournament

Over the weekend, the two-day CIAC State Open wrestling championships took place at the Floyd Little Athletic Center in New Haven, Connecticut.

Twenty-seven wrestlers (14 boys, 13 girls) were named champions in their respective weight classes, displaying intense wrestling featuring the best wrestlers across the state.

Championship bouts started around 4:15 p.m. on Saturday and lasted about two hours.

Below are the results from both the boys’ and girls’ state open championships.

106 lbs.: Xavier’s Josh Perez def. Stafford’s John Bean 17-2 (technical fall)

113 lbs.: Ridgefield’s Cole Desiano def. Suffield/Windsor Locks’ Peter Annis 8-0 (decision)

120 lbs.: Xavier’s Zack Dixon def. Somers’ Will Acorsi 12-0 (majority decision)

126 lbs.: Windham’s Delmazio Despard def. Xavier’s Alexander Depratti 4-3 (decision)

132 lbs.: Fairfield Warde’s Jude Grammatico def. Xavier’s Zaphyr Musshorn 2-1 (decision)

138 lbs.: Ledyard’s Lukas Boxley def. Terryville’s Ethan Bochman Rodriguez (pin)

144 lbs.: Xavier’s Braylon Gonzalez def. Ridgefield’s John Carrozza 3-1 (decision)

150 lbs.: Bristol Central’s Alex Lamarre def. Middletown’s Isaiah McDaniel 1-0 (decision)

157 lbs.: Newtown’s Antonio Arguello def. Notre Dame-West Haven’s Riley Storozuk 8-4 (decision)

165 lbs.: Gilbert/Torrington/Wolcott def. Trumbull’s Hubert Szymko 2-0 (decision)

175 lbs.: Xavier’s Vincent Rivera def. Fairfield Prep’s Jack Lilly 14-10 (decision)

190 lbs.: Xavier’s Chase Catalano def. Fairfield Warde’s Dylan O’Brien 2-1 (decision)

215 lbs.: Lyme-Old Lyme’s Taiyo Gemme def. Staples’ Julian Rousseau (pin)

285 lbs.: Shelton’s Chase Galke def. Ellington’s Jacob Palermo 3-0 (decision)

100 lbs.: South Windsor’s Sophia Gordon def. West Haven’s Isha Khanna (pin)

107 lbs.: RHAM’s Brooke Heffernan def. New Milford’s Clara Reynolds 9-2 (decision)

114 lbs.: Branford’s Ava Gambardella def. Jonathan Law’s Selena Batres 6-0 (decision)

120 lbs.: Trumbull’s Jillian Blake def. Fairfield Warde’s Monica Flores Romero 17-1 (technical fall)

126 lbs.: Ellis Tech’s Adelina Tate def. Fairfield Ludlowe’s Ashlynn Cummings (pin)

132 lbs: Amity’s Eliana Selaris def. Daniel Hand’s Evely Lavigne (pin)

138 lbs.: Stratford’s Winner Tshibombi def. Greenwich’s Gaby Aliaga 22-8 (majority decision)

145 lbs.: Stratford’s Gabriella Kiely def. New Milford’s Josephina Piel (pin)

152 lbs: Bunnell’s Matilda Tote def. Shelton’s Ella Piccirillo (pin)

165 lbs: Trumbull ‘s Marangelie Teixeira def. New Britain’s Kaydence Atkinson (pin)

185 lbs.: Platt’s Kayli Morris def. Bristol Central’s Shyann Bryan (pin)

235 lbs.: Norwalk’s Jeily Euceda def. Maloney’s Arianna Bellamy (pin)

Xavier High School (Middletown, CT) has been the most dominant wrestling program in the state in recent memory. Once again, they stole the show in the state opens, winning its fifth-straight state open title.

The Falcons had seven wrestlers compete out of the 14 state open titles in the boys’ division and had five winners with two runner-ups. As a team, they totaled 218.5 points, which was 72 more points than any other team.

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