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Turtles get helping hand from Connecticut business during nesting season

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Turtles get helping hand from Connecticut business during nesting season


Potholes, racing cars, and reptiles, all things you should be watching out for on the road in the spring.

Environmental stewards are warning about critters as a hazard when you’re driving around this time of year.

“I have to imagine they have been here long before we have been here,” said Matthew Dionne, regional manager of Best Cleaners in Middletown.

His business is subject to an annual march a Middletown turtle must make. Adults crossing from Pameacha Pond on South Main Street across to a marshy area behind the Best Cleaners business.

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“It was kind of a passed along story of how the turtles show up every year. In the spring,” said Dionne.

He has been following the turtle’s journey about 6 or 7 years, since he started in this office.

“The adults will come back to the pond in the marsh… midsummer, the babies make the trek back,” he explained from the back of the store.

The turtles are choosing to nest in a marsh a couple hundred feet from the water. Once the eggs hatch, the babies will beeline for the pond. The issue: the building in the way, and a busy street.

“We regularly see them marching on through, and they don’t stop for anyone,” said Dionne.

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Best Cleaners will leave the doors open all summer long for air flow, and some of the turtles will choose the most direct route, which is through the building.

When you’re as tiny as they are, a helping hand will go a long way.

“The summertime is always when you have to keep an eye out, you gotta look down, you gotta look where you are walking,” Dionne said.

He and the team offer a lift when they come across a turtle. A faster ride, and safe passage across South Main.

“We do what we can, and whatever we can to help out, it makes the workday fun and interesting,” he said.

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That helping hand got the green light from experts.

“It’s really important to preserve the population of our adult turtles,” said Sarah Lawson, a biological science and environmental science professor with Quinnipiac University.

She said you can expect turtles, along with a lot of other wildlife, to be on the move this time of year.

She added, it’s okay to help, offering a nudge or a lift, but keep the turtle moving in the same direction it was headed.

She also made clear; your safety should always come first.

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“I think our safety is number one of importance, if you are crossing a busy road, be aware of traffic, put your hazards on,” Lawson said.

Even just slowing down to protect the turtles can go a long way. She noted turtles are “ecosystem engineers” and play a vital role in ponds and lakes around Connecticut.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental protection agreed as well. If there is a real danger, you can enlist the help of an animal control office or police department, especially in the case of a snapping turtle crossing the roadway.

The idea of helping turtles is a good one according to Jenny Dickson with DEEP, especially the females who are crossing roads to lay eggs.

She explained road mortality typically impacts females the most, because they are crossing roads more often. It takes females years to get to a reproducing age, so if a female turtle is killed on the road, it could impact population for a long time.

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Dickson also pointed out, springtime is when a lot of young wildlife is on the move, so she is encouraging drivers to slow down, and pay extra attention to prevent animal strikes.

Back at Best, over the years, Dionne said they have helped tons of turtles cross the road, never asking why.

“Like they say, help your neighbors, and the turtles are our neighbors, that’s what we are here,” he said.

They just consider it the right thing to do because the turtles were here first.

“If we can take a couple minutes to make sure they are here long after we are gone, that’s kind of our obligation, it’s kind of what we do,” he said.

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At least four injured after multi-vehicle accident involving bus in Bridgeport, per police

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At least four injured after multi-vehicle accident involving bus in Bridgeport, per police


At least three people were taken to local hospitals after a multi-vehicle accident involving a public transit bus in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on Tuesday, according to the Bridgeport Police Department.

The collision took place at around 7:40 p.m. on the 500 block of Water Street, where officials located a Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority (GBTA) bus that struck at least six other vehicles and a wall of the Bridgeport train station.

Once at the scene, emergency medical officials transported several individuals to local hospitals for evaluation and treatment. Two people were taken to Bridgeport Hospital, and two others to St. Vincent’s Medical Center; the extent of their injuries was unknown, per authorities. 

An MTA Facility Manager has responded to the scene to assess the structural damage, according to police.

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Train service was not impacted on the Metro-North lines as a result of the nearby collision. However, traffic was impacted by the closure of the northbound lane of Water Street between State Street and John Street.

