Jim Cameron’s Talking Transportation columns are some of the best-read pieces in The Connecticut Mirror. And while he and our staff members take some holiday time off this week, here is a countdown of his five most widely read columns from 2025 for readers to re-enjoy — or fume over, whichever is the case.
5. Avelo Airlines — neither woke nor broke.
While understandable, public anger over Avelo Airlines’ contract with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to fly deportation flights for the Department of Homeland Security is misplaced. (Published April 13)
4. Blinded by the (head) light
You are driving down a dark narrow road and suddenly blinded by an oncoming pair of headlights. !!X#&%($!!! Where’s the road? Am I going to crash? Why is this happening and what can I do? (Published Nov. 2)
3. CT’s Real ID deadline is looming
Quick. Look at your Connecticut driver’s license! If you don’t see a gold star in the upper right corner, you’ll soon be unable to use that as ID to fly. (Published March 23)
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2. Shapiro’s Folly – a bridge over Long Island Sound
How did we get sucked into a debate about a project that every transportation expert I spoke with said just won’t happen? (Published Oct. 12)
No. 1: Out-of-state license plates are costing CT towns big money
“This is the number one form of tax evasion in Connecticut. Connecticut is losing millions annually and our DMV does not care.” So says the president of the Connecticut Association of Assessing Officers. (Published June 1)
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.
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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.
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They say additional arrests are expected to be completed by warrant.
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.
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.
An investigation is ongoing in Stonington after a person was fatally struck by an Amtrak train Saturday morning, according to Stonington police.
Police were notified around 11:25 a.m. by Amtrak police that a pedestrian was struck by a train between the Route 1 overpass and the Prospect Street and Palmer Street railroad crossing.
When crews arrived, they pronounced the victim dead at the scene.
The train involved is stopped while Amtrak police conduct their investigation and ask the public to avoid the area at this time.
