Northeast
New Jersey state trooper accused of fatally shooting his dog, assaulting local police officer
A New Jersey state trooper allegedly shot and killed his dog, vandalized a stop sign and assaulted a local police officer.
Alexander Lark was arrested Thursday in Wayne Township, New Jersey, and charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, criminal mischief and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. He was also charged with a municipal ordinance violation for discharging a firearm, while animal cruelty charges are pending, according to the Bergen Record.
Shortly before 1 a.m. on Thursday, residents at Lark’s condo complex called the police and reported hearing a “commotion” – possibly a gunshot – in one of the condos, the outlet reported.
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New Jersey state trooper Alexander Lark allegedly shot and killed his dog, vandalized a stop sign and assaulted a local police officer. (Getty Images)
Several minutes after Wayne officers responded to the report, additional officers leaving the township’s police headquarters spotted a man in the front parking lot “acting erratically.”
The man, later identified as Lark, was destroying a stop sign in the parking lot, and the officers attempted to calm him down, Wayne Detective Capt. Daniel Daly said via the Bergen Record.
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Alexander Lark was charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, criminal mischief and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. (New Jersey State Police)
As officers tried to calm him down, Lark allegedly shoved one of them before he was taken to the ground and placed under arrest. He was then transported to a hospital for evaluation.
Lark appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance, according to an affidavit of probable cause, the Bergen Record reported.
Alexander Lark appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance. (Getty Images)
Officers back at the condo complex entered Lark’s residence and found his deceased dog on the floor next to his Glock 43 service handgun.
Lark has been employed by the state police since 2017.
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Which Pittsburgh Steelers draft picks do fans love, hate?
Steelers fans in attendance shared their thoughts on the team’s 2026 NFL Draft selections.
Pittsburgh has another opportunity to prove its passion for football, now that the 2026 NFL Draft is over.
The Steel City is among the nominees for “Best NFL City” in the USA Today Sports Readers’ Choice Awards, a new nationwide contest modeled after the media company’s successful 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards program.
Public voting will decide who gets the bragging rights from the slate of 20 nominees, which also includes Philadelphia, Baltimore and Cincinnati, by the way.
In addition to choosing the Best NFL City, voters can select their favorites in three other categories: Best College Baseball Stadium, Best Local Sports Bar and Best Sports Bar.
One vote per person, per day will be accepted in each category, and voting ends at noon on May 11. The top 10 winners in each category will be announced on May 20.
USA Today, the Beaver County Times and the Somerset Daily American are owned by the USA Today Co. media company.
Make Mother’S Day Memorable With These 8 Activities In Connecticut
Mother’s Day falls on Sunday, May 10, and Connecticut is full of ways to celebrate.
The Passport to Connecticut Wine Country program is kicking off its latest season, offering residents and visitors a chance to explore the state’s farm wineries and win prizes.
The program, which begins May 1 and includes 37 participating wineries — three of which are new for 2026 — according to a community announcement.
The new wineries are Ox & Oak Vineyard in Lebanon, Spring Hill Vineyards in New Preston and Long View Ciderhouse in Southington. Each offers a unique experience, from a quiet woodland backdrop to a historic farm setting and a branch-to-bottle cidery.
This year, the program is introducing a new feature to the passport booklets. A QR code on the inside cover allows users to register their booklet, making it easier to enter the end-of-season prize drawing.
Farm wineries will also have the option to use a live QR code to issue stamps onsite. Visitors can collect stamps by scanning the QR code at the winery, tapping “stamp my passport” within the mobile app or having their printed booklet marked during the visit.
“There’s nothing like summer in Connecticut! And the Passport to CT Wine Country is exactly what you need to help discover all our state has to offer,” said Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz. “As you explore our beautiful farm wineries, there is so much more to explore in each town, from fabulous shops to stunning walking trails, delicious restaurants and so much more.”
The Connecticut Farm Wine Development Council has increased the total prize allocation this season to $15,000. The prizes will be divided among multiple drawings within three categories: Taster (12 or more stamps), Sommelier (18 or more stamps) and Winemaker (35 or more stamps), according to the announcement.
Connecticut is home to more than 45 licensed farm wineries, each required to use at least 25% Connecticut-grown fruit. Some producers participate in a voluntary designation that highlights wineries using 51% or more Connecticut-grown ingredients.
The Passport program runs through Dec. 31, 2026. Prize drawings will take place no later than Jan. 31, 2027, according to the announcement.
More information about Connecticut farm wineries and the Passport to Connecticut Wine Country program is available at ctwinecountry.com.
The Connecticut Farm Wine Development Council, administered by the state Department of Agriculture, is a voluntary council made up of winery owners, research institutions and representatives of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture and Department of Economic and Community Development. The council is responsible for promoting state wines and related products, offering educational programs, recommending research projects and advising groups on farm wine development.
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
PORTLAND (WGME) — If the polls are any indication, Graham Platner is the toughest challenger Senator Susan Collins has faced in the 30 years she’s held her Senate seat.
“I know now for certain, or pretty much for certain, who my opponent will be,” Collins said.
Collins toured York County’s new regional training center Friday, which she helped secure the funding to build.
As the first chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee from Maine in nearly 100 years, she says she’s been able to bring $1.5 billion to Maine for more than 650 projects across the state.
It’s federal funding, she says, that paid to replace or renovate 45 Maine fire stations, support childcare centers and help rural hospitals stay open.
“I think every day about how we can make life more comfortable for people in Maine,” Platner said.
Platner blames billionaires, big corporations, President Donald Trump, Collins and Republicans in Congress for the ongoing struggles facing working families and small businesses in Maine.
“We need to beat Susan Collins,” Platner said.
CBS13 asked Collins if she felt Trump’s performance will cost her votes in November. She did not answer that directly but did say she’s not running on Trump’s record, but her own.
“I’m proud of my record and the accomplishments of what I’ve been able to do for Maine and for our country,” Collins said.
Collins says the Social Security Fairness Act she helped pass allows retired teachers and first responders to now get the Social Security they earned working in the private sector, along with their pensions.
“I can’t tell you how many retired employees have come up to me and said that it’s made the difference between a comfortable retirement and barely getting by,” Collins said.
They are two polar opposites in many ways, vying for a Senate seat where the stakes couldn’t be higher.
“I look forward to what I hope will be a civil discussion of the important issues facing our country and the State of Maine,” Collins said.
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