The Bridgeport Police Department Accident Reconstruction Team reported to the site of the crash to examine the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Bridgeport Police Department Traffic Division, Sergeant Darryl Wilson, at 203-576-7640.



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Owls, Storytimes, Lights, And Countdown Fun: Here’s What’s Happening Across Connecticut This Weekend

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Owls, Storytimes, Lights, And Countdown Fun: Here’s What’s Happening Across Connecticut This Weekend


CONNECTICUT — The quiet stretch between Christmas and New Year’s is anything but dull in Connecticut. With schools on break and families looking for ways to get out of the house, towns across the state are rolling out kid-friendly programs, glowing light displays, museum activities, and creative ways to ring in the new year early — or right at midnight. From owls in Mystic to trolley rides in East Windsor and countdown celebrations from Torrington to Hartford, this weekend (Dec. 26–28, with New Year’s Eve events close behind) offers plenty of reasons to bundle up and explore.

In Mystic, nature lovers can spend Friday, Dec. 26, learning about one of the region’s most fascinating nocturnal creatures during Vacation Day: All About Owls at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center. Designed for kids on school break, the program introduces participants to local owl species through hands-on activities, live animal presentations, and outdoor exploration. It’s a great option for families looking to balance holiday downtime with educational fun.

Over in Greenwich, the Bruce Museum is hosting Once Upon a Museum: Winter Storytime from Friday through Sunday, Dec. 26–28. Held each morning, the program combines seasonal storytelling with museum exploration, offering young children a calm, creative start to the day. Parents can expect winter-themed books, light activities, and a welcoming introduction to museum spaces that keeps little listeners engaged without overwhelming them.

For families seeking something festive after dark, East Windsor is glowing thanks to Winterfest & the Winter Tunnel of Lights at the Connecticut Trolley Museum. Running on select dates including Dec. 26–28, the event features illuminated displays, holiday décor, and nighttime trolley rides through a sparkling tunnel of lights. The experience blends transportation history with holiday spectacle, making it a unique winter outing for all ages.

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Meanwhile, Meriden continues its long-running seasonal tradition with the Festival of Silver Lights at Hubbard Park, which remains on display through Jan. 2. The expansive park is transformed by thousands of white lights wrapped around trees, lining walkways, and reflecting off the park’s lake. Visitors can drive through or park and stroll, making it one of the state’s most accessible and popular holiday light displays.

As the weekend gives way to New Year’s Eve, Connecticut towns are preparing celebrations that range from family-friendly to full-scale citywide events. In Hartford, First Night Hartford 2026 takes over downtown on Tuesday, Dec. 31. This alcohol-free celebration features live music, dance, comedy, ice skating, fireworks, and activities spread across multiple indoor and outdoor venues. It’s one of the state’s largest New Year’s Eve events and a longtime tradition for families and night owls alike.

For those with younger children who won’t make it to midnight, Torrington offers KidsPlay Countdown on Dec. 31. Hosted by the KidsPlay Children’s Museum, the event allows kids to celebrate the new year with games, activities, and a countdown timed just for them. It’s festive without being overwhelming and lets families enjoy the excitement of New Year’s Eve without late-night fatigue.

Another early celebration takes place in East Lyme, where Countdown to Noon gives families a chance to ring in the new year before lunchtime. With music, activities, and a midday countdown, the event is tailored to younger children who want the thrill of a New Year’s celebration without staying up past bedtime.

Altogether, this post-holiday weekend highlights the best of Connecticut’s winter programming: educational nature programs, calm museum mornings, glowing light displays, and creative countdowns that meet families where they are. Whether you’re exploring owls in Mystic, riding a trolley through lights in East Windsor, listening to stories in Greenwich, or planning ahead for a New Year’s countdown in Hartford, Torrington, or East Lyme, there’s no shortage of ways to close out 2025 and step into 2026 with a sense of wonder.

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CT, US offshore wind projects face second federal pause

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CT, US offshore wind projects face second federal pause


The federal government is again pausing offshore wind projects in Connecticut and along the East Coast. The Trump administration is citing national security risks the Defense Department found in classified reports. It is the second time the administration attempted to halt offshore wind developments, although the first attempt was blocked after a federal judge ruled the government’s actions were illegal. Connor Yakaitis, deputy director of the…



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